Let's Catch Up!

Well hey there readers (if we have any left) - please forgive the amount of time that has lapsed since our last post. Yes we know - we are lazy california bums - what can we say? I'm going to try and briefly catch you up on our last month and a half since you heard about our AMAZING trip to San Fran (a trip we plan to repeat I might add). So shortly after we returned from the bay area - my WONDERFUL parents came out to visit us. They spent a few days enjoying the bay area as well and then we met them in Santa Ynez valley (if you ever saw the movie "Sideways" then you know how amazing it is). Then we showed them around Pasadena and sadly had to say goodbye. But we really had a wonderful time with them. It's so fun to show people from back home our lives out here. Even though we have nothing to do with how awesome Pasadena is - we somehow take pride and credit for it when we show it off.

It would have been much more sad to see them leave if we didn't have the joy of knowing our dear friend Rachel Moury was coming to visit just two days later. On Wednesday, May 21 she flew into town. We immediately went down to San Diego and enjoyed a day and a half there seeing a Padres game and going to Sea World! We also showed our home off to Rachel, went to Santa Monica and just had a brilliant time together. Rae Rae left a week later and there was much sadness. But it was just so wonderful to see her. It was as if it had only been a week since we'd last seen her. Friendships like that are just so wonderful!

Well - two days after Rae left - we were gone again. Our good friends Chris and Rachel Hall were given a time share by their parents for free and they cashed it in at a lodge in Big Bear Lake (in the Sierra's about two hours east). They invited us to join them - so we spent 5 days just chillin with them up there. We did some hiking, played some games, drank some Arbor Mist (Deb's new favorite alcoholic beverage - a nice mix of wine and Sprite haha) - and just had fun with them!

And now we're back in LA! Deb is getting ready for Grad School in a little over two months. She and Meredith (our good friend who is doing the exact same program) just registered and ordered their books! Exciting! I have been just doing some extra work to earn a little money for the summer. I do have some news in terms of what direction I'm planning to go. I've decided to invest time and money into going into voice over work. This is a field that I feel gifted in and there happens to be a lot of work in it too. If you're not sure what that mean - voice over work covers anything from tv/radio ads and commercials, training videos - to cartoons and movies. It's a great field that I can do it from anywhere. So I'll be taking a class this year and putting a good demo together and hopefully can then get an agent and get some work!! I'm also moving ahead in comedy. I'd like to put a website together this summer and a decent demo and hopefully get some management. Still a very unknown and crazy future ahead - but we continue to trust God through it all!!

But life is grand out here. Deb leaves this week for NY where she'll be camping with some good college friends. When she gets back - we'll be graced by a visit from my wonderful aunt Judie! Can't wait. Please say Hi. We miss you all and hope you are all well!

much love,
Timmy and Deb

ps - it's flippin HOT out here. It was 105 yesterday and today it's 100.

Sonoma and San Fran

So the fun continues in California (sorry to make you all jealous). We took another mini vacation, a mincation if you will, last weekend with our awesome friends Ben and Meredith. We left on Thursday (5/1) for beautiful Sonoma County in Northern California. If you've not heard of it, it's the neighboring county to famous Napa county - the counties known for their production of wonderful wines. It's just an hour north of maybe my favorite city, other than Pasadena, in America - San Francisco. We got to our campsite - yeah, we camped - around 4 on Thursday and kinda just chilled. Friday was our high culture day of wine tasting. We rented some bikes and biked to three different vineyards. It was super fun. The wine was quite tasty and Deb survived the day tasting wine without having to add ANY sprite!! haha

On Saturday, we got up early and left for a day in San Francisco. We played tourist all day - visiting the park where they filmed the opening sequence for "Full House", we went to the hippy district, and then parked at Fisherman's Wharf. We had a nice lunch there and then got some amazing ice cream at Ghiradelli Square. And of course - we rode the trolly. We took it downtown, walked around, got some Chinese food in Chinatown, and then it was nighttime and time to head back to the campsite. We could see ourselves doing well in San Francisco - especially since there are so many scooters everywhere. It was a great day. Sunday, we packed up and it was back south to LA. It was an awesome trip and we hope to return in the fall when the grapes are ripe!

So - what's next? We're looking forward to Mom and Dad Morgan's visit this week. They land in San Fran on Tuesday and we'll meet up with them on Thursday. It will be so great to show them around our new home. When they leave, our dear friend Rachel Moury will be coming into town. Tons to look forward to. As always - we hope you are well!

Tim (and Deb)

Yosemite!!

We went up to visit our friend Bobby in Fresno this week. (We studied together with Bobby in England ~ jolly good) He took us up to Yosemite for the day. To get to the Yosemite valley ~ the center of the park ~ we had to drive a ways in beyond the gate. The road led through a tunnel and as we came out the other side, the view is amazing. It suddenly opens up and there is this beautiful green valley in front of us. There are waterfalls, huge rock formations and just a breathtaking view of Yosemite. Sort of the kind of view I picture in the movie "The Land Before Time." We kept waiting for a dinosaur head to pop up out of the trees... We decided to take a hike and ended up spending the afternoon hiking up to the top of Yosemite Falls. Wow ~ that was an incredible hike. Very hard, very steep but very rewarding. The view from up there was incredible, we could see all over the valley. It was neat to be at the top of the Falls and see all the water going down over the edge. And can I just say "ouch." We are all feeling the after effects of that hike and are babying our muscles now. Here are some pictures from our trip, but obviously pictures don't do it justice... OH - and if you're wondering just how high we hiked - take a look at the last picture of the falls from a distance and then look at how tiny the people are next to it (they're a good 200 yards in front of it too) - and then look up at where the falls begin - yep - we went that high!

We hung out with Bobby and he showed us around Fresno the next day and we bought some amazingly delicious fruit at some roadside stands. I have never tasted strawberries that taste this good before! And fresh oranges too. California is so good to us! :) It seems like it has just been one big vacation since we moved out here ~ getting to do all these fun things and see all these cool places, and, oh yeah, working every once in awhile... (not that we're complaining!!!) Anyway, we're off to get ready for our next adventure (camping in Sonoma next weekend) Hope all is well out there!!!

Baja Bike Ride

Last weekend we packed up Dot (our car), loaded up our bikes and headed down for Mexico! We rode down with our pals Ben and Meredith, spent the night along the border and crossed into Mexico in the morning. We joined about 7500 other bikers at the start line for the Baja Bike Ride. It was an awesome ride ~ 50 miles along the coast ~ starting in Rosarito and ending in Ensenada and traveling mainly along the ocean. A lot of families came out and watched along the bike route and cheered us on. And a bunch of little kids lined up and reached out their hands to get a high-5 as we biked past. They also yelled out "candy!" (one of the few English words they knew) as the bikers rode by - some of the bikers knew to bring candy and treats down to throw to the kids in the sidelines. It was great. At the end, they had a big finish line fiesta with all sorts of tacos, burritos, churros and yummy (authentic) Mexican food. We packed up and headed back home afterwards. We all slept pretty well that night... :)

Bikes and Workout Videos...

Hey Everyone!

It's Timmy. Deb would write this - but she's next to me sleeping. Something about having to go be a nurse tomorrow or something - i don't know. Well - it's been nearly a month - forgive us. Some new things - I just released a NEW VIDEO!! It's called 'Timlates: An Exercise ExtravaFUNza." It's a new workout that is sweeping the nation and changing lives! It's only 4 1/2 minutes long - and that's all you need to have your life changed. Trust me. It's just below. ENJOY!! And please - if this has impacted your life - don't keep it to yourself. Share it with your friends and family. Together...well, you know the rest.




As for what's going on out here - well - Debbie and I just keep falling more and more in love with California!! We've been biking a whole lot. Last Friday we went with our friends Ben and Meredith Wideman (faithful readers of our blog) to Santa Monica and biked 44 miles up and down the coast. it was amazing! Parts of us were sore - but it was a fantastic time. We're getting our money's worth out of those wonderful bikes!!

We have a lot to look forward to this spring. Next week I take my class, finally, to be a substitute. It's been a long road - but it's finally here. Next weekend - we're driving down to Baja, Mexico and riding in a 50 mile century race. It's really low key and will be a blast. In the beginning of May we're planning a trip up to wine country which we can't wait for and then - WE'RE GETTING VISITORS! My parents are planning to come out west for their - your ready for this - 35TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!! So we're going to get to see them. And then the very next week, our dear friend Rachel Moury is coming out!! So like I said - much to look forward to. Deb is still waiting to hear from Cal State as to whether she's in for their nursing education grad program - but we're not worried. Deb rocks!!

We hope you all are well and blessed! We love you all!! Leave a comment and say hey!

love,
Tim and Deb

The Latest...

Well hey there people! How's life? I hope all is quite well with you! We are doing well ourselves. Let me just say how much we love living in California right now. This week's weather has been absolutely fabulous (an adjective I don't typically use to describe anything). It's been consistently in the mid to upper 70's and nothing but sun - though, today is a little cooler and more overcast. Deb has 3 days in a row off this week - so we decided to take a day vacation down to Santa Monica. The nice thing about California is that you literally only have to drive a few miles and you feel like you're on vacation in a place that you'd have to fly to. It was a great day. We rode our brand new bikes (yes - we purchased new bikes!!) on a 22 mile ride up and down the coast on this awesome trail that runs from Malibu down past Hermosa Beach. Out butts were quite sore by the end - but it was awesome.

So yeah - we have new bikes. Deb was due to get one and I, yet again, crashed my bike and this time, totaled it beyond repair. We got a great deal at a beautiful shop nearby and have been enjoying them as much as we can (which is often out here). Enjoy the attached pics.

Deb and I both enjoyed trips back east (not at the same time sadly). Deb and her two sisters (Katie and Pat) flew home to surprise their mom for her birthday. Since it's been over a year since all three girls were at home at the same time - this was a HUGE surprise indeed. They enjoyed a nice, relaxing, snowy three days together eating food, sitting by the fire, and playing games! I was sad not to be there - but so happy for Mom!

I just returned last week from a week at home. I was flown out by Paeoli Presbyterian Church (near Philly) to be the speaker at their annual winter retreat up in the Poconos. Friday night, Feb 29th, I just did comedy. Then I actually preached twice on Saturday. I was a bit nervous about crossing over from goofy comedy to a serious talk about faith - but it actually went quite well. I was amazed at how comfortable I was talking about Jesus and faith and abundant life and all the wonderful stuff! I was also able to just enjoy a great visit with my family for a few days before and after the weekend. I got to meet my BEAUTIFUL new niece Lily! She is a blessing. Lucy is an absolute trip. She's singing and like most little kids - is utterly obsessed with Elmo.

Now I'm back and getting back into things out here. I'm currently editing my workout video - Timlates - and it should be out by the end of the month. Stay tuned! Deb is continuing to enjoy her nursing and is awaiting word from Cal. State to see if she's in for grad school! I don't have any doubts - who wouldn't want Debbie!!! Last weekend was outdoors weekend for us. Friday we went skiing with our friends Ben and Meredith, Saturday we took a 6 mile hike, and Sunday we took a nice bike ride!

So all is well. Please drop us a line and say Hi! Hope life is well for you!

blessings,
Tim and Deb

Way too long - forgive us!!

Hey You Wonderfuls!!
Please forgive me for not writing a blog for a month and a half. I know it must be really really tough to feel so disconnected from our lives - like being without milk, bread, or eggs during a snowstorm no doubt. We miss you all so much and hope you are super well! Let me quickly catch you up on things.

I'll start with Deb. Deb is still a nurse. She's now off orientation and she's doing amazingly. As you can imagine - there's always a degree of stress in nursing - but Debbie is doing so well and handling her work with skill and grace! Some MAJORLY EXCITING NEWS in Deb's life. Just two days ago - Deb mailed in her application in to California State University to pursue a masters in nursing with a concentration in nurse education. It appears to be a great program! She'll be able to go part time, work full time, and still finish in just two years. It will be through the internet - so she can hog our computer right from home ;) And it's an incredibly affordable program. There will be no need to take on loans! And what's even more exciting - we have good friends Ben and Meredith Wideman - well, Meredith is a nurse and she will be pursuing the same program at the same time. So Deb will have someone to work through it with. How exciting is this?!! It's truly a blessing!

Ok - so on the comedy/acting front. I've been able to get involved with some great projects so far this year. Last weekend I was in a shoot called West Guild Story (you can see it on youtube if you just type the title in the search bar). It's a parody on the writers strike that just ended. It was super fun. We spent a week rehearsing (dance and singing) and shot it on New York Street on CBS studios lot - the very same street where they filmed much of Seinfeld!! I have a supporting role - but was so thankful to be part of it and develop new friendships. Just two weeks ago - I shot my own workout video called "Timlates - A Workout Extravafunzga!!!" I still have yet to do much of the editing - so stay tuned. But it should be funny - and, of course, revolutionize the way the world works out!! I have a few standup gigs lined up - but nothing huge to speak of. Still deliberating over whether or not that's what I want to passionately pursue. We'll see.

As I type - Deb is actually in Pittsburgh. She and her sisters flew back to surprise her mother for her Birthday - and if you know Deb's mom then you'll know that is a wonderful gift indeed. She flies back tomorrow. It's been a wonderful visit. I am actually flying back east on Tuesday for a week. I'm being flone out to speak at a youth group retreat - to do comedy and then be the main speaker. I'm really excited do both. I love making people laugh and I love to talk about Jesus - so this should be a cool experience! Perhaps I'll see some of you while I'm home!

Well - that's the past month and a half - basically. Exciting no? Hope you are well. Please feel free to say HI!! Love you all!


blessings,
Tim (and Deb)