May 2

I'm sitting down to clear files off my phone and you know what that usually means--updating you on current events around here. :-)

As a result of California's budget crisis Caleb's small charter school has had to furlough the teachers on Fridays, so I have both he and Madison all day once a week.  We always try and do something fun, like go to the beach and have a picnic--

We still go to the zoo occasionally, just not as often as when Caleb was little--

I love the 'smirk' on this guy's face--

Haven't ridden bikes to the park in ever so long due to the rain. I'm starting to think the wet season may actually be over soon! So it was nice to pump the tires and get out last week--

Then last Saturday I drove down to Monterey...by myself! Shocker that I didn't take a kid, I know! Here's the view coming in to the city late that afternoon--

Sure makes me appreciate living in Humboldt. It took 45 minutes to get through the city and out the other end.

I had a great few days with my oldest daughter Erica and her beau, Brian. I got to meet his family over Easter dinner. We drove along the Carmel coast...passing by all the celebrity homes. Here is a shot looking back at Pebble Beach. It is SO gorgeous down there! 

We had BIG fun shopping the Gilroy outlet mall. Here I am in the COACH outlet. I told the lady in front of me "I'd be buying all black bags like you too if my daughter wasn't here to nudge me into color!" haha. Erica was so proud, that I'd finally be carrying a purse not from Ross or Mervyn's :-)

Did I end up buying all three? I'll never tell!

Unfortunately every time Brian and I get together we seem to have a contest--who can eat and drink the most! It's ridiculous really, because we're both so health conscious otherwise. So I came home in need of a big detox. A day spent with my good friend Karen was just the thing to get me back on track. Karen and her partner Don are what is known as Raw Vegans. Pretty extreme, but I definitely like to incorporate a lot of the same ideas and practices into my own new way of eating (when I'm not with Erica and Brian :-D). Karen helped me make my first batch of beet kvass

 then Don came over and pressed me my first glass of wheat grass--

that by-product looks just like my cat's hairballs when they need a shave! (except for the green). 

We went and admired Don's handiwork in his garage. He builds amazingly artistic kayaks..one half inch strip of wood at a time--

Then we drove down to the Hookton Slough to check out where they launch their kayaks from--

By this time (mid afternoon) it was way too windy to give it a go, but the next morning (yesterday) John and I went back and met them there. They brought three kayaks and put me in one of Don's masterpieces. It was a great day with really good people. Like John always says, "I love my life!" :-)

I'll leave you with a short video John shot of us taking off for a little ride. 

 

I hope anyone stopping in here to check on me is doing well also. Hi!  Last time I checked my Google reader it was well over 300 unread posts. Way too overwhelming to try and tackle. I have Caleb here full time during the school week and am selling fulltime on ebay. Can't tell you the last time I sewed or crafted. But it's all good. Everything happening for a reason, right?

til next time...

Comments

[michelle infantino]

Looks like a lot of fun!

Yes, you bought all of them. lol. I like the middle the best!

[nanette]

What fun pics. So much great stuff. It is nice to step back through pics and see we really do have a great life, even with cutbacks and economy stuff. I know life isn't all like the pictures but I think blogging helps me see the good in my life.

[tina]

man I was with you, even nodding my head happily through the Monterrey pics---- right up until the wheat grass. You are a brave, bold, wonderful woman! :)

[BrendaLou]

we've been thinking of getting a kayak. Haven't decided to get two singles or a double. Think it would be great fun to do together. Miss seeing you, but it's good to keep up on blogs.

[Peggy]

One could really have some awesome arms doing that for long. Looks like great fun and the country, of course, is beautiful.