We drove back from Myrtle Beach on Monday. I have never seen I-95 so empty on a Monday. There was no construction along the way because of rainy weather. I think the trip was about seven hours which is highly unusual with limited stops. It does help that for much of the way the speed limit is 70. We listened to an audio book or Xmas music on the trip. It was nice to get away. We did not shop as much as we have in the past (we usually come back with a car full of stuff). We were able to get a couple of walks in at the beach which is always so wonderful. A little funny from the trip - we needed to stop for a break and picked this small town in North Carolina that had multiple fast food and gas places. Well, it took three different stops to accomplish our goal (guess we turned the wrong way getting off the highway). First stop drive through only so we ordered food. Second stop got gas (sign indicated no bathrooms) - looked across at another restaurant no one was entering. Third Stop restaurant opened so able to use bathroom, but entire dining area taped off so no dining inside. As we sat in this parking lot of this place eating our food, we noticed another restaurant was drive through only as well. Guess we should have turned the other way to the bigger gas stations to get everything done at once. For our next stop we went to a visitor center/rest stop.
I am usually a person that will stop multiple times on any road trip. I have lots of water in the car and usually snacks, but will not hesitate to pick up stuff along the way to take a break. On the trip both ways I drank only one bottle of water and limited snacks so I would not have to stop. Of course, when I got to my destination I drank a lot of water the rest of the day.
I finally went for an overdue eye exam. Have to love when they dilate your eyes (at least it's not as bad as in the past). The doctor was very thorough and checked notes from previous exams to be sure nothing was overlooked. Nothing has changed too much except I have the beginning of a cataract in my right eye (at least the one in the left is not growing/changing). Thinking about new glasses to change up my look...LOL!
I went back to work on Wednesday and had a good rest of the week. My client's habits are changing a bit so could be starting a new phase. I take meticulous notes for my company so they will know when he may need a bit more care than I can provide. His spouse is acknowledging some changes (she does not want more assistance yet). His spouse was glad they stayed home over the holiday as the family whom they would have been with tested positive for the virus. As she said, they dodged a bullet.
Are you done with holiday shopping? I am happy to say I am done with shopping and wrapping! I will mail the boxes either later today or tomorrow. I did some online ordering for delivery directly, but scaled back this year. Instead I donated to a few local charities. Today I hope to get the Xmas cards done so they can be sent tomorrow - we'll see if my hand can handle it.
Are your cities/towns conducting the holidays a little different this year? I see lots of lights and decorations around. Our community has a decorating contest and a map for people to follow and then vote. The local volunteer fire department is conducting Santa drive-bys in different neighborhoods each night for five or six nights. Tonight he comes through ours.
I finished reading: "IF I DIE BEFORE I WAKE" by Emily Koch - murder mystery. "EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IN ITS TIME" by Jenna Bush Hager - lessons of love and loss. Also watched "Belushi" a documentary about John Belushi.
The daily and wacky holidays for the week...provides something lighthearted to think about:
December 6
Bartender Appreciation Day - in Europe
St. Nicholas Day
Mitten Tree Day
Put on your own Shoes Day
December 7
International Civil Aviation Day
Letter Writing Day
National Cotton Candy Day - would you like some fairy floss?
Pearl Harbor Day
December 8
National Brownie Day
Take it in the Ear Day
December 9
Christmas Card Day
National Pastry Day
December 10
Human Rights Day
Nobel Prize Day
December 11
National Noodle Ring Day
December 12
National Ding-a-Ling Day
Poinsettia Day
I am going to leave it here for today. I hope you have a good week. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” – Hamilton Wright Mabie
“Kindness is like snow. It beautifies everything it covers.” – Kahlil Gibran
“There’s something about a holiday that isn’t all about how much money you spend.” – Hilarie Burton