We can NEVER move. There are no plans, and we’re happy here.  Yes, yes, the neighborhood is lovely, quiet and well-kept.  We’re close to freeways, but you cannot hear them. Great reasons to never leave, but one line item that probably would never make an MLS listing is our neighbors across the street. Who I would adopt if I could, and if they were not already grown adults with their own children.

We moved in a few years back, and instantly hit it off with them.  Possibly due to James’ aformentioned mojo?  Anyway, we love them.  They are kind, great to chat with outside on a long summer’s night, and even more fun to hang out with over a cold beer or glass of wine.  It is not uncommon for one of us to run across the street for glue, sugar, hairtie and be gone for two hours.  Their children are fun, polite, driven and my children think they are some of the coolest people that they have ever met.

This family was one of the first people I told about the idea of “40 days.”  They had such great ideas to add to my growing list, and could not wait to be involved.  Day 8 was a fun night, doing what we all love to do, hang out. We thought about a few different ways to celebrate, and realized our favorite thing to do was just enjoy each other’s company. They invited us over for a yummy dinner, and a Just Dance marathon/competition on the Wii.  What a great way to end the first week.  Great food, laughter, and toddlers furiously trying to keep up to choregraphed dance moves.  Thank you to my wonderful neighbors!

 

My family has fully adopted my husband, almost from the start.  The first time my mom met my husband, she cried tears of joy. He attended a family gathering after only dating for two weeks, (I MAY have forced him to go…semantics..)  He has been on a camping trip with my dad and brother, and attended a ridiculous amount of sporting events with my Uncle John.

I reached out to my uncle to see what he wanted to do.  Technically, he’s my uncle by blood, but James and John hit it off right away, and go do stuff without me. Don’t be sad for me, they both love sports and like most of the same teams, it’s perfect!  We went back and forth on a few ideas, but the timing was not working out. My uncle had picked this Saturday, and I realized that my grandfather’s birthday is on Tuesday.  So, the plan changed. James, myself and the kiddos would head North, see my uncle and grandfather in their hometown and have lunch with them, and then surprise James with my uncle’s newest (and best) idea.  

My uncle works for a minor league baseball team.  He grabbed my husband after lunch, and they headed to the ballpark, along with our eldest son. John had set up a full experience for James… player for a day.  He set up a locker, with gear and uniforms.  All uniforms sporting the number 40 of course.  They ran the bases, hit some balls, and made leaping jumps at the outfield wall. For any guy, regardless of age, this is a memorable experience.  Our son got a kick out of it as well.  A big THANK YOU to my amazing Uncle John for being a one of the best people I know on this earth, and treating my husband to awe-inspiring day.  To our friends, this is one of the Johns one of our sons is named after.  I look forward to the day when my Johnny fully realizes how awesome his Uncle John truly is (he already thinks he’s pretty cool because they have the same name.) =)

 

 

That’s a great view

 

If you have known James long enough, you realize that he has this weird “mojo” about him. The ladies at the DMV love him, he gets his way on customer service lines, and almost ALWAYS wins raffles.  He gets it from his dad.  

Another trait from his dad, the shared dream of winning of the lottery. Without fail, I can find lottery tickets all over his truck.  James is not dumb, he understands the odds.  But, this is also a man that has been struck by lightning, no joke.  The idea of “odds” has become a little more flexible.  Do not forget.. he’s the DREAMER of the family.  It is part of his DNA to talk about what he would do, change, and make better with the earnings.  Day 6 needed some lottery with a combination of “mojo.”  My idea, scratchers!  40 scratchers to be precise.  He won a bunch, I guess I should not be surprised.  Nothing crazy, but we made our money back, so we are in the black!  Happy Scratching everybody!

 

 

Another giant thank you to Heidi for taking two days!  

You may already know that Jamie is a veteran, super patritotic and loves anything military related.  He collects challenge coins.  Background…challenge coins are large metal coins with no monetary value, and symbolize a group, person or mission.  Heidi, our dear friend, is now dog trainer for various law enforcment agencies.  She wanted to share this experience with James, and gave him a challenge coin from her field to add to his collection.  Then of course… they HAD to go shooting and grab some sushi.  Not that my husband would EVER leave me… but taking him on a date for sushi and some shooting is definitely the expressway to this heart.

In my first post, I spoke of some of great things that make James….James.  There was a common thread through each of the examples, he’s a caring guy that loves to meet people.  Through extended interactions with him, you will realize that you have become quick friends with him.  And when James forms a friendship, it is everlasting.  

Over a decade ago, James used to own a small chain of candy stores.  Running the stores has been James’ most favorite job, and something that he DEARLY misses to this day. I hate to even bring it up, but is necessary because of his friend Heidi.  While hiring to staff one of the stores, a teenage Heidi joined the team as an after school job.  James and Heidi hit it off, and have been friends for over fifteen years.  Sometimes, it is more like a big brother/little siter relationship, which James LOVES even more.  Due to how life works out, Heidi does not always live close to us, but they try their best to remain close.  A short while ago, Heidi moved to Northern Califoria, hooray!  We’re now in the same state!  I had reached out to Heidi with my master plan, and she was definitely ready to do anything needed to make this birthday special.  We received a stroke of luck when we learned that James had to travel to the Bay Area for work for a few days…at the beginning of the 40 days.  I called Heidi, and she actually declared that she was going to take two of the forty days and celebrate with James after work.  Heidi and James spoke, and there was casual conversation about making getting together one evening, he had no idea.

Family and friends who are apart of this enormous celebration, are dictating what they want to do with James.  Heidi instantly had an idea.  Day 3 was a peek into James’ love of Scotch.  It should be no surprise that he also enjoys a fine cigar as well.  For Day 4, Heidi set up James to meet her at restaurant for a quick meal.  He arrived early, and immediately could smell the cigar smoke.  After Heidi arrived, they made their way into this cigar lounge that also served Lagavulin…not just the 16yr, but the Distiller’s Edition.  A rare find in retail, even harder to find at a bar.  A great night with a good friend, good cigars and amazing glass of scotch.  Day 4 was a success, thank you Heidi!

Cheers to 40!