We have an appointment this am with a home designer and an engineer up in Auburn. We will be meeting at a Starbucks in Auburn to have a first meeting, the meet and greet meeting to see if we even can get along. Sort of like last nights meeting with the architect.
So, unfortunately, we were up earlier than I want on a Saturday. Usual rush through of duties but no lunch to make. I managed to get the paper read without Emily noticing. I made up the time by racing thru my shower. Im still cleqn, relax. We got out of the house a little later than we wanted. Had to text our appointment that we were running late. She was OK with that. Not like she really has a choice. We are the buyers in this transaction which is where all the power resides. Not that I want to be a dick.
So we had a nice drive to Auburn. We are meeting at a Starbucks near Save Mart. Her office is another 10+ miles farther up rhe hiway so we opted for closer. Marni, the designer, brought along Craig, an engineer. They are a package deal if we choose them. We chatted about the design and building process for an hour and a half. Lots to discuss. Then went for a site visit. Craig is ready to jump into this job. He made that very cleqr once he saw the site. I think he said “Im ready to do it. Lets go”. Clear enough. Now Emily and I need to compare and discuss until we know which of these folks we want to work with. Tough choice. I know which way I lean. Now I need to ascertain Emilys opinion without giving her mine. I dont want to color her choice. Its going to be an interesting process.
After our meeting we headed down the hill to home. We stopped in for a few minutes to let the dogs out. Then off to Berkeley for Christmas shopping. We hit all the fourth street stores, as usual. First place we stopped, what do we buy for Christmas? Nothing. We bought lights for the yurt. They were on sale and we need lights. Right? Sometimes you buy for yourself at Christmas. We did. After that it was store to store looking for sticking stuffers and gifts of whatever for whoever. We managed to drop a few bills. We also stopped at Convert, one of Emilys faves. They have something I really like, several bottles of nice bourbon and rye at the register. Self serve as well. I tried a couple. Its a nice touch. We also ended up dropping some cash there as well. But we did have a few shots. Fair trade. I stopped at our favorite kitchen store there, Sur la Table. I wqs assigned a dutybof picking out a rather nice gift for a friends wife. Price range runs 199 to 5500 dollars. I ended up buying something that is usually 1000 for 550. A good deal and I really love it. I can’t say what it us, its not Christmas yet and I dont want anyone’s Christmas spoiled. Its fun to spend someone elses money. I am glad he had me do it. One disappointment, the gourmet grocer there was closed before we had a chance to shop. I was counting on them for nice stocking stuffers. I need a few more things.
We did not drive directly back home. We stopped in Vacaville for some groceries and dinner. We went to Napoli, an Italin place off Nut Tree Rd. It is a favorite. We used to more often go to Pietros but they have become very expensive. And Napolis is easily as good or better and more generous servings as well. Sounds kinda win win to me.
We got home around 930. First thing feed the dogs. You know a dog dies of starvation in just a few hours or so it seems from the dogs behavior. We unloaded all our take and got it put away. Not much else to do.
We have been watching TV for the past hour. Nothing much on Saturday nights. The local newscaster does not understandbthe news she is reading. Sad. Probably smart as a box of rocks. Though her verbal abilities are very entertaining. In a sad way but still entertaining.
If Im lucky we will be going to bed soon.