There were so many beautiful things that we saw and did today in Carmel and Monterey that I thought I’d share my day in photos. Hope you had a great day too!
Life is sweet, especially with Kona coffee and chocolate ice cream with an Oreo crust!!
Monthly Archives: June 2012
Day 47: Work Hard, Play Hard
Today I had to work hard and fast to get everything done so I could play again! You know, work hard, play hard. That’s my motto!
J was so sweet and she handmade invitations for C’s birthday. We hand delivered to all we could.
We planned our going away celebration and sent out an Evite. Hopefully we’ll get a chance to say goodbye to as many friends as possible before we move.
April and I did a Costco run together – gathering food for the week and a play date- gotta love that! We left all the kids together to play. It’s so nice having big kids!
Jeff confirmed the moving company and we scheduled our packing/move date. It’s official… We’re really moving!!
After cleaning up the house and packing my bags (I’m getting really good at this!), I filled up the car with gas and picked up Susanne to head to beautiful, Carmel!
Michele planned a weekend away for us at her new house and how could we let her down? Susanne and I had to come and celebrate with her and make sure the patio wasn’t too windy and that the new couches were comfy. So far, so good! No complaints!! And we’re good friends like that.
We enjoyed a perfectly, snack-y, appetizer dinner with wine and port and watched the sunset. Life is good!!
I would normally not pack so much fun into one month, but when you’re moving and want to do it all before you’re gone, you have to do it all when the timing and opportunity are aligned. I’m grateful that I have such a supportive husband and family. Thanks, guys!!
What are you doing just for you this month?
Day 48: Cleaning Day
The two highlights of my day today were having Pinkberry yogurt with Elizabeth and her girls, and grilling juicy steaks for dinner with my family and eating outside on the patio.
The rest of the day was spent cleaning and decluttering and organizing and donating and selling stuff! We have so much stuff, it’s ridiculous! At least I can see the floor in our garage again, which makes me very happy. Clutter is so stifling and I need open space to have a clear head and to move around and to have a place to start organizing the stuff we want to move overseas. I hope to only take 20% of what we have, and leave the rest or give it away. Wish me luck and/or stop by to recycle some treasures!
Now it’s time to go fold the 5 loads of laundry I washed today. Oh what fun!!How much laundry do you do a day? Do you fold it as soon as it comes out of the dryer, or let it sit like me?
Day 49 – Beach Day
Oh my goodness, I don’t know how so many things are able to get done in one day, but I’m not complaining!!
This Chihualy Glass exhibit was donated to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. It is so beautiful and we were lucky enough to see one of his shows in San Francisco. The kids were amazed, as were we! He is amazing.
1) J had an MRI this morning at 8 am for her broken arm that’s not healing right. Hopefully it’s nothing and just needs some physical therapy – that’s what I’m hoping. We’ll find out more tomorrow. Just glad we have great doctors and facilities to care for her. She had to sit in the MRI tube for 30 minutes without moving. I got to stand and watch her. But I couldn’t stand still – so I did Yoga for her entertainment, until she started laughing. That wouldn’t be good if she moved her arm!!
2) After the doctor’s visit, we headed over to Safeway to shop for lunch and dinner at the beach! Safeway had all these nice, prepackaged salads that were just right for today. And having chips and chocolate chip cookies, are good ol’ fashioned beach food, right? The more snacks, the better?
3) We packed up the van, fed April’s cat, loaded my SUP board, got gas and we on the road to the beach for the entire day.
Beautiful and windy day at Manresa State Beach.
4) After a bit of a mixup, we met up with several friends at Manresa State Beach. Any day at the beach is a good day for me. Unfortunately, it was too windy and choppy and cold for me to bring out my paddle board. The kids didn’t seem to mind though. They had fun boogy boarding and digging deep holes and kicking a soccer ball around. I loved catching up with the Callaways and Hasletons and friends. The Callaways moved back to Utah last year, and they were back in California for a visit. It was nice to hear their perspective on moving and keeping your friends and making new ones.
5) After the visit at Manresa, we drove up Highway 1 to Costanoa to meet up with April and Julie and their families, who are camping there. Just driving up HWY 1 is a gift – we saw kite surfers and beautiful fields and ocean views. We shared a potluck dinner, the kids played wiffel ball baseball, and we made s’mores and ate more than we should. But, boy was it fun! I love camping and sitting by the campfire and just being togetgher, but just couldn’t get it all together to stay overnight. We stayed until 9 pm and then drove back over the hill to Sunnyvale. Some things, just have to give… bummer!
Roasting s’mores by the campfire! Mmm… my favorite!!
Phew! I sure enjoyed my day “off!” The kids were super happy and I loved hanging out with them and friends.
Oh, and Jeff ordered our tickets today to Holland – we’re still on track for leaving in 49 days, oh my!! It’ll all get done…and I still plan to pack in as much fun as possible!
Day 50: Doctors and Dentists
Today was filled with visiting doctors to be sure we had all our vaccines up to date and to get prescriptions to take with us to Holland. Good news – they’re all healthy and don’t need any preventative care for another year. A health reminder – make sure you’re spraying your kids’ legs with sunscreen. Today was the third story I’ve heard of people dying from skin cancer from an innocent spot on their leg, that was treated and later turned to cancer. Two people have died, and one dear friend is treating her spot right now!! Summer is coming – take the 15 seconds to spray, including the legs!
The whole family went to the dentist today. No one really likes to go the dentist, but Dr. Murray is the nicest man I know. I love seeing him and hearing stories about his family and how they’re growing and studying and swimming and performing. He’s more than a dentist – he takes the time to chat, and to explain results and to connect at the human level. We leave there happy, despite Novocains, flossing, poking and cleanings!
I had a visit from a Relocation Consultant again to help me plan the international move details. This time I didn’t feel as emotional and I’m ready to get packing, just as soon as I stay home long enough to do the work! Maybe by the end of the month!! Then again…
We ended the day with a celebration – C’s baseball team was together again at Round Table Pizza – sharing a meal and beer and conversation with friends. Rachel brought her Sweet Tooth Confection Red Velvet Cupcakes for dessert. What a treat! There’s always next Monday to start a diet again, right?
I had to miss my Stella & Dot team meeting which I was looking forward to, but I couldn’t miss another event for lil’ C. I missed his game last weekend and am missing closing ceremonies this weekend, so there has to be some give and take. Ying and Yang… my best friends!
Hope you had a good day!! G’night.
Day 51: First Day of Vacation
It was nice to not have to wake up to a 6:30 am alarm this morning. I love the beginning of summer and the change in routine. But this summer feels different already. Still exciting, but a different feel because I have WORK to do!! Only 51 days left to figure out the details of this big move, AND enjoy our California summer with friends and vacation and have the kids at home without a plan!! In the end, it’ll all come together – it always does, but I’m a bit of a control freak with my lists, and strategies and plans that swirl around on my to-do lists and in my head and trying to fit as much as I can into each day.
I felt a little anxious today with the ying and yang of work and play, but it all worked out and I think we all had fun. We made chocolate croissants for breakfast and shared them with Megan before she had to leave. Afterwards, April drove Megan to the airport and I took all our kids to Kristin’s for a graduation brunch with a few friends. It was so nice to be together chatting and enjoying each other, while the kids played in the RAIN!! WTH?!?
Afterwards, the kids and I sat together and talked about our summer wish list of places we’d like to visit and things we wanted to do. Luckily the list isn’t too overwhelming. I put limits on the amount of TV/Video screen time and made them come up with their own list of other things they might want to do instead. Trying to manage expectations a bit and to set up some boundaries. Little C went on a play date and the rest of us hung out for awhile.
In the afternoon, I took the kids to Target to use their gift cards from Megan. Little C picked a water gun and a Lego guy and some Poppers. Big C bought some new games – which is perfect, because I want us to play together, especially when we move. And J does what she usually does – negotiated a deal! She asked that I use her card to pay for my stuff and give her the cash instead. She doesn’t like to spend her money. I let them each pick out a snack that I don’t typically keep in the house and these chips and dips were Lil’ C’s choice. His “girlfriend” introduced these to him last summer – brought back fun memories! J picked Jolly Ranchers and Big C picked a new Dorito flavored bag of chips.
We came home from Target and enjoyed our savory snacks while playing C’s new game. Let the summer games begin!!
Day 52: Do What You Love. Love What You Do.
I have a bucket list of things I want to do before we move. One of them was to see my friend Megan again. I was trying to figure out logistics to fly to see her and her family in Michigan, when she figured out a way to come see me instead. I'm so thankful!!
April and I planned a weekend in Capitola – one of my favorite hang out spots. We had a great time going out to eat, shopping, hanging out on the beach, paddle boarding, walking along the Cliffs and just relaxing and chatting until late at night with no real schedule. Debbie shared her condo with us, which was so much nicer and more relaxing than staying in a hotel. Thanks, Deb and Gary!!
3 things I learned this weekend:
1. Take time for yourself. Make yourself a priority and don't feel guilty when you do.
2. Don't think that you're too busy or that your family can't survive without you. They will be fine even if they eat fast food while you're gone and play video games all day. Dads can do hair and makeup for dance recitals – just ask Joe! And kids get time alone with their dads and get to bond over squirt guns and miniature golf – just ask Steve and Jeff. Everyone needs a break in routine, especially moms. We need a change of scenery without anyone needing their meat cut up, or a shoe tied, or another question answered or a decision made for someone else besides ourselves. We need to be able to sleep in and do whatever we want without worrying about taking care of the needs of others. Ahhhh…..
3. Girlfriends need the advice and wisdom shared by their girlfriends. Women are gatherers and we process and solve problems by talking and sharing and listening and learning and supporting one another, without judgment.
Life is good.
What's on your bucket list? Are you making a list and checking things off?
Day 53: Girlfriends
I think what I’ll miss most when we move is not stuff or food or places or weather, but my girlfriends, including my mom and sisters. I hope that when we get to Holland I can make friends easily and quickly because life sure is sweeter with girlfriends.
Day 54 – aaahhhhh…..
Time to relax after a very busy week!
Congratulations to all the graduates!!
here i am 