I'll Walk With You My Friend!

Yesterday I was reminded that time plays no factor in how deep a friendship can be. I have only known my good friend for a few years, due to us working on the Decennial Census together. But, this is a deep and rewarding friendship.

Sure, she takes me to the mall and shows me where to get all the free stuff. And I pointed out the $2.00 tops on sale, but I'm really not talking about monetary rewards. I'm speaking about the reward you get when you just go out exploring with no expectations and by days end, you feel so fulfilled.  Those are the days I've been experiencing with my special friend.

I feel like she's my "kindred spirit" and I can't really pinpoint why.  So, I'm not going to over analyze things, I'm just going to let it be.

My friend  and I spent yesterday in Capitola. I haven't been there much, but she knows it like the back of her hand. So entrusting in her wisdom, I let her be my tour guide.  I didn't know what I would see or feel.  Thanks to my iPhone, I was able to take spontaneous photos whenever the moment felt right.  Here are a few of my favorites.

Mural on Wharf Road

Someone got their priorities straight!

Tiles at the Capitola Beach!

Enjoying the birds, people, and beach!

Beautiful California Poppies!

Letting music fill us up!

After our walk we went back to her sister's condo, and I learned something I didn't know about her. She comes from a very talented and artistic family. She shared with me that she used to write and sing songs on her guitar.  In a moment of pure joy, she picked up her nephew's guitar and started playing some of her original music. One she composed for a funeral, the other for a wedding.  It struck the perfect cord with me!  Music can heal us, and make a major life moment even deeper.

I was so happy to see her let loose on that guitar. She hasn't been well so she stopped playing. My hope is now that she will start to play her guitar and write some new songs.  Because music can be a friend too!

I don't know where our next adventure will be, but I'm counting on it to be just as fun.

I'll walk with you my friend...

Sylvia

Robots Are Taking Over Our Corners!

Perhaps we will still see a tax signer for a few months!

Robots are taking over our corners and ruining my cheap entertainment. By that I mean there are less and less minimum wage folks holding advertisement signs for businesses.  I found these people quite amusing. Some were so into their music that they didn't even realize that they were holding the signs upside down. Most knew how to groove to their music. They certainly made my traffic light stops more enjoyable.  Now, the trend is underway to kick these "real people" to the curb and replace them with robots.  I'm sad. These robots don't change up their routine. They are predictable. What fun is that? 

So nice to see a real person!

Subway signer

Anyway, I spotted one of these robots the other day while driving. I had to take a second glance to make sure it wasn't a real person. It's hard to tell from a moving car.  Today, when I stopped and got up close there was no comparison to a real person. They look fake, and act fake, and I don't know how that's supposed to bring more people into a business. However, it does make sense from a money viewpoint. The gal at Little Caesar's told me she thought the robot cost around $3500.  Even if a business is paying someone minimum wage to hold the sign, they will be ahead of the game in a matter of months.

Today in my pursuit to find this fake person, I spotted several real signers.  None of them were really getting into it.  Perhaps word is out on the street that their days are numbered.  I spotted the usual suspects:  The gold guy, Subway mascot, Round Table pizza, and thank god, The Liberty Tax promoter.  It's good to know we still have Liberty!

The first robot I ever spotted was for New Balance.  She's a hot mess!  Today when I stopped she wasn't even holding her sign. And one foot was out of it's shoe. I mean, how is this an improvement from a real person? She's moving in a precise way but with no sign to advertise the business.  I guess this robot doesn't come with any intelligence to tell it the sign has dropped! Perhaps she can click her Ruby shoes and morph back into the perfect robot.

Look, I'm efficient but where's my sign?

What do you mean shoes are for feet?

For the time being we will just have to put up with dueling signers. We will have the Round Table Pizza signer at one corner and the New Balance robot on the opposite street corner.  It's not as much fun as dueling pianos!  

Well I leave you with a bit of nostalgia. Give me Liberty........

Sylvia

Saying Goodbye to Childhood!

There comes a time in every one's life when they must move on from their childhood comforts and move into adulthood. Sometimes this is done in one full swoop, and other times we keep mementos to help us hold on to our childhood.

Mitch's bedroom set

Jackie's daybed

ready to dismantle

Desk before it moved to Adam's room

The last of Jackie's stuff

Today, both Mitch and I are tossing out stuff!  For Mitch, he is saying goodbye to the bedroom set he had since he was a little child. That furniture lasted not only through his childhood, but also our son, Adam's.  Adam is now 21 and it was time for an update. So, we moved the oak furniture in my daughter's room into his.  She has moved on to her own condo.  Her daybed will be dismantled soon and offered up to the highest bidder.  She has already given away stuffed animals and other childhood collections she didn't want to make part of her new home.

Before I moved the oak dresser from Jackie's room to Adam's I took out the drawers to aid in the move. Imagine my surprise when I saw baby wrapping paper. I had forgotten that I had lined the dresser drawers with the paper I received from baby showers! This oak dresser has seen Jackie through 24 years and now it will get more use in Adam's room.  Steady as an Oak!

Wrapping paper from my baby shower

We put Adam's furniture out to the curb, and I'm happy to report that the chair, desk, hutch and one dresser have already been snatched up for someone else to enjoy.  The only thing remaining is one dresser with a broken drawer.  I'm hoping someone handy sees the value in the piece and will take it and give it new life!

It's worn but it still can have a purpose!

I've also packed up a lot of Adam's treasures. These include lots of trophies from sports, and yearbooks, etc.  At some point I will have Adam weed through the boxes in his closet and decide what he wants to keep or toss.

We are getting the kids' rooms painted which was the impetus to clean out the clutter.

So, we are clutter-free today, but still feeling a little sad.  Our kids have grown up, and so too must their possessions.

The new and improved room!

Sylvia

When you really stop and sit........

It's amazing the world that opens up around us when we really take a moment to just stop and sit!

I took those moments earlier this week when we joined our friends for a double celebration at the Ritz-Carlton at Half Moon Bay. My husband, Mitch, was the "birthday boy" and our friends were celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary.  Did we dance in joy? No, we sat!

After walking around and enjoying the scenery, we sat down to a wonderful lunch. The champagne flowed and then the chocolate arrived.  Thanks to our wonderful waitress we even indulged in a few more pieces of the hand-made chocolate delights.  When Janet asked if they sold the chocolates at the hotel, the answer came back, "no", but I'll get you four more boxes. SWEET!!!!!

After filling our tummies it was time to walk some more and then we came upon the perfect place to stop!

Someone left a libation!

You notice birds flying overhead and little black birds perched on a fence!

Perfection!

More perfection!

Warmth and Friends. It doesn't get any better!

I've never seen so many pumpkins!

What color doesn't a pumpkin come in?

I loved a painting in the lunchroom, but said the artist had taken artistic license because there are not teal pumpkins! I was wrong!

 I totally enjoyed my day of food, rest, and wonderment!   I even came up with the question of the day.
What would you do when faced with a crack in the road?

I think I might just sit and take in all the world has to offer!

It's never too late to just sit and enjoy!

Sylvia

When one door closes......

When one door closes another one opens.  It's true, and it's a big deal!

My daughter is leaving the nest!  She has purchased her own 975 square feet of bliss. It sits on the fifth floor of a luxury high rise in downtown San Jose.  Who would've thought?

When we started the process of booting our daughter out (no, I'm just kidding) we didn't even think of the newer downtown properties. We know the "sky's the limit," but being realists we knew those were untouchable.

The adage of being in the right place at the right time was never truer.  In today's marketplace, real estate is going like hotcakes.  There usually will be one open house, multiple offers within days, and then the place will be listed as "Pending, Do Not Show!"

So being a "Type A," I looked at the multiple listings multiple times each day. My hope was to find a listing as soon as it popped up and be at the door first for the open house.  Jackie and I looked at more than 20 places and made two offers. We were lucky.  My niece had to go through 11 offers before her 12th offer was accepted on her first home.  What helped Jackie a bit was that living in a downtown high rise is a "niche" habitat.  It's not for everyone.  I hate to think what looking for a single family home would have been like. Looking at condos and townhomes was so competitive.

We started our search looking for a two bedroom, two bath mecca in her price range. This meant we had selective pickings.  I also printed out some two bedroom, one bath properties, but Jackie was pretty adamant that she wanted that second bathroom.  The thought was to find something that she could afford on her own, but always have the possibility of a roommate helping pay the mortgage.

It was a great idea, but reality was not playing our cards. There was so few places that appealed to her. Jackie did place an offer on one two-bedroom, two bath place that fit her wish list. She wanted the second bedroom to be big enough for a roommate, along with a pool, a gym, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a good neighborhood closer to her work, updated bathrooms, affordable HOA fees......

It was a pretty comprehensive list, but I'm happy to report that she met and exceeded her expectations. But, it almost didn't happen.

On a whim one day, I typed "1 bedroom, 1 bath" into the multiple listing service. Imagine my surprise when the luxury downtown high rise came up.  I never thought she could afford one of those places. The list price was within her reach, but I knew it was low and the actual sales price would be much higher. Just for kicks and giggles, I told Jackie we should go check out the open house. We went Saturday and then again on Sunday. We even checked out some new units still for sale in the place. Using our investigative reporter instincts, we found out some information that helped her realtor draft a good offer. She was not the highest dollar offer, but she had terms that set her apart.

The AXIS is her new home and has many luxury amenities.  It has 24 hour security with underground parking (mom is so happy about that) and a concierge.  It has a beautiful lap pool with two spas and a cabana area.  It has a great gym and is within walking distance to many of the fine spots in downtown.  It is literally across the street from where we park to go to Sharks games.  She will also be close to San Pedro Square and the downtown night life.  The Old Spaghetti Factory is close by and may become the "cheap" place to eat on her new budget.

None of this would have been possible without the monetary support of Grandma Caroline.  After she passed, we sold her townhouse for a nice profit.  As fate would have it, we didn't invest the money. It just sat in our bank account earning pennies on the dollar, but that worked to our advantage, as we could make Jackie's offer a "Cash offer" and help her stand out from others.  She will refinance and then we will be paid back.  It's fitting that this new place has a den with a bright red wall.  Caroline's favorite color was red and Jackie took some of her modern art (it wasn't really anyone else's style) and she will display them in the den.  So grandma will have her little corner in Jackie's world!

Red wall will be a tribute to Grandma Caroline. 

Aerial view of the pool area

Gym

Cabana

Beautiful kitchen with granite and stainless steel appliances. 

Floor to ceiling windows will let in natural light and give Jackie views of downtown

The pictures show the seller's possessions. It will be fun for Jackie to take her good friend, Monica, on trips to IKEA.  She is already planning out her dream condo.

Come mid-November, Jackie will be walking out our door and into the world of budgets, mortgages, HOA fees, insurance, property taxes....

One door will close and another will open!

Sylvia

A Bad Leg And A New Attitude!

Wow, I have heard of life changing in an instant, but I never really gave it much thought. That all changed when I went from a peppy 51 yr. old in my cardio dance class, to an absolute immobile and unhappy ex-exerciser!

As luck would have it, not only did I tear my medial meniscus in my left knee, but it was right before a busy summer travel schedule.  I hurt it on a Tuesday and I was due to get on a plane the next day to watch my son, Adam, play in his first college NAIA Golf Championship.  Well, my mind may have said, "let's go" but my body was having no part of that.  I couldn't move. I was on crutches and getting through an airplane aisle was going to be more difficult than I cared to attempt. So I stayed home and my husband and son went to Oregon.

Next I was due to go to Vancouver for a little family trip, minus most of the family. It turned out to be just my husband and daughter and me.  And, a new little friend called a "wheelchair!"  I was fortunate to stay at a very nice hotel that I exchanged with my timeshare points.  The concierge was fantastic and found a wheelchair that I could use for several days. The funny thing is that on our first full day we took an 11-mile bike ride around Vancouver that was filled with fun facts, great sights, and most of all, no leg pain!  Yet, to try walking was like trying to walk over hot coals! I knew I had to do it, but it was very painful. It was definitely a mind over matter moment. So, when the wheelchair became an option, I didn't hesitate one minute. I boarded that metal devise and off we went. We saw all the tourist sites: Stanley Park, The Aquarium, Victoria, Butchart Gardens, Granville Island, Robson Street, Canada Place, and a few more things I probably never would have noticed, like uneven sidewalks and too narrow store aisles. It's amazing how being in a wheelchair gives you a whole new perspective!  I feel very badly for all those people who have to rely on wheelchairs and cannot get out and walk. At least I was able to leave the wheelchair for bathroom trips. It definitely would have been very challenging to attempt in a wheelchair.

Great bike trip around Vancouver

Totem Poles in Stanley Park

All aboard the Ferry!

Things are big in Victoria!

Butchart Gardens

You must see this Exhibit!

The trip to Canada was a success. I still managed to have a good time, despite by temporary disability. As they say, "You can't keep a good woman down!"  That was so true. After a quick overnight in Seattle to "Ride the Ducks", visit Pike Place Market, and view some out-of- this-world glass by Dale Chihuly we were back to the homestead!

Ride the Ducks!

Nine days later I was off to Chicago with Jackie to celebrate the Fourth of July. By now I had ditched the wheelchair and was using a cane and leg brace.  The real disability I brought on this trip was my lack of direction, but thankfully Jackie was quite proficient on reading transit maps, and we utilized buses, subways and taxis. We loved everything about Chicago, except for the 102-degree weather!  We ran... o.k. not really... all over Chicago. We ate the best hot dogs, pizza, desserts and enjoyed fine dining at RPM ( Bill and Guiliana Rancic's place) and Girl and the Goat (owned by the only female winner of Top Chef, Stephanie Izard.) We ate Garrett's popcorn on more than one occasion and I had my very first Moscow Mule! It won't be my last!

The Chicago Skyline!

Moscow Mule. So refreshing!

Navy Pier relief!

Girl and the Goat!

We went to the top of the John Hancock Building and the view from there is fantastic. We also went to Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and took a quick look from 103 floors up! The only downfall was that the security line was so long that it took us about one hour to get up there. Then after a less than 15 minute look, we wanted to exit. Imagine our surprise when we found the line to go down was even longer!  There was no way I wanted to wait on the hard floor with my bum leg, so I used the "handicap" card. I asked an usher if I could avoid the line and go down on the next elevator. Success! Jackie and I were escorted to the front of the line and down we went. It was a good thing because we had places to go and people to see!

Another highlight was going to Second City to see a comedy show. The Architectural Boat tour was also fabulous. Chicago has so many great buildings. My favorite was probably the "City all in One." It has a place for boats at the bottom then levels for cars that are backed in by valets (don't want any residents to get too heavy on the metal and end up in the boat harbor below) and then residences.

We also made our way by subway to Wrigley Field and Harpo Studios to get some mandatory tourist shots!

After a fun filled and very packed trip, we made our way back to San Jose. And then I sat. I didn't do much for several days just to rest the leg.  I have now started back at my gym. I've been to the pool twice to do laps. Yes, the Olympics have inspired me. I'm not going to win any medal, but I feel like a winner just to be able to get in some exercise and start moving this old, broken-down body!

I don't know what the future holds as far as my knee goes. I did find out I have mild degenerative osteoarthritis. It's hell getting old!  But, I may still need to have surgery to remove the tear. I've been going to the sports chiropractor and getting laser treatments and just trying to do the old-fashioned "rest" method.  Time will tell. In the meantime, I want to continue to swim and bike at the gym and start getting back into an exercise routine. Three vacations in May, June and July ( I had also gone to Pittsburgh/Philadelphia/Delaware and New Jersey in May prior to hurting my knee) and little exercise leads to weight gain and complaining!

So it's back to that ongoing battle of the bulge! At least I have a new appreciation for being able to move. I may have a bit more to move around, but I'm grateful I'm now walking without a cane and knee brace. I don't know when, or even if, I will get back to my Zumba and cardio dance classes,  and that makes me sad. I guess it's time to stop acting like a 30-something and slow down a bit. I need to listen to my body.

So in the words of  Patti LaBelle,
"I'm in control,
My worries are few,
'Cause I got love like I never knew, 
ooo, ooo, ooo, ooo...
I've got a new attitude."

You just put one foot in front of the other.......
Sylvia