The whole truth and nothing but the truth!

Good Morning!

It is very gray here this morning!

This was taken at Getty Villa two years ago and I do not know the people in the picture!

Last night, Rory and I were having a discussion about truthfulness.  He has a tendency to lie, when he knows the truth is going to hurt him or not get what he wants.  He is doing that right now with an appeal he has with Social Security Disability.  He has been waiting for a date before the judge for about  1.5 years and now he gets a date and he will be on vacation.  He has told Social Security that he will be on family business outside the country.  They took it as a funeral and they want to see the travel plans.  That was one part of our discussion last night.  When the girls were babies, Rory started a habit of gambling and lying to me about where he was.  He feels I pulled away from him, which I did, as I had two babies to take care of, a house to take care of and a full time job.  He wanted to continue his life of having fun.  Yes, he would work, but that was to pay for his fun.  He wanted the government or someone else to take care of the girls.  Recently he applied for a job and when he was truthful and told them he had diabetes, they made the decision to not hire him.  I disagree with that one, but now he keeps reminding me of this.  I am more into telling the truth and living with the consequences.

Anyway, today is going to be a normal Tuesday-BUSY!  Mari has school from 10-10, Marissa has counseling at 2.  We are starting the countdown to the end of school and I am doing some planning for our trip.  Left about 9:15 to take Mari to school and then came home, but stopped by the cleaners on the way back.  Came home and took a nap.

 When I am driving in the car with the girls, I have made the decision to turn the phone off, as Rory likes to call me and tell me about every little thing that has happened.  I want to spend quality time with the girls, especially on Tuesdays with Mari.  This morning, he called me regarding an issue with his trip.  It got really ridiculous.  After my nap, I did some financial stuff and then had lunch.  Marissa had to be at counseling one hour earlier than normal, so we left at 1:15.  I used "Map My Walk" to find a walk in the area and did that, plus got the rest of my snack from Starbucks.  Picked up Marissa and then  did some errands, as well as picked up dinner.  Came home and Rory was downstairs and needed help taking his boot off.  He was in a lousy mood.  He had gone to Social Security and turned in the paper work they wanted.  Finished canceling the reservations from the hotels we were not going to and then had dinner with Marissa and watched some TV.  Just having quiet time before I leave to pick up Mari.

Good night!  Trudi

Wow!

Good Morning!

I can't believe I have been doing this for almost a year and as of last night, I have over 10,000 views.

When I started this, it was an idea while we were on vacation, to start writing about our trip and I never thought I would get that many views.  I know people who have more, but I am content with what I have.  This picture is from the Laguna Nursery!

Today, I am feeling better, but still just a little weak.  I have a tour this morning and then I am going to come home and take a nap, have lunch, take Mari to school, do some marketing, make dinner and around 8:45, go back and pick up Mari.  Reminder to self:  Pace myself! You don't have to do everything.

Left about 9 to go to the Mission.  Got there early enough to talk to one of the docents, I have been wanting to talk to more than I get to usually.  Our group was late.  Did my tour and then came home and had lunch.  Rory had gone to American Express to get money for his trip and had gotten home just before me.  He decided to stay downstairs.  The girls of us scattered, as Rory takes over the TV.  I am about to take a nap.

Took my nap and then came downstairs and checked on laundry.  Took Mari to school and went to Smart and Final to get some things we needed.  Came home and put dinner in the oven and worked on my picture of the day.  Spent some time texting with a friend.  Had dinner and finished watching a program called "American Unearthed"  Interesting!  With something Rory is doing, I am really learning the reality of the phrase "the truth will set you free".  He frustrates me to no end and I am letting it go.

A pathway at the Mission.

Leaving about 8:45 to pick up Mari and going to bed as soon as I get back.

Good night!  Trudi

Slow down and take care of me!

Good Morning!

We had fog during night and now we have sun and I can hear some of the birds singing!  This is another picture of a flower on the hillside behind my house.

Today, I am doing my usual Sunday thing of laundry and planning a menu.  I am feeling slightly better, but I want to take it easy as well.  Mari needs to do some things out as well and I do want to take some pictures.

Laundry and vacuuming are done and I have had a nap.  Need to get lunch.  Mari and Marissa are really helpful when I am not feeling well, but Rory does not even know when I am sick and I can tell him.  He still expects his meals to be brought to him on a tray.  Wonder what would happen if I got really sick!  I know what would happen and I don't like to do that.

After lunch, Rory decided to go out for the afternoon and I took another nap.  Mari and I headed for Staples, then Trader Joe's and then Laguna Beach.  It is fun to people watch in Laguna, especially as we get closer to summer.  We stopped at Laguna Nursery to get tickets for a garden tour we are taking on Friday.  Then we went to get frozen yogurt at Active Culture.  This place is located in an old house along Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach.

 Came home and I made dinner and put groceries away.  Mari went back to work on school as she is down to the last two weeks of school.  She and her classmates just want it over.  Watched Anthony Bourdain and just hanging out.  Marissa not feeling great today.  When we got back, my energy level was not the highest, but after dinner, it got better.  Going to watch Amazing Race at 8 and go upstairs at 9.  Who knows what time Rory will be home.

Good night!  Trudi

A picture taken at Laguna Nursery, where we went today!

An old brewery and art

Good Morning!

It is a beautiful sunny morning and I love listening to the birds singing outside our screen door!  Didn't get the best night's sleep, as I felt like I was up every couple of hours going to the bathroom.    Rory finally got home about midnight.  After lunch, Mari and I are going to LA to an old brewery, where they are doing an art walk.  Should be interesting. I was going to take the train, but there is no metro link that goes near the brewery, so I guess I am driving and it is too long a walk.

Redid our trip last night and we are getting home two days early, so we will get almost a week at home without Rory.  Found a place I want to go to brunch on Mother's Day, originally, we were going to do the same thing we did for my birthday, which was stay home and get dinner from out.  I know it is easier to stay home, as I don't have to deal with all of the stress of all of us going out, but I also feel like there are things I enjoy and want to go to.  Marissa is not going to go and I knew Rory would go.  It is outside and they have horses and a winery.  I have been there and enjoy it.

Made reservations for Mother's Day brunch.  We decided to not go to LA, as I was not feeling well.  I have to remember it is a marathon.  We may go tomorrow.  Mari has school to do, so she is working on that.  This past week was a little much and it caught up with me.  I know, when I need more than one nap, I am tired.  Making some granola.  Doing restful things!

365 project-flower on hillside behind me.

Mari is making good use of her time.  She only has two weeks and one day.  YEA!

With some help from my girls, we put dinner together and took care of a business thing for Rory.  Watched My Cat from Hell and now, I am just resting.  I ate most of my dinner.  Not much appetite!  We will see what tomorrow brings.

Good Night!  Trudi

This is part of a mural that is on the side of a building at Mari's school.

Life is a marathon!

Good Morning!

It is a beautiful sunny day!  There is an elementary school near us and the school is having Olympic Day today and about 7:45 a.m, somebody from school was talking on the PA system.  Rory decided to turn on the A/C, so he could close the windows in our room and not hear the noise.  Rory has an issue with trying to separate out two different noises, without it become one undistinguishable noise.

Yesterday when Mari was not feeling well, I thought it was dehydration and now I really believe it had to do with stress.  I really believe life is a marathon and you have to pace yourself.  This week, went a little different than normal, which I expected.   I know when I was in Europe in 1976, I think the stress hit me on the trip and I got sick!  Back to normal pace today and taking tomorrow off.

I had a tour at the Mission today, that I really enjoyed.  It is nice when I have the teacher with me and the tour went longer than an hour.  I think that the 1.5 hour tour I did last Friday, really helped to get me comfortable with doing tours.  Explore, learn and teach that is me.  Went across the street to Starbucks and got lunch and then came home.  Rory had decided to take off for the afternoon, which was nice.  Ate lunch and then took a nap.  My nap was interrupted by a telephone call from the VA, wanting to set up an eye appointment for Rory.  I am going to have to go with him, as they are going to dilate his eyes.  Mari, Marissa and I went to Laguna so that Mari could pick up something from one of her teachers and then we went into the town part of Laguna to take some pictures, pick up some dinner for Rory and a snack for us.  On the way home, went by Target and picked up some things we needed.  Came home and making dinner.  Going to watch Dead Files.  Rory is still not home and we will see what the rest of the evening brings.

Made dinner for us and Mari made dinner for Rory.  As we were watching Dead Files, Marissa brought up our trip and she was feeling it was too long.  She has a hard time dealing with lots of people.  I am looking at how we can cut it back.  Thank goodness, I have time to do this, I hope.  It would be nice to have a little longer at home without Rory.  That is also a vacation.

I am tired and I am headed for bed.  I need to remember, as well, that this is a marathon and to pace myself.

Good Night.  Trudi

Flamingo at the San Diego Zoo-taken one year ago today!

When is enough, enough?

Good Morning!

I guess I missed all the excitement last night, we had thunder and lightning!  I thought I was a light sleeper, but I guess I am not, all the time.

This is sunset in Joshua Tree.

Today, I have no place I have to be and I am thankful.

I am learning something about myself and eating.  When I get hungry, I don't know when to stop.  When we left for Joshua Tree, I took along snacks, as I knew our eating times would be a little weird and I wanted to keep my energy level up.  I had my normal breakfast and, when we got to our first stop, we munched on trail mix and ate half of the sandwich, which was around 11:30 and that was normal lunch time for me.  After that stop, we were headed for Applebee's for "lunch", which was between 2:30-3.  That would have been normal snack time for me.  I ordered an appetizer, which I am learning is about the size meal, I have been eating lately.  When I felt my energy level dropping, I would munch on the trail mix.  When we finally got to the hotel that night, we had our sandwiches and some cookies.  I do make a menu for myself and try to stick to it.  When I am out, seems to be the hard part.  When we were out last Friday, I overate.  Yesterday morning, I was going to have pancakes, but they had waffles and one waffle was too much.  I did stop and only ate half.  Food is my comfort zone. Yesterday, my body was not quite sure what was going on and I felt like it wanted food all the time.

Need to keep going.  Having to make up for not being home for one day.

Mari woke up not feeling well.  Done some of my morning routine.  Checked laundry in dryer, which was not totally dry.  Going to make some cookies and some granola.  A day of rest, which is much needed.  Made my cookie bars and then Marissa and I went to Trader Joe's and then took a walk in the area.  Mari still not feeling well.  Came home and made dinner and watched a little TV.  Working on a my other blog as well.

The blossom on a plant in our house.

Good night!  Trudi

The handle to the cold water on my bathroom sink, that was taken one year ago.

Control and plan

Good Morning world!

Mari and I are about to head out and head for home!  We are going to stop at Starbucks and the gas station and then get on the freeway!  Mari has to be at school at noon, so we should have plenty of time, barring traffic.  Her class is from 12 to 1:30 and then we are going home and I know I am going to take a nap.  The rest of the day is at home and I will talk about control and plan.

Mari and I left about 9 and got to LCAD about 11:15.  It was interesting, because when we left the desert, it was somewhat sunny and by the time we got to Laguna, it was a misty rain.  Dropped Mari off at school and then headed for home.  It was so nice to be gone for one day and I was really brought into reality, when I got home.  Took a nap and then ate lunch.  Went back to pick up Mari and then came home.  Doing my normal morning routine.  I really need to get away every 3 or 4 months, not necessarily by myself, but definitely not with Rory.  I am his caregiver and that is a job.

I, somewhat plan my life, but I know there are going to be times that things do not go according to plan.  I, also, like to have some control of how the day goes.  Yesterday, in some ways, I did not feel like I had control, and I also felt like there was no plan, which I was ok with, but somewhat not.  I felt like the day sort of fell apart when we went to lunch.  When Mari and I came up with a plan for what we were doing after lunch, I felt more comfortable.  I felt out of control, as this was a school thing for Mari and I really had no say and I did not want to plan something, that was going to cause a problem with Mari.  I did enjoy the day overall, but I learned something about myself.

This is what we saw going and coming along the 10 freeway near Palm Springs, CA.

Rory and I are so in different worlds!  Dealing with him is exhausting.  He puts on me, things he does not want to do.  In some things, I know he is trying to be kind!  Back to reality and need to get dinner.  Dinner done and some TV watched.  Doing my blog and some Ventura history.  Watching Haunted Collector at 9 and to bed at 10.  I am tired tonight!

Good night!  Trudi

Headed for Joshua Tree

Good Morning!

I am going to enjoy the coolness of the morning, as I am not going to see this for a couple of days!

Mari and I are headed for Joshua Tree National Park this morning to join her classmates.  Looking forward to exploring an area I have never seen.  We are staying at a hotel in Palm Desert and then driving home tomorrow morning as Mari has a class at noon tomorrow.  I am glad I made a reservation at the hotel yesterday for tonight!

Mari were awesome at leaving on time.  I could not believe how fast we got out here.  Found where we were supposed to meet the group and hung out.  Did a walk around part of the park and then went back into town to get "lunch"  After lunch we headed back into Joshua Tree and went to a place called Hall of Horrors.  Mari climbed up there with some other people from her group, but she recommended me to going up to this place.  After she got through, we drove to the hotel and got to the hotel around 8.  Just hanging out and I am going to bed at normal time.  Tomorrow morning we will head back for home.  Mari has class at noon and is currently working on school work.  Joshua Tree National Park was awesome!  I am so ready for our trip in May!

Good night!  Trudi

Being one of those days in a non-routine week

Hi,

These are the hills near Santiago Canyon and the trails.

Another busy day!  I had a tour this morning at the Mission.  One thing I have learned with doing these tours is that you have to be flexible.  After I left the Mission, I decided to take a different route home and got a sandwich on the way home.  This morning before I left, I decided that Mari and I are going to stay out in Joshua Tree/Palm Desert and drive home on Wednesday morning.  I was not sure how my energy level would be after leaving early tomorrow morning and shooting pictures out in the desert tomorrow afternoon in the heat and then having to drive home tomorrow night.  It is a 3 hour one way drive.  As I was leaving this morning, Rory needed help getting the boot on and Marissa was helping her, but he was complaining non-stop at her.  Now she has decided to go with us, as she does not want to stay home with her dad, which is fine with me.  I need to make snack and then I am taking Mari to school.  The picture below was taken today at the Mission.

As I was making snack, Mari went on her emails and found out that we will need to be around Joshua Tree until about 8:30 p.m.  I am so glad I made reservations at a hotel.  After Marissa found this out, she decided to not go and I am glad of that as well.  I am having someone come in and give Sweet Pea her insulin shots.  We left and went to the bank and then to Chipotle to get dinner and then to school.  On the way back, we stopped at Smart and Final to get some groceries.  Came home.  Marissa is struggling with Mari and I being gone; but I think things are going to work out ok.  Marissa and I had dinner together and then we had Lynn come over to see what to do with Sweet Pea.  Now I need to go get Mari from school.

I will probably write my blog tomorrow night from the hotel.

Good night.  Trudi

Confidence and laziness

Good Morning!

It is a beautiful sunny morning.  A little on the warm side!

I took this yesterday as we were driving home from doing errands.  This is Santiago Canyon Road.

Yesterday, Rory had gone out to get lunch and when he got back, he sat in the living room and was looking at a picture I got the other day of my docent group at the Swallows Day Parade.  He made some negative comments about the group and the picture.  I have gotten to the point that his negative comments do not bother me anymore, except that I get tired of them.  When I first met Rory, I felt that he gave me the confidence I had not had, as he accepted me for me.  As years went on, I kept the negative feelings I had of myself and really didn't think I was good at what I did.  Going through the docent class and being able to do tours, has brought back that confidence and I realized that yesterday.  It was a nice feeling.  This morning, I realized that I still struggle; but I think many people struggle with this, that I want to get things done like yesterday.  I am interested in trying or doing so many things and I have just so much energy and only a certain amount of time, that I can only do so much.  This frustrates me to some extent and I have to make a list and stick to that list and include many of the things I like to do.  Most of the things I do, really do not have a time frame.

Today, is my day to get ready for the week.  I am going to make a menu and get some grocery shopping done.  I am going to make a couple of desserts today as well.

Mari doing schoolwork!  Mari was spray painting a lunch pail to change the outside for a project she is doing at school.

Got laundry separated and some vacuuming done, made a menu for the week, did shopping and now I am taking a break.  Going to Joanne's and then come home and make some dessert for dinner.  Rory came downstairs and sat in his chair and expected someone to get his lunch.  He was laying on the bed all morning, watching TV and then came downstairs to watch TV.  I did make his lunch and continued to do what I was doing.

Got to Joanne's and they have remodeled and I like the new layout.  Came home and put Rory's dinner in the oven, doing my photo of the day and then going to make dessert and our dinner.

I have one Martha Washington geranium on my patio and this is the first bloom I have seen this spring!

A very productive day.  Had dinner and dessert in the oven.  Going to finish this.  Finish writing my history of Ventura and if I have time type it.  Lights out at 10.  Rory came down.  We had the TV on CNN, as we were watching Anthony Bourdain and then they went into information about Boston.  I was watching it and he changes the channel, without asking me.  Oh well!

Good Night!  Trudi

A walk in history and home is important

Good Morning!

It is a beautiful sunny day, yes, it is going to be warm.  Mari and I need to finish some errands and then we are going to head for Pasadena and do a "Secret Stairs" walk.  I am more and more learning who I am and being content with that.  Home has been and always will be important to me.  I just have to be content with myself and not focus on others in this house who bring me down.  I love nature and I am debating about growing some vegetables and other things on my patio.  I don't want to start this until we get back from our trip.  I have to focus on the things that are important to me and I need to stop trying to run away/escaping.  I also need to not beat myself up, if I don't get everything done and also stop spending time on the computer and only be on it, when I am working on the computer.

I have decided I am going to start with one thing and see how that goes, as far as growing.  I am going to grow cilantro, as I love it in my eggs.  I am going to make some jams, get another bread machine and start making bread.  I am going to make some pico de gallo and start making fresh oj!  I really need to pace myself and not try to do everything at once, which I have a tendency to do.  I made french toast with peanut butter and fresh strawberries for breakfast.  Doing my morning computer routine!  Finished the last load of laundry for the week and good thing I did as Marissa brought her clothes down and tomorrow is Sunday and it starts all over again.  Took a nap, which I really must have needed.  Had lunch and then Mari and I headed out to do some errands.  Never did make it to Pasadena to go walking.  Came home, put things away, installed Instagram on my phone and edited my 365 day picture.  Almost dinner time.

On our way home from errands, I decided to come home through Santiago Canyon and I took this at the vista point.

I made dinner for us and Mari made dinner for Rory!  We watched "My Cat From Hell".  Mari was trying to put together something for one of her classes and we realized we had to go back out, which we did.  I hope we got what she needs this time.  Going to finish this and work on Ventura history and then go to bed.

Good Night!  Trudi

This is Trabuco Creek, which usually has no water in it, unless we have a really good year of rain.

Out and about

Happy Friday!

It has been a busy morning!  This was taken yesterday along the outside of the Mission grounds.  I had my first 1.5 hour tour today and I was not sure how it was going to go, but it went fine.  I just decided to relax and go with it.  I think I am ready for an adult tour, as for every one child, there were either one or two adults and I think the adults were more interested than the kids.  If we have adult tours in June, I may try it.  It is warm here today, so I was very ready to get back in the air conditioned car.  Came  home and had lunch and now I am going to take a nap.  Mari and I need to go run some errands for her.  We may be going out to dinner with a friend.

Got my nap and now I am waiting for Mari to get ready to go!  Mari and I started with a stop to Yogurtland and then to Laguna Print.  Since she could not get everything printed there, we had to stop at school to get the printing finished. My friend texted me and said she could meet for dinner, which was great.  Sushi for dinner, YEA!  We stopped at Home Depot to get some things and then we went to Smart and Final for some things we needed and then home.  I felt like I was a tornado when I got home, as I was trying to get things done and get back out the door to go to dinner.

This is a picture of a cactus with prickly pears outside Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Picked up my friend and headed for our sushi dinner.  It was just nice to get out with friends for dinner. Came home and now I am upstairs doing computer stuff.  Going to finish this and go to bed.

Good night.  Trudi

Meeting and change

Good Morning!

Paddleboarding at Dana Point Harbor two years ago!  Sometimes I see dogs on these paddleboards with their masters.

Today is the first day this week that I don't have to be out the door early.  Originally I was going to see an attorney regarding some financial issues; but the appointment was cancelled due to illness on her part.  I have a docent meeting this afternoon as well.  Usually our meetings start at 1:30, but this one is starting at 1, so I was going to have to be late if I had had the attorney appointment.  I am glad I can be at the docent meeting for the whole thing.  Other than the docent meeting, I am going to be doing home stuff.  I always love it when I don't have to get up early and I wake up at 6.  Yesterday morning I could have slept past 6, but couldn't.

Next week is going to be different than the normal week.  Mari's classes are going to be later and Tuesday, Mari and I are going to Joshua Tree N.P. with two of her classes on Tuesday.  The attorney appointment was changed to next Friday.

One of our docents has a passion for cooking and she made food that probably, the Native Americans in our area would have eaten.  I did not like how the picture came out that I took, so I am not sharing it. I will share in the next couple of days, some things that the food came from.  I am deciding whether to start a new blog called "Living off the Land"  This is something that I have an interest in, but I am not sure if I have the time to do that.  I would love to grow vegetables on my patio, but I may look at doing that after we come back from our trip.  I would really like to know more names of plants.  My grandfather had a definite "green" thumb and grew beautiful iris.  I may go back to making bread in a bread maker.  We also had a speaker that spoke partly about acorns and oak trees, which we have in this area.  He also talked about yucca and how the flowers on this plant can be eaten.  We talked about the prickly pear of a cactus.  Interesting afternoon.  Stopped by Trader Joe's on the way home.  When I got home I made snack, as my weight this morning was the lowest it has been in a very long time.  Rory is having ribs and those are in the oven.

Mari and I put dinner together and we have not had the TV on all evening!  So nice!  Doing computer stuff and trying to convince a friend who wants to go away for the weekend to go away for the weekend.  Got one thing done tonight, I wanted to accomplish!  Going upstairs and do some writing and then go to bed!

Good Night!  Trudi

A hillside of daisies taken a year ago near a doctor's office!

Organizing, variety and inspiration

I did not get a chance to write my morning post, so I am writing it now.

This was taken on Saturday, April 13, 2013 from Mount Palomar.

This morning, Mari had to be at school at 10 and we were out the door by 9:15.  Took Mari to school and then headed for a walk in Huntington Beach.  I love my new app, "Map my Walk", as I can find new walks in different areas.  I am taking the cities around me in alphabetical order and finding a walk in that area.  I did the walk and took some pictures, picked up some lunch for Mari and I and forgot, I was supposed to pick up lunch for Marissa as well, but Marissa had lunch at home, so I didn't feel too bad.  I decided to drive down to the coast and drive down to Laguna and pick up Mari.  When I had dropped Mari off, she had made mention that she might get out at 11:30 and luckily she did not.  Last night when I picked up Mari, she was exhausted and today when I picked up Mari from school, her brain was mush.  She is taking the rest of the day off of school.  She is going to run errands with Mariss and I this afternoon.

As I was driving back to get Mari, I was thinking to myself, that being away from the house inspires me and that, plus my love of variety is why I came up with Gypsy Mom for my screen name.  I love being a mom to my girls.   Being around the house for too long depresses me and exhausts me.  I am really finding that getting things organized excites me and having variety makes me happy. I love things to be simple.   If certain things are the same for too long or I do the certain things over and over, I get bored and that is why I like my new app.  There are certain things that I do like in a routine.

I took this picture on my Huntington Beach walk.

My house is getting cleaned today and then, the girls and I are going to run errands.

The girls and I left to do errands.  Our first stop was at Yogurtland.   They have Sticky Toffee Pudding frozen yogurt.  The girls and I fell in love with Sticky Toffee Pudding when we were in England.  From there, we went to Bah and Body and got Marissa some body wash.  I do not like it when sales people are constantly checking with you.  I like to go in and just shop.  From there, we went to Sprouts to get some ginger tablets to help Marissa with her nausea.  Marissa's counselor recommended the ginger.  The sales person was overly chatty. I left the girls and went looking for some things.  From there we went to Target and then to Old Navy.  I was so excited as I had jeans that exactly fit me.  Came home and made dinner.  Worked on my computer stuff.  Watching Haunted Collector and then I am going to bed.  Rory came down and is watching the program with us.  Not being stressful!

Good night!

Trudi

Walk way in the park I found on my walk in Huntington Beach, CA

Running Tuesday

Good Morning!

This picture was taken on 04-16-2011 in Torrey Pines and looking up the California coast.

It's Tuesday and that means busy.  Leaving around 9:15 and taking Mari to school, then I need to take some paper work to the local VA for Rory, then go get some insuliin for Sweet Pea and then I am going to Foothill Ranch and go walking.  Now that I have "Map my Walk", I can go anywhere in my area and find walking paths.  After my walk, I am coming home and have lunch and take a nap and go to counseling with Marissa.  We will come home, have dinner and then about 9 go back to Laguna and get Mari.

Got Mari to school, then did my errands and came back by the house and dropped off the insulin and went over to Foothill Ranch to take a walk.  We do have a Wilderness Park in Foothill Ranch, but I don't want to walk through it by myself, as there are wild animals in the park.  Came home and having lunch.  Figured out the rest of my food for the day, so that I stay on track.

This picture was taken on my walk in Foothill Ranch, in a park, where I do not have to be concerned about wild animals.

After my lunch, took a nap.  Rory called and told me that he had to go to his local VA to have an EKG, so he can have the stress test on his heart.  Marissa and I left for counseling.  Every 2-3 weeks, I go in to Marissa's session.  I felt this was a good session.  On the way home, we stopped at Trader Joe's and got some things and then came home.  Rory was downstairs and I was hoping to do some editing of pictures before I started dinner.  He did go upstairs and later told me that all I have to do is tell him I want some alone time and he will go upstairs.  If he is in a good mood, he will do that, but most of the time he complains.  Tuesdays are long days and I really just want to chill, before I start dinner.  Made dinner for the three of us and now I am getting to do some editing and other stuff.  I am going to leave about 8:45 to go pick up Mari and then come home and go to bed.

Good Night!  Trudi

A tree stump I saw on my walk.

Next step-doctor visit

Good Morning!

It is overcast and dreary here in So. CA.  Last night we had heavy duty mist or as my Dad used to call it, San Francisco fog!  Today is why I do preparation day on Sunday.  Rory has an orthopedist appointment for his achilles tendonosis this morning and I am taking my car in for service, while we are at his doctor's appointment. We will see what the orthopedist wants to do.   Mari has school this afternoon.  Hopefully, after I drop Mari off at school, I will get to go walking.  We will see what the day brings!

The day did not go quite the way I thought it would, but the important things got done.  We did get my car in for service, we did get Rory to the orthopedist.  He does have achilles tendinosis and bilateral foot charcot arthropathy.  Much of this is from the diabetes and his weight.  It did help that I went.  He really does have a hard time walking and there are times I think he believes this is all going to heal magically!  The doctor also referred him to vascular surgery to see how his circulation is and he wants him to do a stress test on his heart.  We left VA in time to get my car and get home in time to leave to take Mari to school.  I decided to not walk, but come home and take a nap  Editing my picture of the day, going through emails and FB and praying for the people in Boston.

Made dinner and having alone time, which is nice.  Need to leave about 8:45 to pick up Mari.

Good night!  Trudi

Preparation day

Good Morning!  It is very cloudy here today!

Sunday has become my day of getting ready for the week, as we have appointments, school, meetings and a tour this week.  I have found it has helped to make a menu for the week and do marketing, so that the majority of things I need are in the house and I don't have to run errands everyday.  I also start getting  laundry started.  We will see what else I get done today.  I know Mari needs me to run an errand with her.

Did my morning computer routine and started the laundry.  Took a nap.  Had lunch and then Mari and I ran a couple of errands.  I brought her home and I did another couple of errands.  It was nice to be out by myself.  Went to Trader Joe's and the storage unit and labeled the boxes for as far as I have gone.  Did not realize I had stuff for Easter and more stuff for St. Patrick's Day.  Oh well, next year!  Brought home more appraisal paperwork, I can get rid of.  My how fast the day goes!  Mari and I made dinner and watched one program on TV.  Anthony Bourdain has a new show on CNN that is interesting.  Rory decided to come down, as I usually watch "Amazing Race", but tonight I decided not to.  I came upstairs to do what I wanted to do.  I also made a quiche for tomorrow morning for breakfast.  I am going to do my own thing until 10 and then I am going to bed.

Good night!  Trudi