Foggy Day

Supposed to be a warm day today but I don't think that is happening.
Very very foggy out - to the point you can feel and see the mist!

Got our errands done - gas at Safeway - more pellets from Lowe's....mailed a book to a friend. Finally took something back to Pet Smart.

And although we probably really should go to the gym I really don't want to go outside again! LOL

Oh yes - and we found Toms coarse chili ground meat for his chili Sunday. Went to the big Hispanic grocery store - Santa Fe - and they had hardly anyone that (supposedly) spoke English. But apparently could not grind the meat for us.

So then we went to the smaller one a few blocks away - and the had a grinder - able to grind it - spoke English! - and we got the meat!

So in addition to commercials - the best part of the day will be the traditional chili!

So, I am in Grad School - again! This time a knitting Grad school. There is this great shop that is now in (well, has been for a few years) called https://www.theloopyewe.com/. They started out with a virtual summer camp - and then progressed into Loopy Academy - and now we are in Grad School.

This is the 2d semester. The first semester I made socks - 2 pair for me, and a pair for hubby. This semester I am making sweaters. I have a cardigan on the needles for me - yay! it really will get done and will be the 3d adult sweater I have ever finished! - and I took a break and made a child summer/spring (isn't the color perfect for spring!!) sweater in this yummy soft light yarn called Bamboo Pop. Next up I need to order my yarn for sweater #3 which will be a unisex child's pullover.

Not a pretty day for photographs but the light was good to show the true color of this yarn!

Thoughts - On My Soap Box Again

We belong to DVC (Disney Vacation Club). Have since a fateful moment in 1998 while at WDW. When I thought husband had really gone nutso. And let me just say this, I have come to appreciate the decision he made that day!

Anyway, one of the many trips we take is to Aulani, on Oahu in Hawaii. And so I have joined a couple of FB pages.

Now when you belong to DVC the places you stay are not like typical hotel rooms, they are suites, or mini apartments! (I could literally move in and live in the Grand Villas at the Boardwalk in WDW).

Because of that they have nice kitchens (except for the studios). Which is great because there really is limited affordable eating at Aulani or the immediate surrounding area.

So we have learned when we leave the airport, we get lunch, and then hit the grocery store. One time we went to Costco and that was the time we went with both daughters, a SIL, and 5 grandkids. Otherwise we just go to Safeway.

And we plan our meals/shopping before hand, knowing we are still going to eat out some.

Well, people are posting about leftover food when they are leaving to go home. And nicely, they are putting the items up for others to grab.

but MY GOD people - did you think ALL you were going to do in Hawaii is sit in your room and eat?????

First  of all, I get it. It is usually only the 2 of us. But - no matter where we are going - I always throw sandwich sized and gallon sized zip lock bags in my suitcase. They come in handy for so many things - and that means you don't have to buy them when you are on vacation!

If we have an opened box of cereal? Pop it into a zip lock bag - cereal doesn't weigh much and doesn't take much room (don't need to take THAT many clothes people - the rooms have washers and dryers!). Speaking of which - pack a couple of packets of travel laundry soap and pop a couple of dryer sheets into a zip lock bag - now you don't have to buy the HUGE sizes of both that I see people leaving behind!

And there is a cafeteria style place there - out in front of it are all the condiments you should need - help yourself!

Now the hints we have is, except for one dinner at Ama Ama (because the setting is so nice, and yes the food is good) we typically eat a large meal out at lunch time - and we bring the leftovers back with us - and the last dinner there is usually a whopping big salad with everything left in the refrigerator!

And I have even hard boiled the leftover eggs and brought them with us to the airport and on the plane!

Because I have a husband who definitely gets hangry - we never travel without snacks. And I plan enough for plane there and back - and while we are there - so we don't get suckered into buying loads of snacks while there (except for caramacs…..gotta have my caramacs), And you know you are going to give in to some snacks while at Aulani anyway....

But really - the amount of food I see up for grabs could probably feed the whole staff of Aulani (just a very light exaggeration). But I want to know why I have never been there when people have left snorkel supplies, and water toys up for grabs.....

Rainy Days and ....Thursdays...

Thought it was going to rain and be windy through the night. Then it turned out to be coming this morning. Well, woke up to this....and no rain or wind!!

But then husband left for day #2 of orientation for volunteer work. And I started watching a new (to me) show on Netflix called YOU. Determined to get to a certain point in my sweater.....the next thing I know, hours after the photo was taken, the house was being shaken by wind, the dogs were staring at me big eyed, and then the down pours started!

Eventually I remembered the bedroom window was open - it is always open - and the wind was blowing the rain against that side of the house....

About noon time I turned off the 3d or 4th episode, put my knitting down, and decided I better get dressed.

The wind has died down a little but it is still pouring outside.

We have some ponds forming in the backyard. Luckily our soil is a good mix of sand so they will drain away once the rains stop. Here are our waterfalls and ponds!

Husband said something about going to the gym this afternoon.....not sure I want to swim there!

Thrifty Day

Hubby played golf today, so I decided to go and check out some new (to me) thrift stores down at the mouth of Carmel Valley.

One had a LOT of paintings, photographs etc. And several lamps - wish we had looked there before we bought the one for the dining room! Not really, I like the one we put up, but they had some nice ones. Only bought a frame there - it was marked $3 but I paid $2.41 for it! Yay!

This particular thrift store actually has 3 sites, but I did not go to all 3 of them.

Then I went to the SPCA one. That is a very nice thrift store, and where I did most of my spending!
I got the softest, prettiest, grey sweater - brand new! All the tags still on it! For $10. 2 books. A little stocking stuffer for hubby for Christmas this year. A kitchen mitt....AND....a Vera Bradley duffle bag in very very good condition! Brand new they are about $100 - 120; if this one has been used at all, it would surprise me. And I got it for $25.

Finally got back to my favorite one here in town. Was not impressed today. Could not find a single thing that interested me. Oh well, saved me money and besides, that is just how it goes.

Lunch Date!

Not only do I love these lunch dates - and the scenery - but I just love the idea that we can spontaneously do them. We don't have to plan ahead because I might be sleeping because I worked last night....or need to nap because I work tonight....or have all these errands and things to do because it is a day off from work. We can just , well, do them! And I love that freedom!!!

A sandwich from Troia's Market to split; a small bag of chips to split; Sicilian olives, and something to drink....heaven!

Drove up to Moss Landing this morning to get some veggies, but also to hand over a pitcher I sold. And then hit Bed Bath & Beyond on the way home; finally got the finials for the curtain rods (but not the ones I really wanted cause I needed 2 sets and they only had 1). Also ended up with a couple of little Christmas gifts, and some Christmas hand towels!

Then I was getting something ready for someone to come by tomorrow to pick up and pay for :

And as I was moving them for a bag, I broke one of the tea cups! Didnt shatter - broke right in 1/2. Makes me so sad because they are such a cute set! So I sent off the message to the buyer.....