Spoke too soon

Well, I was doing good with my trip blogging.

Alright, so Saturday, Dana, Nik, and I went out to breakfast. The food was fantastic, but that is always such a theme when I visit San Diego that I consider that a requirement now.

These pictures are all out of order since they're from different people's phones, but that first one is Riley hiding under Dana and giving me the stink eye because I'm cuddling Nik's dogs. We sat in Nik's house and talked a long while before and after breakfast, and I learned that Dana is unbelievably sweet, kind, understanding, and nonjudgmental.

We eventually made our way to Dad's, stopping for fuel on the way. Some dickhead very intentionally cut us off to get to the pumps first. Dana yelled "Asshole!" so loud that I could hear her plainly in a separate vehicle. She is sweet and kind and tolerant... but can still make quick assessments as needed.

2nd pic- at Dad's... Hell, this might have been Thursday.

3rd pic- at breakfast

4th pic- Saturday night at the dinner table. Nik's husband Rob just deployed, so I'm drinking his beer so it won't go bad. I'm willing to make these kinds of important sacrifices to support the troops.

5th pic- That's Snoopy investigating, and Brees trying to climb into our laps.

6th pic- Brees is the kind of dog that needs love so bad that she will not let a crossed leg deter her.

We saw a few of Dad's friends, drank alcohol, and ate grilled food.

GGM Night

Friday:
Aren't you proud of me for keeping up with my trip blog?
Made breakfast and enjoyed the rain from inside.
Got ready, packed, read, waited for Dad to finish work.
Went to get tires and lunch, drove my car to Nik's, wandered around her neighborhood and walked Riley in the park.
Went out with Dana and Nik to The Kebab Shop (OMG), then shopping for Dana. She was very excited about her purchases, as she should be, because they were awesome. I was amused to see socks in Nik's purse.
Sat up late and talked. Long overdue cousin time. Love these women.

I'll take better pictures today

Thursday:
Woke up, let Riley out, went back to bed.
Woke up, went to breakfast with Dad and Riley, went back to bed.
Woke up, got ready, left Riley at the house, and made our way to Nik's house just as it started to rain.

The rain was light and spotty, and we went to dinner: Dad, me, Nik, and Dana. After dinner, we checked out DSW and Marshall's. By the time we left, the rain was coming down in buckets. We got back to Nik's, and the water was rushing down the storm drain. We all got flash flood warnings on our phones. As we sat and talked, the rain would pour and drizzle. Dad and I went back to his house, and the rain continued waffling all night.

It's still raining today, so there go our plans for dog beach. It's difficult to come up with things to do indoors in San Diego. 

Pictures:
Clearly the sexiest man in San Diego
Miramar
How we spent our afternoon
Tasty beverage
My new favorite butter dish

Here and beered

Wednesday:
Woke up early from pre-trip anxiety, packed up the car, and left by 7:30.

Riley was on a tranquilizer that kept her calmer than usual, so after about twenty minutes of panting, she gave up, laid down, and watched dog TV.

I stopped 1/3 of the way to pee and refuel, then we stopped again about 2/3 and I intended that to be it. I was right outside of Grapevine, and it should have been smooth sailing to Dad's, but the traffic was hideous almost as soon as I came down from the hills. It took me two and a half hours to get through L.A.

It wasn't very hot outside, but we weren't moving much, so I kept Riley cool by keeping the windows down in traffic, and periodically pouring a little water over the old washcloth I'd laid across her back. I'd rub her head, ears, and back with the wet cloth, then leave it on her. She seemed to really dig that, and would give me this grateful look. So between that rag and the drugs, her total panting time was almost zero.

We finally got in by around 6:30, and Dad had beer and burgers waiting. We went for a walk, then crashed pretty hard.

I'm here! Yay!

Dammit, dog.

This is what I get for running out of trash bags. Note to self: all parts of bag must be tucked into the tip-proof can in order to make it tip-proof.

Today was quiet and odd. I had the day off yesterday, and both got things done and relaxed. I am about to go get my hair cut. This is a fascinating blog.

Both my apartment and my cubicle were out of control. I can't understand how to organize all the paper. I'm normally pretty good at this stuff, but my paper situation is crazy, and I keep thinking it would all be fine if I could just find the right to-do list. My boss and I were discussing organization today, and she shared the advice she got from a very calm and organized guy who's responsible for a lot of varied deadlines. He drags emails into the tasks section, and works mainly from that. I'm kind of horrified by yet another thing to manage via computer- as if I don't get enough migraines- but if it works for him, I guess it's worth a try.

I long for labeled cubbies and sectioned to-do lists...

Yes, I do realize that I'm trying to solve my paper problem with more paper. But I LIKE paper. And nice pens... and my green staples and fun appointment books... Outlook is just not customizable, colorful, or fun enough.

Date on Sunday!

Lots of good stuff

I just took a BEAUTIFUL evening walk at the Sparks Marina. It was a perfect night for a walk. The colors after the sunset were fantastic- when I had no battery left, boooo. It was gorgeous, though- pink and blue sky, brown hills, green grass, blue water, gray and white mountains, and the warm, pretty glow of the street lamps that line the path. Amanda and Natalia are out still out there running with the rest of the fitness fanatics (One guy was wearing an mask that reminded me of Bane's, and he would stop running every so often to do push ups.), but I got almost 3 miles in. Blood sugar for workouts is hard to manage.

It was a very nice weekend, but I am tired. The date was fine, but a no. I got a free ukulele lesson, though! It was fun, and it made me think about trying to learn to play an instrument again. I was taught to play a song, and while I was no good there, I was practicing in the shower this morning, and guys- I think I got this. Now I just need a ukulele.

I went to Jackie's for dinner, and talked and laughed with her, her friends, her son and daughter, and her mother-in-law. I ate so good last night... salmon kebabs, chicken kebabs and (Belgian? Bulgarian?) potato salad, sauerkraut, delicious Dutch bread, crazy homemade salsa (kidney beans, peaches, corn, probably cilantro, I don't even know), and the most delicious frigging brownie ever.

This morning I met Amanda and Natalia at Peg's Glorified Ham & Eggs, and ate the most delicious omelet full of veggies, jack cheese, and topped with avocado. Seriously- mushrooms, tomato, broccoli, zucchini, yellow squash...

Good weekend. Now I am beat.

Happy start

I'm feeling surprised and overwhelmed- in the nicest way- by the friendships that have developed over the past year.

I was thinking yesterday about how much time I spent alone over that first year or so. It's crazy... weekends are rarely this busy, but I just can't get over how getting the job at the PERC changed everything.

Look at the awesome gifts my friends brought me from their trip! Such Jenny presents...

Last night was happy hour with a bunch of PERC and extended friends- that's Alonso in the picture with me.

Now I've got to get ready for my date. I've had several people offer to 1) swoop in to the rescue if summoned, 2) casually just be at the place we're meeting to observe the guy, or 3) pop out of potted plants and around corners to sing my praises with jazz hands.

At happy hour, Sarah suggested I buy a new shirt for the date as a treat for myself, so A & N accompanied me to Kohl's to help me look. I found something nice, and am looking forward to today.

Feeling the love. :)