Week 38

Hi all and welcome back.  I can't believe we are near the end of September already and it's now officially Fall--yay! Last week was certainly full and now Tyler is back at his home away from home ready to start another productive year which means it's time for me to focus more on the other two.  Justin has college applications coming up and all those fun senior year deadlines. Brandon is working hard on his basketball skills prepping for tryouts in a few weeks plus focusing on mastering those classroom subjects.  At least fall is a calming season with mild weather that will help us plug on.

Take a look at last week's pictures:

Day 260- Monday, 9/17/18

Speaking of fall we're starting to see some more color around here.  I found this beauty while walking through the park with Bella on this crisp and cool afternoon.

Day 261- Tuesday, 9/18/18

Here's a dose of cat cuteness.  Rusty is more active and playful when the temps are mild and not so crazy hot.  That little kitty mouth and whiskers are just too much.  I was also out shopping with Tyler to stock him up on essentials he'll need to take back to school and found this new star-studded pumpkin.  I couldn't resist and love it especially when the sun shines on it and the stars reflect on my ceiling and walls.

Day 262- Wednesday, 9/19/18

 I'm here waiting on Justin who is getting a CT scan for a bump on his head and a swollen cheek bone area.  Both of which are not going away.  He also has an MRI set for next week.  We're all hoping it turns out to be really no big deal.

Day 263- Thursday, 9/20/18

 This is Tyler's last day at home for while so we made a special dinner and are celebrating his birthday early plus finishing up all the packing so we can head out a daybreak tomorrow.

Day 264- Friday, 9/21/18
 After our 6 hr drive south we got Tyler moved into this dorm building at UCLA.  This is one of his roommates, Yash, and the other, Will, is on his way.  They are all good friends, frat brothers, fellow volunteers at the med center, and share similar majors and career goals so it's a great fit, and I know they will have an amazing year together.  Later, while on my own and at someone's suggestion, I walked the campus after dark to marvel at how beautiful it is lit up at night.

Day 265- Saturday, 9/22/18

 I enjoyed one last visit with Tyler over breakfast before heading out to spend the rest of my day on a long, lonely, and boring drive home.  At least it was a good trip, and I love seeing how much Tyler thrives being at this school and feels good about where he's at and who he hangs with.

Day 266- Sunday, 9/23/18

 Happy Birthday to Tyler my now 20 year old!  This picture was taken Thursday when we celebrated since we can't be with him today, but it belongs here to mark his special day.  The second picture was taken today and texted to him as a way to wish him happy birthday and assure him that we are taking good care of the rest of his leftover ice-cream cake ;0)

Wait!  One more-

September's Family Photo

We had to fit a family picture in before Tyler left so here is our full family as we gathered to start our last meal with him until Thanksgiving.  We all chipped in to make homemade pizza which of course is one of his favorites.

OK all done!  See you next week in a new month.  Bring on all things Fall!

Week 37

Hello and welcome back!  I'm running a bit late because it's a crazy time right now trying to get Tyler all packed to moved back to school while dealing with multiple big work projects and other kids and appointments and pets and a birthday and oh my!  Let's just say I'm looking forward to things settling down really soon.

Here's a peek at how last week went down:

 

Day 253- Monday, 9/10/18

This afternoon I found a dragonfly in the pool which is cool to see up close.  Then, just inside, I see that Brandon has taken over the kitchen table for homework.  I need to get this kid a desk.  Steinbeck is in the house once again for 9th grade English reading.

Day254- Tuesday, 9/11/18

 Must be dinner time and my hungry boys know how to put a dent in a meal especially if it's orange chicken which is one of their favorites right now.

Day 255- Wednesday, 9/12/18

 After school, after practice, after biking home, after dinner, after homework, after chores, after showering he can finally relax and unwind.  He chooses to do so by playing games on the computer while plugged into music and that is fine by me because he certainly earned some screen time.

Day 256- Thursday, 9/13/18

 This morning the sky looked amazing covered in these patterned clouds just after dawn as I made my way across campus for coffee with a friend.  Then this afternoon John pointed out another cool dragonfly but out front and very much alive.  What amazing colors and wing detail on this one.  They always make me feel at peace seeing them and remind me of my brother who has passed.

Day 257- Friday, 9/14/18

 It must be Friday because Bella is ready and waiting for her bone.  She gets one every Friday and knows exactly when to ask for it.  Happy day!

Day 258- Saturday, 9/15/18

Wow!  Crazy full day but all fun and good times.  John took the older boys out on their annual sushi feast before Tyler heads back to school.  Justin later went to the homecoming dance with a bunch of friends while John and I went out with Sharon and Richie.  We first went to the Old Sugar Mill for wine tasting and then to dinner and then to drinks. We enjoy those progressive nights out.

Day 259- Sunday, 9/16/18

I'm loving these blue IKEA bags for packing up Tyler's dorm stuff.  They are super cheap and hold so much stuff plus are easy to carry with sturdy straps.  Where have they been the past 2 years?!  After doing some packing and housecleaning we headed to Davis for a BBQ at Ray's place and it was great to see all these guys get together again to enjoy a good football game.  Plus the food was supper good.  Ray takes his grilling seriously.  Thanks Lily for taking the picture of the guys and thanks Darryl for sharing it with me off your phone.  Love our network.

That's it for now.  Time to finishing prepping for the trip to LA and back. 

Week 36

Welcome back and happy Tuesday!  Last week was a short work week but it seemed really long.  This week is super busy at work for me so maybe it will go by super fast.  The weather has been nice.  A bit warm still but there is a feel of the start of fall especially with football games going on and leaves dropping here and there.  I'm so ready for that.

Here are last week's pictures which actually still have a very summer-like vibe to them with a small hint of fall mixed in:

Day 246- Monday, 9/3/18

Happy Labor Day!  Gotta love 3-day weekends and being able to grill and enjoy a good meal with the family.  We had our bigger feast yesterday and opted for burgers and dogs today which did not disappoint.

Day 247- Tuesday, 9/4/18

 Rusty was at the top of the stairs when I got home from work, basking in the sunlight, and hanging with his friends Mr. Frog and Red Bird.  I'm not sure what happened to his Fish.  Maybe it doesn't play well with others?

Day 248- Wednesday, 9/5/18

 Last week I was processing some water samples with capsule filtration and a magnetic separation technique.  This week I'm using membrane filtration to look for another organism that might be in those samples.  Much more of this to come which also means many hours on the microscope.

Day 249- Thursday, 9/6/18

 Time for some high school football.  I''m working the Booster's snack bar during the freshman game on this smokey night.  At least it made for a pretty sunset as I wrapped up my shift.

Day 250- Friday, 9//7/18

 Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the roses  The cooler temps are allowing my yard to come alive again with one last bloom before fall really sets in.

Day 251- Saturday, 9/8/18

Everyone was home for dinner which is rare so we made the most of it.  John fried up some chicken tenders for us to grub on, we had Ben and Jerry's pints for dessert and then finished off the day with a night swim.  Boy, I really wish Brandon would play polo.  I missing being a polo mom so much and he has great command of the ball.  Maybe next year.

Day 252- Sunday, 9/9/18

It's a lazy Sunday as it should be.  John and Bella are sacked out after watching some football and later I chilled by the pool with a refreshing glass of wine while enjoying the delta breeze during our golden hour--and so ends the weekend.

That's it!  See you next week which will be our last full week with Tyler before he heads back to his home away from home.

Week 35

Welcome back, happy Tuesday, and hello September--Wow!  Looking back August was a really full month with so much going on and it went by in the blink of an eye.  I think this new month will be just as insane and then of course we get into the holidays after that so yeah, it will be the new year before we know it.  Hang on tight--I'm imagining a wild ride.

Until then here is how we wrapped up one month and started the next:

Day 239- Monday, 8/27/18

Mondays are hard even for the pets.  Bella is happy to be inside now that I'm home at the end of my day so she can relax in her favorite spot.  I love how her one ear is up against the couch and she doesn't even care--super content just to be inside with her peeps.

Day 240- Tuesday, 8/28/18

Waiting, waiting and waiting at the doctor for these two.  It's their bi-annual visit which was supposed to be no big deal but turned out to be more than expected.  Time will tell if there is a real concern or not.  Ugh!

Day 241- Wednesday, 8/29/18

Wednesday at work I'm doing water testing on environmental samples looking for evidence of our pathogens.  Then at home while walking the dog I just had to take a picture of these 3 dimensional, triangular shaped seed pods on the trees around here.  I've never noticed them before this year, but they are everywhere now and super cool.

Day 242- Thursday, 8/30/18

After some cooler temps its warming up again and this kid just got home from basketball conditioning, scarfed down some dinner, and now is cooling off with some ice-cream.  Lol!  Poor thing is all sweaty.  He has to bike home after practice so that makes it a bit harder with the heat but good for him!  He's actually been a trooper with no complaints.  My kids are the best!

Day 243- Friday, 8/31/18

TGIF!  It's so nice having my own bartender.  That "BAR" light is new.  I found it at Target and gave it to him last week as an anniversary present which is perfect for him.  Cosmo coming up!

Day 244- Saturday, 9/1/18

It's September and Tyler posed with my monthly marker just before heading off to work at the lake.  It's the final weekend there for him which is sad but it has been good for his bank account and he's grateful for that.  Later John and I met up with the Wong's for a fun night out--love them and our escapades.

Day 245- Sunday, 9/2/18

Justin helped me shop for the 3-day weekend food and had to have this coconut.  Um OK!  At least it keeps him happy and is cheap.  John was out back grilling most of the day for our Sunday feast and also made some yummy fresh sangria.   Life is good especially since tomorrow is a holiday.  Yay!

That's it for now.  This week's 3-day weekend was just what we needed to reconnect and give us the boost of energy required to kick off fall and embrace what's to come.  See you next week!