Adventure

Enjoyed a trip up to Coarsegold, CA yesterday to enjoy some gambling at a casino there. I took the 'long way' there - not sure why. Sort of realized my car's navigation was taking me on a route that made no sense but felt compelled to follow the directions since I wasn't sure where I was going anyway. It was a beautiful drive - wild flowers everywhere and snow on the hills. Didn't realize until I was within 30 miles of my destination that in just another 25 miles or so, I could have been in Yosemite....so now we officially have plans for our anniversary at the end of this month. We'll head back to the casino, spend the night and spend some time in Yosemite and around that area exploring. By the end of the month, the wild flowers will be crazy with color and the drive will be even more gorgeous.

I didn't win big but I didn't lose too much either. It was a fun day and a nice adventure. Kept my cell phone off for the most part - just one call from my boss' assistant that I only noticed because I had just pulled into a Starbucks for a bathroom and beverage break and noticed she was calling. Transacted quickly (all things - phone, beverage and bathroom) and got back on the road.

The drive home was quicker - took a different route home that we followed when we'd visit J.'s parents. Stopped at the same Starbucks we always stopped at en route and missed them. Really missed them.

J. had decided to also take some time off - he has days he has to use by the end of this month. We have had a running discussion on 'what days should he take off'. I love it when he's here but honestly, when he's here, it's too easy for me to not be as productive as I am when he's not here. I don't know why that happens.....but it's true. So he was going to take off tomorrow and Monday - thus giving me today as an 'alone' day and giving him Monday as an 'alone' day. But when I woke up around 7:35ish this morning, 'lo and behold he was home. Called in sick for the first time in YEARS because he woke up with a hugely sore back. Poor guy. So he's been lazing around a bit, taking it easy - and I've been keeping a little but not too busy.

Went to the bank to return my 'not lost' money - and saw my boss getting lunch at the deli at Raley's.....was relieved he was at Raley's 'cuz he parked next to the nail salon and I thought 'is he so booked that he's now meeting female people at the nail salon to get time with them'? Not so far fetched if you knew him and knew how jammed his schedule is lately....

I am making lasagna Bolognese for dinner - the sauce is simmering away and will cook for at least another couple hours before I assemble the lasagna for baking. We will also have plenty of sauce to freeze which is great! We've been 'living off the land' again and our freezer is getting more and more 'open' so we have room for some carefully placed containers of pasta sauce. Those will come in handy for quick(er) dinners.

Tomorrow I am driving to Walnut Creek, CA to spend my Crate and Barrel gift card and visit the Container Store. Prepare for a weekend of extensive organizing.

We still have the raised beds to finish but won't work on them until J.'s back is in better shape. It was sunny and bright this morning but now a bit overcast and cooler so it's fine that we skipped today. I pulled massive weeds instead....Spring has definitely sprung and the weeds are really something this year.

Have I mentioned the blue jay that is constantly 'tapping' our living room window? I'm sure I have....I've been researching and it's possible she sees her reflection in the window's coating (all our windows have sun-blocking film on them) and is trying to 'scare' her reflection away. I saw her in the tea rose bush out front when I left to run errands and she must be building a nest - she was wrestling with a twig trying to get it into her mouth. We trimmed back the big potato bush in our yard and there are at least three nests in there - but it's so trimmed, I doubt any birds will build there this year...probably next.

I would love a nap but it's a bit late for that. Approaching 4PM and I still have a lot of cooking to do. Have washed all the dog's blankets, etc. Now doing the area rugs from the family room. J. is on a conference call for work and when he finishes, I'm going to vacuum the family room. Then tackle the continuing work on my desk.

Still three more days 'off' and much to do - but it has been very relaxing and was just what I needed!