Wed. Feb. 12, 2014 - Pizza night

At Mary's house tonight.

Pizza for dinner - and spanish lessons

for dessert.  We (Mike and I) booked a trip to Cancun at the invitation of Eric and Claudia - 

after much nashing over the date and length of trip. So I really want to enhance my espanol:)

Sun. Feb. 9, 2014 - Highwayman w/Nancarrow

Today was beautiful outside.  We took the opportunity to do a little spring cleaning. Pulled everything out that was not positively in the perfect spot inside.Set it all in sorting piles in the side yard ( which seems a little extravagent to me to have so much space, but since we do, it is fair to call it a side yard.)

Gave us time enjoy a little more space inside 

while we decide what does not get to stay.

Tonight, on Connie's invitation, went to Belly Up in Solana Beach to see a country rock music night with Nancarrow 

warming up for

The Highwayman.  Excellent show.

Sat. Feb. 8, The Lovebirds

This morning I joined in on a Whale Watching meet-up led by Pete and Nancy - camp hosts in Site 135.

Today I was invited to lunch in a nearby neighborhood by Connie Collier, a friend from GrassValley who comes down pretty regularly to visit her daughter (and daughter's family).  We have missed a couple times already, but this time - schedules cooperated.  Lunch was fun and good. Stay tuned for the second sighting of Connie, Trisha and family tomorrow.......

Tonight Mike and I went to a house concert - The Lovebirds - our second sighting of this singer - songwriter duo.  We really enjoy their music.  Wish I had taken a better picture.

Fri., Feb. 7, 2014 - Clean eating program ends

Mike joined 24 Hr fitness down here for recreation, exercise and shower, and reports he lost 10 pounds over the 11 day eating program.  This is day # 12 - first day off the menu, so we decided to splurge and go for lunch in Carlsbad.  A nice fish house where we got fish tacos - 11 days of clean eating and we realized we should have split an order and got a cup of clam chowder rather than a bowl.   Tonight we went to see a movie - Her - one of the movies nominated for best picture -in Oceanside.

Fresh off the big lunch and feeling not so great about it, we skipped the popcorn for the movie and were feeling good about that.  The movie was interesting - Joaquin Phoenix was in love with his smart phone operating system.  Scary - too close for comfort:).  Did I mention Mike found my phone? It was under the drivers seat of the Jeep.  Three week without and I was making adjustments and getting ready to buy a dumb phone so I could talk to family and clients, but instead I got mine back YeeHa!

Wed. Feb. 5, 2014 - Clean eating going strong

The idea is to eat lots of fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds from a menu designed to keep us satisfied, not hungry and nourished.  It is working well.  Today we added a few items from the mid-week farmers market near the Encinitas library

then Mike dropped me off at Mary's house for an evening sleepover - no camp host work today.  

And it RAINED!!!

Sat. Jan 31, 2014 - totem gets make-up

This was a Camp host working Saturday - not too busy because much of the park is not available for reservations due to seasonal closure, and the weather was beautiful - good day to be here.

Jan 27, 2013: Raising the flag

Back on the job at the park is really hard work. 

We DO have to get up early to make a golf cart drive through on the campsites to count vehicles at 6AM before those who snuck in last night can get out unnoticed before the ranger comes in at 9:00.  Then a few more times during the day to monitor site vacancies, shut the pedestrian gate, etc.  
Mostly it is stress free, interesting and beautiful scenery / weather.

Jan. 28, 2014: Clean eating - Day 3

 

Three days in and we are not hungry and feeling nourished by eating from a pre-planned menu.  We buy fresh fruits and vegetables then cook, eat and enjoy. Really!  :)

Jan. 25, 2014: I-5 south

Another cozy night at Connie's house last night, and a delicious muffin for breakfast with Connie before taking off for South Carlsbad State Beach - a mere 10 hour drive with no car or eating issues ( I had time to plan the travel food this time) the whole way! 

We listened to a book on tape ( James Bond - Casino Royale) and read the literature Mike got from Drew  - the moderator of a 15 day Clean Eating program Mike enrolled us in - we are in the pre-detox four day phase right now.  Cut down on caffeine, sugar and alchol.

Jan 20 - 24, 2014: Hello to Dad

We spent two nights housing in an empty apartment at Auburn Ravine terrace while we tended to mom's affairs, then two nights each with Connie and Kelly while we took care of other personal business and visited clients during the day.

 Dad was in good spirits during the visits we had with him.

 

Mary Louise Tomczak Nov. 24, 1922 - Jan. 19, 2014

We took turns visiting with the nurses and mom's roommate Gerry during the day.  They are all very caring and expressed their love and concern for mom's comfort.  We took a break in the late afternoon, had some dinner and returned in time to share moms last breaths tonight about 8:00PM.

 Her she is on a good day as a young woman. 

Rest in Peace.  Love, Mike and Denise

Sat. Jan 18, 2014: Change of plans

Today we were preparing to work in the park - the afternoon shift - when we got a call from Auburn that Mike's mom had taken a turn for the worse.  We gathered some clothes, food and other things for a road trip, contacted the park rangers to let them know about our family emergency ( the skilled nursing facility told us they did not expect mom to make it through the day), and headed north to Auburn.  Driving the Jeep from 2:15 - 11:30 took us to Elk Grove where we had a flat tire while stopping for gas.  We called road service for a tire change and drove the donut tire slowly on the highway until we got kicked off to the side roads by an unsympathetic cop at 1:45, just 15 minutes short of our destination at Auburn Ravine Terrace.  We saw mom for a few minutes - she was sleeping and not responsive - then checked in to the Holiday Inn nearby to get some sleep.

Wed. Jan 15, 2014 - Sleepover with Mary

Today was the beginning of our off time - we went to the Marriott to work in the AM,  had a lunch break and then to the Carlsbad library.  It is payroll tax and 1099 prep time for me, so lots of work to do.  Tonight I took a break and had an evening out with my friend Mary and her friend Victoria.

We had dinner at Victoria's house and she showed up her brand new Subaru.  Then Mary and I went to her house for some much delayed conversation.  We've been down here since Dec. 28 but Mary and I have not had a good conversation yet - until tonight.

Mon. Jan 13, 2014 - First whale sighting

Today while on our morning shift camp check we talked to Nancy who is a fellow camp host on the opposite schedule as we are. She was out looking at the ocean and pointed out some whales swimming south. We watched for a while and saw several water spouts and a couple black fins break the surface not too far out. Pretty cool!  She and Pete invited us to join them tonight at a local watering hole in Encinitas where they have "recession Monday" with drinks and many menu items half off.

We rode the city bus so we didn't need a designated driver, had happy hour and dinner and were still home by 8:00. We learned they spend summer months in the Puget sound working as whale watching boat captains. No wonder she spotted those whales this morning!