Thursday, October 15, 2020

Random Thursday-ness: Almost there, and hunkering Down Again?

Yesterday I chatted with my brother (we'll probably talk again before I go). He cut his hours in half this spring in order to slowly move to retirement mode, exactly when we had to go in lockdown. Definitely not what he was looking forward to. On the other hand, I may have mentioned that he is the happiest person at home and the least bored, of anyone I have ever met (including me).  All kinds of reasons for that, among them the fact that he has no problem whatsoever self entertaining.  He called me because he knows I have a large Christmas village and he is in the process of making a Halloween village in a shadow box (spraying the box, getting spooky figures and  Halloween Village houses from Michael's and so on). It's a surprise for my sister-in-law and my college age nephew who is learning from home again. Like I said, self entertainment!

We also chatted about Christmas wants and needs for the two I am leaving behind. While I don't want to be non positive as such, we both are pretty sure that it's going to be a long winter before the light of spring. Normally both Thanksgiving and Christmas would be spent as a group and I am pretty sure that son and sister will be alone this year for both days, so we want to make the holidays everything we can at each house. Personally, once I settle in, I'l be mailing goodies, and have decided that in addition to a hand made gift each person will be getting at least one "new hobby" from me. Since my son will have two rooms, I'm considering a good dart board, a good boxing bag and gloves, or maybe electric robots to put together.

For my part, I'll be fine-once I get there at least. After having twenty conversations with myself in my head I've decided sleeping in between two RVs and or driving thirteen hours straight plus stops is not realistic, so for now at least I have a reservation at the Drury inn. As I shared elsewhere, truth be told is that I may sleep in a chair with my own pillow depending on my level of paranoia at the time. I still may change my mind. I am looking forward to driving in the fall, either way. I have missed my drives, long and short. 


This (Houston Chonicle photo), is directly on my path south

Once I am there though, there will plenty to keep me busy and happy for the next few months. I need to organize the place, and make some kind of living alone schedule. I want to, if not "prep" at least plan for shortages here and there. I'll keep busy making gifts for everyone I know, myself included and maybe something for selling even between the quilting/sewing/knitting/painting habit.  And this is the time to work on refreshing that German and teach myself tapestry weaving (While I enjoy painting the cards, I do seem to prefer working in the three dimensional).  For now, I expect to see my daughter once a week. I may change my mind, but she works in nursing homes and is exceptionally careful and my son-in-law in an extremely high end restaurant with all precautions. For now I am going to trust their judgement. And hopefully I will meet new friends from my patio, the occasional walk, and online zoom get togethers. Really, I would be lost without Zoom.  And experimenting with all those small recipes is in the cards as well. 

If you know me you know that whatever I do will be much more freeform and bright than this.



DD has been woring in the apartment again the whole pace is shelf papered

This afternoon I'm going to cut my hair, finish sweeping and cleaning the disaster area left after the packers came (I'm ashamed to say there was a "lost" Vera Bradley purse under my bed for who knows how long), and see what I can get in my car. It is my own fault, but I did not have them pack either the floor lamp I am taking, or the big ironing board.  We are going to see exactly how much this large SUV can hold (I'm not comfortable with a roof container).

As of now the driving happens on Monday. Sunday is my son's day off and we will spend some time together (we can't go out to dinner so we will probably get take out and sit in the car in a park) and finish packing the car. Also, my car has to go to the shop. It seems there is a recall on the darn thing from spring of .......wait for it....2019. That I did not know about. I've driven to and from Dallas at least four times since then.  But, since this has to do with brake flushing and valves staying open (whatever that means), and having to apply more brake pressure, I'm putting a day aside to do it.

I think Sunday is as long as I will last sleeping on a recliner or a couch, that's for sure.

13 comments:

  1. My sister is a bit of a germophobe who also happens to travel a lot for work. The first thing she does when she gets in her hotel room is wipe down every surface, and the bathroom of course! with disinfecting wipes. Then she sprays everything down with Lysol for good measure. A few years ago bedbugs were a serious issue, so she made herself a sleeping sack out of a sheet to avoid coming in contact with hotel sheets. I’ve traveled with her and it really doesn’t take a lot of time to wipe down a small hotel room. I have to admit, it does make you feel better!

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    1. Hmm, Good to know. I hae a feeling I COULD just be paying fr a place to sleep in my car so the police don't sent me on my way, lol

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  2. Barb, hoping you have a fun, safe trip. It is so exciting to think about your new apartment.
    Do you think your son will eventually join you in Texas?
    Holidays here are also up in the air, I try not to let myself be sad over the prospects.
    Be careful on your drive, but enjoy.
    Joyce

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    1. I honestly don't know. He is doing some long term goal setting, he's in a position where entry level in his career pays much less than the job he hates as well has his depression issues so for Christmas one of my gifts to him is a couple sessions with a career counseler/life coach/therapist who specializes in his age and general that will hopefully hep him decide where to go, or maybe in a completely new direction. i suspect in the long run he will.

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  3. I like how you are a careful planner, that makes for a smoother and happier move. I would use Lysol type disinfectant wipes on everything in the hotel if you decide to stay there. For many years I have avoided sitting on the bed covers in hotels, they are not laundered as frequently as sheets.

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    1. Interesting. In the normal times I hav eno issues, I travel so much and usually sta at one or two secific hotels. Im just not sure how wipes would work on the beddring I guess.

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  4. We just went across country(Del to Idaho) in four days. I sewed four sleep sacks for each of us using my top sheets from our bed. Once it was used- it went into the large garbage bag to be washed. One place you might consider is Hilton's new chain- TRU. It is the laminate wood floors/ few extra things in the room/ simple shades. I took off the "bedspread when we arrived and laid out our sleep sacks. Easy. We did wipe all surfaces as well.
    I think you are leaving before the crazy begins- flu and COVID. I wish you a good trip and a happy landing.
    PS- I LOVE the idea of a hobby gift. I think I will start looking for my family. GREAT idea!!!

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  5. How exciting to be so close. Please be careful on your trip down to Texas.

    When we used to travel we often slept in the parking lots of trucks stops that had all night restaurants. Never had a bit of trouble except for a bat getting in our window once.

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    1. aways, always carefulcareful. While Ive been on hold for awhile drive cross country by myself day and nght all the time so I am not concerned about anything but the sleepig, especially with a car full of possessions. I looked at truck stops but most of them say their spots are only for RVs and such. Still looking at my options.

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  6. I am excited for you and your move. I hope you figure out your sleeping arrangements for the trip. You are smart to split the trip, but also smart to be concerned about the room. Lysol spray should help with the bedding. But then you will also be smelling it all night. I would probably not want to sleep in my car simply because a car loaded with possessions might be a little too tempting to opportunistic folks.

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  7. I have every confidence that your trip will go smoothly. I have been looking at looms lately...... All I need is another hobby, especially as I haven't learned how to use my knitting machine, or the sock loom as of yet.

    God bless.

    God bless.

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  8. Have a good, safe trip. I'm sure it will work out fine. As for us, we're Zooming both T'giving and Christmas.

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  9. I'm excited for you! Safe travels and I'm looking forward to reading about your adventures.

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