Past and Present

The last few weeks have just flown by.  We have been so busy with the grands I just realized that next week is Thanksgiving.  OMG that means Christmas is just around the corner.  Doesn't seem possible.

The good news is soccer and footbal is over for the season, however basketball is just starting.  I don't know how young parents today do it.  Having multiple kids in multiple sports is a full time job.  I was sitting next to a mom at grands basketball game the other night and her one son was playing.  At halftime she had to get up and go get her daughter who was practicing (not sure what) at a school across town and then would get back just in time to pick up the kids from the basketball game.By the time they would all get home it would be after 8:00 pm.  Homework, dinner at that hour. Our daughter and SIL and even the boys are tired all the time and I now know why.  This is their normal routine as I am sure it is for most young parents today. We, and our children, grew up in a slower time.  We didn't have to schedule activities for them, we just opened the door and told them to go out and play.  See ya later.  We didn't worry about perverts, or stalking or kidnapping.  It was probably always there but without the media coverage of today we lived in oblivion.  Lucky were we.  Anyway enough of that stuff, starting to sound like an old fart.

(back in my day we had to walk 600 miles to the nearest grocery store, uphill all the way, lol)

This last  week our travels took us to Pacific Grove, where the Monarch butterflies come to winter each year.  It is a sight to see.  We've also been to Santa Cruz, Capitola by the Sea and back to Monterey this past week.  Monday and Tuesday of last week were unseasonably warm for this time of year and we took full advantage.  We spent both days enjoying the salt sea air and spending the time leisurely strolling the beach and having lunch at the outdoor venues.  

Boardwalk at Santa Cruz

Pacific Grove

Stockton Bridge in Capitola by the Sea
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Never did get to Big Sur as we planned, maybe this week.  Went to the Monterey Aquarium over the weekend with the grands.   It is quite a place  - located right on the Monterey Bay. I've been to aquariums in Denver, Tampa, Long Beach and they're all the same and yet different.This one has the ocean surge coming over you through a plexiglass tube. You hear the roar of the water and then see it cascading down over the tube. Loved it.  The one in Tampa has you walking through a glass tunnel so that the fish are all around you.  That is quite spectacular.  After about an hour and a half the grands were bored so we went and walked around Cannery Row and ended up having dinner at Bubba Gumps - the kids enjoyed and the food was okay.

It's been pretty chilly here since last Wednesday.  Rainy a couple of days and down to the high 30's at nite.  I know, I  know, don't complain  because some of you are facing much colder weather and uglier conditions. The heater went out in the RV on Saturday and had to use the little space heater.  The guy was out Monday and ordered the part but it has not come in yet.  We'll get it back just as the temp goes back to the 70's.  Typical, right.

No romantic interludes or dancing this past week.  Our grandson was here and then we were just too tired and then too cold.  There is always hope for this week.  I'm getting a little testy so I know it's time.

See you later for more Aimless Ramblings.