Recent Posts

I hope you got a lot of clay worked with minimal discussion about the upcoming storm at the gallery!

I am finding I am far less stressed about the approach of August! Though, I admit I am having back to school dreams this week. The latest was not being able to find drawing paper in the correct spot (at my school of 28 years) and things being all mumble jumble, e.g. I'm supposed to be in room 5, but I was in room 7 or 9 and the hallways were lined with storage closets instead of backpack hangers....

I am constantly reminding myself that there is time to get things done. I worked on Blitz and Molly today and started to feel pressure to work on Buster, too. Had to remind myself tomorrow is another day with not too much on the calendar, so I can certainly push Buster's grooming off until tomorrow.

I remind myself, too, that it doesn't matter that "school summer" is almost over. Summer now extends far beyond August 6th, which would be my first "official" day back were I not retired. As a matter of fact, I will be on the road returning from Ohio on August 6!

I will be happy when the school stress dreams let up a bit, though.

Well Liz, now you know that the famous bar/restaurant is not for you. Did the kids like it? I agree with you and Peps, I don't like loud restaurants. It seems there is a trend in this area of urban chic, with cement floors, high open ceilings with exposed ductwork etc. It's so loud with all the hard surfaces and nothing to absorb the sound. Another reason I like patios, they're often quieter than indoors.

A lot of people are asking if I feel any different yet about retirement, since I always have summer off. Peps maybe you're experiencing this too? As I'm processing the change every day, one thing I've noticed is less anxiety about making sure I wring every good thing out of summer I can. Because it goes fast, and because I knew I couldn't take even a week long vacation during the winter, I was almost frantic about making sure I was outside on nice days. Now there is time, and many sunny days ahead to use as I wish. I will say this summer is going by faster than ever!

Yesterday our nephew had his 3 children here. We lowered the temp on the hot tub and they played for almost 2 hours. Water, always entertaining. Around 3pm, our niece sent a text asking if we wanted to come over and celebrate her birthday. She lives in her family home with her husband and her Dad, the widower of DHs sister. I realized that although we see them at other family gatherings, and talk and text with our niece frequently, we had never been back to the house since SIL passed away. 35 years ago, we were visiting their new home when their new furniture arrived, and I helped SIL unbox it and set it up. The same furniture is still in the livingroom. We were in our late 20s, omg, how the years flow by. After the other guests left, and only family remained, we got out photos and told stories about my SIL. It became a poignant and beautiful evening. And life goes on...

Okay, I started the first part of this hours ago. Nephew came home after being at his family's home crying, so we sat in the living room and talked for several hours. When he came in, so visibly sad I asked him if he wanted some space or if he wanted to talk. Clearly he chose talking. (His Mom was at work). I hope it was helpful. If he only took away one thing, it would be we love him, and are here for him.

Later we talked with DD on the phone, and her life is so good right now. She loves her new apartment, and she says het commute is so much easier, she's been early to work. Saturday was meet everybody day: her BFs boss had a BBQ so she met all his department coworkers and their significant others, and then they went to a birthday party for his Mom and she met his family and their friends. She is so happy. The only snafu in the perfect boyfriend is he is terrified of flying, and hasn't since he was 7 and he visited his family in Poland. He is willing to address this, because he understands to be with DD means trips t to Minnesota.

One thing that hasn't happened: I still haven't read the paper! I thought there was going to be so much time when I retired. Being interrupted because of relationships is a good reason though.

200.1 My body loves this weight!

I was up at 4 am to take BFF to the airport. Being a Sunday there was no traffic and it was smooth sailing there and back. I was home and back in bed (after letting dogs out to pee) by 5:50!!! Dozed on and off until 8:25. However, I do not feel rested.

Yesterday afternoon, I felt like I might be coming down with something and became quite cranky. When BFF came over to drop off his dogs and grabbing dinner was discussed, I had to remove myself from the conversation, because I just couldn't. I took a couple of ibuprofen after dinner and that seemed to help. This morning, even with lack of rest, I feel back to my normal self.

Not sure what's on the docket for today. I have some phone calls to make to start getting my dad set up for his move to memory care. OF course, there will be some type of dog grooming.

Weather is California gorgeous this morning. Cool in the shade, beautifully toasty in the sun. Should bet up into the low 80s. Perfect for me.

Liz, nice that you had the kids for the weekend. The loud beach bar would not have appealed to me at all. With my hearing loss loud or echo-y places aren't enjoyable for me. I never really have enjoyed loud places though - even in my 20s I hated bars/clubs that blasted the music.

Hope everyone's Sunday is what they need!

Good that you skipped that meeting. It is impossible to please everyone and best to just ignore the complaining. They are painting the buildings at the timeshare I own at in Aruba. They had 2 color schemes that the members voted on. The one I like which was shades of teal lost to the shades of beige one. Such is life. Yes, it looks blah in the pictures we are seeing but it looks fresh. But you should hear people's complaints on the forum. Ridiculous. Another situation where you just can't please all the people.