Lady and I drove from VA to Plymouth yesterday. It was a long day, but we made it and that's all that matters. The advantage to traveling this weekend is that there is absolutely no construction traffic (day or night). We made great time (even over the GW bridge). Then the inevitable happened, slow going from the thruway and all the way through Connecticut (CT). I had to laugh at the speed limit signs that indicated 65 mph when in many places I never got over 10 mph. If I am going to be a traveler back/forth think I better learn an alternative - can I cut off CT somehow (LOL)? No offense to those people I know in CT, but that 95 corridor...yuck! Lady did fairly well. We stopped four times and was able walk about and snack/drink a bit. She decided to bark consistently from Providence to Plymouth (about an hour), but I could not blame her as we had been on the road for a very long time. For the first time in Providence I remembered to ignore the GPS and take 195 vice 95 (less traffic). You would think the word went out that I was arriving in Plymouth because as I pulled into the driveway my neighbor Chuck pulled up and the ladies next door hung out the window to welcome me home.
It was wonderful to walk into the house and know I left a few items in the fridge/freezer so I could settle right down. (I stopped on the way in for creamer for morning coffee and local newspapers.) I was able to make cheese quesadillas and I had one lone beer (I think it was in the fridge for 2 years). It was not a gourmet dinner, but it was good and relaxing. Lady also wolfed down her dinner and drank lots of water. I think we both slept very well last night. I did wake up to thunder/lightening about 1 so I jumped up and closed windows....at least Lady slept through all of it.
Perhaps it's me, but I find it weird that as Americans we seem to make holidays (which to me mean fun/joy) out of everything. It seems to be all about sales and buying instead of what the holiday stands for. I'm not trying to be a downer here, but I don't get how the "sale" is connected to the meaning. Many times I don't even go to the stores on those days purposely. With that in mind, I'm posting about Memorial Day - Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance for everyone who has died serving in the American armed forces. The holiday, originally known as Decoration Day, started after the Civil War to honor the Union and Confederate dead.
I always have a list of items to get done whether I'm in Plymouth or Virginia. We'll see how much I get done this time...LOL! I have good intentions to see people (especially family and my fellow light warriors), try restaurants, clean the house, indulge myself a little, etc. and then I think I get lazy...LOL! I am trying to be spontaneous more, which is hard when I like to have a plan.
I have not mentioned previously that I started a little job in VA - I am a companion (not aid) for a 91-year old woman. I know her daughter and as we talked one day she asked if I would be willing to do this for her mom. I said let's meet together with mom. This 91-year old woman is a hoot, we had a wonderful discussion about her expectations and what I could do. It's only a couple of hours a week, but it is giving me some purpose. I think with all I have done/learned in the past five years and all of my experience as an HR Officer and Life Coach I can do much for families and their elderly members. So with that in mind, I'm working to obtain my dementia certification again through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioner LLC (NCCDP).
The daily and wacky holidays for the week...provides something lighthearted to think about:
26 Sally Ride Day
27 Memorial Day last Monday of month.
27 Sun Screen Day
28 Amnesty International Day
28 National Hamburger Day
29 Learn About Composting Day
30 Mint Julep Day
30 Water a Flower Day
31 National Macaroon Day
31 Save Your Hearing Day
31 World No Tobacco Day
I am going to leave it here for today. I think I just saw the sun peak through perhaps the weather people are right. I hope you have a good week. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
"WHEN YOU GET INTO A TIGHT PLACE AND EVERYTHING GOES AGAINST YOU, TILL IT SEEMS AS THOUGH YOU COULD NOT HANG ON A MINUTE LONGER, NEVER GIVE UP THEN, FOR THAT IS JUST THE PLACE AND TIME THAT THE TIDE WILL TURN." - Harriet Beecher Stowe