July 10, 2024, Wednesday evening, 7:48pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Victorville,California,USA. Woke up and worked out in the clothes I bought yesterday. It was alright, but not spectacular. Better than not going. The last two mornings I really have been dragging and I don’t know why. I don’t feel sick but I definitely don’t feel great. I drove to the office and had my coaching session at 9 then did some chart audits before attending meetings in the afternoon. I didn’t leave the office until almost six pm. Got Panera from door dash then ate candy and watched family feud. A friend invited me to go to Europe with her in November. I told her that was a little too ambitious for me at the moment though it did sound like fun. Perhaps, someday I will go.

July 9, 2024, Tuesday night, 7:06pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Victorville, California,USA. Woke up this morning to work out and realized I forgot to pack my gym clothes. I wasn’t feeling very well so I just went back to bed and slept until 7:30am. After that I spent the day in the office then found a sporting goods store nearby to get shoes, socks and shorts. I spent a hundred dollars just because I couldn’t stand the thought of missing one more workout. That is alright, it could have been more expensive and I needed another pair of shorts and shoes anyway.

July 8, 2024, Monday evening, 6:47pm, pacific standard time, Hilton Garden Inn, Victorville,California,USA. Drove up to Victorville today to deal with a HR issue. I will stay through tomorrow and go back on Wednesday. My daughter’s mom’s mom is still having issues and the family is working through options which at this point consist of in-home care or a move to assisted living. Neither are ideal, but most likely necessary. On a side note I am staying in the same hotel room I stayed in on my birthday back in February. I have fond memories of my friend coming to visit me that day. We fell out of touch a short time later and haven’t reconnected. I know it is best we stay apart but on many levels I still miss her.

July 7, 2024, Sunday night, 8:06pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point,California,USA. Got back from Lompoc just before noon today. I helped unpack the car then headed on to Dana Point. I spent the afternoon at home, doing laundry and chatting with friends. My daughter’s mom’s mom is having issues with her health and there are questions about long term care. I am trying to offer advice and be objective. Some tough decisions with significant financial ramifications lie ahead. I see this all the time with patients and their families at work but, it is different when it hits this close to home.

July 6, 2024, Saturday night, 9:34pm, pacific standard time, daughter’s grandma’s house in Lompoc, California,USA. Walked the dog early this morning then drove to south side coffee for a large drink and a side of whipped cream. After coming home for a little bit the dog and visited La Purisma mission. I planned a leisurely stroll but inadvertently took a longer hike thsn anticipated. By the time we got home we both were exhausted. However, my daughter woke up so we got back in the car to grab lunch and to Solvang and back. A little later my daughter and I returned to the mission and walked around. We bought a book at the gift shop and turned the time into a ghost hunt. This evening we drove and got Little Caesars pizza, watched Expedition unknown and the played a game called Rummicub. It was a full and fun day.

July 5, 2024, Friday night, 7:27pm, pacific standard time, daughter’s grandma’s house, Lompoc, California, USA. Woke up at 3:30am this morning. Went for a walk, then stopped by the gym for a quick workout. After packing a bag I headed to Aliso Viejo and met up with my daughter and her mom for the drive to Lompoc. When we got here we all took a nap then went to Applebees for dinner. Afterwards, we shopped at Walmart. They always have unique one off candies and treats at the Lompoc Walmart. We got some healthy starburst candy and plant based Reese’s peanut butter cups. We also got Star Wars themed Oreos. Now we are sitting around talking.

July 4, 2024, Thursday night, 10:16pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point,California,USA. Good day today. Went and worked out then drove to Brea and met a friend for a hike/walk at round Carbon Canyon regional park. Family and friends came to Dana Point this afternoon to celebrate the holiday. It was disappointing at first. San Juan Capistrano didn’t have the carnival like they did in the past. We regrouped and still had fun talking and eating. Around eight we headed to Doheny Beach to watch the the city’s fireworks show. I took the dog with me at first but it became clear there was too much stimuli. So I walked her back to the apartment to stay with my daughters mom before rejoining my daughter and our friends at the beach. They all finally left around ten. Tomorrow my daughter, her mom, the dog and I will head to Lompoc to see my daughters grandma.

July 3, 2024, Wednesday night, 7:55pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California,USA. Worked out at planet fitness this morning then finished up tasks at my job. I am taking the holiday off tomorrow and then traveling with my daughter and her mom to Lompoc on Friday. I look forward to getting out of town and driving north. Before Covid we used to go that way regularly. Now it is only the third time in four years for me. There is a coffee shop I want to go to and I want to see the La Purisma mission again.

July 2, 2024, Tuesday night, 6:24pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. The last couple of weeks have been interesting. My daughter is more independent. She is not purposefully staying away from me. , but we don’t connect as often as we used to. I guess it was inevitable. She has a boyfriend now. She is talking with her friends more. She doesn’t have a need for a close relationship with me like she used to. I know she loves me and appreciates me. But, it feels weird to be slightly disconnected from her life. This is all part of growing up, I suppose. For her and for me.

July 1, 2024, Monday night, 7:49pm, pacific standard time, Home2Suites, Carlsbad, California, USA. Worked out this morning then did the morning kick off call at 8:30am. After that I packed up and drove to Irvine then backtracked to Aliso Viejo. Took the dog for a potty break then headed to the San Diego office to meet with the new Vista Director. Now I am staying the night in Carlsbad before heading home tomorrow.