As you know, I spent last weekend in San Diego while my sister Lisa and I took care of arrangements for my aunt. While it was sad and stressful, I will say that it wasn’t all bad. Here are some of the good parts of the weekend.
When Alan and I spent the previous weekend in San Diego, we stayed at a hotel. I didn’t want to do that again, and I was husband-less this time, so I asked my son if I could stay and sleep on his couch. You know that that means!
Grandson Time!
I spent two nights, so I got to spend some quality time with Samuel. This was my second weekend visiting in a row, so he was really responding to my voice and face. He is smiling regularly now and seems like he’s almost ready to burst into laughter. Time goes fast, and children grow even faster I think. He’ll be eight weeks old by the time you read this!
#1 Giants fan. “What do you mean Barry Bonds won’t go to the Hall of Fame?”
Running
The previous weekend, when we were trying to get my aunt’s things moved into storage, I didn’t eat right, sleep well, or do any running at all. I was so stressed out and I’m sure that no exercise had a lot to do with it. I was determined not to let that happen again. I made sure to pack running gear for two days, plus I took a short run before I left for San Diego on Friday morning. My original plan was to run from my son’s house, but when I found out that my brother-in-law, Bill, would be in town, I made a running date with him. So early Saturday morning he picked me up and we drove to Mission Beach, where we met up with a friend of his for a run along the coast.
Bill and his friend, Miles, were both in the Marines, in Iraq together. They are both younger than I (Miles by about 20+years!). So I was happy that I was able to keep up with them on the run, even though I know that they slowed down considerably for me. We ran six miles, I averaged about nine minutes per mile, and I held on until the last mile when the boys started getting faster and faster. Still, I was pleased with the run. I feel like it gives me a starting point for what I can run right now when I push myself and I can incorporate that into my half marathon training plan (the one I have yet to create!).
Sunday, Bill picked me up again and we headed back to the same place. He wanted to run longer, but I decided to stick with six miles, that being the longest I’ve run for a while. After the first mile, Bill ran his own pace, as did I, falling back into sluggish recovery mode. I finished first, thank goodness, while Bill ran 11 miles at a pretty good pace and finished 30 minutes or so after I did. It was such a gorgeous day, I just enjoyed the beautiful weather while I waited.
I give you January in San Diego.
Food
Eating was something else I skimped on the previous weekend. Not this time. As I pulled into town (after a quick stop at Road Runner Sports), I decided to check out Evolution Fast Food, a vegan restaurant downtown. Their concept is a drive-thru burger joint that is 100% free of animal products! I have actually tried a few of the items that they send out to supermarkets like Whole Foods and Clark’s Nutrition Center, and I was looking forward to visiting the actual restaurant. Interestingly, when I plugged the address into my GPS, the directions it gave me were the same as if I was heading to my Aunt Lois’ apartment! Turns out, she lived only a mile away.
I ordered the South of the Border Burger, with their made-in-house bean patty. And fries, of course. It was very good. They have a little patio area in back if you choose to eat at the restaurant.
There is also a Whole Foods near Lois’ apartment, so I stocked up with some prepared food to bring with me to my son’s house. Oh, and a bottle of wine, too. Believe it or not, I didn’t take pictures of any of that.
Saturday night we all went out to dinner. My son, Nathan, and my daughter-in-law, Sarah, who both follow Paleo diets, me, the vegan, my brother-in-law, Bill, who ordered gluten-free, and my sister, Lisa, who just ate like a normal person. We chose to go to Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza, which has options for all of us. Sarah and I shared a vegan, vegetable pizza with a gluten-free crust. It was really very good.
On Sunday, after Lisa and I spent hours going through my aunt’s possessions, I realized as I started the two hour drive home that I had not eaten since breakfast (very unusual for me since I usually hit a sugar low long before I’m actually hungry). I decided to wait until I got to Temecula, where there is a little restaurant called the Earth Bistro that specializes in fresh, organic food, and has several vegan items on the menu. I was so hungry that my eyes were bigger than my stomach, and I order a hummus and flatbread platter for an appetizer, and a portobello burger for my entree. Both were excellent.
Yes, I was so hungry I couldn’t wait to take a picture.
Family
And finally, the best part of the weekend was the time I was able to spend with my family. I missed Alan of course, but to be with my sister and Bill, who live in Texas, was wonderful. Also it was fun to stay with Nathan and Sarah and I always treasure the time I spend with them.
Sorry for the picture quality, taken in a dark restaurant.
And of course, Samuel, who doesn’t have a restaurant photo because he slept the entire time we were there! But I’m sure I can dig up at least one other picture! 
.
Knowing that I would be gone for three days, I brought my “good” computer (as opposed to my slow-poke netbook), fully intending to get some writing done. I did not turn it on once. I don’t regret that at all (though it led to some serious catching up on Monday). The good part of the weekend was really, really good.
It’s hard to beat San Diego (or La Quinta) weather right now. How is the weather in your neck of the woods? What was the best thing that you ate last weekend (yes, I know it’s Thursday, but I’m sure you can remember)?
What beautiful photos of your grandson! Congrats!
Glad to see you were able to find some good parts of the weekend.
Thank you. Family really helps make things better.
Debbie recently posted..It Wasn’t All Bad: The Good Part of the Weekend
Very sweet grandson! Sorry to hear about the loss of your aunt. I do think it’s wonderful that you were able to find bright spots during this time. Looks like you truly enjoyed your weekend with family.
Kareen recently posted..Flu Fighting Foods!
Thank you. Isn’t he gorgeous? Spending time with my family really made the weekend much easier to bear.
Debbie recently posted..It Wasn’t All Bad: The Good Part of the Weekend
I’m so glad that despite the sad events of the weekend, that you got to spend some time with your granson and with family. And run at the beach. Sounds like you got some good runs in. Those beach pictures are making me a wee bit jealous right now!!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..5 Exercises to Strengthen Your Knee
It really was beautiful there. A little chilly (yes, I’m spoiled, it was probably in the 50s), but warmed up to the high 70s during the day. Amazing, even for San Diego in January.
Debbie recently posted..It Wasn’t All Bad: The Good Part of the Weekend
Looks like you were able to make it a good weekend with your family! You’re grandson is such a cutie pie and I love that your whole family has embraced healthy living through their diets! I wish mine would stop calling me weird and join the dark side. Haha. It is so cold in my neck of the woods, but the best part of my weekend was taking my little man skiing for the first time.
Sylvia @ Frolic Through Life recently posted..Simply Snackin
Thanks. We may all eat healthy, but still pretty differently. Holidays are interesting.
How fun to take your son skiing. Amazing experience.
Debbie recently posted..It Wasn’t All Bad: The Good Part of the Weekend
I’m glad you could find some high points amidst the sadness. Very sorry about your aunt.
Your grandson couldn’t be cuter!
misszippy recently posted..Pack rules
Thank you. Having family around is wonderful and helpful.
Debbie recently posted..It Wasn’t All Bad: The Good Part of the Weekend
Y Our grandson is a cutie times a million!
The weather here in the Central Valley has been okay up until yesterday. Now it’s cloudy & rainy.
Maureen recently posted..6 Week Challenge
Cloudy and rainy here today too. Not very cold though. Yet.
Debbie recently posted..It Wasn’t All Bad: The Good Part of the Weekend
Really happy to hear you got to spend time with your grandson and that in all of the sadness, there were happy moments too xo
Kierston recently posted..Tips: Keeping your mind RIGHT when it wants to go LEFT.
Thank you. It was nice to spend time with family (especially my grandson
).
Debbie recently posted..It Wasn’t All Bad: The Good Part of the Weekend
So nice to spend some time with family. Your grandson is such beautiful baby… don’t babies have gorgeous smooth soft skin?
Love running oceanside, too.
Elle recently posted..Eat Smart Precision Pro Kitchen Scale
Thank you. And they smell so good too. I take big deep breaths of him when I’m holding him
.
I do love running along the ocean, especially on days like we had last weekend.
Debbie recently posted..It Wasn’t All Bad: The Good Part of the Weekend
Little Samuel is way too cute for his own good!!!!! Awh! I’m so glad that you saw the beauty in the tough week you had! Xo
Thank you. He is adorable, isn’t he? It was so nice to be surrounded by family.
Debbie recently posted..It Wasn’t All Bad: The Good Part of the Weekend
Samuel is such a cutie! Glad there were bright spots among the sadness. Hugs!
Marcia recently posted..How Much is Too Much?
Thank you. Obviously Samuel takes after his grandmother
.
Debbie recently posted..It Wasn’t All Bad: The Good Part of the Weekend
WOnderful pictures
Sorry about your loss <3
Jen recently posted..Lost my motivation
Thank you.
Debbie recently posted..It Wasn’t All Bad: The Good Part of the Weekend
I am so glad you had fun on your weekend semi-chore adventure. And that guy you ran with is cute!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Does Coffee Make You Happy?
Ha! You’re the first one to look at the other men (besides baby Samuel) in my pictures. I’ve got to say I felt pretty cool running with two good looking marines (even if I could hardly catch my breath).
Debbie recently posted..It Wasn’t All Bad: The Good Part of the Weekend
Your grandson is absolutely precious!!!!
Glad you were able to glean some goodness out of your time in San Diego. Seeing the good!
Meredith @ Dare You To recently posted..Learn about Sugar and Setbacks: 21 DSD Reflection
Thank you. Obviously I agree
. It was really nice to be able to spend time with family. They make everything better.
Debbie recently posted..It Wasn’t All Bad: The Good Part of the Weekend
I do NOT like babies, so when I say this, I really mean it, that is one cute kid!!! I’m glad for you there was some happiness in the sadness!!
fizzgig recently posted..Recycling Dates…and Online Dating…
Ha! That means a lot. It was so good to spend time with all of my family (and especially Samuel
).
Debbie recently posted..It Wasn’t All Bad: The Good Part of the Weekend