Easter Weekend

Our travel day home was super long.  Connecting flight delayed an hour before we even arrived - and then ANOTHER hour for them to pound out a small 'dent' in one of the engine blades.  Considering the first delay was related to a 'plane swap', seems like they swapped for another not great plane.  Both of our airplanes were super low tech - we missed the TV screen on the back of the seat in front of us and the variety of entertainment options provided on the flight to Miami.  The planes home had zero video entertainment - you could get 'free' video via your own device - J. got it to work on his phone but it never worked on mine. 

I read an entire book - which was nice.  But I would have preferred movies.

Our delay resulted in hitting CRAZY traffic all the way home from SFO - and we did make the stop in Livermore to pick up Chloe.  She was super happy to see us - and probably even more happy to be back in her quiet, relaxing home.  There were six other dogs there and while we know she had an absolute blast, she also had the look of 'get me out of here'.  Ready for some quiet time in her bed(s) which is how she has spent the past few days.

I spent yesterday unpacking, paying bills, working on taxes and grocery shopping.  Today is more of the same with cooking replacing the shopping.  Roast beef, au gratin potatoes, pea salad and cream puffs with chocolate sauce for Easter dinner.  And hopefully popovers to go with the roast.

Things at home are....well...we're home so that's nice.  Our two visitors did very little on the list of things we offered to have them do for compensation.  Considering the drama related to their need for funds and us attempting to make that happen from across the country - as loans, obviously, though who knows when we'll get paid back - you'd think they would be working their hardest to earn their keep.  But they seemingly spent two weeks doing as little as possible.  Some things are done - the kitchen cupboards have been reorganized and a lot of things that were on the counter are in cupboards.  Totally nice; however, I a) can't reach many things now; b) have been unable to figure out where stuff is and c) there's no 'sense' to things being where they are but oh well. 

I'm super happy to have taxes pretty much 'done' and we owe about 1/3 what I thought we would.  Helped by prepaying 1/2 of 2018's property taxes - so that's a big swing to remember for 2018.  Need to try to make as many charitable donations as we can this year to offset that change. 

I am super tan and feel great to have evidence of the wonderful vacation!  I am looking forward to a busy, productive week at work and am glad it's Spring Break so it will be a very quiet, low phone, low meeting week.  Nice way to ease back into the daily grind!

Going to make popovers and chocolate sauce.  Good wine, great food and catching up over a nice dinner.  Then a great night's sleep to prepare for tomorrow.

Life is good.  I got a couple tops from that clothing company on the cruise and I love it - it's a great reminder to reflect daily on the things that are good - and there are so many, even in an average day.