Travel and Healing [day 7]

I didn't grow up doing much in the way of travel. My husband, on the other hand, travelled quite a bit. 

He loves to have a trip to look forward to, and even enjoys the process of planning the itinerary.

This year we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary, but we couldn't seem to get excited about the same kind of trip to celebrate. So . . . I leave tomorrow to spend a week at a beautiful spa in Texas all by myself!

Let me be clear, my husband offered this trip to me. I would NEVER have come up with this on my own. I am very grateful for this gift and looking forward to it in a big way.

It took me a long time to embrace the travelling vibe, and I still don't crave it or have the energy for it that my husband does. I have learned to navigate flights and airport to hotel transportation on my own. It's something I'm proud of accomplishing. As an introvert, I like the idea of visiting places and getting to set the schedule to please me and having a room all to myself. The downside for the introvert and travel is all of those strangers I have to interact with, but that's probably good for me.

I'll do my best to keep posting (hopefully without making anyone TOO jealous!) while I'm out of town. In the meantime, I hope to have some time to catch up on all the reading I'm behind on. 

Travel is a good method of healing. Yes, it can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. A change of scenery gives me the opportunity to walk away from the stress and daily struggle for a bit. I can be someone anonymous or someone completely different. I highly recommend it if you have the means.

This is day 7 in Write 31 Days

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . February 3, 2015

Outside my window . . . sunny, blue skies! It's only 25 degrees, but the sunshine is lovely.

I am thinking . . . getting back into my routine now that the virus is past and I'm home for my long weekend.

I am thankful . . . for a WONDERFUL weekend in San Francisco/Oakland with a dear friend from college days. We have kept up over the years, but this was so lovely to spend a weekend together, just the 2 of us. So much fun!

In the kitchen . . . the cupboard and refrigerator are bare, so it's off to the store I go!

I am wearing . . . a gown and my dh's robe and my Skechers.

I am creating . . . still working on my afghan (this pattern from Attic 24, and a lovely set of DK yarn from Stylecraft). It's coming along, slowly but surely. I'm not tired of it so that's a good thing! I did start a smaller project for the trip over the weekend, but it's a secret!

I am going . . . to find some activities to get more involved with. I need more personal interaction.

I am wondering . . . about communication differences between the sexes.

I am reading . . . Other Voices, Other Rooms by Truman Capote. I realized I'd only read 2 of Capote's works -- In Cold Blood and A Christmas Memory, so I've decided to do a bit of backtracking and read some of his other works.

I just finished Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans. It's a good YA read that doesn't include vampires, sex, or a dystopian future. Some reviewers complained about it being cliched, but I found it enjoyable, especially given that the hero is based on Evans' son who has Tourette Syndrome.

I am looking forward to . . . setting up a more specific schedule of sorts for crafting projects. 

I am hearing . . . quiet.

Around the house . . . I have unpacking to do and a bit of picking up from the weekend. All in all things look pretty good.

I am praying . . . many of the same people I was praying for last week. I am also praying for marriages. May we all see the value in in commitment and covenant.

One of my favorite things . . . is trying new things. I so enjoyed all the tasty food in San Francisco. Walking around the market at the Ferry Building. Riding the BART, and handling all of the buses, trains, and planes made me feel quite capable!

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . a good week of normal. I'm looking forward to it!

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing . . .

hedgehog mushrooms -- who knew!?!?!

linking up with The Simple Woman

Have Bunny Will Travel

linking up with Wordless Wednesday

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . August 12, 2014

Outside my window . . . I see palm trees and the pool outside our room in Bonaire. It's 81* heading up to a high in the mid 80s. Part sun and clouds with a nice ESE breeze that keeps it pleasant.

I am thinking . . . that "vacation" means different things to different people. Dh and I always have to negotiate a bit. He likes to go-go-go, and I like to go-rest-go-rest-go-rest!

I am thankful . . . that we arrived here safely and I am minimal trouble with my ears -- just using lots of Sudafed and a bit of Afrin as the allergist recommended.

In the kitchen . . . what kitchen!?! Actually we do have a fridge in our room as well as a hot water pot, so have yummy snacks, tea, and stuff for breakfast if we so choose.

I am wearing . . . my gown right now, but soon it will be back into my swimsuit and wet suit for more diving.

I am creating . . . memories! Beautiful experiences and memories with my dh. So glad he's a photographer so we will have evidence of some of these.

I am going . . . to Alice in Wonderland and Pink Beach for diving. So far we have done Yellow Submarine, Cha Cha Beach, Bachelor Beach, and Angel City/Hilma Hooker. 

I am wondering . . . what today's dives will show us?

I am reading . . . Atlas Girl by Emily Wierenga. This is a memoir of her life thus far. It is lyrically written and has been totally engrossing.

I'm also reading How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny.

I am looking forward to . . . more dives today and then a quiet evening by the pool while dh goes on a night dive.

I am hearing . . . dh chattering about today's dives. He's like a kid at Christmas once he's in diving mode!

Around the house . . . this is what's apparently happening

Yaya has bonded with dd's cat, Isabeau!

I am praying . . . for out continuing safety. Prayers of thanksgiving for Kent Brantly. Prayers of comfort for the family in Oregon who's wife/daughter/mother killed herself, as well as for Robin William's family.

One of my favorite things . . . is a good vacation. I've had good ones and bad ones. Good is always better.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . diving, diving, and more diving!

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing . . . 

striking a pose for dh at Cha Cha Beach

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Gift of Travel

When I married my husband I'd never been to a foreign country. Truthfully I'd barely been west of the Mississippi River. He on the other hand had been to Europe several times, not to mention a cruise, and a vacation to Grand Cayman where he'd learned to scuba dive. He was 20 when I met him.

Over the years one of the best things he's given me is the gift of travel. Our first year of marriage he took me to Disney World, and his business trips have taken us to lots of other fun spots in the U.S.

His mother died in 1988. She was born and raised in Austria and France. He still had family in Austria, so in the summer of 1989 his father and he went to Europe and traveled around a bit. Alan (my husband) stayed in Europe at an intensive 6 week German language course as part of his grieving and recovery from the loss. I flew to Germany and met him at the end of his course and we traveled for 10 days.

So the girl who had never left the country -- had never even been to either the east or west coasts of the U.S. -- flew to a foreign country BY HERSELF to reconnect with her husband who'd been gone for 6 weeks! I navigated flight changes and customs and crossing multiple time zones. 

He met me at the airport in Munich with a friend from his language program. I almost didn't recognize him -- he'd grown a beard. We took the train into Salzburg and went to his little room in the quaint B&B and "reconnected" with each other.

Once his classes finished, we traveled around Salzburg and visited with his relatives in Linz and Bad Ischl. We stayed with relatives and checked into B&Bs well off the beaten path. I learned to smile and nod a lot, and drink hot cocoa and eat semmel rolls with real butter and jam for breakfast.

It was a wonderful, terrifying, bonding experience for me with my husband. 

Over the years we've gone back once with our children. A lovely trip, marred by lost luggage and the early summer snows that we were unprepared for clothing-wise. He's taken me to Mexico several times and I've learned to scuba dive as well. But that first trip abroad with him, that's the stand out. Becoming an adult in a new and different way. Realizing in some way that this was my life and I'd better learn to enjoy it. That trip was the beginning.

linking up with Writer's Workshop

If This Is Thursday, I Must Be in Nashville

It's been a crazy, mixed up week, and it's beginning to look as if the the whole month may be this way.

Alan and I had a little get away over the weekend that we extended to Monday. It was quite lovely, but there was a fair amount of driving involved, so I was very tired Monday night.

Tuesday, Alan had to be in a meeting in Franklin, so I got up and drove him. We thought we'd be there an hour or so, but of course things ran long, and the outcome was not what we had hoped (sorry to be vague, but that's all I can say).

Claire took care of overseeing the removal of the mattress from hell on Tuesday morning in anticipation of delivery of our new mattress that evening. It was to be delivered between 4 and 7 Tuesday evening. I called the store about 5:15 to make sure everything was still on, and found out there'd been a miscommunication between the store and delivery people. No mattress. The lady was very nice and discounted part of our purchase, but that still left me with no bed for the night.

Claire graciously gave us her bed and slept in her brother's room (although she did have to clean it up before she could get to sleep!). 

Wednesday morning brought my weekly appointment and grocery shopping. The new mattress arrived just as I was cooking dinner, but Alan was here to oversee. Once we had eaten and made up the bed, we kind of collapsed on the sofa until bedtime. Slept well. Fingers are still crossed.

The outcome of the Tuesday meeting was that Alan has to make a trip to Los Angeles. He's not thrilled given that he has serious bum issues (can't remember the exact name) but sitting is agony. Our hope was that I could go with him for moral support, but of course I have Michael Buble tickets on the same night he needs to leave for LA. We talked about me flying out the next morning to meet him, and I thought that was all set, but it fell through this morning. 

This weekend I'm heading to Stanton, Tennessee for a yoga and meditation retreat. Then it looks as if everyone is home for the following week, with a visit from the 5 year old on that Thursday. The following Monday I'll head to Knoxville as Alan's chauffeur and come home on Tuesday. Alan leaves for LA on Wednesday (apparently alone). Claire and I will go to the concert on Wednesday night. Alan will be in LA for a couple of days probably and then fly home by Saturday. 

I like traveling as much as the next person, and most of these events are pleasant (with the exception of LA), but I'm ready for an extended, boring stay at home. I'd enjoy having a day with no one in the house but the dogs and me to just do some housework. 

A girl can dream . . . 

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . August 27, 2013

Outside my window . . . my cherry tree is dropping leaves at an alarming rate. The first sign of autumn's return.

I am thinking . . . about all the things I need to get done today and how groggy I'm still feeling!

I am thankful . . . for safe travels to Knoxville on Sunday and home again yesterday.

In the kitchen . . . last night was take out as I got back into town just in time to drop dh off at his grad class.

I am wearing . . . my giant pink sleep shirt.

I am creating . . . a baby blanket for a friend who's baby is due in September. It's my first corner to corner blanket so I hope it turns out well.

I am going . . . to do laundry, pay bills, make a Target run, do yoga, Bible study, and sort through the remaining boxes of FIL stuff on the ping pong table today. Pray that I can accomplish all of that, and don't just sit down and do nothing for half the day!

I am wondering . . . about the dream I had last night. I was on a ferry going somewhere, but we were all just lying on the floor (no seating) and I was coming unglued. I was surrounded by people I didn't know, and the items I use for self-comfort. Anyone care to interpret for me? Oh, and when we got where we were going the ferry owner reprimanded me for not disembarking correctly!

I am reading . . . I have fallen prey to the 2nd book in The Hunger Games Trilogy. I swore after reading the first one and watching the movie I would read no more, but dh and I re-watched The Hunger Games last week and it made me curious. So I checked out Catching Fire for my Kindle and started reading it. I'm really a bit embarrassed to even admit it. The counterpoint is I'm still reading Overcoming Trauma through Yoga: Reclaiming Your Body, which hopefully balances it out a bit.

I am looking forward to . . . a week without travel involved!

I am hearing . . . total peace and quiet!

Around the house . . . all the Monday chores must be done today in addition to the Tuesday chores. I hate it when that happens.

I am praying . . . . for Patti at Someone Wake Me Up, as well as 2 friends who are expecting babies very soon.

One of my favorite things . . . is my cup of morning tea. Yesterday in the hotel they had a Keurig in the room, so I tried making tea with it. Let me just say that what the Keurig produced in no way resembled an acceptable cup of tea. Hot water with sugar and a hint of Earl Grey is just disgusting!

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . two days worth of chores today, a meeting in the morning, followed by a trip to the allergist. Thursday is Bible study and my last private lesson with my yoga instructor. Friday is sewing day with Linda, and date night with Alan. And on Saturday, Alan is photographing a friend's wedding so I'll be playing the role of photographer's assistant! Then worship on Sunday and it all starts all over again.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing . . . 

the lovely flowers dh gave me 

for our 28th anniversary last week :)

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . August 20, 2013

Outside my window . . . I'm back in Nashville. It's overcast and muggy this morning. We may get some rain later today, but that's okay because I have nowhere to go :)

I am thinking . . . that it's always good to get back home from vacation, but there's always so much to do! The airlines lost our luggage, so I'm just getting started on soggy, sandy dirty clothes today.

I am thankful . . . that all went well here at home while we were gone, and we had a good trip and safe (albeit mildly stressful) travels.

In the kitchen . . . last night was grilled sausages, cheesy grits, and a romaine/raisin/almond salad.

I am wearing . . . yoga pants, a big t-shirt from Gulf Shores, AL, and my kids' fake crocs. Ever the stylish individual!

I am creating . . . I'm not even sure! I took yarn to Cozumel but the lighting was bad in our room and it was far too muggy to crochet outside, so I really haven't done anything in over a week. I'm hoping to get back to my half granny square shawl, but I also need to do a baby afghan for a friend.

I am going . . . to stay home and do laundry and "create" with my bestie, Linda today.

I am wondering . . . about the anxiety I've wakened with the past two mornings. I'm not sure what's driving that.

I am reading . . .  re-reading Outer Banks by Anne Rivers Siddon. Well, I was going to finish this in Cozumel, but it was more depressing than I had remembered. Instead I read

Tilt a Whirl and Mad Mouse by Chris Grabenstein. And then I started the third one in the series, Whack a Mole. I'm also reading Overcoming Trauma through Yoga: Reclaiming Your Body which is quite interesting.

I am looking forward to . . . a quick trip to Knoxville with Alan for business this weekend.

I am hearing . . . the washing machine working away at erasing the odor of 2 day old damp clothing.

Around the house . . . dd did a great job of keeping things neat and orderly while we were gone. It was just lovely to come to things picked up, clean, and vacuumed.

I am praying . . . . for the family of friend who died suddenly at 52 last week. It was probably a heart attack or stroke, but so shocking. I think it's been made worse for me because I was out of the country and unable to attend the visitation or funeral.

One of my favorite things . . . is sitting around talking with my husband and kids. We arrived home around 9 Sunday night, so it was last night before we all got a chance to catch up together. We sat talking and laughing about all kinds of random things for nearly 4 hours. It was lovely!

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . creating with Linda today, a meeting tomorrow, Precepts Bible class on Thursday, ds returns to college on Friday (and it's our 28th wedding anniversary), and Sunday dh and I head west to Knoxville for a quick business trip. Whew! The fun just never ends :)

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing . . . 

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook

{this moment}

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.