Week 35

Welcome back and happy Tuesday!  I'm on track again and now with the kids where they all need to be I should be able to stay on it.  We'll see.  John's appointments, work, and fighting fraud are what keep me busy these days.  This week was insane with 8 appointments but it's all good.  John just transitioned from in-home PT and OT to out patient cardio and neuro PT and because of the transition all his doctors wanted follow-up or new appointments for next steps.

Here are last week's pictures:

Day 241- Monday, 8/29/22

I'm working from home today because John had an early appointment with his Neuro Dr  (complete waste of time) and an afternoon appointment starting his cardio rehab PT at Mercy (best use of time). Thankfully, in between appointments, I was able to get some decent work done.

Day 242- Tuesday, 8/30/22

Today's appointment was for the dog to get her annual checkup where we renew her hip-pain meds so rather important since they help a lot.  Otherwise she's doing great for a gal her age and even left me some quality nose art on the rear window of my car--all of that mess from 1 short car ride. The car and visit were a bit unnerving for her so she was happy to be relaxing at home after all that.

Day 243- Wednesday, 8/31/22

After work and an appointment with a different PT place that can focus on the nerve damaged leg I was able to get out for my own walk and found these fresh looking vibrant flowers in the park. I'm surprised they are not wilting in the heat.  As the sun sets on this month I'll be happy to say goodbye to these hot August nights.

Day 244- Thursday, 9/1/22

Happy September!  We're feeling some Hawaiian vibes today as we relax after consulting with another dr about one last procedure needed before getting on the transplant list.  Too bad they are booking out into the end of October.  Hopefully we can to slide into a cancellation spot earlier than that.

Day 245- Friday, 9/2/22

Today started with a morning dental appointment.  After lunch we headed back to Mercy for anther day at cardio rehab.  Even though it's super hot out I did enjoy some time in their healing garden while I was waiting and before I started melting.  For dinner I made some tri-tip sliders in the air-fryer that turned out great.  Best part in this heat is that the air-fryer is way cooler to run than the oven or even BBQ.

Day 246- Saturday, 9/3/22

Cheers to the weekend!  We're happy to be at home with no appointments and started watching the new Lord of the Rings series on Amazon Prime.

Day 247- Sunday, 9/4/22

Today we did squeeze in one last appointment for the week to finally get John's haircut and it made a big difference but I didn't get a picture-- soon enough.  At least this one was not medical related. What I did get a picture of was my melting ice-cream cone--the perfect treat to finish off Sunday dinner and to celebrate the last few weeks of summer.  We all can't wait for a cooler season.

That's it!  Hope you all had a great Labor Day holiday.  See you next week.

Week 34

Hello again! Here's another post as I try to get these past 2 weeks posted before the upcoming week needs to be done.  I don't know if I'm coming or going these days even with an emptier house.

Here's a look at week 34's pictures (it was a busy work one for me):

Day 234- Monday, 8/22/22

Happy 30th anniversary to us! I had to work in the morning and John had an appointment later but after that we went to a movie together in Davis at the same theater we used to see movies in on "cheap date Tuesdays" during college.  This too is the same as it was back then.  It's not renovated with the recliner seats like most are now so it was nostalgic for sure but also pretty uncomfortable.  We're spoiled and used to those recliners now.  Great movie by the way--I highly recommend and now want to read the book.

Day 235- Tuesday, 8/23/22

I got a super early start at work this morning just so I could get things done. We're starting a goat testing project and I needed to get these samples run sooner rather than later with limited in-lab time at the end of the week because of an off-site work event. 

Day 236- Wednesday, 8/24/22

It's crazy hot out and this kitty boy just goes limp like a ragdoll in the heat.  The thing I like best about this picture though is that I just so happened without realizing it to capture one of our wedding shots in the background on the shelf to the right.  Super cool for this week in particular.

Day 237- Thursday, 8/25/22

Time for an OHI conference style annual meeting.  This is the 1st one I've attended and the first time it's been in person over the past few years because of the pandemic.  It's also a 2-day meeting.  Today it's held near the Alumni Center which is an area of campus I have not been to in awhile.  Thankfully I got to see a lot of good friends and collogues there, had a nice boxed lunch, and learned a lot about all the great work or institute does.  It was a long meeting which meant I got home much later than usual so someone was very happy to see me back and more than ready for food and attention.

Day 238- Friday, 8/26/22

The OHI meeting for day 2 was at Putah Creek Lodge on campus which just so happens to be the place where John and I got married.  Our ceremony was outside on the large grass area facing the arboretum and creek while the reception was in and around the lodge. What are the odds ending up here sitting for a meeting in the lodge on these grounds during our anniversary week 30 years later?!  This place also looks exactly like it did back in the day with no real updates except for way better parking. Back at home it's time for a picture of our Bella girl on National Dog day.  She's always very eager and happy to have her picture taken because she knows I'll reward her with treats.  The pets are a bit clingy this week because of the absence of the boys.  I can tell they feel the void just as we do.

Day 239- Saturday, 8/27/22

Here's a chill weekend at home, hot summer pool vibes, and pretty flowers lit up by the evening light rays.

Day 240- Sunday, 8/28/22

Today is a lazy Sunday perfect for napping, catching up on TV shows, and enjoying a simple family dinner with Tyler.  At least he's still close.  I did forgot to get a picture of him though--maybe next weekend.

That's it!  See you soon as I get back on track posting the right week on Tuesday.

Week 33

Welcome back!  Yep, totally behind again and had to wait for a 3-day weekend to catch up.  So many things going on with school starting, in-home care ending, work projects piling up and so much more.

Take a look at everything that happened during week 33:

Day 227- Monday, 8/15/22

I'm not exactly sure how his little friend ending up perched against him but I have a feeling a certain boy around here knows.  At least Rusty doesn't seem to mind.

Day 228- Tuesday, 8/16/22

I'm working on campus on a Tuesday which is usually my remote day, but I have to take the last 2 days of the week off to move Brandon down south so I need to be in person at work the rest of the time.  I had a sample to pick up in my old building and took the stairs--I miss these stairs.  It's no fun being on the 1st floor at the newer building.  Later at home we managed to get  most of Brandon's stuff packed and ready his move.  It seems like nothing after moving all the stuff we had for Justin last week.  Glad Brandon is able to pack light.

Day 229- Wednesday, 8/17/22

Yay for mid-week pizza on a day when I have no time to make dinner.  Plus the leftovers will help feed John while I'm away.

Day 230- Thursday, 8/18/22

We made it to LA after a long, boring drive with crazy traffic the last 20 miles but the vibe is all good here and Brandon is all to moved into his dorm.  I'm going to miss this kid!

Day 231- Friday, 8/19/22

Before taking off for the long drive back home I had breakfast with Brandon and got to hear all about at least one of his roommates.  The other will move in later today.  That view out my car window is the same exact view for hours upon hours headed home--nothing but flat land and dry dusty fields. Once I got home pets were waiting and I was happy to walk Bella to really help stretch my poor sleepy legs.  And what is Brandon doing back in LA? Visiting his girlfriend.  LOL!  That didn't take long.  After being in a relationship for 2 yrs over 6 hours apart now they are only 20 min apart.  He was bouncing ideas off me on how to travel to her once we got down there since he does not have a car so I knew it was coming. She had a drill team performance he really wanted to be at for her so he figured it out.

Day 232- Saturday, 8/20/22

It's good to be home and even better to be out with friends.  These are just a few of the people who have been so helpful and supportive during John's medical crisis and will always continue to be there for us.

Day 233- Sunday, 8/21/22

Time for just the two of us.  Our anniversary is tomorrow but it's better to go out to dinner tonight. This year instead of the trip to Greece we planned were taking a trip down memory lane back to where it all started.  Dinner was in Winters at the Buckhorn which we frequented often while dating in college.  In fact our parents first met each other here as we dined after our graduation and just a couple months before our wedding.  It's great to see that while the business has branched out to multiple places that are order at the counter this place has stayed exactly the same--just the way we like it after over 30 years.

That's it!  See you soon as I post the next week which starts to wrap up August.

Week 32

Welcome back!  I'm in a crazy busy daze so not even sure what day it is--oh right, Wednesday! I got Justin off to school last week as you will see and am prepping to head out and get Brandon off as well.  So many last minute details to think of.  I hope we don't forget anything and I hope he likes it there.  The first year is the the biggest adjustment but he's a pretty chill kid so I know he'll manage fine like the others did.  We're leaving for LA before dawn tomorrow.

Until then, here are last week's pictures:

Day 220- Monday, 8/8/22

Justin's girlfriend, Isabel, was sad she couldn't make Sunday dinner yesterday so we invited her to come to dinner tonight.  I have met her before during their high-school years but the rest of the family has not.  Thankfully Justin and her took this picture just before she left because I didn't get a chance to snap one.  This is the last time they will see each other before he leaves for school.

Day 221- Tuesday, 8/9/22

As Justin and I were out running errands to take care of last minute things before packing I parked by these grass bushes and the colors caught my eye.  Apparently running errands is exhausting because not long after we got back home I found Justin asleep on the floor next to the cat.

Day 222- Wednesday, 8/10/22

Brandon is enjoying some free time this week knowing that next week he has to work a bit more and also get things done around the house as he prepares to leave.  His favorite pastime these days is playing online games with his girlfriend and her siblings.  Later Bella and I got out for a quick walk trying to stay in the shade since it's very warm out.  Enough of this hot August heat--I'm ready for some nice, cool, crisp fall temps.

Day 223- Thursday, 8/11/22

Speaking of pastimes, John found a better place to set up his DJ stuff and has been working to play his music as well as go through and sort his collection.

Day 224- Friday, 8/12/22

We made to Humboldt--back in Bigfoot territory.  Time to start moving Justin into the off-campus house he will share with 4 of his friends.  One of the moms found that huge metal art piece on the side of the road!  The kids all love it in their new place.  After Justin and what we could until the bed and the desk get delivered later we went out to a nice steak dinner at a place called The Campground. Then I checked into my hotel to relax while he enjoyed some time with his housemates.

Day 225- Saturday, 8/13/22

Up, refreshed, and ready for day 2.  Moving into anything other than a dorm is way more work.  I helped get his bed all set up and hung pictures while he put the new desk together.  And that's a wrap!  Time to say goodbye and leave him at his new home.  The worst part is that long drive back all alone, and I needed a quick pick-me-up to help get me through it.  Best wishes for another year Justin!  I know he's excited to be back and that makes me happy.

Day 226- Sunday, 8/14/22

Home, sweet, home!  I tried to chill a bit today and enjoy time with the family but also had a lot more errands to run getting the second kid ready to move soon.  It was super hot out so being in or near the pool was the place to be.

That's it.  See you next week as we start our empty nest lives.