San Fran

We spent most of the day in the city - three pairs of shoes, two sets of men's cologne, a pair of jeans and various accouterments from Sephora (and a partridge in a pear tree) later, we returned home from a fun filled shopping day. The city was packed as it usually is - traffic was crazy. And ESPECIALLY our departure. It took TWO HOURS just to get from down town SF to the freeway - and then another hour and 20 minutes from there to get home. We had to make a stop in Castro Valley - near our old stomping grounds when the kids were little (shocked to realize the McDonald's near their old school was torn down - it's being rebuilt, thank goodness, from the ground up) - we all had to pee and the kids were starving. We made it home to release Chloe from her puppy prison after 9 hours of being kenneled. Poor baby - but it's the same length of a typical (weekend) night time and she did great. Raced out the back door and headed out to piddle. Ate her dinner. And is now settled in her master's lap (J's at the moment) for some warmth and cuddling. She's fine though I was worried sick about her. We had called her regular kennel lady and she was full so couldn't take her. We thought we'd be in the city for a few hours and then home in 6 or 7 - it turned into longer because we didn't anticipate the horrifically bad traffic. Huge mistake. Won't do that again - we'll either never, ever go in the day before the day before Christmas ever again, or we'll be absolutely sure to head that way in the early morning to ensure we're home and out of the traffic before the 4:30 commute traffic starts. It was BAD. But the day was fun.

We were so incredibly late getting home 'cuz we didn't leave Tracy until after 11AM. Our delay was caused by a great thing, though - WE FINALLY SOLD THE VAN!!! A gentleman called last night after 7 and wanted to see it - so we met him and his family at 9 this morning. Had sealed the deal and had exchanged money for paperwork and keys by 10:30. A trip to our bank, then home, then out the door. We are so glad to finally have it sold. We accepted less than we were asking - and had lowered our price 10% already - but it's sold and will be off our insurance by New Years. That's a $75 savings per month - and a boost to our savings account. YEAH!

So we 'splurged' a bit and J. and I didn't hesitate to buy the shoes we both need, that are hard to find - I went to the Ecco store and he went to the Rockport store and we both left with shiny new shoes. B. got a pair of jeans and both boys picked out 'colognes' - something they both wanted for Christmas and certainly too personal to have their mom pick, so they got to go to Macy's in SF and choose scents they like. Those were early Christmas gifts. We ate at Lori's Diner on Powell Street - the place we always gravitate towards whenever we're near Union Square. It's good food and a 'diner' - nice people. It was great - and then we headed out for shopping.

I am tired and realize that tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I still have a zillion things to do to prepare for the day. We have to get to the bank for the 'main event' (more on that after Christmas) and to SaveMart to pick up the standing rib roast we ordered for Christmas dinner. And a day of wrapping, etc. before heading to church for the 7PM contemporary service. Then watching The Santa Clause and hopefully getting the kids to bed before 11. And unlike last year when we wrapped half the night, I do hope and plan to be DONE other than schlepping it all down under the tree.

The city was all lit up - beautiful trees everywhere. An ice rink in Union Square. It was pretty and frenetic and beautiful....and I'm really glad we went. And glad we have a very patient, sweet dog who was so glad her family had returned from a day in the 'big city'.