WE VOTED
I finally dropped off our ballots for the California gubernatorial primary today at the drop-off box at the local library. My vote was not an easy decision, but after talking to a few people about it, doing some more research, and also texting with Julie (because I know she’s really involved in the political process and I was curious how she felt about the long list of candidates), I finally made a decision. Now I am curious which two candidates will make it to the general election in November.
HUMMINGBIRD FRIENDS
We have hummingbirds again! When I cleaned up our patio to put up my new hammock two weeks ago, I came across my hummingbird feeder. It had brought me so much joy in our old backyard behind the duplex, and I don’t know why I hadn’t hung it up yet.
Maybe because I thought that our new backyard situation is not quite as appealing to birds because we don’t have a lot of plants except for our neighbors’ bushes (and I haven’t seen many birds around, other than the mourning doves that build their nests under the window awnings). I still decided to get the hummingbird feeder cleaned and filled, and hung it up on the patio. For five days, I didn’t see a single hummingbird and was sadly considering that we might not get any in our yard. But then last weekend, when I was enjoying my hammock, I heard the familiar humming sound and caught a flutter out of the corner of my eye. And sure enough, we finally had our first hummingbird visit. I’ve seen a couple more since then, and I do hope they’ll spread the word to their hummingbird friends. It’s so fun to have them around!
NICOLE’s BOOK
I finished Nicole‘s book. I started it in March and then took an unintentional break from reading, which happens when I am just too preoccupied with other things. I mentioned before, I know a lot of people read to relax, I need to be relaxed to read sometimes. Long story short: I took all afternoon today and finally finished the book, and I really, really enjoyed it. [Nicole, you’re such a good writer!] I was particularly thrilled that my name (and my dad’s name, which is Peter!) popped up towards the end of the book (they were mentioned as “two regular yoga students” at the main character’s yoga studio). I am sure Nicole chose names randomly for her book, but it was fun to see my own name pop up.
A TRIAL RUN
Next week, I’ll be trying out a 5-day work week. As you might remember, I’ve been working a 4/10 schedule (10-hour days, Monday through Thursday) forever, and I have previously said that I would never, ever give up that schedule again, if I can help it. And I don’t think I (permanently) will because I don’t believe that it’s been causing me a lot of unnecessary stress. However, Jon suggested that I might want to try out if shorter workdays – and a little more time in the mornings and evenings during the summer months – might be a nice change of pace. I will admit that 10-hour days are pretty long if you factor in commute time, and there’s usually not much time for much else during my work week. Luckily, I have a “maxiflex schedule” (one of the last perks we have left), which means I can pretty much decide from week to week if I want to work standard 8-hour days or the longer 10-hour days. So, we’ll see how that goes.
20
Finally, Jon and I celebrated our 20th anniversary this week. I cannot wrap my head around this. 20 years is a long time. It feels like a long time, but it’s also like we „blinked“ and here we are, 20 years later. It’s quite surreal. But of course, it’s something to celebrate! Jon took me out for a fun (and delicious!) Sushi dinner, and I got us tickets for an MLB Red Sox game (we’re both Red Sox Fans). The Red Sox will play the Oakland Athletics here in Sacramento later this summer, and of course, we’ll have to take advantage! Since they’re an American League East Division team, we don’t get the opportunity to see them play very often.
J
May 30, 2026 at 8:35 amHappy Anniversary! Your celebration sounds perfect.
I’ll be interested to know how the 5 day work week works out for you. I would have trouble giving up my Fridays off, but honestly I don’t work 10 hour days. I work 4 8s, which is ideal. I think getting off work at 5 is going to be really nice for you. And also, it’s great that you can switch back and forth if you want. So you COULD work 4 9s, and then a half day on Friday or something if you so choose.
Your ballots are pink! Ours were white. I’m curious who you ended up voting for. Did you go for strategy? I vote Porter because that’s who I wanted, even though I know she’s low in the polls and will not win.
Yay hummingbirds! I love our hummingbird feeder. It’s right outside my kitchen window, so I see them buzzing about all the time. They are SO territorial and mean! Kind of assholes, really, because there is plenty of sugar water for them to share.
I really enjoyed Nicole’s book too. <3
San
May 31, 2026 at 8:29 pmThank you Julie. We really had a nice celebration.
Oh, four 8-hour days would be ideal! I’d totally go for that .Is that still considered fulltime in your line of work? I’d take a paycut, if I did that… but I am really thankful I have this flexibilitly left (if not my home office anymore).
Yes, our ballots are pink LOL (I thought the same when I saw your pictures of the ballots – why are they different in different counties?) I ended up voting Becerra. Yes, he was my second choice and maybe I should have voted for Porter, but I wanted to make sure at least one Democrat makes it to the midterms.
J
May 31, 2026 at 8:55 pmWell, here’s what I will say on your blog and not mine, in case anyone ever found it. I technically work four 10 hour days, but we never have enough work to go past 8 hours. When the benefit first started, it was a 32 hour work week, and we got paid for 40. They changed it after a year or something like that, but they never made a big deal about it, so as long as we get our work done it’s OK. I can’t be very proactive about my work. I edit documents and prepare them to go to clients, and they come in and get sent out on the same day. So some days we are busy, and some days not busy, but it is rare for us to have anything to do past 4:00. Occasionally they get their money’s worth out of us, meaning we put in the full 10 hours, but it’s rare. But if you were to talk to my boss, he would say, “Oh Julie? She works four 10s.” This inconsistency of ‘busyness’ is one reason I am VERY happy to work from home. Sometimes I bring my laptop downstairs and start dinner, and just watch in case something comes in.
coco
May 31, 2026 at 12:44 amhappy anniversary. 20 years could feel long or short depending with who. :)
I love 4 work days week in office. having extra day at home is one of the biggest perk working these days. the flexibility is the best.
San
May 31, 2026 at 8:26 pmHaha, 20 years can feel long or short, depending with who! That made me laugh, because it’s true! I am so happy to hear you can also work a 4-day work week! It’s a real perk!
Tobia | craftaliciousme
May 31, 2026 at 12:01 pmHappiest of anniversary. 20 is such a huge number. I mean married for 20 years. Imagine that. We have a ways to go to get there but we’ve been together 21 one so I have a slight feeling of how it might be.
Anyways it is a huge thing to celebrate.
And yeah for hummingbirds.
San
May 31, 2026 at 8:22 pmThank you Tobia. I cannot wrap my mind around 20 years… I am not that old LOL but you and E have been together for so long, so you know how that feels!
NGS
May 31, 2026 at 12:51 pmTWENTY YEARS! Next year your marriage will be able to drink. Happy, happy anniversary!
San
May 31, 2026 at 8:22 pmHaha, you’re right! Thanks Engie ;)
SHU
May 31, 2026 at 4:27 pmhappy 20th San! OMG did we get married the same day!? we were 5/27/06!!! (it was a very hot day in Durham NC where we got married — outside, haha!)
San
May 31, 2026 at 8:21 pmNo way! I didn’t realize that we got married on the same day! Yes, our wedding also was on 5/27/06! Huge congratulations to you and Josh as well :)
Tanja Jordan
June 2, 2026 at 6:59 amHappy (belated) anniversary (again) to two of my fav people.
BTW – our ballots where yellow!
Lisa's Yarns
June 2, 2026 at 7:27 amHappy Anniversary! We have a May anniversary, too, and celebrated 9 years on 5/19. The time has flown but also a lot has happened in 9 years so I’d say they were the longest, shortest years.
I hope the 5 days work schedule works well for you. It is nice that you can flex back and forth!
Kel me about it
June 5, 2026 at 3:57 amHappy anniversary!!
I’ve done the 10 hour days 4 day weeks before, and my goodness that extra day felt like such a treat. Part of me just daydreamed about doing it again, but not sure my boss would be down for that. We’ll see, never say never, maybe when I’m not so tied to certain deadlines that would be hard without being there 5 days a week.
I have definitely been working harder at having quality time mornings and afternoons though, so you might find that you’ve suddenly got so much extra time on your hands!
Anthea
June 5, 2026 at 5:05 amGlad you had a lovely anniversary – I know what you mean when you say you blink and the years fly by. Mark and I are 20 years at the end of this year and it feels like we got married the other day.
Good luck with the changes to your work days – hope you find what out what suits you best.
Stephany
June 6, 2026 at 4:54 amHappy anniversary! Twenty years is such an incredible milestone. <3
Keep us posted on how it goes with working 5 days again. Having a 3-day weekend is such a great perk, but it does make for looooong days in the office.