Happy Fourth!

So last night Lisa and Courtney invited me to spend the 4th <today> with them at the Elam casa in Newport Beach. I accepted the invite. I think the last time I was at the Elam's house was Christmas 2018... so it's been a while. It turned out fine then though not without its awkward moments since Lisa and I had just separated months before. And then of course last year on the 4th was actually the last time I remember having a full-on fight with Lisa on their way to Balwan and Sharon's. I was supposed to go too but bugged out because of the fight. Ended up watching a movie actually. And so it was not a quick acceptance on my part. But I also realize this is an opportunity to work on my thoughts and emotions and sort of undo the negative echo of last year. So I did agree to go. And we started this morning with breakfast at Lisa's. And then since Lisa actually scheduled a piano class with Vatche this morning, that means Johnnie and I get to bug out and hang out at my apartment before coming back, meeting up and then heading down to Newport Beach. And this morning he and I actually had to take a shower. He didn't shower last night and neither did I. And so dad and son got cleaned up just as soon as we bugged out at Lisa's and then we dressed up in our July 4 attire for Newport Beach. We managed to have lunch at my house too and so when we got to Lisa's we were actually ready to drive down. It was not even 1 PM at the time. We had talked about possibly Johnnie and I driving down early... but candidly, I needed a nap because of staying up late watching Jessica Jones last night. And Lisa was actually working with her contractor who had come over to do specs for a wait-for-it... outdoor shower. W-h-a-t? I have nothing to say about that one. This from a person who bugs about not having enough money always. Anyway I did go on to take a nice half hour nap. And then when I woke up, i went out to find Lisa taking a nap too. Oh well. So much for leaving for Newport Beach early. As it was we had a little snack first, Lisa making us quesadillas. We were well aware of the Elam's MO of not actually getting to eat dinner until late. Tonight, possibly not until 8PM or later because they do everything from scratch and it takes hours to prepare dinner.  And so the snack hit the spot too. And by the time we left it was actually 3:30 PM already. Still, there was absolutely no traffic on the road. So much so Lisa was flying down the freeway and nearly left me a couple of times. And we got there in less than an hour. It was nice to see Diana and Courtney and they were so eager to see us <actually Lisa and Johnnie and that is perfectly ok> that they met us outside just as soon as we drove up. I downed a beer just as soon as I got there.  And then we caught up, we talked and talked and for me it was like I didn't miss any time with them.  It was all nice and natural and I felt very much welcomed. I always do.  As for Johnnie, look at the pic of him playing with Diana. He was so engaged. Part or me wished it was Lisa's mom Vicky or my mom playing with him but then again this was just as good.  Made me feel good just watching. And you know Johnnie when he starts taking to someone he latches on to them. As far as dinner, we did eat late but at least it was 7 PM and so it was a decent time. Bud was not a raging MAGA-wearing Trump defending blowhard and so when our conversations turned political, it really wasn't too bad. You just know not to engage these Trump supporters anyway. No way you can convince them of your beliefs. We had ribs and corn and salad for dinner. And so we had a perfectly good 4th of July get-together. I took off for home right around 9:30 PM citing an early tee time for golf tomorrow, which was actually the truth.  By then fireworks could be heard outside. And so they took off to watch them too. No fireworks displays mind you, just people blowing them off. And actually, on the drive home, fireworks were bursting EVERYWHERE. And I do mean everywhere. I don't think there was a city from Newport Beach to the Westside where I didn't see fireworks. Yep there may be no official displays anywhere but people are sure lighting it up anyway aren't they. Some cities there might have just as well been fireworks displays with how much fireworks were lighting up the sky. The beach cities, the area around LAX, even near home in Culver City fireworks were going off everywhere. For me I went home and did aerobics. Yep, aerobics. I was not even at 3000 steps when I left the OC. And I was determined to at least get to 10,000 for tonight. I not only got there, I got to 11,000 too and well before 11 PM. I wound down by watching Warrior Nun, the new series on Netflix. Unfortunately damn series caught my attention and I couldn't turn it off to go to bed early like I planned. I looked up and it was already well past 2 AM. Yikes! I've got a golf game tomorrow!!! But I also went to sleep knowing that I had a nice 4th of July and I think I did erase the negative memories of last year.  All good now.