Tour day

Good Morning!  It is a beautiful sunny day out and the birds are singing!  It is definitely spring!

I am doing my second tour this morning at the Mission, plus I am walking the lake this afternoon.  Other than that I will mainly be doing things at home.

This is Point Reyes lighthouse and from where I took this picture there are about 300 steps down to the lighthouse. Which means that there are 300 steps back up!  Ugh!

My second tour was not as good as my first, but that was more due to circumstances than anything else.  The group was late in getting to the Mission, two of the girls got hurt and we had less than an hour to give a tour and I had a mother that asked many questions.  Most of the parents are quiet, plus she took pictures at the wrong time.  Came home and had lunch and now I am going to take a nap.  I have to remember to be happy if I get only one thing done today.  I finished my morning computer routine and got a load of laundry into the dryer and once I put that away, I will be done with laundry for the rest of the week.  Worked on budget.  Mari and I did some errands and then went walking at RSM lake.  Came home and made dinner and watched the rest of 'Liberty".  It took a lot of work to put this country together.  Doing my computer stuff, going to read around 9 and to bed around 10.  I don't have to get up at 6.  YEA!

This is part of Mission San Juan Capistrano!

Mari and I got into a discussion about planning.  Rory micro-plans, I have a tendency to micro-plan, but  I try not to and this was driving Mari nuts.  With school, I have a feeling Mari almost hit her breaking point and really needs this next week off.

Good night!  Trudi

I was working on a minimalistic project, when I took this a year ago.  Mari and I had gone to the Hamer Museum in Los Angeles, when I took this picture.

Don't fight 'em, join 'em!

Good Morning!  It is a beautiful morning, a little bit on the warm side!

This was at Fort Pointe in San Francisco and was taken two years ago.

Last night, Rory said he wants to go to a dinner theater for his birthday, which is in June.  This place used to be under another owner and it was not a place I enjoy, for one thing, there was not enough room to move around.  I told Rory that I would go for dinner and then leave.  He had fits.  I really don't like sitting for long periods of time and the girls and I really don't like going out with Rory, as he makes things stressful.  I went up to bed and tried to find some other places, but could not, that would work.  I am going to accept what is and go with it.  I feel more at peace this morning.  Father's Day and his birthday are close together and he usually wants to go out for both.  I just need to relax and enjoy.

Today, Mari has school from 10-12;30 and then she is off for spring break.  The rest of the day is open.  After I dropped off Mari at school, I headed for Dana Point to go walking.  I pushed myself to walk a little extra.  I knew I did not have to pick up Mari until 12:30, instead of 12.  I picked up sandwiches and coffee for both of us.  Working on My Fitness Pal is really making me focus on calories and what I eat and how much I exercise.  Came back to LCAD and picked up Mari and then went to Target.  Mari is doing a project and while we were at Target, she was trying to get some ideas and I, totally misunderstood the project and we got into a major discussion.  Came home and took a nap.  Rory is working tonight from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Mari is sleeping and Marissa is up in her room.  I need to apologize to Mari when she gets up.  I did apologize, but I really did not realize what the project was.    I am working on finishing my morning computer stuff.  Finished my computer stuff, did laundry and put things away and since Rory is not home, changed his side of the bed.  We have a sleep number bed with two twin beds made into a king size bed.  I love having separate mattresses, so then I don't feel Rory moving around in the middle of the night or him plopping on the bed.  It feels really good to get some things accomplished.  Keeping going!

Sweet Pea likes to sleep in Mari's room and she finally decided she wanted to come out and clawed at the door.  Usually if Mari is sleeping during the day, I will quietly open the door and let Sweet Pea out. Mari heard her this time and at the same time I was opening the door, so was she.  Mari decided that she was going back to sleep, at least until dinner.  Speaking of dinner, I had better go make it.  I don't have to do anything for Rory, because he goes by Del Taco on the way home, as there is one that is open 24 hours right near us.

Had a great dinner and it is nice and peaceful around here, with just us 4 girls(one is a cat).  Mari and I watched "Liberty" and Marissa was watching "Dark Shadows".  I love having Netflix.  All of us are doing our own thing tonight.  Going to watch "Haunted Collector" with Mari at 9.  Love that show.

Good Night.  Trudi

Expectations

Good Morning!  It is a beautiful morning!

Mari and I were in San Francisco two years ago.  The earthquake in Japan took place two years ago yesterday.  I remember driving up the coast and not being able to go on Highway 1 due to Tsunami warnings.

Today, I have to leave at 9:15 to take Mari to school, from there I go to Dana Point and go walking, then home about lunch time.  I am going to try and take a nap, as my sleep last night was not the best.    I leave at 2:15 to take Marissa to counseling.  We usually get home about 4:30 ish.  I have a tendency to expect myself to do the same amount on these type of days, as on days when I have hardly any errands or chauffeuring to do.  I have to remember what people told me when the girls were babies; is to be content if I just get one thing done during the day and I have to remember that on Tuesdays.  I am hard on myself and I need to not be.

Took Mari to school and then went to Dana Point and did go walking.  I am beginning to understand my pedometer more and I am using My Fitness Pal.  Thank you Theresa.  Did come home for lunch, watched part of My Biggest Loser and then took a nap.  Got a load of laundry done and I may just make my goal of getting the laundry done by Wednesday.  Rory had gone to the store to get his food, so Marissa and I had to help him get it out of the car and Marissa and I  put it away.  Need to leave to take Marissa to therapy.

One of the blogs I read, the girl was talking about how relationships take work and that is so true.  Most things in life take work.  I really don't believe that Rory and I have worked on our marriage, our relationship and it shows.  I don't think either one of us had a really good example of a strong marriage. I may have had the better example, as my parents stayed together and worked at things together and took care of each other.  I know my Dad had an affair, but overall, they loved each other.  I know Rory's parents divorced when he was 19 and I now know that his Dad had Asperger Syndrome and was very much a dictator and was physically abusive.  Rory has Asperger Syndrome and does not really know what a relationship is.  He really does not want to be close to people.   The three girls of us have become his caregiver in many ways and we all hate it.  Rory is trying to find something else to do to earn money and we were talking about it today and he does not really want to work at it.  He wants to put things on me and I will no longer accept that.  I know he deals with health issues, but most of those are caused by his laziness and lack of motivation.  

After Marissa and I got back from counseling, we made dinner and watched the rest of The Biggest Loser.  Doing computer stuff until I leave to pick up Mari at school.  I am going to do some reading when I get back and then go to bed.  

Good night,  Trudi

Choices

Good Morning!

Wall art in Los Angeles on a Secret Stairs walk!

Today I chose happiness!  Last night I was reading "What on Earth Am I Here For?"and Rick Warren was saying "Happiness is a choice.  You are as happy as you choose to be.  If you don't know how to be happy with what you have, you will never be happy with more.  I have a tendency to be negative and especially when I am in pain, which I have been over the last couple of days.  It is a beautiful day outside and I am going to enjoy it.  I also choose simple.

I am making goals for this week.  I know I have a tendency to put more on my plate than I can do.  I plan to walk everyday, as it is not supposed to rain this week,  in fact, it is supposed to be 85 the middle of the week.  I am going to finish working on my budget this week.  Get one box done from the storage unit and finish writing about the mission in Pala, CA  Mari has spring break next week, so getting things done will be easier.

Today, I have most of the day to get things done.  Mari wants to leave about 2:30 to go to the art store and I can get a couple of things framed.  Mari has school from 4 to 10.  I am going walking at Balboa after I drop her off at school.

Today I am going to choose to not feed into Rory's complaining about having to get up early and go to a weight management class at 10 a.m.  He is really not doing anything about his weight anyway.  Today I am choosing not to feed into the girls decisions.

Did my morning computer routine, worked on the budget, did laundry and put away laundry and changed part of our bed.  Took a nap, had lunch, worked on Pala mission and then took Mari to school,  as well as stopped at Starbucks and Laguna Art Supply.  Got sticker shock in having a couple of things framed.  Took Mari to school and then went to Balboa to walk.

An old door I saw on my walk.  Many houses are being decorated with Easter and St. Patrick's Day decorations.

Stopped at Trader Joe's on my way home, as well as the cleaners.  Came home and had dinner and doing computer stuff.  Have to leave at 8:45 to pick up Mari.

Good night!  Trudi

Friends at Mission San Luis Rey

Me!

Good Morning!

This picture was taken at Crystal Cove near Newport Beach in December, 2012.

To write about me is hard!  Yesterday when we were at the festival, we were looking at some clothes that a vendor was selling.   This woman sells clothes, but she, also, makes clothes that will exactly fit her clients.  The cost is not prohibitive.  I like much of what she has.  I have a tendency to buy clothes or anything else I want cheaply.  We were looking at some other things and what I bought for Mari and Marissa cost more than the thing I bought.  I have always been hard on myself with money.  I have always taken care of everybody else first before I take care of myself.  I am going to look into the clothes the woman has, as she does have a web site.

Today is church and we are getting a late start.  I woke up at 6:20 and it was dark outside and I did not feel like getting up, so I slept until 7.  We are meeting a friend at church and then going out to lunch with her, so that Mari and she can discuss business.  Today is also putting together a menu for the week and getting the food we need.  Doing this last week, seemed to work.  The only thing, I have to figure out is lunches for the girls.

Went to church and sat in the cafe, which has become my favorite place to sit.  Afterward, went to Red Robin for lunch and now I am home.  Need to check the bank account, do laundry and put my menu together for the week.  Hopefully, I can get the marketing done or it will have to wait for tomorrow.I did get the menu and most of the marketing.  The time change is being strange.  I went to Target about 5 p.m. and it felt earlier.  Put groceries away when I got home and then made dinner.  We are watching a program that Mari had DVR'd.  When I was doing laundry, Rory was watching TV.  Sometimes I feel like he lives in la la land.  He loves to talk about when the girls were little and there are times he remembers things in ways it did not happen.  He loves watching the program "Dragnet".  What is very sad is that he really does not know how to communicate with us.  His main topic of conversation is money or the past.  He would have loved for time to stay in the 1950's to early 1960's.

At 8, I am going to watch "The Bible".  Rory does not understand why Saddleback Church is making a big deal of this mini-series until I told him that Pastor Rick was involved with the making of this, plus I feel it is important to a Christian and the church.  It definitely is worth watching!  Last week he asked me if it was a game show.  There are times I really don't understand him and I really question some time my reason for marrying him.  Was he that different, when I first met him?

From 8-10, I am going to watch "The Bible" and then go to bed.

Good night.  Trudi

Fillmore train station taken a year ago.

Time ticks on!

Good Morning!

The sun is out this morning!  We did get some more rain last night.  Mari and I are going to run a couple of errands and then go to the Whale Festival in Dana Point.  Never been to this before, so I do not know what to expect.  Really need to work on my history stuff, as that is what I really enjoy and get  some energy from.  Here at home, I feel really pulled down.

Don't forget to spring forward tonight!

Got my morning computer stuff done, plus a load of laundry, took a nap.  I am feeling achy in my legs today.  Left about 12ish and headed for Jersey Mike's  and then Target and then to Dana Point for the Festival of the Whales.  We decided to take the shuttle.  We were going to take a historic home tour, but the walk uphill would have been too much for both of us and I did not know what the parking would be like, so we walked, mainly the harbor.  It was enjoyable just being out.  Stopped at Trader Joe's on the way home.  Finally took some Motrin and I am feeling better.  Doing my pictures and computer stuff.  Better get to making dinner.

As we were starting to eat dinner, Mari brought up that maybe I might be dehydrated, as I have been feeling dizzy and have been more tired than normal.  I have been drinking water, but probably not enough.  I told her my symptoms and she agreed.  Mari is watching a Netflix movie, as we have a rule in this house that we have to have Netflix movies back within 48 hours.  Mari and I sort of stick to that rule and Marissa watches her movie as soon as she gets it.  Marissa and I were talking about the relationship that she and I have versus the one that Mari and I have.  I had forgotten that I bought tickets to see the Princess Diana exhibit on the Queen Mary.  Luckily it is for this coming Friday.  Then I had to find the receipt.  Mari and I are going to church tomorrow and meet up with a friend.  Chris, my friend, wants Mari to do some work for her, as it goes along with Mari's major.  I have been reading blogs tonight and now I am doing my own.  Time ticks on!  Don't forget to change your clock!

Going to do reading at 9 and to bed at 10, which will really be 11

Good night!  Trudi

Relationships and history

Good Morning!

Last night, I caught up on reading blogs.  Something I read really hit me-"Real love is based on respect, compromise, care and trust.  I really don't have any of that in my marriage.  Some of what I don't have is because of both of our histories.  What Rory was raised with and what I was raised with.  Respect, Rory really doesn't respect anybody and compromise, it has to always be Rory's way.  Care-Rory tries to be caring, but he really doesn't know how.  Trust, in some ways, I can trust Rory and in some ways I can't.  We are on totally two different planets when it comes to finances.  I have stayed put because of the girls and now, because of money.  I don't know if I really knew what relationships were, when I met Rory.  I still am concerned about relationships.  I seem to keep relationships at arms length.

Today, we have nothing planned, but I thought we might start going through the history books I got for my birthday and seeing if we can find some of the places in the books.  Doing computer stuff.  It's raining off and on.

Working on laundry or as a friend of mine says-Mt. Laundry".  Got a nap and I have been sleeping like a log lately.  Working on budget.  We have had hail.  Running around taking pictures like crazy!  We were going out and take pictures, but I will have to see, with the rain.

Had lunch and started researching a new mission for my mission blog.  I figured out that with the rain and not knowing when it was coming and going, we would stay home.  The only thing I had to do was get syringes for Sweet Pea, plus we got frozen yogurt.  Came home and I am working on putting pictures in albums.  Rory had gone to a movie and came home while I was doing pictures.  Mari and I made dinner and then we watched Ghost Adventures and Dead Files.  While we were at the vet, I was asking the technician how stress could be affecting Sweet Pea and her diabetes and he said definitely.  I really wonder if it is really healthful for the girls, Sweet Pea or me to be staying with Rory.  Rory is not a bad person, just very needy and very selfish.  I feel like I have been taken advantage of, but I know in some ways I have done this to myself.

At 9 going to read, if I can stay awake and at 10 go to bed.

Good Night!  Trudi