Mission Accomplished

SOL Day 5


Hard to believe my sister and I have been here in California for a little over 2 weeks!  We came to visit and help my nephew pack and move to a different apartment.  Well our mission has been accomplished!  I am happy to report that Jason is moved in, unpacked and organized (my sister and my specialty).  Today was spent just getting a few items at Target and then dinner with both my niece and nephew.  Back home on Monday . . . spending time with them just flies by!

The Move . . .

                                                        


SOL Day 4

Moving day can be stressful but unfortunately when the movers are not quite what you would expect, well let's just say it makes for a very, very long day.  Jason's move was guesstimated to take between 4-5 hours and in reality took a little over 12!  The 2 movers were very nice men, but moving may not be a good career choice.  The problems began at the apartment Jason was moving out of.  They spent so much time wrapping furniture it could have made it to China unharmed .  Then they had a very difficult time getting the couch out the door because they were not making the proper angle so I made a few suggestions after watching them struggle for about hour.  They ended up gauging the doorway and wall on the way out.  The drive from downtown LA to Orange county should have taken them an hour at best but the driver got in an accident which delayed them about 3 hours.  Needless to say once they finally arrived we all chipped in and basically became part of the "moving team"!  At about 10:00 pm they finally left and we looked at each other and had such mixed emotions about the whole situation. They were really so nice and polite just not good movers. At the end of the very long day, we showered, fell in to bed and were ready to unpack and organize this morning!

Will Rogers State Park

Day 3 SOL

A few days ago while in Playa Del Rey where my niece lives we took time to take a hike at Will Rogers State Park in Pacific Palisades, CA .  It's about a 1 mile uphill treck to the top of Inspiration Point.  I have to admit it was a little tough, but the view at the top was breathtaking! Such a "feel good" way to spend the morning getting out into nature! After a little rest and a bottle of water we headed back.  I was glad the return trip was all downhill!!

Packing Day in Sunny California

SOL Day 2

Today I am writing from California.  My sister and I came for what began as a short 5 day visit to see my niece and nephew. However, a few weeks before we were to leave  my nephew Jason decided that the almost 2 hour commute to work from downtown LA to Orange County was just too much!  So we extended our stay for almost 2 weeks to help him pack up and move to another apartment. Ahh one of the great things about retirement . . . being able to change plans at a moments notice!!!  It's going to be very hard for him to leave the downtown area but hopefully he will enjoy his new neighborhood as well. Downtown LA as you can imagine is a plethora of activity!  For such a busy city I have to say it's quite clean!  The view of the city from his current apartment is really nice, however what I love is this beautiful park nestled in between all the tall buildings!  Now it's time to get to work and start filling the empty boxes! Stay tuned for the new view . . .

It's March!

SOL Day 1

Here we are another SOL March Challenge!  This is my 5th year participating.  It's always a bit overwhelming thinking about writing something, everyday! So today, I thought I would give a little of my background.  I am a retired teacher from the Chicagoland area.  After retirement, we moved to New Mexico.  I am thoroughly enjoying retirement as well as my life here in New Mexico.  I have embraced the beauty of this state, the people, the culture and the over all "energy" I feel living here. I have discovered some awesome places to hike, as well as a few places to relax outside taking in some breath taking views! Certainly I miss friends still living back in Chicago, but thankfully so many have come to visit and I can share this wonderful place with them!  However, one thing I really miss . . . Chicago pizza ;-). I will share some of this place this month with you!  The photo below is what I am so fortunate to look at everyday!  The beautiful Sandia Mountain Range.