Week 33

Hello and welcome back!  Happy Sunday. 😊 I'm quite a bit late since we were traveling this week so now I'm using a weekend stuck at home to catch up.  The air quality here is super bad with the fires so we are highly encouraged to stay inside.  At least that slows things down a bit for me to get computer and accounting stuff done.

At any rate, here are last week's pictures which are almost a week late but so worth the delay for us to be able to get out of poor air conditions earlier this week:

Day 228- Monday, 8/16/21

Today was move-in day for Justin at HSU.  He's so happy not only to be back but to be back with all his friends.  He gets to room with his best friend this year which was supposed to happen last year but never did because of COVID.  The campus is way more alive this year with plenty of safety protocols in place so here's to hoping for a slightly more normal year.  After we got him all settled in his new room we went out to lunch at one of our favorite spots before I said my goodbyes and started the 6 hr trek back home.

Day 229- Tuesday, 8/17/21

. . . And this is what I came home too.  Not only is the enormous Dixie fire still burning out of control north of us but now the Caldor fire has exploded overnight and is even closer to us threatening more people we know (fire photo credits: SFGate and Mercury News).  Our skies are super smokey and lit up that sickening red-orange color still.  Can I go back to Humboldt where there are clear skies and fresh air? Pray for this state--we are in crisis.

Day 230- Wednesday, 8/18/21

Found this notebook at Target and love the velvet textured giraffes plus the inspiring message and the soft pink color.  I don't really need another notebook but couldn't resist.  Speaking for reaching for new heights after avoiding AP classes most of his high school career Brandon finally found one he's on board with.  Tonight was virtual back-to-school night so I got to meet his teachers and learn more about his classes for this first half of his senior year.

Day 231- Thursday, 8/19/21

 It's been one of those weeks where there has been no real time to cook dinner.  Thankfully we had a lot of leftovers to choose from but those are all gone now so since I actually had time to throw something in the oven tonight I cooked--beef braised short ribs over rice was on the table for a win.  It's the little things people!

Day 232- Friday, 8/20/21

Yep!  The fires are still very much a blaze with practically no containment and the skies are still orange casting a rose-colored tint on everything as you can see while Bella and I take a short walk because we can't be out in the bad air for too long. Ugh but TGIF! And just for kicks, John made us a drink to match the sky.

Day 233- Saturday, 8/21/21

Since we are leaving town tomorrow we had family dinner tonight featuring a nice tri-tip roast with all the fixings.  As I went to call the kids to the table this is where I spotted Tyler and Lupe.  Aren't they cute together?  Obviously Bella is more interested in eating than they are.  LOL!  Tyler will be staying here for a few days to help Brandon take care of the house and pets while John and I are away.  It's so nice to have him living so close for now.

Day 234- Sunday, 8/22/21

We were on the road most of the day heading south, and made it to Santa Barbara just in time to enjoy a sunset dinner on the beach for your anniversary. Cheers to 29 years! What a great place to celebrate and can't wait to explore more over the next few days.  I'm happy to report the skies are clear here and the air nice and fresh.  Later tonight I saw this post from Justin which makes my heart sing. Classes start tomorrow so they had a bon fire on the beach tonight. The guy in the green shirt is his roommate and a super nice kid I had the pleasure of meeting Monday. It's so great to see Justin in his element having a good time, and I hope things can continue like this for them all.

That's it!  See you in a few days to post this week's pictures with more Santa Barbara fun.