Author: Elizabeth Fox-Short

OCD traveling habits

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This is a classic example of my OCD on a trip.

Rule one:  Gotta unpack ASAP. No matter how many nights you are staying.  Hide the suitcases.

Rule two:  If there are cupboards and drawers….put everything away to look like you live there (or like a decorator lives there).

Rule three: Try not to forget anything when you pack up in a day or even a week. We left kindles in a drawer and wasted 60 min to retrieve them on last major trip….Robert gets mad that i unpack everyone and no one can find their stuff!

The attached picture shows everything displayed out on counter.  Cool, actually, since the kids can see what i brought and play/use them…..BUT, a voice inside me is SCREAMING…..PUT IT AWAY, PUT IT AWAY!  RIDICULOUS!!!  Relax, enjoy, have a cocktail!  oh wait, it’s only 9 am…gotta wait!

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Palm Desert for Thanksgiving!

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Travel is a huge part of my life…..the kitchen is still under remodel and Robert/Michael heading to Idaho for turkey day. So, what’s a sad mom to do?  Pack up and head out to some sunshine and vacay!  The Hickey family is joining us…ROADTRIP!!!!!  I am not usually one to drive but here we are.. 7+ hours isn’t too bad.  An easy trip with 5 boys aged 12 and under.  Arrived to almost 80 degrees and let the turkey celebration begin!

 

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Carry that taser!

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Came home to door open, small dog outside in the dark and realization that i hadn’t set the alarm.  What to do?  Game face for the boys…..grabbed the taser in one hand and panic button on alarm fob in the other…..Systematic walk thru of house….turned up nothing.  Odd for door to be open as no wind but hey…a good reminder to ARM the HOUSE and check locks!  Probably a contractor left it unlocked or maybe ajar.  Buy a taser….buy 2 if you can….one for the car and one for your purse.  Ideally, you would get the kind that doesn’t require direct contact like mine….a reminder to myself to buy a new one.  They are loud and scary and i feel much safer carrying one if alone with boys.  Alarm system, FIRST ALARM in Aptos, was the best investment we made.  More on that in another post!

 

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Cafe Sparrow in Aptos

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We are going thru a kitchen remodel so taking the opportunity to eat some dinners out!  Tonight was Cafe Sparrow in Aptos.  This was my “appetizer” turned into main course.  Spectacular presentation and very yummy.  Scallops, perfect polenta triangles, butternut squash, chopped warmed beets and al dente green beans.  Delicious!  Always great service here….love the specials on white boards displayed on a chair for each table…great eve out….even with kids.

Blog….Blog….Blog

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Kids are in school.  I am supposed to be folding laundry, cleaning up clutter, doing dishes, preparing a sensational dinner and have hair/makeup/clothes looking reasonably  fashionable……what am i actually doing?  Learning about setting up blog sites….googling WTF a menu vs category vs post vs page…..it’s endless.  That’s the easy stuff too!  Let’s not even explore widgets or plugins.  I am the most non-tech savvy person this side of silicon valley.  But, this is on my bucket list and i am going to press on!  If you see this then i learned something today!