Friday, December 17, 2021

Snapshot Fall 2021


 

Favorite New Product:  Pura D'Or Apple Cider Vinegar Thin2Thick Clarifying & Detoxing Shampoo & Conditioner I switched to this in January for my scalp health since it has been getting drier as I get older. When I had my hair cut months later, the stylist asked, "What have you been DOING with your hair? It looks amazing!"  My scalp is healthier, I go longer between hair cuts and I have more good hair days (and y'all, I have curly hair....sometimes it has a mind of its own).  As a side note, I have a wheat allergy and this year is the first time it occurred to me that the wheat additives in shampoo/conditioner could impact me topically.  




Life Hack: The Pomodoro Technique is a method of time blocking where you focus on one task for 25-30 minutes, then break for 2-5 minutes. I can set my time tracking app Toggl to do it automatically through the mobile app (but not the web interface). 



Last Book I Finished: Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker (This link is to his Ted Talk)

Walker presents a compelling case for sleep as a the misunderstood aspect of our health, both physical and mental. With lots of data, he manages to make sleep studies and effects interesting. He covers most aspects of human health and how sleep is crucial to health in all areas. Most Americans are shortening their lives from disease or accident by getting too little sleep. I particularly enjoyed the sections on Alzheimer’s, hormones, cancer and aging.

This is a dense book and it took me awhile to get through it. (I checked in out of my library twice before buying it on Audible.) But I am glad I read it and it has made me prioritize sleep more.

Life Project: Still working on my Master's of Education in Instructional Design at Western Governor's University. I love the flexibility of working at my own pace and demonstrating my competence in an area to move on. I have finished about 2 classes a month of a 13 class program and am half way through my program! 

What we are eating today: Cauliflower Corn Chowder  I make it with GF flour and roast the cauliflower ahead. Yum. 
 
Related Links:
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Monday, November 29, 2021

Santa Barbara Holiday Events 2021

Kerrwood Hall Courtesy Westmont College

Santa Barbara Holiday Events

**This is a strange season of more normal, but not-quite-normal. I am posting this knowing some things will not be happening this year and knowing every family has to choose what feels safe and wise to them. Be well, Goleta (and Santa Barbara) parents. **

Other ideas about the Christmas season with kids are in the original 2015 post.

Ongoing:
Letters to Santa Station at Paseo Nuevo 11/26-12/24 10/11am-7/8pm 
Visits with Santa at Paseo Nuevo included with a photo package $10 and up 11/26-12/24 Hours increase as the month goes on, check website.

Visits with Santa at La Cumbre Plaza from 12/2 until 12/24 (Weekdays 2-7pm 10 or 11am - 7 or 8pm check websites for specifics) Visits are free, Photo package.
*Sensory Friendly Photos December 5th. 

Snowfall at Paseo Nuevo 5:30pm and 6:30pm 11/26-12/31

Lane Tree Christmas Lot has tree for sale, but also a corn maze, hayride and farm animals to visit. 10am - 8pm 11/26 until 12/20.

The Trolley of Lights is already sold out, but you can find space on the Rockstar Trolley 12/5-12/24 or you can make your own tours using these directions.  A house on Carlisle in Goleta has a longer light shows with music (tune in on the radio).

By Date: State Street and Milpas Parade are not happening 2021.

Photos with Santa at Westmont College for Alumni Tuesday November 30th 4-6pm

La Arcada Walk Photos with Santa, Christmas goodies and carolers Wednesday December 1st 5-8pm

Silent Night, Silent Disco at Paseo Nuevo with World of Dance* December 2nd 5:30-7:30pm *5:45pm

Rudolph (Gustafson Dance) at the Lobero Saturday December 4th 2pm, 6pm
 
Carpinteria Holiday Spirit Parade and Roses and Rods (10am-2pm) Satuday December 4 at 4pm

Christmas in Narnia at El Montecito Presbyterian Church Saturday December 11 10am- 2pm 


Old Town Goleta Parade Saturday December 11 6-8pm

Holiday at the Depot Lite at the South Coast Railroad Museum Saturday December 11 11am-4pm  (this seems to replace the candy cane train this year) $2.50 per train ride

Holiday at the Ranch at Stow House Holiday crafts, caroling, hay rides and tours. Saturday December 11 9-4 pm $5/$2 Buy tickets in advance 

Nutcracker at the Arlington (Santa Barbara Festival Ballet) Saturday December 11 2:30pm and 7pm, Sunday December 12 2:30 

Santa Barbara Wharf Parade of Lights Sunday December 12 4pm, Boat parade at 5:30pm

Hollister Village Carolers Family friendly activities, balloon art, music and more  Saturday December 11&18 11-1

Nutcracker at the Granada (State Street Ballet) December 18 7:30pm and December 19 2pm

Snow Leopard Festival at the Santa Barbara Zoo is scheduled for January 23rd.

Did I miss anything? What are your favorite local holiday traditions?
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Monday, November 22, 2021

Kids Choice Reflections


We had fun this summer on our Kid's Choice quest. Thanks to my friend Jessica for the original idea. One thing I found was that the kids preferences change even from summer to summer and especially over 2 years since I started keeping the list pre-COVID.  I loved re-exploring, but sometimes my kids were less thrilled this time around because they are now 8 and 11 years old.  

As with every year, we didn't make it to all the places like Zodos and the Surreys. Also some things were not happening like the concerts in the park and Tuesday Morning movies. Hopefully there will be time over another break or another summer when we can do these in the future. 

Zodos
Riding a Surrey

Little Treasures:

Classic Favorites:
Goleta Beach
Hendry's Beach

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Monday, October 4, 2021

Summer 2021 Snapshot


My seasonal check in is a bit late this year because life has been full (see life project below)!

Life Hack: I realized recently that multitasking is not helping me. So when I think of it I close all the tabs on my phone/computer to reset to just the things I need. I have also been creating blocks of time to work on different aspects of my life and then doing a brain dump when I start working on school/work/PTA stuff for the day (I keep track of school and work on Toggl). 

New Product I Love: I am not a pumpkin person and I don't love all the pumpkin options at this time of year, so no new favorite Trader Joe's products. I am however loving these tassel earrings and wooden earrings given to me for my birthday! 




Last Book I Finished: Raising Lions by Joe Newman 
Joe was diagnosed with ADHD as a child. Quickly put on medication, he felt like the world told him he was broken. As an adult, he has become a behavior therapist who come along schools to help them with the most difficult students. His no nonsense approach is designed to help these kids learn self control and boundaries so they can be successful in the school environment. I don't agree with everything he says, but I have implemented many of the strategies in my own home. 


Life Project: I started a Master's in Education through Western Governor's University. It is all online and fits well into my life right now. And I am working hard! You may not see me as much on the blog or on Facebook this year because of it. 



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Thursday, September 30, 2021

East Beach Batting Cages


The batting cages are a fun past time for the physically active kids. The different cages have different speeds as well as baseball and softball pitches. We love to go bat a little, then eat tacos for dinner at East Beach Tacos (11am-6pm). You can also get dinner at the Habit next door (11am-9pm) or take a picnic to the nearby Cabrillo Ball Park that has the SB Chromatic Gate. If you are going, be sure to check out the Axxess deal: Buy one, get one the first time and buy 3, get 1 anytime!

Why it is a favorite: They loved being taught to hit by daddy. 



Location: On Milpas St near the railroad crossing

Directions: Heading south on the 101, exit first Milpas exit and take a right onto Milpas. The batting cages are about half a block down, just past Habit.  

Time Spent: 30 to 45 minutes plus taco time. 

Cost: $3 and up 


Hours: Monday-Thursday 11am-8pm, Friday 11am-9pm, Saturday 10-9, Sunday 10-8

Parking: Parking in the lot next door is very limited at busy times. 
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Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Goleta and Noleta Pocket Libraries 2021

I first posted about pocket libraries back in 2016 and we have noticed many more in the last several years. Some are registered with Little Free Library (map) and some not (partially because of a disagreement between the original organization and the family of the founder), but most are a take one, leave one system. The former librarian in me loves this and I need to make one some day.... But until then, I will enjoy other people's pocket libraries. Thanks to my Facebook Friends for helping update the list for ones not on the Little Free Library map. We appreciated finding books, especially when the libraries were closed.  

Pocket Library List by Address
Goleta (93117)
- 226 Ancona Dr, Goleta (Bella Vista neighborhood)
* 66 Brandon Dr, Goleta (Brandon neighborhood)
* 6187 Caleta Ave (at Carlo)
* 6597 Camino Venturoso (Lake Los Carneros neighborhood)
- 217 Hillview Dr (Brandon neighborhood)
- 5786 Hollister Ave (Old Town) 
- 5661 Marbury Dr (Kellogg neighborhood)
* 6072 Paseo Palmilla (La Goleta area)
* 6169 Stow Canyon Rd, Goleta (Goleta Valley JH area)--we did not see this one 2020.
* 530 Windsor Ave (Goleta Valley JH area)
* 644 Windsor Ave (Goleta Valley JH area)
* 220 Vereda Leyenda (Rancho Embarcadero)
* 230 Vereda Leyenda (Rancho Embarcadero)

Isla Vista 93117
* 798 Camino del Sur, Children's Park, Isla Vista (Corner of Picasso and Camino del Sur)  
* 889 Camino del Sur, at the St George Family Youth Center
* 6822 Phelps Rd (next to apartment building clubhouse)
* 6586 Picasso (at St Michael's, corner of Camino Pescadero and El Greco)
* 6575 Sevilla (IV Co-op)

Noleta (93111, 93110)
* 536 Calle Aparejo (Patterson area) 
- 313 Arroyo Rd (approximately), Santa Barbara (Vieja Valley neighborhood)
* 5245 Califia (on Gwyne Rd)
* 911 Camino del Retiro (Tucker's Grove area) 
- 1304 Camino Rio Verde, Santa Barbara (North Patterson)
* 4930 Cervato Way (Turnpike area) 
* 740 Cieniguitas Rd (on apartment grounds)
* 5545 Longfellow Rd (Mountain View area)  
* 400 Puente Dr (Hope Ranch Annex)
Via Diego at Invierno (Hope area)
1066 Via Los Padres (N San Marcos area) 

Santa Barbara 93105 
- 3308 Calle Fresno, Santa Barbara (San Roque area) 
- 687 Grove Lane, Santa Barbara (Monte Vista area)
- 3655 Montalvo Way, Santa Barbara (Hidden Valley area) 
* 2928 Paseo del Refugio 
* 302 Santa Anita

Santa Barbara 93103, 93108
* 624 Chelham Way
* 115 La Vista Grande

Santa Barbara, 93101
- 1096 W Pedregosa St (approximately), Santa Barbara (Westside)
* 517 Laguna St
* Hoarny Toad Activewear E Mason 
- 521 Santa Barbara St 

* From the Little Free Library List
- Community Sourced List 

Anacona Dr, Goleta

Brandon, Goleta

Caleta, Goleta

Camino Venturoso, Goleta 

Goleta Library

Hillview, Goleta

Hollister, Goleta

Marbury, Goleta

Paseo Palmilla, Goleta

Phelps Rd, Goleta

Stow Canyon Rd, Goleta

Windsor Ave, Goleta


Windsor Ave, Goleta

Vereda Leyenda 1

Vereda Leyenda 2

Camino del Sur, Isla Vista

Children's Park, Isla Vista 

Phelps Rd, Goleta


St Michaels

Seville Rd, Isla Vista

Calle Aparejo

Arroyo Rd, Santa Barbara

Califia Way, Santa Barbara

Camino de Retiro

Camino Rio Verde

Cervato Way

Cieniguitas Rd, Santa Barbara

Longfellow Rd, Santa Barbara

Puente

Via Diego

Via Los Padres





Seville Rd, Isla Vista






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Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Bike Paths


We are so blessed to have an abundance of bike paths and routes to explore our town. Depending on where you are starting, you may be able to bike with minimal time on shared spaces and just stick to the bike path.


By the beach, you can explore the downtown area on bike or simply stick to the waterfront along the Cabrillo Blvd Trail. From Goleta Beach, you can take the Obern Trail connecting to the Maria Ygnacio trail or to continue on it to Modoc Rd. Or you can explore your own neighborhood in routes provided by the Santa Barbara Bike Coalition. 

Renting Bikes in Santa Barbara: 
https://wheelfunrentals.com/ca/santa-barbara/mason/

Tourist Biking Sites: 
https://www.santabarbara.com/activities/biking/
https://ctycms.com/ca-santa-barbara/docs/bikesmap---downtown.pdf
https://santabarbaraca.com/itinerary/popular-bike-trails-in-santa-barbara/

South County Maps
Comprehensive: http://www.trafficsolutions.org/thenewsite/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/TS-Map_Insert_SB-Goleta_13.pdf

Neighborhood Routes: 
https://www.sbbike.org/neighborhood_routes

Out Most Artistic Bike Ride July 2016

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