Full day trying to manage the fallout of the spend on hockey gear that didn't fit. End result was a loan by Lauren and subsequent purchase of Tommy's Canon Camera by Jen/I which we both wanted anyway. All works out, camera stays within reach for all and Hockey proceeds with proceeds.

Gratitude: Heart to heart with Lauren about various family and personal dynamic things. She's such a wonderful young woman.

Goal: Focused work day and a good AM hike too

Watched/Read/Listened To: The Good Place

Accomplishments: Meditation Mindfulness Parenting Cleanup

Martin Ranch with Brent/Kim. Soulmate Cuveé for picnic. Aqui Dinner and Viognier at Mom's planning out Thanksgiving. Brought home the wooden cat, wooden dog, Pewter Gandolf, Cameo Shell, Pinhead, Shotglass w/lid and two glasses I have strong memories of. Walking into the house through the gate, something was suddenly on me… took a moment to register and felt it moving and scratching for traction… shook it off my vest as it jumped to the other wall and continued running. A Rat. Scatched my ear scampering for traction. The timing of going through the gate as they ran along it could not be replicated if I tried. Damned dog just sat there wondering why I was shaking about.

Gratitude: Glad to have a chance to enjoy some wonderful items I grew up with in my home, and to have my mom around to enjoy the fact that they mean what they do to me.

Goal: Maintain my stance tomorrow w/Tommy and having given him funds for hockey that he poorly used.

Anticipation: Chilling out tomorrow PM after a couple errands.

Slept in but not too late. Good full work day. Took Lauren to the Good Sam interview. Hoping it works out. Sounds like she had good answers. Just two existing interns doing the interviews. 158 candidates and 15 openings... now we wait. Tommy chilled at Matson. Lauren did Tech until 9.30 and asked if Viktorjia could stay. Said yes, of course, w/parental approval. Got that. They'd doing homework. I'm winding down.

Gratitude: Lauren's wonderful character and desire to do good in the world.

Goal: Prep for Jen's return tomorrow.

Anticipation: Jen's return tomorrow!

Watched PBS Nova "Look Who's Driving". Loved it. So excited about such a positive move for all of our futures.

Accomplishments: Mindfulness Parenting Cleanup

Worked in RWC 9-2. Good productive day. Went to movies and relaxed at home for the evening, tasting a few whiskey variations.

Gratitude: My awareness and sensitivity

Goal: Live long enough to see my kids grow into adults and have their own individual lives in full gear, and be there for them when they need me.

Anticipation: Taking Lauren to Good Sam interview tomorrow.

Watched "The Lighthouse" & Scan-watched "Meet Joe Black".

Tommy's really been awesome in the mornings. He relatively self sufficient as is Lauren. I still make him breakfast but mainly because I just like doing so. I really enjoy them being with us. Jen's off to Disneyland. I worked, took a lunch break and got some clothes for Tommy, and cleaned up around the house before running to Costco. I heard a great interview with Patty Smith discussing her book "Year of the Monkey" and she read from it. It's so well written and poignant. I added to my audio library to listen. She talks about aging, and with such insight and reflection. I think Marisa would enjoy it but I'll listen first. Scottie seems a bit off due to Jen being absent. I am too. :-)

Gratitude: Being old enough to start contemplating aging.

Goal: Work hard on some key tasks : CCPA mainly.

Anticipation: Seeing The Lighthouse

Watched : Ken Burns Country Music

This ended up being a really pleasant day. The kids willingly agreed to my desire to go hike so after a quick crepe breakfast at Boulevard Coffee we made a run to Rancho San Antonio, walked to the farm and back, Tommy took photos w/his camera, and it was just a great time to spend with them. Returned to Matson, got Jen, dropped Lauren at Alissa's party at Buca De Beppo, grabbed lunch items at TJ's, returned to Matson. I watched "T-34" with Tommy at his request. It was probably a better film in the native Russian without the dubs. Then we all went to Saratoga and saw "Jo Jo Rabbit". It's a fantastic movie. A new favorite. i'm certain to see it again. It's really amazingly well done in every way. I wish I could create something like this. Grabbed In/Out dinner and returned home. I'm going to sleep early, around 10 right now, in the hopes of keeping on the sleep pattern that will best suit my current needs.

Gratitude: Lauren getting an interview to intern at Good Sam.

Goal: Stay focused on health right now. Critical time to do so.

Anticipation: A good sleep.

Watched: T-34 with Tommy, Jo Jo Rabbit with Tommy/Lauren/Jen.

Accomplishments: Meditation Mindfulness Parenting Cleanup

I was up at 1:59am last night, intentionally watching the time on my iPhone's wake screen jump from 1:59 to 1:00. I was screen recording it but the sleep timeout kicked in too soon and i missed it. I wanted to send it to Lauren because we just share numerical oddities for the fun of it.



I woke naturally at 6.24am, which was 1.5hrs later, biologically, than is routine. And I realized there was an opportunity at hand and decided to leverage it. I got up, calmly. I did a brief meditation, and proceeded to make some Chorizo egg-bites I'd been planning to make later in the day. I then got dressed and came to this starbucks to just take time to 'be' and write.



I hate getting up perceptively 'early' yet love the times I do, because the act of getting things done feels so rewarding at the end of the day.



I'll pickup the kids shortly. I'll take Lauren a Caramel Apple Spice and whatever Tommy wants. It's my intention today to make the most of the day with Tommy while Lauren goes to a birthday party. We're all going to see Jo Jo Rabbit tonight. I'm going to make an aggressive effort to be off tech, too. It's a beautiful day.