What Do Long-Distance Grandparents Do?

Visit the grandchildren, of course!

Hubby Tony and I just returned from two weeks in California. Since the last trip was weighed heavily towards Son Tony's Central Valley family, this time we spent most of the time with Brian's family in the San Jose area. Brian was on a business trip for the first four days we were there, and DIL Nicole appreciated the extra adult hands.  The first weekend I got to see Grandson Jay's baseball game and have quality time with twins Ell and Dee. The second weekend was a 6th birthday party for Jay.

During the week in between, Tony and I picked up a rental car and tooled around the area. We never got farther than three hours away from Brian's, but we had a great time. First, we stopped in Morgan Hill for lunch and a little window shopping. We kept going, and that night we slept in Gilroy, the self-proclaimed Garlic Capital of the World.

The next day we walked around Gilroy's downtown area, looked at their historical buildings, had some great Mexican food, and indulged in a local specialty: 

Just a subtle garlic taste

On Wednesday we visited Mission San Juan Bautista (which still functions as a Catholic church) and the city around it.

San Juan Bautista-Wikipedia

After the Mission we headed towards the coast, jumped off the highway in Carmel for lunch, then drove farther up the coast to the Point Sur Light Station and State Historic Park. There we joined a group of people on a walking tour to the top of the hill, where we got to go into the light house and other buildings and learn about the history of the area.

From Point Sur we drove to Monterey, where we checked into the historic Monterey Hotel. We have already been to the Monterey Aquarium multiple times, so we spent Thursday looking at the city's beautiful architecture, strolling along the oceanfront trail, and meandering around Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf.

 Friday morning we checked out of the hotel. Our original plan was to take a scenic route home, but when we got a text from Brian that they needed some help with afternoon childcare we headed to their house in a more direct manner, arriving back shortly after lunch.

Five years ago: One Year Old (And Wonderful)

Bound And Ready To Go

I realized that I never told you about the resolution of my ankle woes.

The boot I received at the urgent care did the trick, but it was bulky, hard to move around in, and wouldn't allow me to drive. When I learned about a highly recommended compression brace I tried it out and never looked back.

The brace was a long elastic strap with a foot loop on one end and a big piece of Velcro on the other. The inside of the elastic had wavy silicone lines, which kept the whole thing in place.

To put it on, I stepped into the loop and stood on it to hold it in place, then started wrapping the strap (silicone side in) around my foot and ankle like an ace bandage. To secure the strap, I stuck the Velcro to the strap.

The wrap completely stabilized my ankle without being bulky. I could walk (albeit more slowly than normal), do things around the house, and even drive short distances. Yesterday I realized that my ankle was getting better and even took it off for an hour or so.

Five years ago: Mouse Control

You Never Know

Sitting by the window of her room in the convent, Sister Barbara opened a letter from home one evening. Inside the letter was a $100 bill her parents had sent.

Sister Barbara smiled at the gesture. As she read the letter, she noticed a shabbily dressed stranger leaning against the lamp post below.

Quickly, she wrote, "Don't despair. Sister Barbara," on a piece of paper, wrapped the $100 bill in it, got the man's attention and tossed it out the window to him. The stranger picked it up, and with a puzzled expression and a tip of his hat, went off down the street.

The next day, Sister Barbara was told that a man was at her door, insisting on seeing her. She went down, and found the stranger waiting. Without a word, he handed her a huge wad of $100 bills.

"What's this?" she asked. "That's the $8,000 you have coming Sister," he replied. "‘Don't Despair’ paid 80-to-1."

Public Domain Vectors

Shoo Fly Don't Bother Me

This afternoon I was low on energy and decided to take a quick nap. I set the timer on my phone for 20 minutes, removed my glasses, and stretched out on the bed. Just when I was getting comfortable I felt a fly crawling across my legs.

UGH!

I covered my body with a sheet, reset the timer, and got comfortable again. The fly started crawling across my face. 

DOUBLE UGH!

I grabbed a towel and swaddled my face so everything was covered but my nose and mouth. I reset the timer for a third time and got as comfortable as I could, given that darn near every part of my body was wrapped up. As I was drifting off to sleep I could hear the fly buzzing around my face, but that didn't bother me at all. As a matter of fact, I was happy to have thwarted its attempts.

Taco, Taco, Taco

This morning my email had messages from Chipotle, Qdoba, and Uncle Julio's informing me that today was National Taco Day. Of course, each of the 'Mexican' restaurants invited me to come there and celebrate.

Instead, Hubby Tony and I searched out a taqueria that was so authentic we were the only non-Hispanic customers. The chips were crisp, the salsa was spicy, and the tacos were authentic.

Much better than any chain place.

Dressing For The Season?

Hubby Tony and I went to Mass at a different church this morning. As we settled into our pew I looked across the aisle and noticed an older woman dressed in a fascinating manner.

Except for the top half of her face, she was completely covered. On the bottom half she wore a flowing white cotton skirt long enough to touch the top of her tan ankle boots. On top, a white shawl was layered over an ecru-colored fleece top, with a green-and-white striped scarf draped around her neck.

From my seat I couldn't tell if the gloves she had on were cloth or plastic, but the large green hat was straw. The lower portion of her face was covered with a green mask. When she turned to the side I could see the center of the mask contained a large image of Jesus with his Sacred Heart.

On it's own the whole outfit was very interesting, but given that it is Ordinary Time (the stretch between Easter and Christmas) in the Catholic Church, and green is the liturgical color for the season, was it a coincidence that the woman chose the outfit, or did she dress for the season?

Five years ago: Designed For A Door

Translating Types Of Caffeine

I had this post ready to go for National Coffee Day yesterday, but I got caught up in self-care of my ankle and completely forgot. Please forgive my lateness, and enjoy

Do fancy coffee drinks confuse you? Have you ever wondered about the differences between lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites?

This No Nonsense Coffee Guide might help.

Gimme The Boot

My ankle adventure continues (even thought I wish it wouldn't.). 

Yesterday my house sandals worked like a charm on my out of the house adventure. My ankle was feeling better, and I really thought I had turned the corner. Last night, when I elevated my foot by propping it up on the couch one of the people I was hanging out with accidentally bumped into it. Immediately the area started hurting again. When I went to bed I had a horrible time finding a comfortable position, and while I tossed and turned I decided that today I would visit a doctor.

Right after breakfast I searched the insurance website for an in-network urgent care. I called shortly after they opened, and was able to make a midday appointment. At the urgent care the doctor evaluated my ankle, took some x-rays, and determined there was no fractures. (Thank goodness.) 

I left wearing an orthopedic boot, which I will use until the ankle improves.Five years ago: Volunteering Vegetable

Felicitous Footwear

The sprained ankle that I got over the weekend is a tiny bit better, but it's not anywhere close to normal yet. Yesterday I stayed inside, kept the ankle wrapped, elevated my leg and regularly iced the offending spot. In the evening I treated it to a lovely Epsom Salts soak.

However, as much as I'd like to repeat the same process today life goes on. I have to leave the house and actually do some walking between a parking lot and my destination.

Because of some off and on plantar fasciitis issues I always wear something on my feet, even in the house. My current house shoes are plastic Birkenstock sandals. In the five months since I've brought the pair home they've never gone outside.  I keep a pair of old, ratty shoes by the door to change into as I walk out, and then immediately change back into the sandals when I return. That way I'm not bringing any type of dirt or germs.

This morning when I tried to put on my tennis shoes, the bruise on my ankle said that wasn't a good idea. It also didn't like the pair of sandals I tried. I realized that my only option is to give my house shoes their first taste of outside freedom and wear them on my adventure. I wonder if they will enjoy it, or be annoyed that their inside pampering days are over?

Five years ago today: Feels Like Fall

Sedentary And Sluggish

Over the weekend Hubby Tony and I were walking on a residential street without sidewalks. I wasn't paying enough attention to the road, stepped into a pothole, and ended up twisting my ankle. 

Since then I've tried to take it easy so I can get back to doing normal things. Tonight I was surfing the web and came across koalastothemax.com. 

The website opens with one large circle that fills the screen. There are no directions. If you move your mouse over the circle it divides into four smaller ones. Hover over one of those smaller circles and it will divide into four more. Keep going, and pretty soon the circles will get so small they'll reveal an image.

Five years ago: Monster Plant