It turned out that On Monday, around 4PM , we found out that union had decided to go on strike for 2 days. That put Janis in panic mode with 2 of our team members on vacation, one on his way out from Layoff, leaving me to be the only one remained at work from her team. We had a quick training on other functions that Janis is looking over in absence of other team members. We’re really hoping that the strike won’t last more than 2 days, but, you’d never know. We decided that I would work from home so that I don’t have to cross the picket line.

Because of this latest development, I didn’t get out of work until after 6:30. I almost wanted to skip stopping by at mom’s, but considering I was going to work from home, I wasn’t sure if I will come to office before leaving for NY. BTW, JK also bought his tickets for NY. Our flights are within 30-60 minutes both ways.

I got home from mom’s at almost 7:30. We started cooking dinner. Our plan was to stop by after dinner, but we realized that it would be too late by then, considering I was planning to bake mozzarella breadsticks. Once we go there, JK started talking to everyone and we didn’t get out of there till 9! Of course, I had good time catching up with everyone too. Besides, we had not much going on at home anyway, might as well hang out with friends.

Breadsticks turned out delicious!!!! The recipe is the keeper! No wonder I wanted to make them as soon as I saw them on Pinterest.  I had them for lunch for next two days!

Kids were gone to beach house with not much phone reception, so didn’t get to talk to them.

Tuesday was interesting. As I started to work early morning to get things going, I couldn’t VPN to my computer. I called helpdesk and they couldn’t find my computer on the network. They said that my computer must’ve been turned off. I was able to call Randy, who was going to stop by in office to check up things, and have him turn on my computer. So, I was able to work from home. But there wasn’t much work to keep me busy. I spent some of the time cleaning up my room.

It was Kalpu’s 40th birthday, so Dharmesh had invited us for the dinner. We got to their home at 7. We stopped by at Whole Foods to buy flowers for Kalpu and drove by my job to see if there were any picketers. There were only 1-2 picketers on each entrance.

We went to the Thai Restaurant in Danville for dinner. It was really good restaurant. I loved the decor and of course the food. After that, we went back to their home and had cake. Kalpu got the New iPad(iPad 3) for her gift.. same as me. Mom got her sari and kids got her the travel pillow. However, based on her text this morning, her REAL gift was the diamond earrings. DA must’ve given her this morning.

I tried to log on from home this morning and my computer was shut down AGAIN!!! so I just decided to come to work. Picketers did give me hard time in crossing the line and took several photos of me… to post them on their ‘Wall of Shame’ if I was union? I don’t know! Janis stopped by during her lunch time and was surprised to see me in office. lol She said things are chaotic where she’s assigned. They’re supposed to report tomorrow morning too, just in case strike goes on longer.

About kids… we weren’t too comfortable handing over the money for the rental apartment to the stranger and also about leaving kids there all alone (at least I was comfortable about that one). Last night I had hinted JK about keeping Harishmama as back up if the apt. deal doesn’t work out. He agreed right away! TOTALLY shocked me, but I wasn’t going to make a big deal in front of him. This morning I called mama and told him that kids are in his neighborhood and will be visiting him. He asked to have kids stay at his home. So, we canceled the apartment and have kids go to his home. He’ll be taking the kids around tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how it all goes. Kids might be disappointed not to have their own apartment, but it’s for their best. I just didn’t feel safe.

After work, I’m planning to stop by at mom’s to pick up dinner. She wanted me to stop by for lunch but I told her that I’ll come over in the evening to pick up for dinner. Glad I didn’t go, otherwise I would’ve missed Janis when she came by in her lunchtime. After that, planning to go to the mall to Apple store to see they would replace my magic mouse. I might end up having to buy a new one. JK need to buy some new clothes for wedding, so he’ll be meeting me there.

Saturday turned out to be very busy day as it was expected! JK made the waffle for breakfast and as soon as kids were done with breakfast, I took girls to shopping. our first stop was to my office, because I had forgotten my iPad at work, out in the plain view and didn’t feel comfortable in taking a chance to leave it there for a weekend. Friday, Pooja called me to meet JK at Bart to pick him up, which totally threw me off and I just got up and left. JK was dropping off Pooja to BART for her very last Oakland meeting, but decided to leave the car for her in the parking lot so that we wouldn’t have to pick her up at night. We went to Z Pizza for dinner after that  using up the Groupon($11 for X-large pizza, salad and 2 beverages!).

Anyway, after picking up my iPad, we stopped at Target and Whole Foods. Again, I had Groupon for Whole Foods that I bought almost a year ago and never got around cashing it. Avni loves the flavored coconut water that they carry, so she had fun picking out some of those. After that, I took her to get their eyebrows threaded. That was the main reason we were out. Lately, I’ve been threading their eyebrows at home, but I figured it was a good treat for them for the wedding/back to school.

We got home at noon. JK had the boiled potatoes mashed already. So, I made aloo paratha for lunch – kids’ favorite lunch! Kids were busy packing their bags. After lunch, we packed some more and video taped our ‘question of the day’.

We left for the airport around 4:15PM. Their flight was at 7. They had one stop at Phoenix. Home was very quiet after dropping them off.

We hardly did anything on Sunday except going to Costco for some grocery shopping.

Talked to Avni today on Gmail, she said they’re having fun there. Last night they played Monopoly till 1AM with Tusharbhai’s kids. Today, they’re going to the beach.

I’m planning on stopping by at mom’s home after work for few minutes. Then, I’ll stop by at Boy Scouts meeting because I need to drop off the red jackets and pick up reimbursement check($775) for it.

Yesterday was RakshaBandhan Day. It was a bit different than all previous years, because we had been spoiled of Dharmesh living only a mile away from us. He recently moved about 20 miles from us and we actually had to plan it out on how we’ll manage it.

I was working,  Kalpu had a longer day at her office and Pooja had evening class in college (another first for us), so best time we could come up with to get together was after Pooja comes home from college. It turned out that Neil had a physical fitness merit badge meeting at 6 in the evening too!

I took Neil and Avni to Arnav’s home in the morning before I went to work, so they can spend some time together before leaving for their NY trip. They haven’t been there since Nikhil and Dilan went back to Chicago. I picked up Neil after work to take him to his meeting. We stopped by at the store (Sikandar) to buy rakhis, kaju katri  and some grocery. I got home just in time to take Pooja to college, but JK was home already so I didn’t need to drop her off. She took my car to the college and later I took JK’s car to pick up Neil.

We stopped by at Target to buy gifts for Avni and Pooja (Raksha bandhn gifts from Neil to girls). They both wanted backpack/laptop bag, so that’s what we bought. Also bought a travel size spray bottle for Avni for her body spray and dry shampoo spray for Pooja. Neil also planned to give $20 each from his NY trip savings. I’m not sure if he really did give them money though. I’ll need to ask him about it. Usually, they’re all very generous when it comes to giving each other.

Got home and cooked dinner for JK, since he wouldn’t be coming with us. Pooja had finals today. She said that she did great in finals. She got home at 8:30, so we left to go to Arnav’s home as soon as she got home.

After the Rakhi tying and taking traditional pics, we had dinner. Then, came the fun part. We went shopping in Kalpu’s closet for the dresses, sari and jewelry for upcoming wedding. Kids are leaving in 2 days, so we’re finalizing everything. While we were checking out the dresses, I asked Kalpu about what kind of shoes Neil should wear with his traditional dress(salwaar). That opened up the door to Dharmesh’s closet! LOL Dharmesh gave him his white shirt, blazer and shoes. Can’t believe that Neil is big enough to ‘shop’ from his closet!!!!

By the time we got home, it was almost 11:30! Once home, we sat down and decided what Pooja was wearing for each of 5 wedding events. To my disappointment, she picked one of the sari I REALLY wanted to wear. Pooja brought Kalpu’s ‘universal blouses’ (Black, gold, silver and multi-colored), so we might still switch around on who wears what. She did bring lots of bracelets from Kalpu, since mine don’t fit Avni or Pooja. Tonight, I’m hoping to get/match all the jewelry together for both girls. Pooja is going to Oakland in the evening for her campaign meeting, so won’t be coming home till late night. Avni and I might get head start before she gets home.