Monday, July 17, 2023

Weekend + Alone In My House!!

Another weekend is in the books. It started off with dangerous air quality from Canadian wild fires which seems to sadly be the theme of summer. So we laid low on Friday after school. We had our usual ‘closing out the day routine’ of wheel of fortune before bedtime. 

Sassy pose with his new glasses! It’s been a battle to get him to wear them - the doctor said he could ease into wearing them over the summer as his vision isn’t that terrible (Rx is -1.25). We might need to update to the more expensive but likely more comfortable/better fitting pair. We are going to give it a few more weeks before deciding.

I did a short 3 mile run on Saturday since the air quality wasn’t great. Then it was the library + gymnastics. After quiet time, the air quality was better so I took the boys to the local wading pool while Phil vacuumed before my parents arrival! 


My parents came in the late afternoon. The boys were so excited. We spent most of the evening on our back deck. We made grilled asparagus, seared ahi tuna, corn on the cob and an Asian-style rice. After the boys were in bed we played a few hands of rummy. My parents had a 7am flight so we called it a night around 9 which is ideal for me!
 
Reading a Richard Scary library book about cars!

On Sunday morning I went for a 4 mile run and saw a big turkey! 


Then the boys and I went to see the new house of our former neighbors while Phil did swim club at the local lake. 

And now for the best part! Phil wanted to give me a break/time alone in the house so he took both boys out to his mom’s after quiet time on Sunday afternoon!! Is there anything better than being ALONE IN YOUR OWN HOUSE? Yes, all caps!! How did I spend it? I watched a few episodes of The Bear, I read my book (Good for a Girl), packed for my SFO trip, and I folded laundry (much more enjoyable without kids grabbing folded laundry!). 

And then I took myself out to dinner at my fave neighborhood spot - Colita! I had an N/A drink as I can’t drink alcohol on the day I take a heavy weekly dose of one of my RA drugs (Methotrexate). But I had a really yummy drinks from their ‘zero proof’ menu that reminded me of the rhubarb slush my mom made when we were growing up. 


Then I had a yellow tail dish… 


And something called a Tlayuda which has a homemade blue corn tortilla chip kind of thing, beans, corn, and cheese. It’s indulgent and so good! 


And then I finished up with the churros. I can’t not have churros when I go to Colita!



Yes this was a totally indulgent meal - I probably overindulged ! But everything on the menu is gluten free so it’s the most amazing experience to order ANYTHING. I prefer to come here with others so I can order a bunch of things to share but dining alone was also nice (I sat at the bar). 

The boys got home close to 7 and then it was baths and bedtime for them. 

Today I fly out to San Francisco for a work trip. I’m traveling with a sales rep and he has 15 meetings scheduled during the 2.5 days I will be there. I get back late on Thursday night. It’s a longer trip than usual but it’s such a long flight that I need to spend 3 nights to make it worth my while. I’m hoping to see Kyria on Tuesday night - fingers crossed that works!

How was your weekend? If you took yourself out to dinner, where would you go?

14 comments:

Elisabeth said...

How fun you might get to see Kyria!!

Also, I am 100% in agreement on this: there is nothing better than being ALONE IN YOUR OWN HOUSE. Over the years, when I have been overwhelmed with parenting, my husband has encouraged me to leave the house. And almost always I say: I don't want to leave, I just want to be home alone.

I putter - clean, organize - and relax. And just revel in the quiet and efficiency!

Wishing you safe travels! And that food all looks delish!

Life of a Doctor's Wife said...

Wow, Phil is a keeper isn't he?! That sounds like such a lovely, quiet day. And to go out to dinner by yourself at a restaurant you love: SO decadent. The food looks amazing! I'm really glad you got that time to yourself. Especially because this week sounds really busy! I hope it goes smoothly and that you get to see Kyria.

My mother-in-law took my daughter on Saturday so I could clean/pack without her, and it was so nice. I love spending time with my daughter, but culling "precious" items from her overflowing room is not her strong suit, and I was glad to just power through without her input.

Safe travels this week, Lisa!

ccr in MA said...

Everything here is good (except some of the air quality), but can I just say, that drink looks amazing! So refreshing, I can feel it from here.

NGS said...

I am supposedly an adult. But I actually don't wear my glasses (3.25) a lot because I'd rather not be able to see well than deal with them, so I am super sympathetic to Paul. You get the fit right and two seconds later, they're sliding down your face. Or they rub. Or they're hot. I just...even right now I do not have eye correction and I'm just sort of hoping that I can see things.

I hope you get to see Kyria! What a fun meet-up! Fingers crossed for both of you.

Sarah said...

Alone in your house?? That;'s THE BEST and almost never happens to me. Do you like Good for a Girl? I LOVED it, but I am not a runner.

coco said...

what a wonderful gesture from husband to let you be alone for a while, and you killed it!!! I don't think i've dine out when I was living alone for 3 weeks in June. what a great idea. Although I'm pretty boring when it comes to food, even my friends in jakarta now know that I prefer bland food.
hahaha... and that turkey on the street? hilarious!!!

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

That is so sweet of Phil, especially since you are gone this week! What a wonderful thing! I love that you took yourself out to dinner; I think that is something I take for granted, as I never really go out to eat even though I have lots of opportunities to do it! I thought churros were made from flour; does this restaurant specifically make them from something else? I have been still avoiding flour and it is interesting (although annoying of course) learning what things actually are edible (like buckwheat - despite the name, it doesn't have wheat? That is confusing!)

This weekend was my annual hike with my Dad and brother. It was great, but man, my Dad is not as fit as he used to be and it is weird trying to wrap my head around the fact that he not only cannot hike as far as he did before but also needs to rest more and would even prefer we have a rest day in the middle of our hike! However, he still battled the snow like a champ and we all swam in an icy lake, so some things don't change. But my brother and I do need to learn to be more patient and understanding of his abilities.

I am looking forward to seeing you! We can split whatever dishes you want!

Jeanie said...

I love what you did on your "home alone" day! It's all good. Your dinner looks to die for. I think I'd go to my favorite restaurant, which happens to be here at the lake. They have a great happy hour (which can be dinner itself and is when I go there) and a wonderful menu. Sigh! Must do it soon!

Stephany said...

What a thoughtful gesture from Phil to give you some alone time last weekend! And you really made the most of it! I am so glad you have a restaurant where you can order anything on the menu!! What a delight. I also need to start ordering NA more often. I don't really enjoy the taste of alcohol so I rarely order alcholic beverages (and they are so expensive these days!!), but a fruity drink like that is probably so tasty sans alcohol!

Anonymous said...

Oh I hope you and Kyria get to see each other!!!! Oh my goodness that meal looks amazing!!!! Next time I’m there I absolutely want to visit that spot!!! I have had the house to myself exactly once in 6 years but I do get to travel quite a bit and I love having hotel rooms to myself!!!
Lori

Mom of Children said...

A few things.
1. Being alone in the house when you have small kids is DELIGHTFUL!! Only happened a few times for me.
2. Going out to dinner alone is also incredible. If I were to do it... I will probably go to a steak place and get myself a nice rib eye with a glass of red :)))

Grateful Kae said...

Oh yes, being home alone is so wonderful. I guess technically I am home alone a lot during the school year, but, um, it's a little different when you're just working all day... lol! I have been pining for some time home alone. I have this distinct memory of a few summers ago when I was somehow home alone all afternoon and evening one day- not even sure where everyone was- but it was warm and humid and big, long thunderstorm rolled in. I remember sitting in our sunroom and opening the back screen door so I could hear the rain falling and the yard was all green and lush and smelled like summer....I remember just sitting there with my book and feeling like, ahhhh this so so wonderful. :) Funny how things like that stick in our memories!!

I'm late commenting (I haven't been able to keep up with Feedly! I've pretty much only been reading the blogs that come into my email inbox this week- work has been crazy for me, too. Boo....) But I hope your SF trip went great and that you had a wonderful time with Kyria!!

San said...

Oh how wonderful that you got some time to yourself at your house. I am sure that was extra special.

Anne said...

As a non-parent who lives alone (no spouse or partner) I don't have the challenges you do in getting time alone AT HOME. That is so, so important! and, wow! Phil took both kids to your MIL's? How did they do? I know you were concerned about Taco not doing well, but is he better in terms of long afternoons now? (I am hoping bedtime was not too awful!)