Note to Self!

Wendie Monrroy on Main

Sweet hubby was enamored with the Spanish Cannons from 1872.

I used to be one of the most organized people I knew, but somewhere in my 46 years of life something changed and I have become the most scatter-brained individual I've ever encountered. Whenever sweet hubby and I would go on a trip I would start packing three days in advance and I always prided myself on the fact that I never had to make a list. As I would think of things we needed I would simply gather them together in the guest room and by the time we were ready to leave everything would be ready. This is no longer the case as evidenced by our little outing yesterday.

For the past several years I've been trying to get my husband to drive out to the Mission Inn in Riverside to enjoy their Christmas "Festival of Lights". Finally, this was the year he agreed to go so off we went to enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season. Knowing that we would most likely be there until after dark I asked sweet hubby if he needed to take a jacket..."Nope." I should have known better but then I decided he's a grown man and should know whether he'll need one or not. Me, I decided to take one "just in case". And of course I took my camera so I could record the entire event.

When we finally arrived it was like finding ourselves in an enchanted village with old world charm. All the buildings were decked in holiday splendor from the grounds to the roof tops, across balconies, and spilling into the window boxes of the tiny shoppes. It was truly magical.
We wandered down Main Street meandering through the gift shoppes and Antiques Stores while enjoying a hot cup of coffee to the sound of Christmas music.

Hubby found an old book store while I set my sights on a cute little boutique called "Wendie Monrroy on Main". I don't think I've ever seen a store packed so tightly with Christmas decor... or people. The entire ceiling was covered with hanging ornaments and twinkle lights. Did I take a picture of that? No I didn't! Did I take a lot of pictures...No I didn't. This is where my note to self comes in...I left the house without charging my camera's battery. Year's ago I would never have done such a thing, but now? Oh, and sweet hubby who didn't think he would need a jacket was freezing so we got back in the car and drove around Riverside to look at the old Victorians.

Needless to say we missed the Festival and learned a couple lessons in the process...
1. Never leave the house without a back-up battery and a fully charged one as well and,
2. Always take a jacket whether you think you'll need one or not.
We did have wonderful time though and plan to go back in a few weeks to look at more houses.