Company is gone and we have great memories…

Monday was a pretty good day. It was so great to be out and about and even though there was a cold breeze the sun was out and I found a couple of warm spots. The road is still closed going to the lagoon so we cruised through Depot Park, down Westcliff Drive to the lighthouse Museum and back, down to the end of the wharf and back and I got a text from Kelly asking if I wanted to go somewhere and have lunch… I will never turn that down. We decided to go to Stagnaro's on the wharf because I had never been there before. We had a cocktail, vodka with blood orange… It was really good. For lunch I had fish stew over polenta and it was awesome, I'm glad we decided to go there. On the way back we decided to stop in a little shop on the wharf called Made in Santa Cruz, I met the lady that owns it a while back while I was in there and she is just the sweetest thing ever. I ran into her in the store and a couple of other places a couple times and she always remembers me and she of course remembers Robby. We bought a couple of really cool T-shirts and on our way back noticed that Tom had called each of us a couple of times, he took my van into Santa Clara to get the lift fixed. Since we ignored our phones, not a purpose, he texted me and said that he got hit by a semi truck and he wasn't kidding… I guess he thought I thought he would be joking. We came on home and it sounded a lot worse than it was, I don't think there was even any dents, just a broken mirror and a lot of scrapes. I'm so glad that he is okay and nobody got hurt. Rosa came in to put me to bed, I was glad this day was over.

Tuesday was a kind of disappointing day. Lisa didn't show up so I had to call my mom to come down and feed Robby and I, I didn't expect to stay in bed all day but it was a nice relaxing day AFTER I called my insurance and told them about my van. I just relaxed the rest of the day and watched TiVo.

 Wednesday was a great day. I got up and I got to talk to Omar for a little bit, I just love how he takes such good care of my home and yard. I took Robby for cruise through Depot Park, of Westcliff Drive past the lighthouse Museum and back and on my way back I got a text from Kelly asking me if I wanted to go to the farmers market downtown, I always wanted go to the farmers market downtown. I got some white raspberries and some stuff for salads for the next couple of days. You can get shots of sauerkraut juice and kimchi juice down at the farmers market, is supposed to be really good for you. Now they carry bottles of it so I got a bottle of kimchi juice and a bottle of garlic pickle juice, I know I'm going to love it. We cruised over to Trader Joe's so I could get some lactose-free creamer for my coffee and then cruised back home. Teresa brought over some food for the next couple of days but while I was at the farmers market I got a chickpea and eggplant naan rap, as usual it was so good. Rosa put me to bed and then Lee and Claudia came over to play cribbage, I haven't seen them for a while and it was really nice to see them.

Thursday was another great day. I got up and took Robby for a cruise to the world market to look for outdoor lanterns, the kind that you put candles in. I think they would look really good to hang on the inside of the pergola. I found a bunch online that I liked but decided to go and look at them in person, I'm not very good at judging size. The ones that I saw over there didn't look like they would last very long outside so I guess I'll go back to Amazon and get the ones I looked at first. There is a place downtown, call OM galleries and they have really cool stuff but nothing that would last long outside. The guy is so nice and he remembers us every time we go in there. We cruise down to the end of the wharf at back and then came on home and sat outside in the sun for a while, it really felt good.

Friday was another great day. I got up and cruise Robby down Westcliff Drive on to the lighthouse Museum and back. I haven't been going through the looking because they are doing work on the streets but I got a phone call last night with a message that said the mountain lions are back at the lagoon and to stay away. We cruise down to the end of the wharf and back and then came on home. My nephew David and his friend Grant came down the night before so I hung out with them for a while. Shawna came to me to bed and I think I was asleep before she even finished, I was really tired and stressed. I woke up just in time for a snack, these little tiny sausages, cowgirl cheese and black and whites raspberries. I could hear my family playing cribbage in the living room, it's fun to hear them talking and joking. I finally got an email back from Google glass and they are going to exchange my class again, I thought maybe they were going to get tired of replacing it and think that I did something wrong but I really haven't… I take very good care of my Google glass.

Saturday was another great day. Stanley and Janet came down on Friday evening to spend the night. I didn't get to see them because over so tired that I fell asleep while Shauna was putting me to bed, I was out for the night. I took Robby for a cruise to the wharf and back and then my mom, Stanley, Janet, David and I went out to breakfast at Zachary's. I decided to try the tofu scramble with green chilies and salsa and it was pretty good, I also had fruit and their honey molasses bread. We came back and rested for a bit and then Teresa, Jess, Alex and I went to surfriders Café to have dinner before the Derby girls bout. We got there little bit late but had a really nice dinner, I have the Derby girls sliders and french fries. We ended up getting to the Kaiser Arena at halftime so at least we didn't have to cruise in while the game was going on. The bombshells one and I can't remember what the score was but they won by a lot. After the bout Teresa brought me home and put me to bed. I haven't been to any of the bouts for a long time and I really miss going, I was battling pressure sores for a while so I didn't go. There is only one more and that it's going to be over. While we were eating we could hear and see how much fun everybody was having at the Greek restaurant next door so he decided to go there before the next bout. I had been there before and the food was really good and they give you lots.

Sunday I decided to stay in bed. They were having a triathlon in Santa Cruz so all of the places that I would normally go were going to be very crowded and pretty much roped off. They were running down W. Cliff Dr., swimming around the wharf and then bicycling to depot Park… That's where it ended. Lisa planted some more bulbs and seeds around the yard, I got so many that I don't even know what they are anymore so it will be a nice surprise when everything starts popping up. It looks like there's a pumpkin bush growing in my front yard and pumpkins are starting to grow on it. I think some birds must've ate some pumpkin seeds, I have them in the birdfeeder outback, and then pooped in my front yard and they're growing like crazy.Teresa came by and correct me an amazing meal, lobster, seafood dressing at asparagus… I can't even describe how awesome there was. We just personal care and then I got to take a nice long hot bath, whether perfect day!

Family is gone but they will be back…

 Monday was a pretty good day. I got to say goodbye to everybody that was leaving. Kevin, Lee and Molly came in to say goodbye at 8 AM and they were on their way. Stanley Cook breakfast and then him, Janet, Corrine and her two friends took up about 10 AM. Yesterday my brother challenged me to the ALS ice bucket challenge so since I was going to take a bath anyway I decided to do it over the tub so I wouldn't waste water or get my power chair all wet. It came off pretty smoothly and I posted it on Facebook. Karen gave me a bath and I just laid around, relaxed and watched some movies on the TV. A nice relaxing day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb-IE7RZKeQ

Tuesday was a pretty good day. I got up and took Robby for a cruise down Westcliff Drive and back, to the end of the wharf and back into the end of the boardwalk back. I took some pictures of the new additions, signs and stuff, to the carport. Rosa came and put me to bed and we did some personal care and I got to take a nice long hot bath. I had a childhood friend and her family come to visit but by the time we got done with personal care and bath I was too tired and it was too late to visit, hopefully they got a good nights rest.

 Wednesday was a really great day. I got up and I could hear Diane, our families grew up together, talking in the living room. I went out to say hello and it was so great to see her, she looked exactly the same and is as sweet as ever. She introduced me to her daughter, she had her when she was 16 and gave her up for adoption but got back in contact with her a year or two ago… How cool is that? She also brought her two sons, both very impressive guys… Very polite and very sweet. We visited for a while and then decided to go get something to eat. Tom came along since Kelly needed to rest, she had a dentist appointment early in the morning and ended up needing a root canal. We went to Woody's restaurant on the wharf and everybody really enjoyed what they had, it was my second time there and both times I liked it very much. We cruise down the wharf and watched the sea lions laying under the wharf for a while and then cruised down to the surf Museum. We walked down towards the dog beach and a dog came running up to Robby without a leash, Tom stepped in front of Robby and said to the guy "you're supposed to have your dog on a leash" the guy had a stupid look on his face and said "I know, rules rules rules" I was so frustrated I wanted to run him over with my chair but I did not. Diane, her daughter, the two boys and the baby went down to stick their toes in the water and as we were watching the dog out to sea. He looked like he was getting further and further away and a little panicked but the guy that owned him was just walking along relaxed. A lady even jumped up and took off her pants, she had a bathing suit underneath, and started to swim after the dog. The guy told her it was no big deal so she went back to where she was sitting, you could tell she was worried and frustrated at the guy… At that point we all were. After about 15 minutes the guy started to look worried and stood at the shore and called his dog, there's three other kids out there and wetsuits that started swimming out towards the dog but he was just too far out. After about 20 minutes the dog was really getting panicked and closer to the rocks, the guy looked a little bit more serious and started swimming out towards the dog. I can see a fire truck coming down the street and I asked Tom to flag them down and see if there was anything that they could do, they also said that it didn't look like a good situation that we could not only lose a dog but for people trying to save the dog. One of the firemen started running down the stairs and when he got almost to the bottom the guy finally reached his dog and pulled it out. You would think that that would teach him a lesson? As a fireman drove away the guy walked down the beach and the dog went out into the water again, the guy didn't let him get as far away but still let him go out there and then he turned the dog back in again and just kept walking down the beach. What is wrong with some people?? We decided we have had enough excitement for the day so we came back here and my mom and Dianne went and got a stellar from chipotle. We ate dinner together and then Rosa came and put me to bed. My mom was a little annoyed because I didn't invite them into my room after I went to bed but I'm just uncomfortable doing that, I don't know anybody that wants to be surrounded by people when they're in their bed. I guess some people understand that some people just don't get it. I will see them tomorrow and I hope they understand.

Thursday was another great day. I got up and my mom, Kelly, Diane, her two sons, her daughter and her daughter's baby went out to breakfast at Santa Cruz Diner. I had only been there once and it was pretty good and this time was also no disappointment, everybody liked what they had. Kelly and I have been looking for Pho soup and we didn't think there was a place in Santa Cruz to get it, Kelly had it there and it looked and smelled awesome… We will definitely be back and I will try it this time. She also had a spring roll which she said was very good. I didn't take my van because yesterday the lift broke, I'm taking it in on Monday to get it fixed again. About a mile from here and a good run for Robby and I, we haven't been able to get a lot of cruising around since we have had company but it's been so nice to have family and friends around. My dad and Diane's dad went to high school together and we grew up family friends, my mom and Martha were pregnant at the same time with David and Diane. We came back and they finished packing up and left just as Charlie and Terri drove up for a visit, I ordered a baby quilt from Terri for a friend of mine that is having a baby, is so adorable. Teresa texted me and said that she wasn't feeling good so it's just Lisa and I tonight, we trained Lisa to do the personal care and bath last week but only one time. I am fairly confident that everything will be okay. Lisa came in to put me to bed and do some personal care.

Friday was another perfect day. Since the concert season is over I got up early but then found out that there's going to be a Beatles tribute band on the boardwalk will so I decided to stay up and go watch it. I cruised Robby around down Westcliff Drive to the lighthouse Museum and back, down to the end of the wharf and back and down to the end of the boardwalk and back. I came home and rested for a bit and text Kelly to see if she was interested in going to eat and go to the concert, she is still in a lot of pain but decided to go. If you're going to be in pain anyway you might as well have some good scenery? We went to the O'Neill restaurant and lounge overlooking the beach and the wharf. We got a couple of appetizers and a couple of cocktails and just caught up on what's been going on, she has been really busy so it was nice to hear all about it. The concert was great, I'm so glad that I went. We got back home and Shauna was here and she put me to bed and I went bright to sleep, I love long days and being really sleepy at the end.

 Saturday I decided to just stay in bed, it had been a while and it just sounded like a good idea. My mom is going to come down and feed Robby and I but we both overslept, I called her when I woke up at 10:30 AM and she had just woken up. Omar came by and put up some more decorations in the Pergola and it looks really awesome. Shauna came in and we did some personal care I got to take a nice long hot bath, it felt great.

Sunday was another day in bed, I thought it would be nice and relaxing but I look outside and so beautiful that's what I want to be. I will be out there tomorrow and hopefully will be nice. Shawna came in just to put me on my site for a while and feed Robby and I. Teresa emailed me and she is still awfully sick, plus she has an outdoor cat with the cone of shame and stitches above his eyes and nose driving her crazy because he wants to get out and get that thing off of his neck. I decided it might be a good day to order Chinese food, it has been a while and I could really go for some wonton soup. Seth came over with a sling on his right arm, he fell while riding his motorcycle yesterday and hurt his shoulder, neck and back. We watched a movie called the pact ll and then noticed after that we could've watched the pact, the original one… We didn't bother after watching the sequel because we already know. My mom, Tom, Kelly and I decided to order some Chinese food to be delivered. We had ordered it from this place a couple of times and is always pretty good, this time was no different. I ordered some wor wonton soup, eggplant with garlic sauce, fried rice and potstickers. My eyes are always way bigger than my stomach but I can have some for breakfast.

It looks like another week of beautiful weather and family visiting…

 Monday was a great day. After staying in bed on Sunday all day I was ready to get out and cruise around, it's so amazing that staying in bed anymore just makes me crazy and I would much rather get up and get out. I cruised down Westcliff Drive to the second dog Beach and then down to the end of the wharf and back and down to the end of the boardwalk and back, the crowd has thinned out a little bit since everybody is going back to school. I'm not so anxious anymore about cruising around Santa Cruz, I'm not in a hurry to go somewhere and in a hurry to get back. I don't know what has changed but it feels great. I just cruise around for a while and laid-back and enjoy the view, there are so many beautiful places around here to enjoy. I got back in time to practice a few commands with Robby and then get ready to go to bed. Rosa called and said that they were on their way back from Disneyland and wouldn't be here until about 6:15 PM second stayed out a little bit longer and I thought about going out again but my mom had already taken all of Robby's gear off so I decided to just hang around and watch TV and listen to music, the time went by kind of fast.

On Tuesday Karen came in to show Lisa how to do my personal care, she is going to be taking over for Thursday evenings when Teresa goes back to school. She catches on really quick and I think she's going to be great. After I got up Lisa took me to the post office to send back some boxes to Amazon, some shirts that I got that didn't fit, and to get a few more things at Costco. We came back and Omar was trying once again to fix my salon sink in the bathroom, that they never did really work very well. I ordered some more parts but the sprayer wasn't fitting so I had to go back and order the sprayer, hopefully this will fix everything. Rosa came in and put me to bed and I think I fell asleep almost immediately. Tiffany, Robby's sister's mom, challenged Robby and I to the Kibbble challenge because it was national dog Day so with Rosa's help we accepted the challenge, Rosa drew out Robby's name in kibble and we took a picture.

 Wednesday was another absolutely great day. While I was getting dressed and getting out the sun was coming out so I knew it was going to be a nice warm day. I cruised Robby down Westcliff just a little bit because I felt the ground would be getting to warm for his paws. We cruise down to the end of the wharf and back because I knew it would be cooler there and then down to the end of the boardwalk and back. I stopped off at a couple of little stores on the boardwalk, I usually don't do that because I always feel like I have to buy something. I did see a really nice yellow bag that I could hang on the back of my chair in case I see something while I'm cruising around that I would like to buy. Then I remembered seeing a couple of rowing oars on the wharf that I have been looking at that say Santa Cruz, one has a surfer on it and the other one has a Woody's car so I went back and bought them. I guess mostly I am trying to make myself go into stores and purchase stuff by myself, I always see what I want and try to get somebody to go back with me but that doesn't always work so I need to do it myself… I was really proud of myself for buying two things at two different stores. I came back and rested for a bit and then Rosa came to put me to bed. It was nice to cruise with Google glass again.

Thursday was a really good day. I got up and Kay came by to cut and color my hair. I don't even really give her any direction anymore because I love everything that she does. She keeps wanting to make the red highlights a little bit more red and I like it, I like everything she does. After she was done I took while before crews down Westcliff Drive, to the end of the wharf and back, to the end of the boardwalk and back and home to rest for a bit before we start training Lisa for the night routine. She is so awesome and bubbly and I just love having her around, I'm so glad that she agreed to do the Thursday night routine. She did everything perfectly and I got done in record time, she also had time to do a manicure/pedicure and get some of the peach fuzz off of my face. I found this new product by the will of Almighty and it works great. I'm going to be already for the company we are having this weekend, I'm so excited!

Friday was a really great day. Of course I got to sleep in until 10 AM and that always feels great as long as I know I'm going to get up. Karen came in and got me up and dressed and I took Robby for a cruise down Westcliff Drive, to the end of the wharf and back and to the end of the boardwalk and back. I decided to try going to Trader Joe's by myself to pick up a few things, I want to be able to do things by myself and not be so nervous so I'm hoping the more I do them the easier they will get. I cruised in and found a guy stalking the eggs and asked him if he would mind helping me get a few items and he was really nice about it. I got some bacon, a couple of salads, some bread with garlic and some dish soap. He helped me through the cashier but when he went to put the bag over my head rest he hit one of the buttons and my head rest fell all the way back but not completely off, I didn't know until after I left the store so I drove home slowly and luckily made it back without the headrest and groceries falling off. While I was out Shauna texted me and asked if she could come in early and I told her that I was going to the last concert and I wouldn't be home until 8 PM. She said that she sent me an email saying that she had to stay overnight at her other clients office and she was supposed to be to work there at eight, I never saw the email. I texted Teresa and she said that she would come in and work for Shauna. After I got home I read the email and it said Friday and Saturday night she needed to stay the night at her other clients, I was so frustrated I almost decided to skip the concert. I came home and my mom put my groceries away and fixed my headrest and got me something to eat and I decided to just go to the concert and have fun. Lexi decided to go with me so we just cruised around the boardwalk and listen to the music. We ran into Rosa and hung out with her for a little bit. I told her about Shauna and she volunteered to come in on Sunday, think goodness for Teresa and Rosa. I came home and fell asleep a couple of times before Teresa even got me into bed and then the next thing I know she was waking me up to put on my CPAP machine before she left and she told me that my cousin Kevin and his friend Lee were here and sleeping in the front bedroom.  I slept through the rest of the night. He turned out to be a great day.

Saturday was a great day also. Lisa came in and noticed that my chair had not been charged, last night I just barely made it home before my battery died. We plugged it in for about an hour and then I decided to just get up in my chair and sit while it was charging some more. I visited with my mom, Kevin and Lee while my chair charged and then we decided to go to lunch at Pono of but somehow ended up at Huku's… Long story. It was really good and everybody enjoyed it, Tom Kelly met us there. I cruised Robby back of that and we hung out in my room for a while and visited and then Stanley, Janet, Corrine and a couple of her friends came by. Rosa came in and put me to bed while Janet made dinner.

Sunday was another perfect day. We all got together and decided to go to Zachary's for breakfast, we knew there would be a long wait but it wasn't that bad because it gave us time to visit. We all enjoyed our breakfast and it was nice to see everybody laughing and having great conversations. We came home and rested for a bit and then Janet and I went over to Costco to get some stuff from barbecuing. I already had hamburger patties and hot dogs so we got some sausages some stuff for salads and some chili beans. Everybody came home and took a little nap and then we had a great feast. Shawna came and put me to bed and we did some personal care. Sadly tomorrow everybody leaves.