Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
A long but rewarding week
So, I got the opportunity to go to Camp Arroyo with Garrett's 6th grade class as a chaperone. We drove out to Livermore from Cabrillo Monday morning and arrived at beautiful Camp Arroyo. It is right in the middle of the Livermore wine country and is just gorgeous. I would love to go back to just tour a bit.
Camp Arroyo itself is just amazing. It is beautifully situated in the hills with open space all around. The camp is an environmental education camp and it really walks the walk. All the buildings are built using renewable resources and energy efficient design, including passive solar lighting, southerly facing sun rooms and open space. The camp also really focuses on teaching the kids about their footprint on the earth.
My favorite part was meal times, where the kids had to collect any leftover food to be weighed as ORT. This really made the kids aware of how much food they waste. Great exercise.
I was the chaperone for a boy's cabin and I hit the jackpot when it comes to kids. I truly had the best behaved kids in the class. They were delightful in every way and I hated to leave Wednesday.
I then had to drive to Sacramento for work. I found a wonderful restaurant in Gold River for dinner and ended up eating there both nights I was in town (something I seldom do). It was called Il Forno Classico (www.ilfornoclassico.com/) and was located very close to both the office and hotel.
They had a wonderful wine list and delicious food. The wine was the true seller for me, with very nice wines available by the glass (pricey, but a nice option when purchasing a $100 bottle doesn't make sense).
Friday, our family reconvened in Pacifica, with Garrett returning from Camp Arroyo. We had a nice evening and watched The Blind Side last night.
Camp Arroyo itself is just amazing. It is beautifully situated in the hills with open space all around. The camp is an environmental education camp and it really walks the walk. All the buildings are built using renewable resources and energy efficient design, including passive solar lighting, southerly facing sun rooms and open space. The camp also really focuses on teaching the kids about their footprint on the earth.
My favorite part was meal times, where the kids had to collect any leftover food to be weighed as ORT. This really made the kids aware of how much food they waste. Great exercise.
I was the chaperone for a boy's cabin and I hit the jackpot when it comes to kids. I truly had the best behaved kids in the class. They were delightful in every way and I hated to leave Wednesday.
I then had to drive to Sacramento for work. I found a wonderful restaurant in Gold River for dinner and ended up eating there both nights I was in town (something I seldom do). It was called Il Forno Classico (www.ilfornoclassico.com/) and was located very close to both the office and hotel.
They had a wonderful wine list and delicious food. The wine was the true seller for me, with very nice wines available by the glass (pricey, but a nice option when purchasing a $100 bottle doesn't make sense).
Friday, our family reconvened in Pacifica, with Garrett returning from Camp Arroyo. We had a nice evening and watched The Blind Side last night.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Off to 6th Grade field trip
I am heading out tomorrow for two days and nights with about 57 6th graders. While initially apprehensive, I am now really looking forward to the trip. I think Garrett is pleased I am attending and it will be nice to have some time with his buddies.
The weekend was bus with soccer and baseball - Kenz had a tough game against Allianza from SF. While the Stingrays won, the other team displayed the worst sportsmanship I have seen in a long time. I told Kenz she could play like she was playing her brother.
G had a great baseball game with more poor sportsmanship - only this time from his team. They won but it was ugly.
Greg is back from his trip to Ashland and weekend at Sea Ranch. He had a great time with his mom in Oregon and with Bob and Danny. Even came home with some abalone. Yum yum!!
The weekend was bus with soccer and baseball - Kenz had a tough game against Allianza from SF. While the Stingrays won, the other team displayed the worst sportsmanship I have seen in a long time. I told Kenz she could play like she was playing her brother.
G had a great baseball game with more poor sportsmanship - only this time from his team. They won but it was ugly.
Greg is back from his trip to Ashland and weekend at Sea Ranch. He had a great time with his mom in Oregon and with Bob and Danny. Even came home with some abalone. Yum yum!!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Mother's Day
So Mother's Day ended up being a wash. While I got to spend the day with my kids, it wasn't the day I dreamed of. I owed Garrett a trip to a paintball course for his birthday. We have been trying since February to get he and Jordan together for a trip to Vacaville. Yes, Vacaville is pretty far to go, but there are no closer places. So we loaded up the car and headed to Vacaville for the day.
McKenzie and I ended up shopping all day at the Outlets. We had a great time and spent too much money. However, my car is very small, and along the way home, Garrett decided to poke McKenzie in the eye with a plastic sword. I yelled and the rest was down hill.
Oh well. Today is another day.
McKenzie and I ended up shopping all day at the Outlets. We had a great time and spent too much money. However, my car is very small, and along the way home, Garrett decided to poke McKenzie in the eye with a plastic sword. I yelled and the rest was down hill.
Oh well. Today is another day.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Mother's Day Prep
Mother's Day is right around the corner, bringing to mind the joy of my two kids. While motherhood is certainly the hardest job ever, there is no better. Garrett and McKenzie are the greatest joys ever!! The challenges and heartaches are so far outweighed by the warm hugs and sweet kisses. From softball, soccer and baseball, our Spring days are full, not not nearly as full as my heart when I spend time with them. I am so glad they made me a mom, and I hope I can live up to their expectations, and mine.
Friday, April 30, 2010
This was supposed to be easier.....
I think I thought blogging would be easier than it is. Oh well, life is a journey of lessons. Amid the job search and then job change, training, travel, kids, soccer and life in general, time has just gotten away from me.
Well, I am back now, and trying to be serious about this. My new job has meant far more travel than I have had before, but also more time for me to just think, and be. I really want to get to the library to get a few books on disk for my drive. Should be a good way to pass the time.
My soccer team just restarted our season and it was a blast. We are now playing indoor soccer and we really competitive. It seems that our skills are growing and we are actually going to compete with these teams.
The kids are fully immersed in spring sports - McKenzie is playing her select soccer with the Stingrays and also playing softball for the first time. Last night she had an unassisted double play. That's my gal!! Garrett is really having a terrific baseball season playing for the Red Sox. His team is great and he is currently batting about .437 (half way through the season). Woot! Woot!
Book club book this month is The Lemon Trees about the Isreali and Palestinian conflict. Having a bit of a time getting into it but will try later.
More tomorrow.
Well, I am back now, and trying to be serious about this. My new job has meant far more travel than I have had before, but also more time for me to just think, and be. I really want to get to the library to get a few books on disk for my drive. Should be a good way to pass the time.
My soccer team just restarted our season and it was a blast. We are now playing indoor soccer and we really competitive. It seems that our skills are growing and we are actually going to compete with these teams.
The kids are fully immersed in spring sports - McKenzie is playing her select soccer with the Stingrays and also playing softball for the first time. Last night she had an unassisted double play. That's my gal!! Garrett is really having a terrific baseball season playing for the Red Sox. His team is great and he is currently batting about .437 (half way through the season). Woot! Woot!
Book club book this month is The Lemon Trees about the Isreali and Palestinian conflict. Having a bit of a time getting into it but will try later.
More tomorrow.
Monday, January 4, 2010
New Year's Eve at a dear friends home - Greg and I had friends over for cioppino before the party. It was a nice evening - much wine and food plus games always make me joyful.
I love the necklace I am wearing - it was a Christmas gift from Greg made of sea glass. The real neat part of it is the glass is from an old Vick's jar of menthol rub. For those of you who have known me a long time, I am a huge fan of menthol rub. Anyway, the necklace is quite unique and pretty.
A relatively uneventful New Years, but now we need to hit the road running. I had soccer practice yesterday with my team. It was great though I continue to feel the limits of my aging body. Meant to walk this morning but didn't feel like walking with SO. Better to start work I guess.
Must get my bags packed for Greenville today. Is cold there - average 35 degrees each day. Will be miserable but will be good to get home. Must convince McKenzie to pack warm clothes and not her usual tank tops.
Travel plans for our family cruise are coming along, though I must find someone to watch Dobby. I am looking at a few places that board overnight. It is just so damn costly. Guess it is making up for the cost of the cruise, which was really cheap.
New Year will hopefully bring with it a new job. I find myself more and more dissatisfied in my job, and wanting more. My strengths are not being used in any meaningful way and I don't enjoy the work I am doing. Often think of going back to the bedside to just do mindless work, but really not an option at this time. I have gotten trapped in the money pit. Not to mention, the work of a bedside nurse is made very hard by the work I currently do. I really take it as a responsibility to make it better but I don't have much ability right now.
The sound of my wind chimes are delightful this early in morning. The wind is blowing through the trees. Should make some coffee and fold the laundry. After all, the holidays really are over. Back to the grind.
Must get my bags packed for Greenville today. Is cold there - average 35 degrees each day. Will be miserable but will be good to get home. Must convince McKenzie to pack warm clothes and not her usual tank tops.
Travel plans for our family cruise are coming along, though I must find someone to watch Dobby. I am looking at a few places that board overnight. It is just so damn costly. Guess it is making up for the cost of the cruise, which was really cheap.
New Year will hopefully bring with it a new job. I find myself more and more dissatisfied in my job, and wanting more. My strengths are not being used in any meaningful way and I don't enjoy the work I am doing. Often think of going back to the bedside to just do mindless work, but really not an option at this time. I have gotten trapped in the money pit. Not to mention, the work of a bedside nurse is made very hard by the work I currently do. I really take it as a responsibility to make it better but I don't have much ability right now.
The sound of my wind chimes are delightful this early in morning. The wind is blowing through the trees. Should make some coffee and fold the laundry. After all, the holidays really are over. Back to the grind.
Friday, January 1, 2010
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