March 5, 2016

A cold night – we were all too warm and agreed to shut off the heater, yet this meant better sleep.  I was up at 6:47 – no wi-fi, so I read my book on the brain and trauma.  This interests me so deeply.  

The kids finally woke up when I woke them up.   

We are in Yosemite – can’t waste a minute.  There was a bit of blue sky, but it quickly disappeared.  We headed to the breakfast area, though Ethan and I had already eaten.  Then we got on the shuttle.  Eventually we found our way to Mirror Lake and decided to hike.

The two mile hike easily became almost 6 miles when we went off the trail – yet here is the conflict:  Ethan is up far ahead and Maggie is far behind.  There isn’t much agreement with hiking.  Mags isn’t a fan

Eventually the kids are in the room, exhausted, so I went out on my own and managed a few more miles– clambered up to the waterfalls, which isn’t too far away but was a nice climb.  Later we played Farkel and then the bass started pumping.  I eventually went outside – it was in the employee cabins and I became that woman who complains.  This is HSMF stuff, not a Yosemite state-of-mind.

The music  never stopped.  We went to the lodge for dinner – soup and salad and then came back for more card games and Farkel.  By 9:50, we were all tired and turned in.  Our fancy Yosemite weekend is just about over.


Pictures: Mirror Lake and The Boy; Mags and me; Wicked Trees;  Falls hike; Joker and 2 young queens

March 4, 2016

So much to still do before leaving – and Mags had Quoia Café this morning, which meant I had to have her at school by 7:15, yet always, without fail, it is managed.

 

It was another tough day at work with very difficult decisions.  

I filled up and bought some towels – I have no idea what it’ll be like at Yosemite – we’ve never gone.  Picked up kids and we stopped by Deb’s Frosty to get some tacos before the drive.  

Such windy roads – beautiful little towns.  I drove by the high school I had discussed with a student earlier that day.  Passed by Mark Twain’s cabin.  I wish there were time to stop – but it’s been a long day and there is still so far to go.

 

Rain, darkness –We finally pulled into Yosemite  pitch black outside.  Got our room info and couldn’t seem to find out cabin – Ethan navigated us through a short cut and I got air.   Unpacked to our cute cabin and watched Other Guys.  So tired…..

Pictures: My gear; Road-trip pic; Maggie's note to me

March 3, 2016

Another sleep til alarm-moment.  There was a lot to do today – so…up.  I am really enjoying yoga – it isn’t much, just a Chandra Namaskar practice, but it’s so good, so very good.  I had to back the bus up – Lizzie was going on a big adventure today.  Dropped the kids off at school in the bus.  They had me drop them off at the lower campus for fear any of their friends would see them in a hippie bus. Headed to work.  I love being in the bus.

The day at work went well – but it’s tough when kids leave – granted it’s a good thing for them, but for me …it’s tough.  I know the statistics, I know what usually happens.

Left and headed down to Rancho Cordova, where L had agreed to meet me on his weekly drive back from SF.  He waited as I spoke with someone and went over things and then…he drove me home…

 ...where I quickly drove to pick the kids up from school.  We had to buy galoshes, umbrellas..and get food to make some burritos (which Ethan announced he didn’t like..said he had never liked…oh, yeah).  Target for some things, Fancy Shoe Place for others and then…home.

Ethan was in the empty garage searching for our camping gear as Maggie and I made the burritos – kind of a pre-Hipnic exercise.  It has been a long day – excited for our adventure tomorrow, despite the rain.  We’ll have fun – we usually do.

Pictures: Backing her up; The Tribe; Burrito Assembly

March 2, 2016

Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 4:17.  I figured, what the hell, I have to get up at 5:16, anyway.  I managed to shower while the coffee brewed, read and coffee’d, then I did my yoga.  Kids were up at their suggested times and we were out the door at 7 – no problem.

Met me crew at the corner of the highway off-ramp and we headed into Sacramento for a Nurtured Heart training by Howard Glasser, himself.  The training was wonderful – and my parenting style seems to match much of this, as much of this has been intuitively applied to my own kids – not to say there haven’t been troubles... I have my own intense child.

 

Lunchtime came and we headed off to eat– though two of us, me being one of the us, brought our lunch.  This being a primarily-women-oriented training, Olive Garden (which I’ve only been to once, btw, with no plans of returning) was full, so…we jay-walked (!!) across the busy street to Hooters.  I had no issue with going there – I used to go when I lived in Dallas, but I tend to straddle the line of “if men are so easily stimulated, have at it” to “Seriously??  This patriarchal society is objectifying women like this? Do the founders not have mothers/sisters/daughters?

The training ended…back to our hills and I picked up my kids.  Since it was so late, we headed to dinner where I enjoyed some Serbian food – and then, after a fruitless search for rain boots which we’ll need for Yosemite, we headed to the grocery store.  Bad news: Cranberries are no longer seasonal – they are now sold frozen.  I’m fucked.

Linkin Park sang us home – I used to play it for the kids on their way to pre-school; I did an intro to Wake every morning - it brings back wonderful memories for all of us.  These kids – awesome and amazing.  Can’t wait to spend a rainy weekend in Yosemite.

 Pictures:  Waitin' for my ride; I may have downloaded AtBat and seen the Giants first win of 2016; flowers at dinner.

March 1, 2016

So deep – my Sleep was amazing and I couldn’t believe I slept all the way through to 5:30. Stretchy, stretchy, bendy, bendy yoga.  

A bit of confusion at my school site – there was a transition meeting, but no problem, I’m flexible.  

At work I met a new client – an adult.  Hmmm…  wait a minute.  Working with adults?  No kids?  Adults who are not a couple (or presenting that way at least)?  Nice.  

Supervision, with loads of questions, then more paperwork and off to grab the boy before I headed back for me last clients.  It’s tough being a kid.

Home to my son’s first pot roast (which was pretty damn good), a fire and SN.  Cass is back (in a way) and I’m so glad. I’ve missed having someone to love.

Pictures: On the way to work; Nicole's fabulous job.