Signs

May 25, 2010 Leave a comment

I think we might actually pack up this week and move.  Despite the fact that we are still going about our day to day activities, little signs pop up here and there.

IMG_4618  IMG_4609 The bath toys are hanging up and drying out, the various and sundry awards, memorabilia, decorations, and bits of gear from the field office have been boxed up and are in the living room awaiting a proper packing.  The extra garbage bag has been purchased on the off-chance we go over our one bag* per week limit.  The handyman (to paint the girls' rooms), plumber, and housekeepers have been scheduled.  Utilities are set to go on in the new house, and are being scheduled to be turned off (in the rental) as I type this post. 

IMG_4604 The girls' schools know they are departing, Nicholas said his last good-bye (or see you later) to Miss "Rindsey" (Lindsey, of Kindermusik) today, and tomorrow is his last lesson with Janice (Jenny's replacement at All Star). Kelsey said good-bye to "Guy" (Brian, her swim instructor) yesterday, and we have plied all of said teachers with cards including a favorite photo of teacher and child..

The biggest sign?  The piles of clothes that are being stacked in preparation for being packed into the suitcases.  We are moving to the hotel tomorrow night, as there is nothing I loathe more than being in the house the night before pack-out.  Given that the movers could say they are coming at 8 a.m. (and show up at 7 a.m.), the kids have to go to school, and we really don't want our toothbrushes or dirty linens packed…we decided to ante up for an extra night at the Residence Inn.  We are packing tonight, and everything we need for the final 10 days to include Cait's chorus costume, Kelsey's Camporee needs, and anything for the cross-country trek in the Truckster will go to the hotel tomorrow afternoon. 

While it may seem like all is moving smoothly, we do have occasional setbacks.  Kelsey had a bad night last night, as she is terribly excited about the move, but can't get over missing Field Day or the end of the year party.  The straw that broke the camel's back was my insistence that her framed artwork (for the Art & Music show on Thursday) not be on display at the show, as otherwise the movers couldn't pack it.  I finally bent on that notion, and we are just going to beg them to pack one more box Friday morning.  Given all she is giving up (extra time with friends, birthday parties already being discussed, Girl Scout camp…), I think it's a reasonable compromise.  

Now I need to quit my procrastinating and get back to organizing.  I tackled the catch-all formally known as the "cabinet beneath the wet bar" last night and made a great deal of progress.  Time for another coffee, and then I think I can easily tackle the craft desk that has been calling my name for days…

*We normally produce about one normal kitchen size bag of actual trash per week, a big improvement for us.  Between composting, recycling, and the new green waste bins, we realized we could easily down-size our garbage bin that is used for weekly collections.  Over time, we have gone from a 65 gallon cart (left behind from the previous renters) to a 20 gallon cart.  It technically can hold two bags, but 1.5 bags is generally our max.  Unfortunately, we always seem have a bit more throwing away to do at moving time, despite the Freecycling, Craigslisting and just giving away stuff  to anyone who will take it.  We were grateful to learn that the Waste Management company offers huge pre-paid bags that can be left out with next week's waste pick-up.  Not that we want to have more, but better to be safe than sorry, I suppose.

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Lafayette Reservoir

March 14, 2010 Leave a comment

Despite the fact that we are departing soon, perhaps in a mere X (my stomach will flip-flop if I fill in the actual number of) days, I manage to remember (most of the time) that I still need to get out and see more of the area.  My walking group/outdoor kids playgroup had a meet-up last week at the Lafayette Reservoir in (wait, wait, you will never guess..) yep, Lafayette.

Why, oh, why have we never been there before?  Why have we driven past so many times, and thought, "We should go there!" only to never make good on that promise until now?  I know it is a bit off the beaten path, and may not have the glitz or glamor of a walk down Crissy Field (with the Golden Gate perched ever so in the background), but on a sunny, albeit cool, day it is the perfect place to take a stroll.  One can follow it up with a rest  or stretching for a few minutes at the playground (thoughtfully split in two to accommodate both the preschool set and their elementary school-aged friends).

IMG_1581 IMG_1582 Nicholas and I can't always join on Wednesdays due to swimming,  but since class was canceled last week, we had quite a bit of extra time.  He missed his walking group buddy (whose mom runs the group), so we opted for the hike and the post-exercise playground bit.  The walk was great exercise for me (including those little hills every so often), but Nicholas needs his running around time, too.

Now before you think us exercise champions of the world (well, go ahead, if you must), we did not take the super-long dirt trail loop.  We opted for the paved road which runs about 2.7 miles if my information is correct.  We started off at the edge of the parking lot, and hit the hills running.  The bumps that existed on that trail were not that arduous (not like the unpaved trail), but allowed gave an extra edge to the walk and added the "whee" factor for Nicholas on the way back down.  The water-go of the day (the reservoir and many, many puddles) added interest for him and the hour passed by extremely quickly.  I started off with a coat on, but shed it by the time we arrived at the playground.  The sun was quite strong and even though the air was cool, the combination of the exercise and sun beating down had us sweltering by the end of the trek.

IMG_1583 IMG_1585 I should mention we had no intention of doing anything other than a walk on Wednesday, but would definitely think about going back for longer stretches with the whole family.  It's not a huge area, but could easily provide a fun afternoon (maybe even a full day) of walking, hiking, boating, fishing, and, of course, the obligatory picnic.  Even at this time of year (technically still the rainy season), you are bound to find a day with weather requiring nothing more than a light jacket. Just don't forget parking money, and if you are feeling generous, ante up the full $6.00 for parking in the main lot.  The other lot is metered parking (quarters only) and the two hour allowance goes quickly.  Who wants to waste a gorgeous day running back and forth to the parking lot? 

Note:  As you can see from the photos, Nicholas still has a deep fascination with all things transportation-related (and food-related). Trucks and trains are close to the only topics of conversation these days.  On the other hand, Hot Wheels are extremely easy to store in the pocket, purse or diaper bag (which will hopefully not be around much longer) and it is amazing how long they can interest him. Oh, and is it me, or does he seem not quite as….little… anymore? 

 

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