Week 16

Welcome back and happy Tuesday!  This past week was a super stacked week especially for Brandon.  Aside from school he had a dentist appointment, a doctor appointment, a vaccine appointment, 2 home tennis games and one away.  It was not scheduled this way but fell into place like this because of many last minute changes.  Thankfully he's a kid that can just roll with it.  Otherwise, it was a great week.

Take a peek at how it all went down:

Day 109- Monday, 4/19/21

After spending all day in his sleeping tent Rusty came out just before dinner to roll around and look all cute making sure he gets fed on time.  After dinner, Brandon came home from tennis practice with the season schedule which went from an expected truncated schedule of 3 games to a newly minted full-on schedule of 14 games, 3 of which will be played this week.  Welcome back to a high-school sports life and the juggling act.

Day 110- Tuesday, 4/20/21

What a day!  Our closet doors FINALLY got installed today and we couldn't be more thrilled.  They look and work great.  It's easiest to see them in the reflection because it's so hard to get them in a full on picture but that's ok because I needed a "pieces of me" reflection picture and this works.  Then in the afternoon Brandon had a dentist appointment scheduled 6 months ago that just so happened to be right before a tennis game we found out about last night.  Luckily he made it on time since it was a home game. In other news, thanks goodness justice was served for George Floyd.  It was the right verdict for sure.

Day 111- Wednesday, 4/21/21

This is another "pieces of me" picture for an eyes closed prompt which was the hardest one to get.  It's not easy taking a selfie with your eyes closed but you do have to close your eyes to make a wish.  I also received a new puzzle to start working on.  It's much smaller than the last and has these amazing wood pieces shaped like creatures from the sea.  Can't wait to get started.

Day 112- Thursday, 4/22/21

Happy Earth Day!  I snapped this garden picture out back for this day just before heading to Elk Grove for Brandon's second tennis game of the week.  He also had a phone-call doctor's appointment that was schedule way before we knew this game was happening.  Thankfully there is a lot of downtime waiting for matches and luckily the dr. called at a perfect time so Brandon could actually talk to him.  I can't say I wasn't a little stressed about that one, but it all worked out perfectly.  I'm a huge fan of call-in appointments especially with this dr.

Day 113- Friday, 4/23/21

Tennis match number 3 to end the week.  This is his team with coach Dave who Brandon's been learning tennis from since he was little.  Even with the pandemic they have over 20 boys which is great. It is nice to see them out playing and working as a team.  As busy as it is we're happy to be back and when I get home I can take a deep breath, smell the roses, and rejoice in knowing the weekend is upon us.

Day 114- Saturday, 4/24/21

He was able to sleep in and get some much needed rest before I dragged him to Dixon for his 1st Pfizer vaccine.  Thankfully there was no real line so we were in and out in no time.  I'm super happy to have him more protected especially since he's out and about a lot more and in close contact with other kids for tennis.  Later, we decided we should at least watch one film on the Academy's Best Picture list before the awards tomorrow and picked this one which was really well done and testament to how history repeats itself.  Have we learned nothing over the past 50 or 60 years? 

Day 115- Sunday, 4/25/21

I made a trip to Lowes today to pick up some tomato plants, poppy flower seeds, and a couple more succulents.  While I was out it started to rain and sprinkled for a good bit.  We were expecting a bigger storm so we would have liked more rain but at this point every drop counts so we'll take it.  We also tried to watch the Academy Awards tonight but were disappointed in that as well.  I missed all the clips of the movies, and costumes, and makeup, and what not that helped you see why they were all nominated.  It was a great year for diversity which was good to see, but the ceremony production itself fell flat.

Wait! One more-

April's Family Photo

Taken in the backyard after Sunday dinner during the golden hour.

That's it!  See you next week in May.

Week 15

Hello and welcome back!  We're just cruising through April. Seems crazy how quickly the weeks fly by. High school sports are currently back in full effect so it's time to be Brandon's number one fan again and start shuttling him to and from matches. At least he can drive himself to practices. I also just found him an appointment for his 1st COVID vaccine now that he's eligible. I'm excited to almost have the whole family vaccinated especially since I hate that he's the most at risk right now. Enough business and on to more fun things.

Here's a look at last week's pictures:

Day 102- Monday, 4/12/21

It's poppy season in California right now and they do what they do best--pop up everywhere adding pops of bright happy color across our state.  I need to find some to plant in my yard.

 

Day 103- Tuesday, 4/13/21 

Here's another "pieces of me" picture for a face forward prompt.  It was a beautiful spring day so I went out back to take the shot during the golden hour.

 Day 104- Wednesday, 4/14/21

Today after work, while I was making lunch, I saw this squirrel just chilling on the tree branch out back, and it was sitting there forever so I took advantage of the the opportunity and captured a picture our resident friend.

 

Day 105- Thursday, 4/15/21

These are new lemon-tree blossoms, and the bees are loving them right now which means we should have a good crop come winter.  Otherwise, it's a chill day perfect for a nap--or that's what Bella thinks anyway.  She's the queen of naps these days.  

 Day 106- Friday, 4/16/21

Yay! It's the last day of this work week.  It's been a busy one in the lab as we prepare to move to a new location and start new summer projects.  I took this "pieces of me" picture with the camera timer for a full body prompt.  After work Brandon had his first tennis match in Woodland, and it was a beautiful day to sit outside and watch.  He's playing doubles here and they won 6 games to 3.  I'm happy see him out playing and interacting with his friends and teammates after such a long isolated break.

 

 Day 107- Saturday, 4/17/21

Today was a chore day.  I started the annual garden wars and it looks like I won but my arms tell another story.  Those plants sure know how to bite back.  Maybe next weekend I'll fair better. While I was out back mostly working in the shade, John was out front washing his bike in the shade--a must for this very warm day.

Day 108- Sunday, 4/18/21

 We had a great fun day to end the weekend with.  John got to play with a couple of his birthday presents from last week.  First he used his new vertical rotisserie to grill some pork with pineapple making tacos al pastor for Sunday family dinner, and then we all played darts together on his new board.

OK, that's it!  See you back next week as we get used to being back into a sports schedule way of life.

Week 14

Welcome back and happy Tuesday!  Last week was a very full week back to work and school schedules with many after-hour meetings making for super long days. Thankfully this week looks to be much better and not as booked.  The weather has been very spring like and super nice, but we are heading into another drought and already concerned about fires which nobody is thrilled about. We need more rain but the forecast is bleak with temps in the 90's expected for next week--crazy!  It's only April and we need those April showers. Maybe May will be a soaker--who knows anymore?

Switching gears here with last week's pictures:

Day 95- Monday, 4/5/21

We just got back from a nice long walk and she's been seeking out extra love lately since we were gone a lot last week.  On that walk we saw this beautiful Wisteria growing along a neighbor's fence.  It looks like a fancy decoration--so pretty.

Day 96- Tuesday, 4/6/21

We had this nice Korean short-rib dinner over the weekend, and as I heated some up as leftovers for Brandon's dinner tonight, our friendly resident carnivore paid me a visit.

Day 97- Wednesday, 4/7/21

Happy Birthday to John and Bella!  We opened presents and had cake while everyone was here for Easter, and tonight, for a special birthday dinner, we had yummy Mexican food from Zocalo To Go complete with blackberry margaritas. 

Day 98- Thursday, 4/8/21

While out back, on a break from Zoom meetings, I noticed that all 3 of my rose bushes are in bloom.  This means it's time to get the rest of the yard in shape and ready for use.  I especially need to pull weeds around these bushes so their beauty is highlighted instead of cheapened.

Day 99- Friday, 4/9/21

This was the best way to end a very long and stressful week.  Plus I needed a picture for a "Pieces of Me" project that included my feet.

Day 100- Saturday, 4/10/21

It was a beautiful weekend to be outside so I worked on cleaning up that overgrown backyard and discovered that one of our trees has flowers growing in random places on the trunk--love the effect and took this picture for the Pieces of Me 1/2 face prompt. Later, it was family movie night and we finally got around to watching Godzilla vs Kong which was fine until the robotic Godzilla showed up.  So not necessary.  Oh well, at least the scarcely seen teenager joined us so time still well spent.

Day 101- Sunday, 4/11/21

John got to play with one of his birthday presents today.  He now has a portable, high-heat, pizza oven that cooks pizzas in minutes. It's pretty cool, but there is a sharp learning curve that takes a lot of practice.  For next time we have a list of things we'd change to try and make it easier.  This pictured pizza turned out looking pretty good while others did not, but they all tasted great which is what really counts. The boys were afraid since the pizzas were small there wouldn't be enough but no one left hungry or disappointed. Valiant first effort!

That's all for this week.  Hope to see you back on the next one.

Week 13

Welcome back and happy Tuesday! Last week was a super full week with us continuing spring break, celebrating a birthday and enjoying Easter together. Plus we started a whole new month. Thank goodness we got to spend a lot of it outside and together.

Here's a look at last week's pictures:

Day 88- Monday, 3/29/21

The 1st picture is the sunset from last night that I somehow missed downloading from my phone.  The fogbank is messing with it a bit but it's still pretty and a great view from the rental. Today there are gale-force winds on the coast so we headed inland and decided to hike sheltered in the giant redwood trees.  We all really enjoyed this amazing trail park.  It flowed so easily from one trail to the next that we didn't even really need the map.  Everyone agreed the suspended canopy trail was our favorite--just don't look down!  Later we were able to dine-in at a local restaurant in Trinidad which is the first time in over a year.  Crazy!

Day 89- Tuesday, 3/30/21

The winds are better today so we hiked on the coast.  Patrick's Point State Park in one exit up from our rental and has a great coastal rim trail that weaves in and out of the trees. We started out at Patrick's Point overlook which has an amazing view of the massive Wedding Rock.  If you zoom in you can see people hiking up on the rock which we did later at the end of our loop.  Next was Rocky point then up the very Indiana Jone's like stairs to the top of Ceremonial Rock before a quick look at Mussel Rocks and up to the top and then to the side of Wedding Rock.  Amazing views all day.  Later we picked Justin up from school along with some sushi for dinner.  He was able to stay the night with us so we could celebrate his birthday and of course we watched the UCLA game where they clinched a final four spot.  What a full but amazing day that ended with another beautiful sunset and star gazing in the hot tub.

Day 90- Wednesday, 3/31/21

Today is Justin's actual birthday and he has no school because of a state holiday so we took him out for brunch on the pier at Trinidad beach. Of course today is the best weather day in terms of no wind and warmer temps and we have to head home.  Wish we could stay longer but time to go so we dropped Justin back at his dorm and started the 6 hour drive back.  At least it's a pretty drive but of course the two in the back slept most the way.  I guess all that hiking wore them out. 

Day 91- Thursday, 4/1/21

We're back home and ready to start a new month.  Bring on April! I was at the store replenishing supplies and just had to get some of these beautiful tulips. They perfectly represent spring and will look great for Easter.

Day 92- Friday, 4/2/21

Speaking of Easter, I started pulling out some decorations today and set out some Cadbury mini eggs to get everyone in the mood.  Justin also sent me a couple pictures.  He got his 2nd vaccine today and has been enjoying the nice spring weather by trying to get outside more.

Day 93- Saturday, 4/3/21

Brandon helped me dye Easter eggs today.  We tried a new rice method that didn't work too well so we quickly transitioned to the traditional way but still had fun and they did all turn out well even if the rice ones took FOREVER. Then of course there was the final four game that UCLA sadly lost in OT at the buzzer.  Still super proud of how well they did especially since they started out as a huge under-dog and gave this undefeated team a run for their money.  Most of LA was lit up in blue and gold to show support which was great to see. Maybe next year!

Day 94- Sunday, 4/4/21

Happy Easter Sunday!  We had a great brunch and then later had a great ham dinner with all the fixings.  So much good food this week from amazingly fresh seafood on the coast to celebratory homecooked meals at home.  Also we're super grateful to have spent some wonderful time together as a family.  Back to work and school schedules with too many zoom meetings for next week.  At least we'll start off refreshed and can hopefully look forward to things continuing to open up more. 

That's it!  See you back next week.