Tag Archives: Oliver

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My handsome boys - Everett, Cody, Ryan and Oliver

What a great trip I had. 

From northwest to East Coast to SoCal, my experiences ran the gamut.

My last post was from back east and then when I got to SoCal, I was just too busy with family to post anything. So this is just a brief catch up til now.

The main thing that came out of this trip, besides a lot of fun, was how much I miss being around Ryan and Cody and the little ones. And out of that came two more trips down there; one in November for Cody’s Firefighter graduation and the other over Christmas. Tickets already booked. After that, I will know more about my house loan situation and can make a more educated decision about where I am going.

It’s already really cold here – yesterday didn’t get over 50F and last night was near freezing, and I heard that La Nina is expected this winter so we can expect the same as last year. Not good.

Everett has my gap

But the nuts and bolts of the trip. I flew into Burbank as it is so much easier for Ryan to pick me up there. Spent a few days then headed up to Apple Valley to see Cody, Mel and the little boys. Oliver and Everett are soooo cute, yes, more than grandma cute! So it was great to spend the days playing with them, but also trying to work. They are such time wasters! We took them to a pumpkin patch which was a lot of fun. Went to the local farmer’s market at the college where Cody is training and actually saw him in full firefighter gear, much to Oliver’s delight! Back down to Encino, and a trip with Betsy to Carpinteria to meet my Ecology people. That in itself made the whole trip worthwhile (almost) as now I can put faces to names.

Love that Tonka truck

The day before I headed back north, Ryan and I spent a wonderful day together. I love Les, but it was so good to have Ryan all to myself. We went shopping – seeing as I had got rid of all my winter clothes ready for tropical living – then to brunch out in Topanga Canyon at the Inn of the Seventh Ray. I fell in love with the canyon and it is quite possible that it is the place I go in the near future. When I go back down next month, I am going to explore it a little more. After that, we went wine tasting at Malibu Wines and then home to pack.

All in all, I couldn’t have asked for a better trip. I feel rested, happy to be working and ready to take on the world.

a little each day

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Each day is another step to moving to Bocas.

We ALMOST had a rental but it was snatched out from under us. At first glance, it looked perfect for us, but obviously it was not meant to be. So I am in contact with another owner and hoping to get some pictures of her house down there before we make any commitment.

I had an eye exam and ordered new glasses. The main reason, not that I really need new glasses, I need the prescription for my snorkeling mask! I found a place in Tacoma with a good selection of goggles, and then, if I don’t like there pre-made prescription lenses, will send the mask and my new script to a place in San Diego that makes them custom. I am getting bifocal goggles! Have to be able to see clearly underwater!

Then yesterday, I took the first batch of clothes to the Goodwill store. I know there will be more as I fine tune things, but initially this was good. Some of the stuff I haven’t worn for years! And then started going through my papers and this morning, spent two cups of coffee time burning the old papers in the wood stove. There is very little I need to take and any important stuff I can leave with Ryan.

Another giant step is that Cody and Mel hooked up Skype so we chatted and I saw the little boys! Everett is a little chubby guy, just like Cody was at that age, and Oliver is a wild man!  Very active and sooo cute. He was shy to start, then wanted to be on camera all the time, “Susu Susu!”  showing me things and dancing around. So now I won’t feel as disconnected when I am way south.

Birthday week in SoCal

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What a great birthday week this is turning out to be!

What with the fantastic weather, seeing the family and wonderful food and friends, what more could a girl wish for?
Oliver at the park
I think I want a personal chef, and Les is my choice! He is turning out to be a really good cook, and loving his Cordon Bleu school. Ryan is certainly benefiting by eating so well! What pleasure to see them so happy and working away in the kitchen – Ryan tactfully staying out of the way, but doing a lot of the cleanup etc. And eating much more than his usual standard fare! They make a good team. The school is something that I would love to do, but really, what would I do with that training? Use it in the Central America B&B? Well, there’s a thought.
The drive down to San Diego county on Wednesday was just beautiful. With all the rain they’ve had down here, the hills are brilliant emerald green, dotted with masses of purple, orange and yellow wildflowers. I could almost overlook the tanks and hummers at Camp Pendleton as they roared by, tearing up the earth. I took the off ramp and looked at San Onofre and the waves were lining up like ribbons, dotted with wet-suit clad surfers. (Cody later told me how cold the water is!) When I arrived at the apartment, Oliver was sleeping. And when he woke he was very fussy, with a runny nose. And very shy! But he is just the cutest little guy!
We went to pick Cody up from work at 3:30 and stopped at Rubios for tacos-to-go and off we went to the park. Oliver is such an active little boy, just like Cody was. It’s either full on, or stopped! No fear, up and down stairs and slides. Mel and Cody are ever watchful as he explores the big world. We fed the ducks, much to his joy – and he wanted to share his sippy cup too, which ended up in the drink! But Cody managed to save it before it sank into the sludge!
Oliver was worn out by the time we got home, and he was in bed and asleep by 7:30 and I headed over to see the Straitiffs and spend the night with them. I just love those peeps! 
LA Traffic – ick!
I woke up early, after sleeping like a log, to find literally dozens of happy birthdays in my email and on Facebook! From all over the world. How wonderful it is to have those connections – nieces, nephews, friends, scattered everywhere, but with the click of a mouse, they are right here! Love it. Had a wonderful breakfast with Steve and Cathy, before Steve went off to be a volunteer science teacher at Devon’s Elementary School. What a difference it must be to teach young, inquiring minds versus jaded teenage hellions! Cathy and I chatted until it was time to go to her volunteer job at the thrift store – oh what a pleasure it must be to be retired! – and I headed out to see Mel and Oliver again before heading back up to Encino.
This time Oliver was in a wonderful mood, full of smiles and talking – or jabbering in his own language – non-stop! We took him out for a run in the park again, but he is more interested in cars! Oh dear! It seems to run in the family. I didn’t get to see Cody again as he doesn’t get off work til 3:30 but will see him this weekend.
New Hairdo :)
Now I remember the SoCal traffic! It was running fine until LA – oh boy, how do people do this every single day! What a waste of time! I got to Ryan’s work a few minutes late and we came home to have made from scratch fish and chips! The best I have ever had! We were planning to have lamb for my birthday, but it turns out Les is “doing” lamb at school today so that’s what we are having this evening! 
And then, after dinner – I got a haircut! Tate couldn’t fit me in at the salon, so he brought his stuff home with him – and I love it! It is definitely wash and wear – I am so not into all the b.s hair stuff and this suits me just fine. And it looks good too! 
So off I go now to meet up with the wicked boys (wicked-pr) about the nut biz – but we are meeting at a local Farmers Market and going to have – supposedly – the best tacos!

Second Half, SoCal Trip

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Well, here I am back in Washington and today the outlook is typically gloomy and drizzly. But fortunately the first couple of days back were clear and warm, so the transition wasn’t too traumatic.

Susan and I had such a good time down there at the Straitiff’s house. Mel brought Oliver over a lot and the little family came over for Friday dinner before we left. Such an incentive to be near them all. I was just sad that Ryan wasn’t around (he was in New York filming a pilot show and comes back today, I think) but at least I got to see him once on the way down.
On Thursday, we went up to Newport to see Betsy, and took the coast route, from San Clemente all the way through Laguna and up to the boat yard. Although it is very crowded, lots of traffic and fancy cars and posturing Newport-ites, SoCal is still a good place to be. There are ways around freeways and places to duck away to, to avoid the masses. And, believe it or not, prices are quite often less than here. Most rentals are higher but not that much more unless you go into the super ritzy areas, and food is way cheaper! And there are Trader Joes everywhere!!!!!

So we watched an Antrim 40 arrive at Basin Marine. The boat is spacy – like an Open 50 but
smaller. It was built for the all-women team, Nauti Chicas, that Betsy sails with, although she won’t be sailing with them for a while as she is going to Antarctica to sail there! I know, you are going “Whatever for?” She will be crewing on an expedition boat down there for the season and is busy buying heavy duty polar fleece underwear!!!!
Friday, I picked Mel and Oliver up and they spent the day with us, and Cody came over after work for pizza – which I made and were yummy! What fun to have them all there. Cathy will definitely need to baby proof her house when her grandbaby arrives next year. There were chairs blocking access to things, cookie cutters strewn all over the place, spatulas and bowls strategically placed for his entertainment! The day went by way too fast.
On Saturday morning, we went to see Steve and Cathy’s boat in

Chula Vista. A Cal 246 that he has brought back to life and is the perfect cruising boat! I was ready to move on board and take off! That is a lifestyle I really love and would do it again in a heartbeat if there was someone I trusted and who had lots of experience invited me.
Cooked dinner for Straitiffs, had wonderful chats with them, and loaded the little Honda Fit and headed north on Sunday. Two days driving, trading off, 650 miles each day got us home Monday evening. Hinckley and Buddy were sitting in the driveway, almost as if they knew I was on the way. Neither of them pouted, both were really happy to see me and both slept on the bed that night.
I did find out on the trip, that I do have some limitations, which is very frustrating for me as I have always thought I can do anything. Tiredness impacts me. I find that if I go full bore for a few days, suddenly I am so tired I can’t do anything, so I have to learn to limit myself (hard to do) and rest. But if this is all I have to deal with, then I am very fortunate.
So now it is all about getting things done to move south, pacing myself.