Part 2 of 2: busy times

So we have just had Thanks Giving. This proved to be fun on lots of levels. First off I was able to work from Walnut Creek for the week, so no comute. A little frustrating when the internet was slow but lovely to roll out of bed, put the coffee on and sit around in my PJs. Sharon and I headed to Santa Cruz with Maddie and had Thanks Giving at Michelles. All the trimmings, turkey, pumpkin pie and walking on the beach. All quite lovely. The next day Sharon and I headed back to Walnut Creek to pick up Alex and then we went to the most lovely B&B in the Santa Cruz mountains. Claiming to be both dog and child friendly it really was. We had a fab room with a loft for Alex. Maddie was a charmer of course and thanks to Sharons commitment to her training she is turning into a lovely friendly lab. She's gaining weight rapidly as she grows from a puppy into her adult weight. The whole setting was idyllic. We had a private deck, although the whole place is fenced so Maddie could run free, and this included an out door jacuzzi. All three of us had a late night soak with bubbles and then lit the fire in the room. The other real fun bonus (apart from the most fantastic breakfasts) was the trampoline. Alex loves them and hasn't been on one often so I got to do a little teaching.......yes when I was 10/11 I spent a lot of time bouncing on a trampoline and can even do a few tricks. I haven't been on one for years but could still do sit downs, turns, backdrops and front drops - I wasn't brave enough to try the forward flips but it did all make me laugh alot. Sharon had never been on a trampoline so bravely had a go and perfected the sit down. Alex is 12 so he managed to give most everything a go, as only 12 year olds can. I also did a lot of driving around so that is good for my confidence and now I don't need to think about being on the right side of the road as much! We briefly headed back to Michelle's at the end of the weekend and she came for another walk on the beach with us before Sharon, Alex and Maddie headed back to Walnut Creek. How life has changed. For Thanks Giving last year I was staying in Santa Fe by myself while a visit was on at the ranch. It's nice to feel a sense of change and progress. Xmas is coming of course then Ruth's birthday in Spain.
Oh and on a health note working back in an office has me fixated on how to stay fit so I went and bought an exercycle. Days are getting darker earlier so I figure at the very least I can comitt to half an hour a day. I spent a happy few hours today putting it together and feel quite smug about the whole thing........of course that's only sustainable if I actually get on the bike every day......