Last day of the month, last day of the year.
What a year it's been.
I think I'm not writing as much these days because things feel complex - and hard to put into words. And words, once on the page and out there, are not able to be undone.
I could write a book (maybe a couple) about things with H. and R. - but I don't and won't. It's complex. We've done as much as we can to help and are in the process of doing more - but no matter what we do, the silence and lack of responsiveness continues to baffle us. It's rude. It's inexplicable. It's baffling and sad and hard.
J.and I trekked to Modesto Toyota on Wednesday and bought me a Rav4 Hybrid AWD! It's awesome! Love it - drove it to Jackson on Thursday and it's got a lot of get up and go!! It's loaded with all the features and drives like a dream.
The plan is to sell the Mariner to R. - but so far, though H. says she plans to - she's done nothing to make it happen. Her CRV is falling apart - it's in the shop practically every week and she's paying for a rental more often than not to ensure she has a way to get the kids to/from Tracy for school. Their budget is super tight and they can't keep paying out a ton of money to rent another car.
It's possible she's making arrangements to sell her china hutch (in our garage) and use that for a good down on the Mariner but so far, we really don't have a lot of info or confirmation. Just like the Focus (which we finally sold for way less than we paid for it not that long ago - the accident that wasn't quite enough to get it totaled really limited the number of people interested, even though it had been repaired by a certified repair shop), the Mariner will be kept here for another month or so and then? If it's not purchased by her, we will sell it. We're not going to hang on to a 3rd car forever.
On a super happy note, H. got a job at a warehouse in Manteca - within walking (or skateboarding or biking) distance of their apartment. He's working ten hours days and is 'sore' - but it's work he likes and is good at. He's pulling orders using all kinds of equipment - cherry picker lifts, forklifts, other warehouse equipment. At the orientation, he was the only one there who knew how to drive every single type of equipment they use and they called him in that weekend to get certified by their company trainer on all the equipment! He's worked two full days so far and should be back to a 40 hour a week schedule next week. It's decent money and he's stoked.
I was supposed to work Th & Fri of this coming week - but thanks to the IRS changing the ACA reporting deadlines, I don't have to!! I am super, duper excited about being off another full week. J. has (bless that man) let me sleep in every single day and getting up at 8:30 has been awesome!
J. made a last trip to a hospice thrift shop in Stockton to donate the last of our 2017 stuff. The recycle bin is full to the brim and the trash can is approaching that point, too - for the 2nd week in a row. We're tossing and donating and continuing to pare down what we have to only what we need. It's a long process but we're getting there.
We're counting down to our cruise and Disneyworld trip in March - and have decided to postpone the Panama Canal cruise we have scheduled for October. It's a pretty expensive trip - too long of a trip to use a cruise coupon discount - and it requires me saving every single hour of vacation for that trip. No available days off for seven months sounds like prison - and I just can't do it. I thought I could but it's been really hard to think 'I need a day off' and realize I can't take one or I won't have enough time for both cruises. Nice problem to have, I know. But...it will help to postpone that big trip for March, 2019 - so that is our current plan. We'll also definitely be spending a week in Reno this summer as soon as the annual budget torture is over at work.
Work. It's work lately. Work to hold it all together. Work to go and keep going. Work to try to figure out options when the state is crippling schools. New money? None. Every spare penny is going to pay the increasing obligations for retirement plans for all staff and I'm irritated about that because it's the state's fault we're in this mess. Long ago, when the plans were doing really well, the state stopped having district's contribute - and now the obligation is larger than the revenue needed to fund them - so all the 'new' money that's come in post 'The Great Recession' is going towards increases in employee benefits. It's a mess - and it's hard to be eleven years in a job where it's been one stress-filled thing after another.
It will all work out but I'm even thinking of starting to send applications to jobs in Reno just to see.
I'm hoping 2018 will bring some good changes. I've had lots of time to contemplate things over the break and the overwhelming theme is confirming over and over how blessed I/we are. Even with the H. & R. drama, we are still very blessed and quite content.
But I'm ready for 'what's next' in our life. I'm ready to make a home somewhere else and start fresh as retirees. Even if one of us (me) will have to work a bit longer. I'm ready to work. But I'm ready for a change.
We'll see.
Happy 2018 to all and have a safe and sane New Year celebration!
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Saturday, December 02, 2017
Hello, December
I just posted a draft that was from a couple weeks back - proof (such as it is) that I was writing in the month of November - just not necessarily finalizing. There was a hysterical story to go with the last post about our two new schools but I decided to not post it - it's still a small community and you never know who may actually be reading this blog. A farmer decided to plow a field and....well...it's created some issues for us on the new school front. But it will all be sorted eventually.
Thanksgiving was fun and lovely - H. & R. joined us for dinner. It worked out fine 'cuz my timeline is always a bit off and while we didn't eat quite as early as we'd envisioned, it wasn't horribly off schedule. It was a nice time.
Last night, I met 'the grandkids' for the first time - we dined together at Sizzler in Manteca and miraculously, we were pretty on time. The kids are both very sweet - polite and fun. I have that 'falling in love' feeling which is lovely. We had good conversation and a pleasant time was had by all. Great way to end a very busy week. I'm looking forward to spoiling them rotten for Christmas.
J. spent most of the week moving his brother down to Camarillo. He drove 'home' early yesterday, stopped here briefly, then went to Oakland to drop off the paratransit van they rented, then stopped in Livermore to pick up our Chloe then home. I had a jammed calendar this week including some evening meetings that made it problematic to have her 'home alone' - so she went to the puppy spa. When J. picked her up yesterday, she was entranced with a little kitten that had just arrived. (The kennel ladies foster orphaned kittens and two new arrivals made for a fun day). D. (kennel lady) said that Chloe and the kitten had been playing most of the day - and Chloe was still so mesmerized that she didn't notice J. had arrived to bring her home. Chloe has always been really great with cats. She knows to sit quietly and patiently - never barks or gets 'crazy' - so cats just hang around her. I'm sure Snow and Klink were thinking 'we did a great job training that dog'. They really did.
I'm getting close to forcing myself to head to work for awhile - it's a board prep week and I have a lot of things to do this week along with a lot of meetings. Trying to put in extra time on weekends to avoid super long days this week. Only 12 more work days until the winter break and they will fly by.
This morning, as we were sitting in the study having our morning coffee, a red headed small bird flitted about the windows. Trying to get inside - a move he repeated several times. J. went outside and watched him do the same thing at the neighbors window - maybe a 'pet' at some point or just a super smart bird who thinks 'it's got to be warmer in there than it is out here'. Which is true.
B. will arrive home for Christmas in two weeks!! Super excited about having him home.
Alright - enough procrastination. I need to get dressed and get moving. I dread showering. It's cold.
Thanksgiving was fun and lovely - H. & R. joined us for dinner. It worked out fine 'cuz my timeline is always a bit off and while we didn't eat quite as early as we'd envisioned, it wasn't horribly off schedule. It was a nice time.
Last night, I met 'the grandkids' for the first time - we dined together at Sizzler in Manteca and miraculously, we were pretty on time. The kids are both very sweet - polite and fun. I have that 'falling in love' feeling which is lovely. We had good conversation and a pleasant time was had by all. Great way to end a very busy week. I'm looking forward to spoiling them rotten for Christmas.
J. spent most of the week moving his brother down to Camarillo. He drove 'home' early yesterday, stopped here briefly, then went to Oakland to drop off the paratransit van they rented, then stopped in Livermore to pick up our Chloe then home. I had a jammed calendar this week including some evening meetings that made it problematic to have her 'home alone' - so she went to the puppy spa. When J. picked her up yesterday, she was entranced with a little kitten that had just arrived. (The kennel ladies foster orphaned kittens and two new arrivals made for a fun day). D. (kennel lady) said that Chloe and the kitten had been playing most of the day - and Chloe was still so mesmerized that she didn't notice J. had arrived to bring her home. Chloe has always been really great with cats. She knows to sit quietly and patiently - never barks or gets 'crazy' - so cats just hang around her. I'm sure Snow and Klink were thinking 'we did a great job training that dog'. They really did.
I'm getting close to forcing myself to head to work for awhile - it's a board prep week and I have a lot of things to do this week along with a lot of meetings. Trying to put in extra time on weekends to avoid super long days this week. Only 12 more work days until the winter break and they will fly by.
This morning, as we were sitting in the study having our morning coffee, a red headed small bird flitted about the windows. Trying to get inside - a move he repeated several times. J. went outside and watched him do the same thing at the neighbors window - maybe a 'pet' at some point or just a super smart bird who thinks 'it's got to be warmer in there than it is out here'. Which is true.
B. will arrive home for Christmas in two weeks!! Super excited about having him home.
Alright - enough procrastination. I need to get dressed and get moving. I dread showering. It's cold.
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Hard to Believe
It's almost Thanksgiving and my last post was just home from Europe. I'd like to say that magical trip is still the first thing I think of when I wake up each morning but no. I think of work...and that's OK. Back in the swing of things, full tilt all the time. My boss is lobbying for 'urgency' - 1/3 of the year has passed and we have so many things to do! He's not wrong about that but the 'urgency' message resonates in ways I wish he would consider carefully. There's not a slacker among us so it begs the question 'just how much do you want us to do, Sir?' 'cuz really, we're all working full tilt as it is. Just to stay 'even'.
We'll figure it out.
For me, we're heading into building TWO NEW SCHOOLS and when I type that, I feel nauseous - 'cuz I'm no longer 'new' and I know exactly what chaos is looming. Especially for me and my department. It's a lot to grapple with. I feel my age a bit with things like memory and project tracking. When we really are in full construction mode, it will be 'easier' because we will have construction management and architects to assist with the tracking, etc. . But all the pre-work that goes in to developing a school site and obtaining all the approvals, testings, etc. needed? That's mostly me and my boss. It's complex.
Grateful for the job. Just keep reminding me of that as the weeks progress.
We'll figure it out.
For me, we're heading into building TWO NEW SCHOOLS and when I type that, I feel nauseous - 'cuz I'm no longer 'new' and I know exactly what chaos is looming. Especially for me and my department. It's a lot to grapple with. I feel my age a bit with things like memory and project tracking. When we really are in full construction mode, it will be 'easier' because we will have construction management and architects to assist with the tracking, etc. . But all the pre-work that goes in to developing a school site and obtaining all the approvals, testings, etc. needed? That's mostly me and my boss. It's complex.
Grateful for the job. Just keep reminding me of that as the weeks progress.
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Safely Home
The flight from London to San Franciso was scheduled for 11 hours - but only one runway was open at Heathrow so our departure was 50 minutes later than scheduled. They made up the time (by going faster) and we arrived at SFO as scheduled and were at the gate at 5:21PM. The flight passed quickly - I watched 4 movies and slept a couple hours. Upon arrival, we headed to the Global Entry interview station - already in 'conditionally approved' status, we received notice that instead of going to our scheduled in person interview in January (the earliest dates available), we could finish the process as we went through customs following our next trip. The system was down when we arrived and the border agents did their best to try to convince us not to wait - 'it might be 2 minutes or hours - we don't know' - but we waited. The inconvenience of having to take a day of Winter Break to drive to SFO made the wait worth it. Luckily, the system was back up very quickly and we were done and getting our luggage by 7PM. Super blessed to have our friend R. pick us up at the airport. We drove to Livermore to take him home (he was driving my car which he parked at his house when we were gone) and then headed to Tracy. Late enough in the evening that traffic wasn't too bad. We were home by 9PM.
We did a couple quick things and headed to bed around 10PM. I was wide awake at 4AM but forced myself to try to go back to sleep. Woke up again at 6 and had to call it done - J. was ready to get up then, too.
Kept busy with some unpacking, laundry sorting, making breakfast (eggs, toast and bacon) and enjoying our coffee. We headed back to Livermore to pick up Chloe at 11. She was her usual super excited self to see us - and her caregiver filled us in on how she's been doing since B. (caregiver) took her to the vet the first day of our trip - bladder infection. There was another dog there - a 1 year old schnauzer - who kept going after Chloe and 'biting' her ears. Poor Chloe. She wanted us to pick her up and while it was 'playful', that dog was a pain and I'm sure Chloe is glad to NOT be subjected to constant play. She's zonked out in her bed most of the day, catching up on sleep. The $500 vet bill was a trip expense we weren't expecting so that's a zinger - but oh well. She's better and home.
I've got the cold J. had in Europe so I'm not feeling all that great. I tried to take a nap but I'd finished the (regular) Coke that was in my purse from the airport and also had a Starbucks iced tea so too much caffeine to make sleep likely. It's just after 7PM and I'm super tired and planning to go to bed early tonight. Praying it won't be a night of coughing. [Note: I rarely drink sugary Coke - but when I'm tired and exhausted and have a long-haul flight ahead of me, it's my 'go to' pick me up. I'm back to water, my morning coffee and my one iced tea per day starting tomorrow. Sugary drinks are a 'no' the majority of the time].
Tomorrow we will do the laundry we've sorted and finish unpacking. I'll be psychologically prepping for returning to work - though I feel ready. I feel totally fine with it until my 'to do' list flashes through my mind and I think 'it's going to be a very crazy month'.
Looking forward to winter break already - oh, and Thanksgiving break. Though I'll have to 'work' a couple days of each because our Payroll person is officially on maternity leave now and it's likely I will need to help ensure we get people paid on schedule.
We did a couple quick things and headed to bed around 10PM. I was wide awake at 4AM but forced myself to try to go back to sleep. Woke up again at 6 and had to call it done - J. was ready to get up then, too.
Kept busy with some unpacking, laundry sorting, making breakfast (eggs, toast and bacon) and enjoying our coffee. We headed back to Livermore to pick up Chloe at 11. She was her usual super excited self to see us - and her caregiver filled us in on how she's been doing since B. (caregiver) took her to the vet the first day of our trip - bladder infection. There was another dog there - a 1 year old schnauzer - who kept going after Chloe and 'biting' her ears. Poor Chloe. She wanted us to pick her up and while it was 'playful', that dog was a pain and I'm sure Chloe is glad to NOT be subjected to constant play. She's zonked out in her bed most of the day, catching up on sleep. The $500 vet bill was a trip expense we weren't expecting so that's a zinger - but oh well. She's better and home.
I've got the cold J. had in Europe so I'm not feeling all that great. I tried to take a nap but I'd finished the (regular) Coke that was in my purse from the airport and also had a Starbucks iced tea so too much caffeine to make sleep likely. It's just after 7PM and I'm super tired and planning to go to bed early tonight. Praying it won't be a night of coughing. [Note: I rarely drink sugary Coke - but when I'm tired and exhausted and have a long-haul flight ahead of me, it's my 'go to' pick me up. I'm back to water, my morning coffee and my one iced tea per day starting tomorrow. Sugary drinks are a 'no' the majority of the time].
Tomorrow we will do the laundry we've sorted and finish unpacking. I'll be psychologically prepping for returning to work - though I feel ready. I feel totally fine with it until my 'to do' list flashes through my mind and I think 'it's going to be a very crazy month'.
Looking forward to winter break already - oh, and Thanksgiving break. Though I'll have to 'work' a couple days of each because our Payroll person is officially on maternity leave now and it's likely I will need to help ensure we get people paid on schedule.
Saturday, October 21, 2017
No to L'Ami Louis
Planning where to go for dinner. L'Ami Louis was 'the best roasted chicken' on 'I'll Have What Phil's Having' - on PBS. I've been looking forward to dining at this place since we planned the trip -
Just read a bunch of reviews on Trip Advisor - and decided not to go. It's one of the 'must do's' for many Americans, apparently - and reviews are all over the place. The one common surety among all is 'pricey'. We'd be looking at $400 (euros) for the two of us and sorry, but no. We can eat closer to our hotel and enjoy a bottle of wine for way less than that. Heck, we could eat for a few days on that much. The snack J. procured for us included a ham and cheese croissant, a bag of chips, a diet Coke and a bottle of water and it was only $9 (euros).
We enjoy great food and good wine very much - but we're more thrifty than not. Plenty of places here on our street (Rue de Rivoli) and this neighborhood feels like home to us.
A quiet dinner and then we'll head to bed early. J. needs some extra sleep and so do I. Tomorrow will be busy day #1 of 4 in this wonderful city - can't wait!
Just read a bunch of reviews on Trip Advisor - and decided not to go. It's one of the 'must do's' for many Americans, apparently - and reviews are all over the place. The one common surety among all is 'pricey'. We'd be looking at $400 (euros) for the two of us and sorry, but no. We can eat closer to our hotel and enjoy a bottle of wine for way less than that. Heck, we could eat for a few days on that much. The snack J. procured for us included a ham and cheese croissant, a bag of chips, a diet Coke and a bottle of water and it was only $9 (euros).
We enjoy great food and good wine very much - but we're more thrifty than not. Plenty of places here on our street (Rue de Rivoli) and this neighborhood feels like home to us.
A quiet dinner and then we'll head to bed early. J. needs some extra sleep and so do I. Tomorrow will be busy day #1 of 4 in this wonderful city - can't wait!
Trip Update Long Overdue
Plans to post daily haven't worked out - the day is full of visiting and walking and eating and immersing ourselves in all things British...and I am typing this from our hotel room in Paris. The Eurostar safely delivered us here a few hours ago and Paris feels so much like home. It's all familiar and wonderful and makes my heart full. How blessed we are to be able to enjoy trips like this.
The Eurostar is super fast and incredibly smooth and quiet - it is the reason J. thinks high speed rail needs to come to America. It is a very civilized way to get from place to place and considering it travels in the mid-200 km. per hour, it's amazing - you hardly notice that you are on a train - it's like you're floating on air vs. any feeling of tracks. Love it.
Upon arrival at our hotel in Paris (where we've stayed before), it appeared that I had booked a double bed - that is the room they took us to. Not that we can't share a bed but that would result in very little sleep, likely for both of us. A queen for the two of us is not a great idea - I use so many pillows to keep myself comfy, it would be ridiculous. They said that at that point, our only hope was to wait and see if someone who had booked a twin cancelled. I showed them that our confirmation said 'Twin Deluxe' - but apparently, the 'bedding' chosen was a double? Even the picture showed two twins. We excused ourselves to the salon (the living room next to the check in desk) and I promptly got on my phone, went to the hotel website and found one twin available tonight - 'last room left'. I walked to the check-in and said 'I'm on your website and you have a twin available' and she said 'yes, madame, we are preparing that room now'. I think we were in a deluxe room - larger and more expensive? And the room they had available is a 'standard' room - still comfy and $180 Euros less per night. And we're fine with that - saved some money and this room is fine. Beds are close together but they are two beds and that's what we need.
J. has a horrible cold. He sounds like Johnny Cash and I'm staying the heck away from him and his germs because I don't want to get it. Flying home as stuffy as he is would not be fun.
He is trekking out to get our Paris Passes and to hopefully find us a bit of a snack. We had breakfast at the hotel and breakfast on the train but we're still starving again. Exercise requires fuel. He's also hopefully getting himself some Mucinex because though I packed practically every medication known to man, I did not pack that - and as usual, his cold is now in his chest and he needs something to help break up the congestion, big time.
We aren't sure of our itinerary for our days here - we have to work that out over dinner this evening. My only request is that tomorrow, no alarm clock. None. I want to sleep until I'm ready to wake up on my own - 'cuz we've been setting an alarm most days and I am in need of more sleep. I have circles under my eyes which I've never seen before and I don't like that one bit.
London was lovely. Day 1, we really packed in too much - went to Kensington Palace in the morning and the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens in the afternoon. Sooooo much walking - we were both sore and exhausted. I was able to see the Diana exhibit at the palace with so many of her outfits and gowns on display - I will post pics here as soon as I have time to get them off my phone and onto the computer.
The Kew gardens were spectacular - and the Hive (which is an exhibit announced shortly after we were in London in 2014 and something I definitely wanted to see) did not disappoint. There are lights inside and they respond to the bees in the garden hives - so you get a sense of how they communicate in the hive. It was really cool and hard to describe and the pics don't do it justice. Stay tuned for those as well.
I have managed to do a couple posts on Facebook. We visited Westminster Abbey and had tea in their restaurant - lovely and fun. We also visited Buckingham Palace (the queen was home!) and the Royal Mews (stables) - which also houses all the carriages and cars used by the royals. It was fascinating and really amazing and I was surprised how few people were attending. Definitely worth the stop.
We got word from Chloe's caregiver that she's sick - went to the vet the first day we were in Europe. Hopefully a bad bladder/kidney infection - they have her on antibiotics and so far, they are helping. They did blood work and cultured her urine to be sure they get the right antibiotic. I'm super glad she's staying where she's staying because if she'd been at our previous kennel, I'm honestly not sure her symptoms would have been noticed as quickly. The ladies caring for her are both vet techs so they know when a dog isn't up to snuff. We're keeping in touch and hopefully, she's on the mend. (And I have no idea how much that vet bill will be but it is what it is). J. says 'we'll cash in something if we need to so don't fret about it'. I love that man.
We have four full days here starting tomorrow and we're going to make the most of them. Musee D'Orsay, Louvre, Mormatten and other stops are on the list along with a bunch of restaurants and patisseries. We're going to walk as much as we can but we're also going to use cabs if/when needed - oh - and the metro. We got super good at using the underground in London and can do the same here, too. Though London is super easy given English vs. French - Paris metro is doable but not quite as 'comfortable'. But we're not going to wear ourselves out on Day 1 like we did in London - it's taken days to recover from the beating we gave our bodies that day.
I'm going to turn on the TV - we really enjoyed watching BBC in London so hopefully there's some channels in English here. Just passing time waiting for my love to return from his errands. He's super.
The Eurostar is super fast and incredibly smooth and quiet - it is the reason J. thinks high speed rail needs to come to America. It is a very civilized way to get from place to place and considering it travels in the mid-200 km. per hour, it's amazing - you hardly notice that you are on a train - it's like you're floating on air vs. any feeling of tracks. Love it.
Upon arrival at our hotel in Paris (where we've stayed before), it appeared that I had booked a double bed - that is the room they took us to. Not that we can't share a bed but that would result in very little sleep, likely for both of us. A queen for the two of us is not a great idea - I use so many pillows to keep myself comfy, it would be ridiculous. They said that at that point, our only hope was to wait and see if someone who had booked a twin cancelled. I showed them that our confirmation said 'Twin Deluxe' - but apparently, the 'bedding' chosen was a double? Even the picture showed two twins. We excused ourselves to the salon (the living room next to the check in desk) and I promptly got on my phone, went to the hotel website and found one twin available tonight - 'last room left'. I walked to the check-in and said 'I'm on your website and you have a twin available' and she said 'yes, madame, we are preparing that room now'. I think we were in a deluxe room - larger and more expensive? And the room they had available is a 'standard' room - still comfy and $180 Euros less per night. And we're fine with that - saved some money and this room is fine. Beds are close together but they are two beds and that's what we need.
J. has a horrible cold. He sounds like Johnny Cash and I'm staying the heck away from him and his germs because I don't want to get it. Flying home as stuffy as he is would not be fun.
He is trekking out to get our Paris Passes and to hopefully find us a bit of a snack. We had breakfast at the hotel and breakfast on the train but we're still starving again. Exercise requires fuel. He's also hopefully getting himself some Mucinex because though I packed practically every medication known to man, I did not pack that - and as usual, his cold is now in his chest and he needs something to help break up the congestion, big time.
We aren't sure of our itinerary for our days here - we have to work that out over dinner this evening. My only request is that tomorrow, no alarm clock. None. I want to sleep until I'm ready to wake up on my own - 'cuz we've been setting an alarm most days and I am in need of more sleep. I have circles under my eyes which I've never seen before and I don't like that one bit.
London was lovely. Day 1, we really packed in too much - went to Kensington Palace in the morning and the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens in the afternoon. Sooooo much walking - we were both sore and exhausted. I was able to see the Diana exhibit at the palace with so many of her outfits and gowns on display - I will post pics here as soon as I have time to get them off my phone and onto the computer.
The Kew gardens were spectacular - and the Hive (which is an exhibit announced shortly after we were in London in 2014 and something I definitely wanted to see) did not disappoint. There are lights inside and they respond to the bees in the garden hives - so you get a sense of how they communicate in the hive. It was really cool and hard to describe and the pics don't do it justice. Stay tuned for those as well.
I have managed to do a couple posts on Facebook. We visited Westminster Abbey and had tea in their restaurant - lovely and fun. We also visited Buckingham Palace (the queen was home!) and the Royal Mews (stables) - which also houses all the carriages and cars used by the royals. It was fascinating and really amazing and I was surprised how few people were attending. Definitely worth the stop.
We got word from Chloe's caregiver that she's sick - went to the vet the first day we were in Europe. Hopefully a bad bladder/kidney infection - they have her on antibiotics and so far, they are helping. They did blood work and cultured her urine to be sure they get the right antibiotic. I'm super glad she's staying where she's staying because if she'd been at our previous kennel, I'm honestly not sure her symptoms would have been noticed as quickly. The ladies caring for her are both vet techs so they know when a dog isn't up to snuff. We're keeping in touch and hopefully, she's on the mend. (And I have no idea how much that vet bill will be but it is what it is). J. says 'we'll cash in something if we need to so don't fret about it'. I love that man.
We have four full days here starting tomorrow and we're going to make the most of them. Musee D'Orsay, Louvre, Mormatten and other stops are on the list along with a bunch of restaurants and patisseries. We're going to walk as much as we can but we're also going to use cabs if/when needed - oh - and the metro. We got super good at using the underground in London and can do the same here, too. Though London is super easy given English vs. French - Paris metro is doable but not quite as 'comfortable'. But we're not going to wear ourselves out on Day 1 like we did in London - it's taken days to recover from the beating we gave our bodies that day.
I'm going to turn on the TV - we really enjoyed watching BBC in London so hopefully there's some channels in English here. Just passing time waiting for my love to return from his errands. He's super.
Monday, October 16, 2017
Cheerio!
Jet lag plus two children's Benadryl equals the best sleep ever - 10 hours long!
We arrived in London after our 10 hour flights. The AirBus 380 is an engineering marvel. Quietest plane either of us have ever experienced. Engines spin up but you barely hear them. The flight passed easily enough and I managed to sleep a few hours which helped. Plenty of movies and TV available as well along with dinner (late - 8:30ish SFO time) and breakfast.
Our first glitch of the trip was our driver who ended up leaving minutes before we finally got through customs. Long saga in which I lost my temper and decided to cancel - and dispute through our credit card company because we've pre paid. We ended up taking a very expensive cab to our hotel but oh well. Lesson learned. Always verify with your driver while you are in a super long customs line. Our flight landed at 1:55PM but we didn't get through immigration and baggage until a bit after 3.
We had dinner at a place we remembered from our trip here in 2014 and called it an early night. We're up at 7AM and getting ready to head downstairs to breakfast and then off to our day. Kensington Palace and Kew Gardens are on the agenda.
The weather is a bit chilly with wind - thanks to Hurricane Ophelia which is near. J. didn't mention anything about her because he didn't want me to worry. The pilots skirted around her for the most part - there was a little turbulence as we made our way across Ireland but it was mostly smooth.
We're off!
We arrived in London after our 10 hour flights. The AirBus 380 is an engineering marvel. Quietest plane either of us have ever experienced. Engines spin up but you barely hear them. The flight passed easily enough and I managed to sleep a few hours which helped. Plenty of movies and TV available as well along with dinner (late - 8:30ish SFO time) and breakfast.
Our first glitch of the trip was our driver who ended up leaving minutes before we finally got through customs. Long saga in which I lost my temper and decided to cancel - and dispute through our credit card company because we've pre paid. We ended up taking a very expensive cab to our hotel but oh well. Lesson learned. Always verify with your driver while you are in a super long customs line. Our flight landed at 1:55PM but we didn't get through immigration and baggage until a bit after 3.
We had dinner at a place we remembered from our trip here in 2014 and called it an early night. We're up at 7AM and getting ready to head downstairs to breakfast and then off to our day. Kensington Palace and Kew Gardens are on the agenda.
The weather is a bit chilly with wind - thanks to Hurricane Ophelia which is near. J. didn't mention anything about her because he didn't want me to worry. The pilots skirted around her for the most part - there was a little turbulence as we made our way across Ireland but it was mostly smooth.
We're off!
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Our cleaning lady D. is here today - she wears earbuds and chats on the phone while she works. She is the third cleaning 'person(s)...
