Where Ya At?

Well, I'll tell ya. This is where I'm at. It's nearly Christmas. Oliver is falling out of his shoes in anxiety. Dexter is playing it cool but definitely in the moment- especially with school on break.

We have the biggest tree we ever have had- which was a difficult choice as we found one about 4 feet tall, just 2 feet shorter but $30 cheaper. However we could tell that Dext had his hopes up for a big tree this year but felt guilty in deciding on the one he really wanted. Fortunately Captain Mike leaned in and whispered that we should get the bigger one, for Dext. Sounds good to us.

The busiest time at work for me, and Cai- two weeks of expecting the worse. Good thing I have kids for Christmas would only a headache but yet still, it is a heart affirming time- and fun. Crazy big stuff did come in a daily basis- room sized rugs, refrigerators, wine cabinets, bookshelves...but our team goal for these two weeks was to not get mad at each other and we were successful. One day we had 375 packages which including the several step process for each of them was a push to get them all completed for the day but we did. Our new facilities director, Amber may have been the secret to our success as three weeks prior she was able to get Cailin full time status, changing our outlook completely.

Just like Ronnie Lott (sorry folks-another sports reference) I was ready to take on whatever the day, or UPS man brought straight on.

Although my joke (it's not really true) is that everyone else at my work is 25 having more in common with Justin Bieber than they might with me, they really are a nice crowd of people.

Maria is happy to have some time off to spend it with us and friends that we do not have the opportunity to see enough. Marcail and Blythe came into their once city of residence and visited several times, notably one grand evening with our circle of friendships established 25 years ago. Anne, Traci, Marcail,Gemmie and families have aged well, I think.

Niners!! Saints!!

Niddy!! She, of who introduced Maria and I- showed up (from Atlanta) when Dexter and Cai volunteered outside the SPCA holiday windows (with the cats and dogs) at Macy's to spend time with us. She could be mistaken, in her good humored enthusiasm and demonstrative speaking,as a human Muppet. I sometimes think that when she really gets going, that Dr. Niddy might actually elevate. Plus a darn good interviewer!

One night Allison and John showed up for PG& E Polenta (it's really a polenta dish from Point Reyes Station Cafe). Friday the 16th a big box from Sarah and Drew arrived with immense goodness and goodies. It's great to have Andrew back in the SF office (have fun in Hawaii) although because of our work volume, I haven't yet been able to make daily stops to visit.

After this week we plan on going to Cambria on the central coast for New Year's. This is a December ritual for us; Robin's, the Main Street Grill, Linn's, the Tea Cozy, elephant seals, the baseball card shop, big yard at Pine Acres and the cozy stroll through town, despite the chilly temperatures brings joy and comfort. Also where we spent our (budget) honeymoon.

Earlier this month we saw the great Eddie Palmieri (playing with two other of my favorites, Hermann Olivera and Jimmy Bosch- D & O, when you read this look those names up!) at Yoshi's- this as a courtesy from some of the nice people that were part of the Slide group.

Dad's been watching the black and white episodes of Gunsmoke and Have Gun, Will Travel. I'm usually washing dishes during Have Gun, Will Travel but thoroughly enjoying the quality of these older episodes of Gunsmoke.

As I was running around shopping and errand doing today, I felt grateful for the life i have, the people i know, the family that surrounds, concluding that 50 was very fine and where I'm at us where I want to be.



A Christmas spoiler story (so stop here if anyone needs not read this):

Two years ago just after Thanksgiving, I was sitting in the cafe at work with Dexter and turned to him to suggest that he should start his Christmas wish list for the big guy. He glanced over and with a big grin said, "I'm looking at him". No! you have to play along. For his brother, he has played along.

I guess the Raisenets as deer poop didn't fool him back on the balcony of New Orleans, 12/25/07 . I thought I was being clever. However in careful observation, he said simply : "those are Raisenets".