Month: September 2018

The alarm went off at 445 this morning. Emily is leaving for Seaside at 530. She got up quick. I tried to go back to sleep. It didn’t work. I find it very difficult to sleep while someone is moving around the house getting themselves ready. She did try to be quiet but it’s quiet in ten minute segments. Then she switches rooms or turns on a light and another off. You get the idea.

I am now out of bed. Put the doggies out. Fed the cats. Fed the dogs. Made coffee and got a disposable cup and lid for Emily. I will wait to pour it when she is leaving, that way it will be hot when she drinks it.

Not much else to do. I did not make her breakfast mostly because I forgot. She really does not like to eat in the morning anyway.

She grabbed her luggage and went out to the curb to wait for her ride, which would be Barb Garlick. Barb is not known to be timely so heading to the curb is optimistic. We said our goodbyes inside and I booted her out.

Now is the time to go back to bed. I did not have any coffee so I thought maybe it would be possible to sleep. It’s 540. Good time for sleep. Right? Well I tried. I would say I failed but it’s possible there was some sleep. I think I dreamed a bit which indicates sleep. But, by 8 am I was tired of trying and just tired. I got up.

I had the coffee now. Had to nuke it since the pot went auto off. No problem. I had my coffee and brekkies.

This morning is Saturday so I went out before the shower to mow the lawn and do my yard work. Lawn looks like hell. As I mentioned, the gal watching our house while we went to Europe let the lawn die. Half is dead. Half is green. I will reseed in the fall. Too hot now for seed. After lawn I showered and dressed. Cleaned up dishes. Put dogs out. Grabbed my crap (I thought) and headed to the tire shop with Emily’s car.

I am working today and figured I could drive to work from the shop. Emily was at the car dealer getting service back in June. They said get new tires. I said Jim will get me a better deal (free) when I return from Europe. Today is that day. And, as I half suspected, Jim said I got 5 to 10k more in my tires. But he said I could use a rotation. So I did.

I was getting ready to head out to Sacramento and I noticed I did not have my glasses with me. Bummer. But I got readers in the office for just this situation. Then I noted my phone was not with me. Farq.

Now I’m on my way back to Vacaville, the opposite direction of travel to Sacramento. Glasses are one thing, but phone I gotta have. So now I will get both. And I can switch to my car which I prefer to the Mercedes.

I got home in about 15 minutes which means my bad memory cost me 30 minutes of work time. I swear, I should never use her car. It just throws off the routine. I did have a pleasant drive to work at least. If you love to drive, you want my life.

I finally arrived at work at about 115. No one else was in the parking lot. I am the only fool around. I loaded up my stuff, and forgot papers I got later, and headed in.

Weekend work is very intense. No one is calling or texting and there are no co workers in the office. So I can intently stay on task and prepare tax returns. Which is what I am trying to do. The corporation and LLC taxes on extension are due by 9/15. That’s next weekend. Good news, everyone is motivated so I can get them done and get paid. I managed to finish 8 returns and bill out a lot of money. I also finished 75% of four others. Not to bad. I also brought several home to work on tonight. Not so good.

Well, after 7 hours in the office, I left for home. Another nice drive and it was still light outside.

The dogs and cats were thrilled to see me, me not so much them. I fed them right away since it’s well past their usual mealtime. I even fed them before I fed myself.

I did plan ahead on dinner. I had taken some pork chops from the freezer this morning for my dinner. They were nicely defrosted. I started up the coals, made a salad, and waited till the BBQ was hot. Seasoned the chops and tossed them on. I finally got to read my morning paper while the meat grilled. It’s a Saturday paper so less than satisfying but the read timed well with the cooking so both were done about the same time.

I decided to cut up a chop and put it in the salad. One dish meal, tastes great, I like it.

Dinner is now done. I have decided to skip work tonite and prep the taxes tomorrow. Don’t matter because I have time. I am going to have a snack now and go to bed. I am tired. And no one will be waking me. I hope.

Ok. So my dumb ass dog “asked” to go out. Why? I noticed he just took a dump inside. Maybe he wanted to get away from the smell. I hate that dog most of the time. But he is Marika’s dog. So I can’t punch him in the face. But I could leave him out all night. Haha

I wish, and no, I spelled it correctly. Yesterday, the youngest called, she had her car in the shop for minor maintenance issues. She also said it was driving funny, steering bumpy and hard to control at freeway speeds. Sounds like shop is needed. Well, turns out fronts are delaminating. Good news is I have a tire warranty covering defects and there ain’t that many miles on them. But, car is in Petaluma and new tires in Dixon. Wait, you say, tires are everywhere. Yes, true, 415$ in Petaluma and free in Dixon. Yes it’s true, I get free tires. Going on 25 years. Be jealous. But today I have to pick up two and go to Petaluma with them and get them installed. A drive for me. Oh well. Kid has class and work. Dad has to cover. (Mighty Mouse music 🎵) Here I Come to Save the Day! On my way!

First stop is Jim’s tire shop in Dixon. That’s 10 miles in the direction opposite Petaluma. Oh well. Jim was in good spirits and he had two tires for me. We chatted awhile, just the usual BS. Always nice to chat with a friend.

Off to Petaluma. Should be a little over an hour, lord and traffic willing. The drive was not so bad but I had to get to central Petaluma which takes a while. It was 90 minutes. Yikes.

At Petaluma Honda. Seems nice. I asked for Brandyn in the service department. She is Marika’s service advisor. One of the tires had tread seperating and the other was completely out of round and spun off center in the balancer to the point it looked like a tumor (her words). And, she said, quite unsafe to drive. Duh. The real question for me, is why didn’t the guys at Santa Rosa Honda notice this 3 days ago when they rotted the tires? I recommend avoiding them. So we put the tires in the service bay and took off.

The drive back was different. Same route, completely different traffic. Itb as weird, seem d as though as soon as I got a good head of steam the traffic slowed down. A back and forth motion of sorts. Not that speed up/slow down is uncommon but it was on 4 different roads over 60 miles. I got to I 80, and it was just slow as hell for another 30 miles. Oh boy! Then it broke free finally and I got to the office at 130. A little more than four hours on the road. I am worlds best Dad.

Arriving that late it’s hard to get into work the same as if I had arrived at 9. I did manage to finish a couple of tasks. Like weeks payroll and monthly reconciliation of the operating account. But not much else. At least not much of substance.

Drive home was blessedly smooth and easy. I got home in time for Jeopardy at 7. That’s a win. I pet the dogs, kisses the wife (her first) and usual tasks. We watched the show, I like to answer the questions as do most of us I think. During the show we decided to go out to dinner. We left just as Wheel got started. I’m not so good at Wheel.

We got over a mile down the road before Emily said “where am I going?” We talked in that for a bit. I said Filipino food, that’s Roline’s. But they close at 8 and we probably wouldn’t make it. So, Thai food again. Emily wins!! She loves Thai food. Off to Rose Garden Thai.

We ordered boring tonight. No drinks, no appetizers, no Thai ice coffee. Just two entrees. Not even family style. Food was excellent, just enough to fill us up.

Back to home. Emily called her friend Barb from the car. The two of them are leaving at 530am tomorrow for Seaside. Some conference on teaching kids yoga. Back late Sunday night. Day off for Bill!!! I am going to work.

Right now at home Emily is packing. I am sitting and watching. This is something I can’t help with. Yay. I can sit and blog and she can’t complain. The dogs are very nervous and circling her while she packs. They seem to understand suitcases and packing. I wish she could take them cuz that would be a REAL day off for me.

I am sure we will get to bed early since Emily has to be up at 430. That won’t be fun. I have to get up and make coffee.

Packing is done. Emily is getting ready for bed and it’s not even 10 o’clock. Early to bed, early to rise, makes us unhappy. Oh well.

The weekend is closing in. Not that it matters. The next tax return deadline is 9/15 so I will be working the weekend. Hopefully only Saturday. I have to see how that works out. Lots to do. I have at least 15 returns sitting in the office ready to start.

Today is pre Friday. Nothing special. I have little new to do here at the house. Already through the morning chores. Nothing going on.

So I left for work. Turns out I forgot I had promised Emily a few things. Like emptying the two cat boxes. Which were nasty. She had to empty them when she got home. Sorry. Also, I was working in the office on the computer. Locked the cat in when I left. Stupid cat. Emily let her out when she got home. Cat should be more careful.

Moving on. Yesterday I mentioned I got my coin collection out of the safe deposit box. Well, today I took it to a coin dealer near my office. Now, I had about 20lbs of coin. Which is a lot. I plopped the bag down on the counter. And basically just took out all I had handful by handful. The coin guys just stacked them up by how they paid. For instance, all wheat pennies together, all silver coins with coin value in a couple piles, all silver with silver value only in another, stacks of proof coin sets in another. One guy sorted and weighed and assayed (electronically) while the other recorded the purchase price. Quite the system. I had only one coin worth much, an 1895 quarter worth $40. The coin guy said condition is everything. Age doesn’t mean much. So, you are dying to know how much they paid me. Right? Just a hair over $600. Ok. I started collecting those coins when I was a kid. It’s like not getting paid. $600 will be gone in a flash.

Left the coin guys. Fuel light is on. Went to the Shell station by my office. Spent $30 coin dollars. While pumping a guy walked up and asked if I had any Rick chips to fix. I was about to blow him off when I realized, I DO have rock hits to fix. So I finished fueling and left my car at his pop up for repair. I walked to the office. 20 mins later, call from glas guy. He’s done quick. Back to the Shell station for my car. $60 coin money for the windshield. Told you, gone quick. Interesting thing, the glass guy has a second job up in Colfax which is next to Auburn where I am moving. A bartender. I have a feeling I will meet him again.

Back to the office. Not much doing. I have to reti now to finish. Due to proximity of the deadline, it’s about all I do all day. So I did it. All day. Fun.

Spoke to Emily near end of day. I am going to pick up dinner on the way home. It’s about all the excitement I had today at work.

I had a nice drive home as I always do. Light traffic moving fast. Just my style. I made Vacaville in record time. I decided to go to the Buckhorn to pick up to go dinner. We like the mother shop location in Winters. The one here is a much smaller franchise version but usually fine. I ordered two garden salads with tri tip. I upgraded to double meat. 34$. I just about shit. When did this ever become worth $34. It didn’t. That’s like two steaks expensive. I bought them anyway but not going back anytime soon. $34 coin money. Going..going…

We did enjoy a nice dinner though not $17 worth. More like $10 of salad and meat. I get better value elsewhere. That’s the next place I go.

We are back to our favorite post dinner activity. TV. I did at least find a very old episode of the original CSI. Back before it went all over the country and started to suck. It was pleasant. Watching Last Man Standing now. Also an old episode and also quite good. For a change, I got to watch decent TV. That’s a goodnight kiss.

The best part about a three day weekend just might be the following work week. For instance, yesterday felt like Monday all day. But it wasn’t. It was Tuesday. So things actually are better than they feel. Today is the second day of the week and week is half over. Can I get an Amen?
I think a four day work week would be awesome. In American style of course, we work four 10’s. Because in America, it’s no pain no gain. You four 8er’s can go back to whatever country you came from.

Today I have to go to the bank. They want me present when they drill out the lock on my safe deposit box. I lost the keys. I pay the $300 to get drilled. Without lube. No thank you’s. Just shove that drill in. I think the analogy has sunk in. 930am. All that to get the contents free. I have mby ancient coin collection in the box. I am selling all of it. I hope to get face value for the coins and paper. I am keeping the gold coin, it’s fun to own good. And my small silver ingot too. If things go really bad maybe I can buy bread with that.

The building I own in Sacramento is almost sold. A few more pieces of paper and we will be done. It is a hassle. I have to provide calculations on gain so I can justify to the bank the need for state taxes withheld. I guess in Missouri, bank home is there, you don’t pay taxes on gain. Or most probably, there is no appreciation in property value. I certainly have no appreciation for either Missouri or the bank. It’s just who I am.

I got to work late morning. Cara is finally back from jury duty and Labor Day. That helps. My only reason for being here rescheduled his appointment to next Wednesday. Nice. I like wasting time. Instead of that I was able to finish up the gain calcs on the building. All we need now is title to finish and sell the building. I would like that.

I worked on a few tax returns as well. Made the usual calls and texts. Mailed out money for the bill collectors. Not much else going on at the office. So I worked till about 3:00 and went home. It is Wednesday.

Since nothing was doing at home I decided to wash the car. Always fun. I learned something valuable. Dry the car in the garage, no water spots. Why did it take near 60 years to figure that out? Car is beautiful.

Next up sprayed the weeds. That took all of five minutes. You know, I always dreamed of living in a house with no yard work. Now I do. But I am tremendously bored on the weekends and have nothing to do. I still don’t want lawn and yard work. I accept the boredom.

Emily got home about five. I had prepped a T bone for dinner. She added some veggies and a salad. A fruit and veggie salad and that’s dinner.

That’s the whole day. Not very exciting but over till I try again tomorrow. I say over cuz all we have been doing is watching TV. Which I imagine is my whole evening. Not loving the TV. Though Emily does like to have it on. I like to have it off. I always lose. Maybe I will read a book.

First day back at work from the last weekend of summer. It really was a joy going back to work because we both had been quite bored over the weekend. At the very least, work gives us tasks to perform. Much less boring than the no task days over the weekend.

This morning was the usual. Nothing amazing. Feed ‘en all and throw em out. Emily left for work on time, with the very tasty lunch I made for her.

I got ready rather quickly. All ready to go in under 45 minutes. Before I left I had one new task. I had to put a diaper on the stupid cocker. The little shit got up last night and pissed all over the front room. Love the dog. So today I diapered the shithead.

Off to work. I did make a few calls on the way. All illegal non hands free operation of my cell phone. I do it everyday. No exceptions because it’s Tuesday.

I had only one appointment today. Old client, 20 years, came in to get his two tax returns done. Always nice to see old friends and catch up on things. And do some work. And then get paid for it. That’s best.

The rest of the workday was a pile of the usual accounting excrement. Piled high. Tomorrow I will do it again. The damesdline is coming, 9/15, so I gotta get my work done quick so I can have all done in ten days. Then get paid which helps pay the bills. I just love deadline time.

Tonite is taco Tuesday. I almost forgot because it feels so much like Monday. So after a nice, boring, task oriented day I left for the carniceria. Gotta get there by 630 or possible no food or even closed. But it wasn’t. So one serving of Chile verde and one of carnitas. Good for me.

Emily wasn’t home when I got there. I fed the dogs and cats. And waited for her. She was back from working out a few minutes after I got home. Time for Mexican food. Dinner was sadly quite quick.

I had one errand to run after dinner. I went to the phone company. I had to find out how I got a $2000 phone bill. The nice guy at the store explained it well enough – I was fucked. He said I could call the international department and cry a river and they might give me a credit. Maybe.

Back to home and now watching TV. Too early for bedtime. Maybe in 30. I am hoping tomorrow will be a little more exciting.

End of summer today. Always a very sad day but especially melancholy if the summer has been Big. Mine was big. We traveled all over the known world for 50 days and we saw and did so many things I need my travel mates to remind me about half of them. So many things so easily forgotten. So today is a day for reflection on my summer. But not here so much. I already reported daily on all and will wait for written reflection in the future.

So, right now it’s oretty much a normal Monday. Except we are moving slower. And watching bad TV. Good news, it’s a holiday so I get a newspaper. But since it’s a holiday the newspaper is thin all has no news in it. But the 10 minutes I spend with it are good.

We are all showered and ready to go. But have nowhere to go till noon. Lunch with Roma. We actually see her far less now that we are two block over neighbors. Kinda funny. I would have thought the opposite would happen. Before lunch we have two hours to kill. Hard to say what I am going to do. Watching bad daytime TV. Is there another kind? Also watching Roomba work. She gets stuck a lot and I would like to figure out why. So far, nothing. Yes, I am aware how lame this all sounds. Oh well. Most days are slightly more exciting. This is not one of them.

Shopping killed a bunch of time before lunch. Lame shopping. Not enjoyable or interesting at all. Sounds fun doesn’t it? Stopped at three stores including the fabric store just so Em could look at fabric she wasn’t going to buy. I told you, lame shopping. The rest of shopping was even less interesting.

Finally lunch time. We drove to Roma’s to pick her up. No one else was home so we saved a lot of the time we usually waste chatting with whoever else is there. It’s a positive.

Next hurdle: getting anyone in the car to commit to where we would have lunch. Roma will never pick a place. Damn her. Though she will say no to other choices. Lovely. We ended up at a local Mexican place that Emily picked and I quickly said ok to. That worked. I don’t even like the place.

Lunch was really nice. We had not seen Roma since before the grand tour so all of us had lots to talk about. We got to share all our pictures too. That’s fun. Of course, I would prefer a slide show but no projector and no slides. I am not sure anyone makes slides anymore. Does anyone out there remember slides? I do. When I was a kid my favorite aunt, Iva Henningsen, was a world traveler. She came back with hundreds of pictures which she always developed into slides. Then there would be a gathering with food and snacks and we would have a slide show with her narration. Always a highlight of my year. She did an annual trip. I miss her. Nowadays, no one does that as far as I know. Too bad.

We sat at lunch for a good hour after we finished eating. Just blabbing on about all important topics and solving all problems. As if anyone can. We finally broke up and took Roma home which is two blocks from our house. So close, we seldom see her.

So middle of afternoon and not a thing to do. Nothing. I ended up trimming the bushes out back and some in front just for something to keep me moving.

Around 5 o’clock I suggested, and Emily concurred that we could go to the movies or go to our wine club pick up in Winters which is every day this week. So we jumped in the car and Emily headed to Winters. I thought we were headed to the movies. No worries, there isn’t anything showing that is worth a damn. And by the time you get out of the movies you are into it for $40. So probably better to do wine. Free tastes and some cheese and cracker like hors douvres, nice stuff, and we get to walk away with 3 bottles. Of course, I don’t really like Turkovich wines, they are just our local guys so we support them. So it’s like the bad move really except FREE wine tasting and 3 bottles.

The tasting room was packed when we arrived. Less than no place to sit. Sucks. Emily nicely accosted two people at a 4 top table, et voila, we sat with them. I don’t recall their names but they were very nice people. From Sacramento. So we had our tastes and food and chatted with them for a time and we chatted amongst ourselves as well. Actually, we closed the place down. Go figure.

The siren song of the Buckhorn steakhouse screamed loudly to Emily. I was ready for home. She said don’t you wanna go? I know the answer – NO. But the correct answer is yes when you know your wife wants a yes. Don’t ever make that mistake. And act like you enjoy it. We got a table immediately, out side cafe, while those waiting for inside were at an hour wait. Same service outside as in. I know the menu by heart, not only are we here once a month, we both used to work here in the 80’s. Crazy. We shared a Caesar/Sirloin tip combo, the Caesar Pleaser, which is a favorite. We make it at home. Ours is better. When the dish arrived we both noted it had shrunk noticeably since our last visit. Price had not. It is usually too much food but now not. Though I feel ripped off a little. Their prices are creeping. Emily also ordered a glass of Sauv blanc which tasted and smelled like grapefruit. I looked online and it seems that’s not uncommon. But it was like grapefruit juice really. Of course we also got a bread basket which Emily put a huge dent in. She does love bread.

We hung at Buckhorn for awhile. We get lots of people watching there from the outside tables. Invariably we see someone we know, which we did. Having lived in this area 40 years it would be weird to not see someone we know.

Once done with food and all we headed home. We are still very close distance-wise to here even since the move. I think it’s probably a couple minutes more at best. Which means home fast.

We watched a little TV and off to bed. By 930. We live excitement.

In the middle of the night the cat, Pepto, got spooked by lord knows what, and streaked across the bed. She cutbopen Emily’s neck and nicked my upper lip. And she is still alive. Jaxon got up in the middle of the night and pissed all over one of the rugs. I did not wake up for that. Though, when I did, I noted he was wearing a diaper.

Think holiday weekends are treated like children? I don’t know. Will need to ruminate on the thought.

I tried sleeping in today. No workie. God damn dogs pushed Emily over to my side which actually pushed me out of bed – leg hit the floor. I yelled, at Emily to move over. Did not work. Tried squeezing in better which still did not work. Laid there awhile and decided to get up. I hate all of my animals. Fortunately three are 15 years old or better. Won’t be long now.

This morning, as a change up, I made the same pancakes for breakfast. Instead of the awful syrup I put my friend Cissie’s blackberry butter on them. I must say, what a drastic improvement. Makes it worth eating again. Thank you, Cissie!!!

I had coffee too but did not put butter in it. Though I have heard that butter in coffee is a thing. Not my thing, but somebody’s. Seems gross.

Emily finally dragged herself out of bed about 30 minutes after me. She had been snoring loudly. I guess when you occuoybthe entire mattress with those stupid animals you can sleep well. 15+ I said.

Today is the day of the big paper. I can say, was not a great paper day. I zipped through in 15 minutes. A shame. I wait all week for my paper and this is how I am rewarded.

I am now just sitting and doing what you see. Emily is sitting in the other room. Coffee does that to me. Usually takes longer. The dogs are sitting in there with her so I have a peaceful animal free zone here at the kitchen table. When I am up to date I am going to do the dishes. Yes, the excitement is palpable. It l aves me breathless.

Today we are going to a bbq at a friends at 4pm. There are some others who will be there who are visiting from Texas and I look forward to seeing them. The rest? Feh. Doug and Shelley, Texans, moved out about a year or so ago. Living? near Denton, TX, which is near nothing like most of the state. Extremely hot and humid in summer and freezing in winter. Ya, let’s move! Just not there.

But we have an entire day before that to do something. I suspect it will be housecleaning. At least this place is small and not mine. So I don’t have to work hard or fast.

Ok. Enough delay. Off to dishes. And the bathroom. And the sheets. And the towels. And sweep the patio. And a shower for me. Emily is cleaning all else. At 1207 I went to the pharmacy for Rx. That’s 33 mins RT. Now I am sitting with nothing to do. Except switch out the laundry, fold and put away. Soon I will not need to worry about what to do with my day. I know Emily wanted to go to the grocery store so that should do it. We will put those away and go to the BBQ. Another day destroyed. What fun.

Well, I do enjoy going to the grocer. It’s most of my weekend entertainment. I actually tried to find fun things to do this weekend but my time was eaten up by others. A shame. Maybe next weekend, though I kind of doubt it.

I just made a quick shopping list. I did it a new way. I listed what I have so I will pick up what I don’t have. We tend to buy the same things week after week so I am willing to try it this way. It was quick as hell.

Emily is finally ready to go. So we go, right? No. She is playing Words With Friends. She is addicted. It’s just Scrabble online with your friend but she does love word games. A lot. So while I wait I ran through another load of wash. It keeps me busy. I really want to get going because this sit around is killing me.

Finally out. We have some serious shopping to do. Like a new tablecloth and napkins. A container for candy at school. Yes, that important. Lastly, the grocery for veggies, bread, cheese, yogurt. Just bringing the house inventory to par. Then back home.

I am folding the dry laundry. Putting it away. Then to kitchen to put away groceries. Where is Emily? She showed up once I was done and complained I tossed the shopping bags. Show up and claim them and I won’t. We had something to eat. We did miss lunch today what with all the excitement of housecleaning and shopping. We are leaving for the BBQ in a few. Probably be late. I can’t say I really care. It is just a BBQ. And unless the right person does the cooking, it’s a bad BBQ. I am mighty particular about how things are cooked and most people can’t cook. They buy everything from Costco and heap praise on how wondeRaul their food is. No, it’s not that good. I would rather cook for myself and I usually do.

So here I sit again. Waiting for Emily who is sitting in the other room. I think she just waits till it’s time to leave before she drops anchor. No problem, again, I don’t care that much.

We are off. It’s 415 and we are a little late considering it’s a 20 minute drive. But no worries, how can a BBQ have a start time anyway?

We got there about 430. I got to see Doug and Shelly, the guests of honor, here from Texas. There were another ten or so old friends and aquaintances. Also Doug’s daughter Lindsay, husband David and son Aidan. Lindsay used to work for me several years back and I went to her wedding and finally got to meet the son. Always nice to see old friends. And then see how old they look.

By 445 the food was ready. I have to ask, when did dinner become a thing at 445? I never eat before 6. And usually it’s 7. I think it strange to celebrate a holiday like this one by eating so damn early. Probably why they are all so fat. They eat dinner early and eat again later. I didn’t eat. I sat and had a nice chat with folks while they ate and kept asking me to eat. Emily ate to be polite. We ate lunch late and just don’t eat this early. We really got caught up with all the goings on in TX and with the rest of the family which is spread around the country.

Around six I decided I might as well eat dinner even though I was still not hungry. Our hostess was starting to clean up and put away things. Heaven forbid I eat this late.

Well, sadly, the meat was cooked by unskilled labor. Tough tri tip due to overlooking, dried out chicken for same reason. Folks it’s not that difficult to do a good job if you just take care. Don’t poison your friends.

Doug, the man of the hour, did bring a delicious cake from a local bakery for our dessert. That was fabulous. Worth the price of admission.

We stayed till about 9. We may have been the first to leave. Ok, we can be boring, but the wife and I like to go home and go to bed. We don’t sit up drinking anymore. Leads to problems I don’t want.

We made it home quickly because Emily drives to fast when motivated. Fine by me. We fed the animals, checkednour messages and are now headed to bed.

Today seems like it’s going to be just like yesterday. Of course, damn near every workday is the same. It’s like chain smoking only not that healthy.

I was up at same time as yesterday. Did the same things, which is no real surprise to anyone reading this. I would like to make morning routine thrilling but I would have to lie through my teeth to get that. I can do that. Give me some time to come up with believable lies. I won’t have to work to hard for that since most people will believe anything.

So kicked Emily out at 730. Coffee in one hand. Lunch in the other. Quick kiss. And gone.

I returned inside, I see her off on the driveway, and grabbed my overnight bag. The black one. You know, the one I dragged all over Europe. And I packed. I’m leaving. Leaving I say! Overnight, to Bodega Bay with Emily and the dogs. Gonna stay at my bro in laws house on the coast there. It’s pleasant. I am packing early because it’s better than packing under stress at 330 when we want to get the hell out. I also packed some of my delicious diet food to tide me over. Once all packed, I showered and shaved and dressed for work.

And off. And it’s only 930. Early. On my drive I realized I had still not stopped off at my buddy Jim’s tire shop. Have not seen him since I left on vacay. So a quick detour into town. Quick. No.

So Jim had lots to discuss. What’s going in, what was going on, what’s doin next week. A lot. I also got some really sad news, my friend of 35 years who is also my dentist, died right before we got back. Ted Ramirez. I met him at the bar, me tending and him drinking very little, in Davis around 1984. He was a dentist in Dixon at the time and I lived in Davis. But, we became friends. Emily did too, she worked in the same joint. Six years later when we moved to Dixon, he was one of the first I went to see. And I of course started coming to his office. It is quite a shock. With every passing year more go but I still can’t reconcile it.

So my first thought was to text Emily which is when I realized I had left my phone at home. GD it. So none of that. I just left and went to the office.

Slow, disconcerting drive it was. Mind was wandering. That changed when I got to work. Only one employee in. No surprise, it’s a holiday weekend. And today, the phone was ringing off the hook. I hate days like that. I actually had to answer the phone several times. Thanks for your sympathy. And I had no phone where I keep my appointments so I had to use my actual brain to remember when they were. I did that. It was The who of it that was a problem. A self answering one of course. Problem for me, I want to leave at 300 and last appointment is at 2. So be it.

I managed to get through all three appointments, none to exciting, and I left by 315. Hello holiday weekend. I had a fine drive home, quick, a couple of bothersome assholes on my section of the road but I managed to push them away.

I got home by 4 which is past the self imposed time of 330. Someone needs to punish me. We took about 15 minutes to pack up dogs and our bags. Then off.

We stopped at Sam’s for food. Esp the 3 lb tomahawk steaks I have written about. The size of a small child. And some sides, veg and salad. Then off. 2 hours of driving to get to the coast. I always forget how long it takes to get there. Too long.

We are here now. And it’s late evening. We have unpacked of course. Dinner was a joy in a poorly stocked and somewhat dirty kitchen. Was going to bbq the steak but realized I would need to clean the bbq, find the charcoal and starter and matches. At about this time I said, to myself since I was alone, fuck this shit. I went inside and turned on the broiler. We are using the oven. It will be just as good. It wasn’t. Emily sautéed carrots in maple syrup. Plus salad. And a not very good bottle of Merlot I found in the house wine rack. Don’t worry, I put a bottle of sweet red table wine back in its place. Was a gift. So I gave it. Haha.

Emily is currently scavenging for an edible dessert. I believe she will find nothing. Nothing I will eat at least. I am going to bed. Very soon

We are go