Back From A Wonderful Trip & Already Back To Bustling

 Back From A Wonderful Trip & Already Back To Bustling

Our cruise up the Pacific Coastline and back with first time cruisers, my mom and my spouse's sister, was absolutely everything we could have possibly wished. We had smooth seas, spectacular weather, lots of fun at each port visit (Ensenada, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and San Francisco), and my mom and sister-in-law seemed to have the time of their lives. 

So, so happy and thankful to have been able to spend a full week with each of my parents this year - first my dad in Alaska in July, and then my mom along the Pacific Coast in November. 

I'm aware that they are both increasingly elderly, and thus for both trips to have gone so well feels like a double dose of incredible thankfulness.

Now back home I have a list of items to report out on'-

1) No weight was gained in spite of seven days of cruising, followed by three days of noshing and wine tasting with one of our social clubs in the Santa Ynez wine region. I attribute this to having fully absorbed the revised eating habits that I developed during last year's 25 pound weight loss. I now automatically calculate my caloric intake as I move through my day, and stop all eating when I get to my self-set daily limit. 

2) I had menu planned ahead of our return, and we only needed a quick stop at Trader Joe's on our return to pick up some fresh produce items.

3) We are heading into a jam-packed weekend (ladies lunch event, fashion show, live theater event, wine party that will include several potluck dishes, plus I'm hosting our long running book club for dinner and book discussion), so I was up early this morning to plan out the week's menu in minutia, and do my grocery shop planning. I estimate I'll need to stop in at four markets this week, including Sprouts to get a few bulk bin items in the exact quantities needed, thus ensuring no odd leftover quantities.

4) I'm struggling a bit to coordinate removal of a section of our rain gutters to allow some termite remediation (I.e. wood facia replacement) to commence next week. The termite work date is set, but I've not yet been successful in nailing down a rain gutter tech to get the needed rain gutters removed in advance. Fortunately, the current work date isn't mission critical, and thus if I need to push it back a bit, it's far from the end of the world.

5) We have a new neighbors, both newly retired and near our ages, and I already have a date set to go walking with the wife, followed by coffee. I love a gal pal walking date!

I hope all is well wherever you are, and whatever you're up to.