Learning and sharing

Good Morning! Mari and I were so tired last night, that we decided we were not going to get up early and go walking this morning. I actually slept until 6:20 a.m. and then my head would not turn off. The tour yesterday got me to thinking of what I really like to do. The tour was about movies, which I really don't care about, but, what I really enjoyed was the history. There are times, I feel like I don't have time to do everything, but what I really need to focus on is what is important. Yes, I am a mom and wife and I need to take care of my family, which means I have to do certain house stuff, which is not exactly my favorite thing, but it needs to be done. I love being able to take Mari to school and the time I spend with her. I, also, like to spend time with Marissa and certain other people. I want to find time to read about history, write about what I learn and take pictures of what I see and find time to edit. I, also, love to organize, so I need to find time for that. Today is mainly going to be at home, as we were gone most of yesterday.

Another picture from Julian, CA. Mari and I have decided we are going out there on November 3, 2012. Looking forward to going back and hopefully seeing some fall colors. Made breakfast for Rory, as well as did some organizing and cleaning in the kitchen. Made my own breakfast and started doing my morning routine. Lunch time and I have finished all of my house stuff. I still have errands to do, but I think I will take a nap first and then I will get to do somethings I want to do. I was frustrated this morning at Mari, because she was watching TV and I felt she should be doing school work and I was frustrated with Rory for normal stuff. Doing some editing of pictures before I go run errands.

After I ran errands, came home and edited pics. Made dinner and watched "Making Monsters" Going to watch "Amazing Race", then do my reading and go to bed. Good Night! Trudi

Saturday is a field trip day

Good Morning! This morning I awoke to overcast and dreary. It is slightly wet outside. Doing my usual morning stuff! Mari and I are doing a different walk this morning. There are a long flight of stairs at the school near us and then we will walk around the hill. Today our field trip is a horror movie tour put on by a tour company we have come to know called Dearly Departed. If you are in or come to the Los Angeles area, look them up. They do great movie tours and you do get to hear and see some of the history of Hollywood. Rory has to work today. Better get myself moving and get Rory his breakfast.

The pictures the last few days have been from Julian, CA; which is a small town in San Diego County, CA, which is worth visiting. Mari and I did our walk. It was a new walk for us. When we took the stairs walk a few weeks ago, I decided that it would be good for us to work some stairs into our exercise, so that is what we did. I didn't realize there were two sets of stairs at the school that we could do. The rest of the walk was up and down hills and was probably close to two miles. Came home and made breakfast. We need to be out of here by 11, so made Rory's lunch. We have to help him with his shoes and then we are gone. Going to stop at a bagel place and get lunch and some coffee at Starbucks. After we got lunch we headed for LA. I had decided to park at Hollywood and Highland and then we had to walk over to where the tour was. Hollywood and Highland was, as usual, very crowded. Got to see Brian, who has been our tour guide for all of the tours we have gone on with Dearly Departed. It was a great tour and got to see alot of Los Angeles and Pasadena. I hated to see it end. We got back around 5 and then headed back to the car. We were all hungry, so we stopped at In N'Out Burger for dinner. After eating healthy for awhile, I have found out what I can and can't eat. I had to stop and get dinner for Rory at Panda Express. I am really tired tonight and I was glad to get home. Will post pictures of the tour as time goes on. Good night. Trudi

Physical and Emotional Exhaustion

Good Morning! Actually got to lie in bed this morning until 6:50. Mari and I have decided that on Fridays we are not going to walk and be able to sleep in. I told Rory that I would turn on the coffee maker after 6:30 and he said if he really needed to have coffee, he would go downstairs and make coffee. He did not get up. My sleep last night was not the most restful. I have not been physically tired, as most of what I have been doing lately is sitting and doing some writing for my other blog-gypsymom-virtualconcierge.blogspot.com. I have been doing driving and errands and housework, but not enough to get me physically tired. Living with two people, who have disabilities is emotionally draining and dealing with noise a lot is draining and also having to deal with my reaction to a friend, who I have not been close to over the last few years is draining. Writing is a way for me to get what is in my head out of my head, but then when I am asleep, alot of my dreams, I am also doing. I have really never been an active person. I love getting out and taking pictures and that is my way of relaxing. I would love to do more photo walks, like what I did last weekend. That is very therapeutic for me. Today is relatively a nothing day. The girls are going to a movie this afternoon and then we are meeting up with a friend for dinner. Looking forward to that. While the girls are at the movie, I am going to do some errands. Rory is doing his own thing.

Doing morning stuff, but I don't have to do laundry, as it is all done. Marissa does her own. I do Mari's, as school takes most of her time. I took a nap, as I needed one. Got trash done and watering plants done. Now to get lunch. The girls and I had lunch and watched TV and then had some quiet time before I took them to a movie. I was getting frustrated with Mari for not working on school and with Rory for how he handles money and other things. Dropped the girls off at the movie theater and then ran my errands. I got everything done, which I was surprised at. Came home and put stuff away and then went to pick up the girls. We were supposed to meet a friend for dinner, but she could not meet it, so the girls and I went to Islands for dinner. Came home and watched our usual Friday night programs. Rory is not home yet and his dinner is made. He gets so frustrated when things do not go according to plan. Lately this has happened alot and he will go to the casino or walk shopping malls or .... Tonight will hopefully be my usual routine of reading at 9 and then to bed at 10. After the girls came out of the movie and we were going to wait for my friend, before we found out she was not going to make it, we went to Old Navy and I got some jeans that were one size lower and then I came home and checked my email and found out that a medical test I had run came back negative, which I was happy about. I did talk to my friend who has cancer and they are going to get her a hospital bed for downstairs. Good night! Trudi

From hot to cold

Good Morning! Yesterday, where I live in Southern CA, it got to 100 degrees and this morning I woke up to overcast and coolness. Typical of fall, which shows the change from summer to winter. In Southern California this time of year, we usually get our Santa Ana winds, which can be hot, dry winds coming off the desert near Nevada and Arizona. Quite often these winds can cause wild fires. In 2007, I lived through one of those wildfires. It started in the canyon behind us and worked itself around our hill. It was very scary and we thought we were going to be evacuated. Today is Mari's long day at school. After I drop Mari off at school, I am going to go walk at the lake with a friend or go down to Dana Point and walk. Today is the Farmer's Market and I hope they have the Indian food both again.

After I dropped Mari off at school, I went to Dana Point and walked the island, which is about 2 miles. I love being by the water. While I was walking, Rory left me a message that he would be gone for the rest of the day. He wanted to get some peace in his head. I headed for home and stopped by CVS and got Mari a brace for her wrist. Came home. Marissa and I will have a nice quiet afternoon. We left about 3:45 and went to the Farmer's Market and got my Indian food and my CSA box, then we went to Peet's coffee and then to pick up Mari, then to Trader Joe's and then to Casey's cupcakes to celebrate the end of Mari's midterms. It is so nice to have Mari home tonight. She is making dinner. Rory came home about the time, we were serving dinner and I asked him if he wanted what we were having or did he want a "Hungry Man' TV dinner. He can get very picky at times and I get very tired of dealing with his food issues. I asked him if he wanted a cupcake, as there are times, he wants store bought cupcakes over Casey's. This time he chose Casey's. The girls and I ate dinner downstairs and watched TV and he went upstairs to eat in our bedroom. Just having quiet time. Will read at 9 and go to bed at 10. I am tired tonight. Good night. Trudi

A relaxed, nothing day

Good Morning! I was tired of being in bed this morning, so at 6, I did get up. Not feeling the greatest, but I did do my exercises and my morning routine. Got Rory's breakfast and Mari got up around 7:40. We did our walk up to the park and did see our friend. He had decided to change his appointment to this afternoon. There was a little boy at the park, who we have seen before and he decided to walk/run with us. Mari and I had seen this little boy and his mom at Target awhile ago. Came home and had breakfast and doing morning stuff. Feeling very tired, so as soon as Mari gets done in the shower and dressed, I am going to take a nap. Today is pretty much a nothing day and I think all of the emotion yesterday, exhausted me. Got up and did my morning stuff. A neighbor of mine needed some help by using my fax. Had lunch and watched TV. The girls had DVR's "Hot Set", but Rory stopped the taping, right as they announced the winner, so we did not get to see who won. GRRR! Marissa and I went out and ran an errand. Mari stayed home and studied. Rory went out to lunch and then to a movie. As usual, he called and wanted to know what the mail was. Having alone time to edit pics and put pictures in albums. I love doing this!

Tonight for dinner I made turkey with cranberry dressing and rice with fresh vegetables. The girls and I thought it was good, but I always get a little concerned when I give Rory things like this. Some days he is fine with certain foods and somedays, he is like he was tonight. He came out of our room and said, "he felt like he was going to throw up and was this the turkey from last Thanksgiving. This really makes me want to cook and make something enjoyable. My confidence in my cooking is low. I, also, have a problem dealing with the time it takes to make certain things. This is something I have to fight. Watched TV with the girls while we had dinner and now having some quiet time, before I watch Ghost Hunters with Mari at 9 and then to bed at 10. Good night, Trudi

Direct my path!

Good Morning!

Rory worked last night from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. I was concerned about him driving home this morning, as sometimes when he is driving he has a tendency to fall asleep. I knew he had been awake since about 6 a.m. and he had been very uptight about this new job. He finally came to bed about 5 a.m. this morning, evidently he had been home since about 3. I ended up getting up about 6:30 and I am doing my morning routine. From about 1-5 a.m. I slept, but not the greatest. Today, Mari has one midterm. I am going to call my friend tonight, to see if we can still come out tomorrow and would the afternoon be ok. I need prayers for this, as I keep coming up with reasons for not going, but I need to go. On Sunday, when we were at San Juan Capistrano Mission, one of the girls in the ticket booth recommend I become a docent and tour guide. This is definitely going down the path I want to go and would give me some experience in being a tour guide. Better get Mari up, so we can take our walk. Did our walk with our walking friend. Came home and made breakfast of Grilled peanut butter, banana and honey sandwich with turkey bacon. Mari made Rory's breakfast. Doing morning stuff. Took a nap, as I needed it. Had lunch about 11:30 and took Mari to school about 12:15. Talked to some friends and went to Trader Joe's, while I was waiting for Mari. The Lord is definitely directing my path. Thank you Lord! Just as I was about to leave for home, Mari called and said she was done with her mid-term. Went back to Laguna to pick her up and then we went to Jamba Juice and got a pumpkin smoothie, then to get gas in the car and then to Pet Smart to get cat food for Sweet Pea. Mari and I had some discussions regarding school while we were driving home. I feel more at peace with some things tonight. Came home and tried to have some alone time, but Rory came downstairs and wanted to talk. He was in pain from working yesterday. Ordered his pizza and got dinner together for the rest of us. Had dinner and finished watching the program I had started at lunch. Talked to my friend and she had spent the whole day at the hospital, so she really didn't want us to come out tomorrow. I was thankful for that. Tonight, I am just doing my own things and Mari is working on school. I am tired tonight from lack of sleep and a lot of emotional things going on. Good night. Trudi

A week consisting of midterms, sadness, busyness and new

Good Morning!

Woke up to the sound of the coffee maker this morning around 6 a.m. Much better night last night, as I actually got some sleep. Doing my normal morning routine. Mari has midterms this week, so her schedule and my schedule maybe a little strange and a lot of back and forth between here and Laguna. On Wednesday, I plan to go out and see my friend for possibly the last time. Rory starts his new job or shall I say, the routine for his new job. This is a call in type job, so we will see what happens. Mari, I know starts school at 2 and will be there till about 8:30. Mari and I did our park walk with our walking friend and came home to make breakfast. Rory is in his usual mood of I want it done now, as he is very nervous, about this new job. I finally told him I was going to get breakfast. For some reason, I am really tired today, so I took a nap. Doing morning stuff. Mari is slightly nervous regarding this week, so all of the anxiety is hitting Marissa and me. Mari is going to school and Rory is either going to work or going to get pants that correctly fit him. Hopefully, Marissa and I can have a somewhat relaxing afternoon. I am going to work on pictures, as I took about 200 pictures this weekend. Rory is working from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. Marissa and I took Mari to school and then ran errands. She wanted a candle and I knew where to find Yankee Candles for not too much money. We also went to Peet's coffee for snack. Now we are home and I have some quiet time until 6, when I will make dinner.

It was nice just Marissa and I having dinner-a change of pace. We watched Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations. Now I am just waiting on Mari to call me and tell me she is done with school for the night. Once I get home, I am going to do my reading and then turn out the light. I have been working on photograph albums and editing pictures most of the afternoon and evening, which I am enjoying. Nice way to end the day! Good night! Trudi