Almost everyday in December Amazon has alerted us of "coastal flooding" with specific time frames. I took me a while to realize that is because of these giant waves - up to 40 feet during high tide. We went to watch them at our usual walking spot, while keeping a safe distance. They were definitely breaking over the wall!
This Christmas I've had the goal to use up what we have before buying more. It's gone pretty well and be very satisfying. It's also kind of comical, because I don't even know where some of things came from - but I've loved using them:
1. gift wrap - yup, I can't believe the organizational abilities I've had with the gift wrapping! For a couple of years now I've had these cute tags (don't know where they came from) and finally used them. They look perfect on the brown wrapping paper I bought from Hobby Lobby. I've gone for a "no bow or ribbon" policy this year but instead, like the song says: "Brown paper packages tied up with string", and I used the last of the foam stickers from years past to sit on top. These brown packages are to be opened on December 31st, when we have our family get together, and they represent our partner "country of the month" gifts. Therefore, it made sense to wrap the Christmas Day gifts (for me, Reggie, Samantha & Luke) in paper from last year. And finally, we have a few birthdays coming up in January & February, so I wrapped those presents in the "Mugs & Hot Chocolate" paper from last year. All of these different papers have co-existed nicely under our tree!
4. Christmas Cards - I bought a pack, sent them out, and then before getting more I remembered that my Mom had a pack of beautiful ones she never used. I found them and used them up.
4. Craft supplies - last year the grandkids made pinecone Christmas trees. This year I still had enough supplies to have the Primary children make some, spur of the moment.
We've had fun seeing several kinds of Christmas trees in the last few days:
At Temple Hill in Oakland
Our Temple site in Oakland is referred to as "Temple Hill". It has a beautiful visitor's center and an auditorium for plays, shows, etc. We headed up there Saturday night. First stop was Round Table Pizza for dinner, which is very close by. Then we walked around - the visitor's center, the temple grounds which includes the top of the temple. I snapped this picture before the sun had set.
As I said, I took that day off to be with my family. But I got a few texts that made me feel so good.
1. The first one said that one of our students brought me some homemade cookies, but since I wasn't there they went to the other aide who had worked with him years ago. This boy and I have had some good times. He has a one-on-on-one aide, but when that aide can't be there I become his substitute, and we fluctuate from the general ed class and my RSP room so I can still help other children. This boy equates me with math, which is his favorite subject. One day recently, as I was headed towards the exit to take my lunch, he came and grabbed my hand and said "let's do math". I hated to break it to him that we couldn't right then, as it was his lunch time too. I guess he forgave me and still made me cookies. We've also had some fun playing volleyball, where I taught him to serve and he just laughed and laughed. So even though I didn't get to receive the cookies, the teacher sent me a picture which I treasure.
2. I got a text from a teacher letting me know that some of the staff were going to Target the next day to buy some gifts for the children whose family was involved in the domestic violence - an effort to bring them some "Christmas cheer". They asked if I wanted to contribute, by way of Venmo, and I was honored to do so. Saturday afternoon I got a text with a picture of all they had bought - some fun items, some gift cards, and some items to bring comfort. They said the grandparents were so appreciative. I was so happy to hear that they are with family, and it was mentioned that their mother is recovering. After that my phone was going off with responses to the text - I think there were at least 25 staff members that contributed and were grateful to be able to help. It just reminded me that there are good things happening in this world.
Who knew there was a miniature golf course at Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco? Well, Samantha did! She suggested it as a fun weekend activity. Since she, Reggie & Luke were all off today I had already decided to take the day off too. (It was also good for me to get my mind off of school.) I also planned it to be a "family-flu-shot-day", but we didn't fit that in after all.
It was a fun round of golf through mini versions of SF landmarks.
Afterwards we ate ice cream at Ghirardelli. I think I have only been there once before. It was good. I got the sundae, and was pleasantly surprised at the amount of hot fudge included. (Even though I took some lactose-intolerance pills, my stomach was still angry with me, so live and learn.) The store was so Christmas-pretty. I am now ready to get a bag of their chocolates, but will wait till I am at Costco or Target.
I never realized that Ghirardelli Square is a multi-leveled, brick - well, square. I really enjoyed walking around. It was a beautiful, and pretty empty day walking all along the Embarcadero, Maritime National Historical Park, Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39.
