Song of the Day

Q&A a Day: What song is stuck in your head? Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head by BJ Thomas.

I wasn’t singing this prior to the question, but it was the first to pop up, probably due to the on and off sprinkling of rain today that is also expected tomorrow (along with an updated x-ray on the progress of my toe). I woke up to gray skies, had a productive morning and a positive afternoon (first day back to work in school — my classes don’t start till the 29th), and then walked across the street to get corn tortillas so Caleb can make tacos while I read about a new book coming out, The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris.

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Lucky Day

Q&A a Day: You are lucky; how so or not so? I am: happy, healing, hired, helpful, and humorous. I have good habits, a great husband, and a home near the beach.

Caleb’s dad recommended we go to a Russian grocery in San Diego, so I used Google and found a few markets to shop at: Balboa International, Harvest International, and Baron’s (where we found bread and oil/vinegar samples — bought two bottles). After all these stores, we went to Whole Foods to spend my $10 gift card, get more samples, and then forget to use it; but we did get a free six-pack carry bag for all our carbonated beverages (all the flavors Living Tea Brewing Co. doesn’t carry).
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porcelain carving

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Today Was…

Q&A a Day: Today was tough because… it wasn’t.

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Percy the penguin

I put two tennis shoes on this morning (12 weeks + 1 day since I broke my big toe). I enjoyed some time in the sauna, waited for my stationary bike buddy at the gym (but he’s not feeling well), and then increased my headstand time. I bought a new protein powder (trying to get something healthy for me and the planet and all) and made a smoothie the other day and thought I messed it up with radishes, but it turns out that their mocha flavor is not tasty and I had to mix it this morning with a different brand of cookies and cream.

We were going to leave the gym for hiking, which is why I brought the shake, but forgot about the car appointment at noon. We were able to take showers and me make some toast (addicted to goat cheese with fig at the moment) before dropping the Tribute off early and getting a newer (but base model) Mazda 3 until it can be looked at mid next week. We had to take it to Hine Mazda because we took it to Westcott Mazda and they didn’t even bother with the 24 point inspection for $130 like they said they would do, but wanted to charge us $450 to replace a part.

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new ink

We paid them nothing, but Caleb followed their advice with no luck (again and again), so we will be trying this dealership in hopes that they can figure it out (or we’ll be down to one vehicle for a while). I told Caleb I was hungry (again) and we then drove 33 miles to Sewing Machines Plus to have Felix look at the Singer that my mom gave me. Caleb showed Felix what was wrong and Felix appreciated that Caleb had taken the whole thing apart so the new guy could practice putting it all back together.

We’re keeping this one for its sentimentality, quality, and ease of fixing; but I just sent our Brother machine, along with some of my mom’s cake pans, and other things to Goodwill. I’m usually good at getting rid of things when their time is due, but I’ve got plenty more to work on (like the pots my mom gifted us ten years ago — one is missing a handle, but we haven’t yet bought the replacement).

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free sticker

We went to lunch at Wingstop, just down the street from Fatkid Tatt2 where Caleb has been waiting to visit with Travis (the artist who did his engineering plant about 4.5 years ago). We went in to drop off a drawing, but Caleb had his Singaporean New Years Eve Henna Owl ready to go, so they got that ready while I went next door for three more books (for a total of 23 books in three days). I will take a break now so the next earthquake doesn’t disturb my Jenga-like pile of reading material.

I usually take more pictures during Caleb’s tattoos, but this was a quick one and the conversation was entertaining (parlor appropriate, not for sharing). He paid Travis for this one and pre-paid for next Saturday, we got some free stickers, and then went next door to pay for my books. We walked the 0.3 miles back to the car and then drove to Lake Wohlford for a walk of twice the distance (it being my first day in real shoes again).

would you own it?

I had three bars on the gas gauge (somewhere at an 8th of a tank), so we had left our car at the sewing place and taken the rental. We went back for our car and I pulled over eight miles from home (with four miles in the tank) to put $20 in and fill it half up — enough to make it home and to cheaper gas in the morning.

How was your day?

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Restaurant Review

Q&A a Day: What was the last restaurant you went to? Wing Stop, Jan. 2, for garlic, Cajun, and mango-habanero boneless wings.

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Los Dos Toritos, Dec. 31, for a veggie burrito, The Mad Greek Cafe, for spanakopita and a strawberry milkshake.

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Einstein Bros. Bagels, Dec. 26, for a veggies with egg on pumpernickel bagel.

Kanpai, Dec. 23, to introduce a friend to Japanese ramen, spicy.

The Big Kitchen, Dec. 21, for biscuits and rosemary gravy before work.

Burger Lounge, Dec 3, for a veggie burger and onion/fries to split with a salad.

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Big Kahuna Burger, Nov. 29, for a volcano-style veggie patty on lettuce – add pineapple.

Blueberry Hill, Nov. 25, with friends, for eggs Benedict and biscuits & gravy to share.

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Erick Schat’s Bakkery, Nov. 16, (and O Happy Bread, Dec. 31, if we’re counting bakeries and Panera Bread, Dec. 9, for a piece of French bread… and the loaf).

Pizza Port, Nov. 14, in Ocean Beach to cure Caleb’s craving.

Big Kahuna Burger, Nov. 7, for a volcano-style veggie patty on lettuce – add pineapple.

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Captain Kirk’s Coffee, Oct. 26, with co-worker/supervisor for açaí bowl lunch.

Papa John’s, Oct. 19, for Mediterranean or Garden Veggie pizza.

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Cilantro Mexican Grille, Oct. 15, for one big ass burrito.

Siam Imperial Thai and John’s Incredible Pizza, Oct. 1, to try a new place near the house and to accompany our friends to buffet and games (to win kid prizes).

Tender Greens, Sept. 11, for a box of salad and a cookie to share

Taco truck (technically not a restaurant) outside of Chula Vista Brewery, Sept. 5, for some pre-CPR class tacos.

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BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, Aug. 31, for Brussels sprouts and other stuff

TJ Oyster Bar, Aug. 24, to meet a friend for tacos.

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I didn’t plan on going this far back, but it’s neat to see the trends; this is a semester of school. We cook most dinners and pack the leftovers for lunch and Caleb makes breakfast on the weekends. Most often, when we eat out of our house it’s because we are eating next door (especially me when Caleb is gone).

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A Fine Fourth (of January)

Q&A a Day: The best part of today? Books! and other gifts.

I went to the gym this morning and then found out my orthopedic appointment for this afternoon had been delayed for three weeks. I called the doctor and was able to schedule an x-ray for next week so I can hopefully move into regular shoes, even though I’m just now able to wiggle my toes and bend my big toe a small percentage.

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reviews coming soon

I swept the driveway and sidewalk of leaves and then showered when Caleb got home so I would be clean for his blood donation. He got a free shirt and snacks while I went to the bookstore in the same parking lot and only picked up half the books that I wanted and will read this year. I wanted to choose things out of my normal preference, but there was such a large non-fiction section, cook books from so many countries, and other books with comedic value. Caleb found a book too.

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so cute… and biodegradable

Caleb subscribed us to Mighty Nest, a monthly box delivery of healthy products to green the home and school (15% off). Our first package was 3-pack wool dryer balls and this month was two Swedish dishcloths. In this spirit, we tried Mantry, a bi-monthly subscription box that arrived this afternoon with cookies and chocolate (not the type of man Caleb is), but I sure like it — and it’s manly to give your wife nice things.

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