Intuitive Value: San Diego Vacation

Introduction

Introduction: Mapping Out a Plan for the Rest of My Life and Enjoying the Journey

My Golden Years are an extension of the life I have lived up to retirement which began on December 1, 2011. I have organized this blog to include the top ten relevant topics shown below in the right side column in General Topics. Just click on one and you will see all that I have written on that topic. Click on the Most Current tab for chronological order of all entries.

I have addressed each topic in no particular order other than what is currently on my mind on the day I am posting. I started each topic by describing where I was when I began this blog and then exploring the possibilities of progression and any goals that I would like to meet. After that, I write about the path to reach that goal as it happens. Sometimes I just write about what is happening now.

I welcome any comments and questions either on this blog or email as I travel these paths and hope to share my growth with interested persons who may find some common elements in their own path to the rest of their life. I hope to use my skills as an appraiser for nearly 30 years to continue to observe different perspectives on a subject and reconcile into a conclusion that is of value to me. Please join me whenever you like. Email notice of new posts is no longer available so just bookmark the address.

The Blog Archive tool is helpful to find posts by year. Of most importance to me is the confidence developed in my intuitive skills over the years and it is that part of my character I am trusting to define value in my life. I believe change can be good and I can be enriched by believing in my true self using my intuition. The analytical part of my life no longer has a financial grip and I can let go of what absolutely made sense at the time in favor of what feels right now. I have done a lot of work since this blog began in 2011 and I hope you will join me as I explore this approach in My Golden Years.

Saturday, July 23, 2016

San Diego Vacation - Family Time

Succulent Lady at Fiesta De Reyes

I had arrived in San Diego on a Sunday and spent the day with my son who I was staying with for the next two weeks. It was great that we had all the next day together also as it was the Fourth of July holiday and he was off work. Mornings and evenings were a special time as were were relaxed and enjoying each other's company at a leisurely pace.

By Thursday evening, we were prepared for family time as relatives on our side were flying here from Virginia, South Carolina, Iowa, Nebraska, and California for my niece's Destination Wedding located near my son's place about 15 minutes away in Old Town San Diego. Several of us met for dinner at Fiesta De Reyes. What a memorable place! There was the outdoor restaurant with wonderful Mexican food and drinks, entertainment with a Mariachi Band, and many shops that surrounded the Spanish Colonial Plaza for an experience that was nothing like I've ever had before! I had never seen such a variety of cactus and succulent plants! It really made me feel like I was in Southern California. Of course, we looked at many of the shops and my favorite was Nibble Chocolate, an organic and handcrafted dark chocolate factory with beans from four counties - Brazil, Dominican Republic, Madagascar, and Peru. I just ate the last of what I bought while I'm writing this. Amazing!

First Family Dinner together with my son's in-laws Gary(left) & Esther (left; dark hair), my brother John (right) & Corinne (left; blond hair) along with their daughter, Kristen (right) who is the bride-to-be, and of course, my son and me (center).

We were entertained by this Mariachi Band while we waited for everyone to arrive and until our table was ready. It was a good time to just relax and take in the atmosphere and good company. Thanks to my niece for finding such a great place to get together! It was just the beginning of a well-thought out and planned wedding experience we all will never forget. By the end of the weekend, I can obviously see why San Diego is a great place for anyone's Destination Wedding!

Late Thursday night other family members arrived and got settled at the motel where the wedding was to take place on Saturday. I was so happy that my other niece and half-sister to the bride, Amanda and her husband, Vince could make it and brought their newest baby, John, who was only 10 weeks old. Babies are always a joy at weddings.

My niece Amanda and Vince with Baby John who had some beach time nearby on Friday.

My older brother, Ed, holding Baby John at the motel.

My middle brother, John, who is the father of the bride and grandfather to Baby John. Ed's daughter, Tina is on the right.

I met with my older brother, Ed, and his daughter, Tina, on Friday afternoon after my mani-pedi appointment that morning at the Style Lounge Salon in the Gaslamp Quarter. They found their way to my son's place and we walked the route I had been doing most days to Seaport Village and the Gaslamp Quarter. It was a good time but I was exhausted!

The Wedding Party had their events on Friday which included the groom's family. My niece and her family had some beach time. My brother Ed and Tina found a seafood restaurant they were looking for in the Gaslamp Quarter and I waited for my son to come home from work and we both relaxed that evening at home. Saturday was going to be a long day and we started out with a grand breakfast again at The Mission nearby. By mid-afternoon we were dressed up and ready to attend the wedding in Old Town San Diego and the reception at Stone Brewing in Escondido.