Tuesday November 12, 2019

Tuesday November 12, 2019

Blog time 0800 sitting in breakfast room at Homewood Suites, Redondo Beach, Ca

Up again at 0530, it was dark with temperature of 60.  Headed down for breakfast.  Had my usual oatmeal, yogurt, banana, coffee and bagel.  On weekdays the folks eating breakfast for the most part are business folks.  On weekends it is families.

At noon today we are driving to Long Beach to have lunch with Stephen.  Before heading to lunch we took a drive stopping at a Manhattan Beach mall so Nancy could check out Talbots.  As always traffic on the 405 was very heavy.

Lunch today was at Grounds Bakery and Cafe.  Nancy and Steve had sandwiches and I had a bowl of pea soup with ham.  We had a good opportunity to find out what was happening with Steve’s family.  He gave us a great update.

On way home we stopped at IKEA.  I like this store because when I win the lottery will buy a cottage and outfit it with Ikea furniture.  We bought nothing.  

Back at hotel we finished our daily reading.  Every Tuesday evening the hotel has a wine and light snack hour.  Missy and Akerke joined us.  We had a good time.

Watched NCIS and read several chapters before turning in.  Tomorrow is a travel day.

Monday November 11, 2019

Monday November 11, 2019

HAPPY VETERAN’S DAY

Up at 0530 still some jet lag.  Headed down to eating area.  This morning Breakfast starts at 0600.  Had my usual oatmeal, yogurt, banana and bagel.  Good yogurt so I had three helpings.  Good thing we don’t have a scale in our room.

Today we decided to visit the La Brea Tar Pits.  It was sunny and warm, 62, headed north on the 405 encountered bumper to bumper traffic.  So what’s new.

Got off at the Wilshire exit and headed East.  It was a pleasant drive.   Keep forgetting that LA is the USA’s second largest city.  All the tall buildings block out the sun.

The Tar Pits are on Wilshire so no problem finding it.  Parked on the street.  Checked the meter and found out no charge because of the holiday, Veteran’s Day.

We walked around the pits and then visited the museum.  I really liked the museum.  Good displays with clear explanations.  The skeletons of prehistoric bisons, bears, wolves and birds were very good.

On our return trip we stopped at Costco for a hot dog.  Costco has the best.

Noted on our wandering through southern CA that all the cities have there Christmas decorations up.  If I were King no Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving.

Back at hotel I finished reading the papers.  Even found time for a short nap.

At 1930 we had a family meeting.  Steve and family, Veronica, Alessandra, Lucas along with Melissa and Akerke.  It was great having all the LA families in one room.

Nancy explained a program she had set up for the Grandkids.  She has been working on this program for months and she wanted to have all the kids present so she could explain and answer any questions.  Nancy did a great job.

I had a glass of wine and watched some football before bed.  We were both in bed by 2130.  

Sunday November 10, 2019

Weekend update for WE November 10, 2019

Blog being written on Monday November 11 at Homewood Suite’s dining area, Redondo Beach, Ca.

Saturday November 9, 2019

Alarm goes off at 0450 and we get ready for our trip to Ca.  Loaded up the Escape and headed to the airport at 0545.  It was 26 degrees and dark.  

We were surprised that the parking ramp was nearly full.  Checked our bag and made it through security with no problems.  Several years ago Debbie bought us Global Entry cards.  Great move because was now have TSA Pre-check.  TSA pre makes security a breeze.  

The flight to Denver went off without a hitch.  Short wait at Denver before boarding our plane to LA.  Maintenance problems delayed the flight.  We deplaned and we’re told to wait.  Bottom line we waited six hours in Denver before a new plane was found.  We finally got to LAX at 1800.  

Picked up our car at Hertz.  It was dark.  I was glad I remembered to bring my night time driving glasses.  The 405 freeway way bumper to bumper.  Very stressful.

We let all the kids know we were in CA.  We checked in an decided to crash.  Luckily,  Missy stopped by and brought us a sandwich, apples, cheese and a bottle of wine.  

We visited and ate the sandwich and I had some wine.  We were in bed by 2000.  It had been a long day.

Sunday November 10, 2019

Jet lag.  I woke up at 0430.  Showered and headed down to the eating area to read.  Breakfast on Sundays start at 0700.  I had oatmeal, yogurt, scrambled eggs and bagels.  Always over eat at complementary breakfasts.

At 1000 we headed to Brentwood to have coffee with Missy.  Akerke is spending the weekend with a friend in the mountains.  We walked to the Coffee Bean on San Vincente.  We drank our coffee, talked and people watched.

Nancy and I headed back to the hotel about 1230.  Spent some time sitting by the pool reading the LA Times.  Yes folk sitting by the pool.

Later we took a ride south along the coast.  Ended up in Seal Beach before heading home.  Great day for a ride along the beach.

For dinner Missy stopped by and drove us to a Bakery/cafe near the hotel.  Nancy and I had a bowl of soup and Missy a tuna fish sandwich.  

Nancy did some reading before turning in.  I read the entire LA Times.  Great paper.

Friday November 8, 2019

Friday November 8, 2019

Blog time 1000 at Panera

It was cold this morning, 21.  But we should see sun later.

Today is a busy day for Nancy.  She has her Book Club at noon.  Later we are taking Ms P to the kennel.  Nancy is apprehensive about leaving Ms P.  It has been years since we have boarded her at a kennel.

No MVP for Nancy and I am not going to the Y.  I did do some mild calisthenics at home.

We got a message from United Airlines saying it was time to download our boarding passes.  We did. It was painless.

I hopped on my winter bike and headed to Panera.  Had an oatmeal breakfast.  Later this morning I am having lunch with Jennifer Dougherty.  Jennifer worked for me for many years.  

Got home at 1130 and Nancy had everything under control for Book Club.  On my way to lunch I made a quick stop at Tractor Farm and Fleet.  The store reminds me of Dillinger’s Store in Hubbard Lake, MI.  Dillinger’s would be my Grandfather’s first stop if he needed a part for his farm equipment.  With Sears closing Tractor Farm and Fleet is one of the only stores to buy bib overalls and other work clothes.

Jennifer and I had lunch at Keizer’s in Lowell.  It was great talking to Jennifer and finding out what was happening in her life.  Jennifer even asked for my advise on an engineering matter.  Made me feel good.  Keizer’s has great food.

Got home just after Book Club ended.  Nancy said it went well.

We gathered up Ms P’s favorite toy and some snacks and headed to the Kennel.  Nancy had made up a week’s supply of medicine.  She also gave the kennel some written info on Ms P’s physical limitations.

For dinner we finished Book Club’s chicken pot pie with coleslaw and croissants.  Very good.

We decided to drive to the airport tomorrow instead of using Uber.  This evening watched an episode of Hamish MacBeth.  Jury still out on this show.  Set the alarm for 0450 before turning in.  Busy day tomorrow.  

Thursday November 7, 2019

Thursday November 7, 2019

Blog time 1140 at Panera

Up at 0630 Nancy reported a trace of snow on the ground.  Temperature in mid 20s.

Nancy headed out at 0700 for her swim.  She is having lunch today with friends.

Today I took my bike with the steel studded tires to the Y.  Good move because I did encounter some icy patches.  Also took a shorter route, 5 miles.  The selected route was about 90% on bike paths.

Calisthenics and walk at the Y.  I did add 0.5 miles to walk.  

At Panera finished yesterday’s blog and started reading the news.  It is now noon and the temperature is only 31.

Got home at 1300.  Nancy was still at lunch.  Shaved and showered before lunch.  

This afternoon I:

Finished packing for Ca trip.

Got on Hertz’s web site and ordered a rental.  It was painless.

Spent time trying to get my new bike speedometer working.  Downloaded the app but got confused as how to get the bar code on my iphone.  Poor installation instructions.

Fixed our afternoon apple snack.

Read the news but nothing I want to comment on.

Nancy fixed chicken breast with baked potatoes and peas for dinner.  After dinner I fired up the dishwasher, fixed our snacks and watched the news and Jeopardy.

It is Thursday so we watched the new episode of Doc Martin.  As always it was great.

Missy FaceTimed us tonight.  We talked about our visit to CA.  She called from her car and I saw Akerke sound asleep.  Kids can sleep anywhere.  For that matter so can I.

Temperature was in mid 20s when we bedded down.  

Wednesday November 6, 2019

Wednesday November 6, 2019

Blog time 1150 at Panera:

Breakfast Club Wednesday.  Up with 0515 alarm.  Dressed, took Ms P out, stopped at Panera for coffee to take with me to BC.

The temperature was 27 with light snow when headed out.    The weather folks say it will be an all day snow with some accumulation.

Good crowd at Breakfast Club.  The theme for BC was Veteran’s Day.  Several patriotic poems were read.  A local singer and piano player was on the program.  We said the Pledge and then listened to a short program on the song “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “John Brown’s Body”, etc.  Enjoyable.

Stopped at the Y on my way home.  Did my normal routine at 50%. 

At Meijer’s picked up a prescription and some supplies for our up coming trip to Ca.  I even started packing.

Nancy headed out for her shift at the Gardens.  It is snowing and cold so don’t think many folks will visit.

Activities for rest of day:

Continued packing

Put recharged bike lights back on my Cannondale Bike (Bad Boy)

Took out trash

Lunch

Load of laundry

Nap

Nancy got home at 1630 and I fixed our apple snack.

This and that:

Good grief: Xerox is proposing taking over HP.  I have never owned a Xerox product but have owned plenty of HP items.  I loved their hand held calculators with RPN.  In fact I use to buy all my new employees a HP calculator.  After getting use to the RPN they agreed with me that HP was the best.  Have also owned their computers and survey instruments.

Impeachment, impeachment dominates the news.  Enough already.

The UK’s political scene is more polarizing and nasty than the US.  That is saying a lot.  Not good for any democracy.

The Turkey, Syria and Kurd situation is very confusing.  The only thing I can take away is that Syria’s Assad regime is bad, bad.

Everyday I look at the headlines in the Alpena News.  The declining population in NE Mi is saddening especially as it relates to the schools.  Young folks are leaving because of lack of jobs.  Who knows the answer?

We had a light dinner followed by the after dinner snacks.  Watched the news and Jeopardy before switching to a crime show on Acorn, Commander.  I stayed up and watched Borderliner a Norwegian show.

Temperature in mid 20s tonight with snow.  Will need my winter bike tomorrow. 

Tuesday November 5, 2019

Tuesday November 5, 2019

Blog time 1120 at Panera:

Up at 0630, Nancy had already taken Ms P out.  Nancy headed out at 0715 for her Tuesday swim at MVP.  Later she will have lunch with college friend Karen Horlings.

I left home at 0800 in bright sun.  The temperature was 36.  This morning I did see a deer grazing in the front lawn of a home along heavily traveled Cascade Road.  I did not see any Turkeys this morning.  In fact I have not seen any in two weeks.  Do turkeys go south?

The Y was very crowded this morning.  The vigorous Body Pump and Boot Camp classes were full.  I did the same calisthenics I have been doing for decades and took a 0.6 mile walk before heading to Panera.

Lately Panera has been empty during the mid-morning period.  Maybe the regulars have headed south for winter?

Quick shave and shower before lunch.  After lunch Nancy and I headed to the Apple Store in Woodland Mall.  Nancy had some questions about her email especially junk mail.  

While Nancy was in the store I took a mile walk around the mall.  Many new stores in the Mall and it seems in good shape.  

Fixed apple snack when we got home.  I finished the afternoon with a nap.

For dinner we had chicken dumpling soup followed by our evening snacks.  Tonight we watched NCIS.  Nancy headed to bed and I stayed up and watched the first episode of Borderliner a cop show set in Sweden with English subtitles.  Ok so far.