Browse Month: May 2014

GoPro

DCIM100GOPROOn our way to the Bay Area Discovery Museum, we were talking about how fun it would be to have a GoPro for outings like these.  So, to satisfy the itch, we stopped at Sports Basement to check them out.

IMG_4452They had the model we were considering AND it was at a slight discount AND I got 15% off for being a therapist.  Woot!  Jes sat down in the store and put it together.  We charged it on the drive to the museum and when we arrived it was ready to go!

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Here are some of the photos we took today. Love the wide angle for family selfies.  DCIM100GOPRO We also captured video, of course.

This one I took in the car by controlling the camera with my phone.  The iPhone app is pretty cool.  The GoPro doesn’t have a viewfinder or a playback screen so using the app allows you to watch the video in real time as you record.  You can also use it to view the videos/photos you’ve taken on the device.

The best one was of Kumquat on her scooter.  Jes mounted it onto the handlebars with zip ties and we were in business!  I even gave iMovie a try and managed to put together a little something special for our first experiment.

Rest in Peace, PoPo.

20140530-140716-50836073.jpgToday is a very sad day for us. We lost PoPo this morning and her family was able to be at her bedside to say goodbye.  This photo was taken back in 2007 on Christmas Day.

IMG_4436PoPo was very special to Jesse since she was very involved in his care when he was a baby.  I met her a very long time ago at a family function back in 1995 when she was still living by herself and was a fantastic cook.  Little by little her health declined until the family had to move her to a place where she could be taken care of 24 hours per day.  At that point, she was still rather independent and going to church down the street.  Around that time, she still recognized her family and I remember one wedding that we went to in 2005 where we had our last real interaction with her.  Here is the post.  I’m so thankful that I wrote about it because I wouldn’t have remembered every detail.

DSC_9409Eventually, she needed a higher level of care so she moved to a different place.  Here was the one and only time all four generations were together.  It was in 2012 around Christmas again.  It was the last time Jes and I saw her.

Hannah, Jesse’s cousin, said it perfectly when she posted this on FB today:
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Baby Sprinkle

DSC_4900We had little party for Ranee who is expecting Baby #2 next month.

DSC_4893Lucy, our lovely hostess, prepared a bunch of yummy cocktails and we all pitched in on food, which is what we do best.

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IMG_4303The little girls got to play and even little Henry joined in on the fun.

DSC_4906As with any baby party, there were cupcakes, gifts, and games.

DSC_4884Can’t wait to meet your little cupcake, Ranee!!

Trinity

IMG_4163Our department got a new therapy dog from Canine Companions and she had her first day today.  Her name is Trinity and she’s a labrador+golden mix.  I met her this morning on my way to the cafeteria and we got to hang out for a bit in the hall.  As I walked away to buy my coffee, I nearly lost it.  Tears began to well up in my eyes and I had to take a moment to regroup.  I guess I still miss Koa.  I guess this therapy dog will be good for not only the patients but for the staff too.

Public Transit

IMG_3945Last Friday, the red warning light went off in the car on my way home.  It was overheating and I was still on the bridge.  Luckily, I was able to drive it home but it was in need dire need of repair.  So, this past week I took public transit to work and it actually wasn’t bad.  I liked having about 30 minutes of peace and quiet to read and catch up on emails.  I’d get up early, leave a little before 7 (before the kid woke up most mornings) and get to work around 7:38.  The reverse commute is pretty cool because it’s never crowded on the trains to and from work.  Getting home on time was a little tricky because there was a home game every day this week but work was light enough that I was able to leave just in time to catch the shuttle that usually arrived around 4:20.  Here are some photos I took this past week.

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This was Wednesday evening’s commute.  Apparently there was a day game and no one went to work but me.IMG_3977

Love the reverse commute.  The Concord Train usually looks like this when I get on in the morning.

The car is all fixed now and Jes picked it up on Friday.  We had to replace the cooling system and the car should last us a bit longer now.

Mother’s Day Weekend

IMG_3858I had a really nice Mother’s Day weekend.  On Saturday, we rode the train to the zoo and had fun watching Kumquat play and explore.  IMG_3885On our way home, we stopped at Hog Island a second time in two weeks to have the clam chowder that I didn’t get last weekend.

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It was delicious and this little kid tried it for the first time and loved it.IMG_3900

We sat outside with a gorgeous view and awesome weather that evening.

On Sunday morning, I was up with the kid but Jes got up shortly to make me corned beef hash with an oozy egg on top.

IMG_3916After some coffee, we popped open a bottle of champagne that we worked on for the rest of the day.

IMG_3910We also finally watched “Frozen”, which we all really enjoyed.  Even Kumquat seemed to appreciate the slapstick humor, music, and loveable characters.

IMG_3914The rest of the day was spent hanging out at home.  I literally did not change out of my glasses and PJs all day.  Heck, Kumquat ran around with no pants on too!

For dinner, all I wanted was spaghetti so Jes made a homemade sauce and cooked up a mean bowl of pasta.  It was perfect.  As if this weekend wasn’t enough, Jes also made a dinner reservation for Thursday night at Saison.  Awesome.