Getting to the end of vacation

I am feeling like I need to get my mental affairs in order as my vacation life is coming to an end and work life will be coming back in. I do feel that my vacation has been mind-opening as I was getting a bit small (pin head size!) thinking of late and this time gave me a chance to remind myself that work is not my issue, what I am doing outside of work is my issue. It is so easy for me to be small thinking - much easier than big. "Big" challenges me to keep moving up and out of my box.

Yesterday mid-day was spent with the folks and talking to my brother who came in to cut the folks' yard. Came home and took my walk. Then watched one of my favorite Sunday night shows - Q&A on CSPAN. Very interesting discussion about modern China. Again - a BIG reminder that my thinking had gotten very small.

I did have a bit of "withdrawal symptoms" after two days of wandering in NYC and coming home to my small town. New York has the same type of mesmerizing effect on me that the beach has - the movement and sounds of people and things through the city have the same impact as the ocean. Very invigorating and contemplative at the same time.

A couple of options for today. Heard from sister #4 and a friend as to beach attendance. I have until 8 a.m. to make my decision. We will see which direction I head. My only appointment left for my vacation is my massage tomorrow a.m.

Had a neat email yesterday from a former boss who was good friends with the 2nd wife of Queen Noor's father...that is very cool to me to have that personal connection with a book I just read and enjoyed. My boss and his wife are a couple I was "meant" to know! We have had many "6 degree" moments since we met in 1995. Oh those coincidences...

I watched the closing moments of the US OPEN. I hate to admit I wanted to see Tiger pull it out, but "Viva Argentina" works for me too. Yankees are hot, hot, hot. My only other sports news is that I took my first dip in the town pool yesterday. After my walk, I drove up to the pool and had a great swim. I try to go each day after work once it opens full time after local school gets out this week. I am amazed how non-stiff I am after all my exercise of this week - but I guess my active/rest cycles are working. I will try to keep that in mind as I introduce work into the cycle.

Happy Monday!

Car repair and shopping, plus

Good first day of vacation yesterday. It started early with an 8 a.m. drop off of my car for its new tires. So I dropped off and walked home. Then I got the call that the car was ready so I walked up BUT when I got there we decided that the front right wheel bearing really needed to be addressed before I did my vacation day trips. So I went and did a couple of errands - picked up my plant re-potting supplies and went by the sign I saw for "Grand Opening" of a place to get a facial and stopped by and made an appointment for this morning. Then I dropped my car back off and went home to re-pot and make a cake. I had run into my neighbor/friend's mother earlier in the day. She was taking car of my friend's dog and daughter while she was in Chicago on business and decided I would back a cake and bring some to the two of them for their dessert. Then I walked back up to get my car and based on the fact that the left wheel bearing and brakes will be needed within the next 6K miles, I planned on stopping by the Toyota/Scion dealership before the day was out. But first, I got my post plant potting manicure with the balance of the gift certificate I had received then went to the dealership. I did not know that my cousin's ex-husband worked there so when he saw me... there was no escaping - so I told him his mission by late summer /early fall was to find me the best $13,000 car he could find with the Scion "box" being my preferred. We will see if he comes through.

Then I came home - did not need a walk since I had made 3 walking trips to the car repair place, so I got ready to walk to Book Club - Queen Noor/Leap of Faith. Book Club was great as usual and we said our good byes until we meet again in September.

Have a facial appointment at 9 a.m. and then I am off to the Sculpture Garden in Purchase NY. I am thinking that trip today, CT beach tomorrow, NYC on Friday - RI on Thursday? Have not heard from the massage lady yet - she is closed Sunday and Monday so she would not get my message until today. So her answer might impact my planning. I still have next Monday and Tuesday to work with if things get back up.

So - I can check off manicure, re-potting plants, car repair, car shopping start, Sculpture Garden, Book Club - still checks to be made. This is a very different vacation for me.

P-trap and more

Not a glamorous picture but a triumphant picture to me! In getting ready to go to Commencement, I dropped my wedding ring down the bathroom drain. I still have the ring but not the marriage, but I still like wearing it on a non-ring finger finger. So I decided as soon as I got home, I would call my neighbor or my brother to talk me through the "operation" but once I got to school, I asked the Environmental Services guys who were setting up and I decided I would try it myself - VERY big for me and my aversion to household tasks and repairs. I loved living in apartments when all I had to do was call the front desk and by the time I got home from work "the man" had come and gone and left me a little note saying "work done, hope you find the work acceptable"...why can't all of life be so satisfying. But I came home and did the deal and have my ring. I am very proud of myself.

But back to commencement - I got there at the appointed time. I always get/take the early shifts so it was just me and the ES people for awhile. Good news was it was not hot, but the bad news was it was a bit too cold for all the girls in sun dresses. But it was all good and our speaker was very good! First Afr0-American Judge in the state of Connecticut - she had a great message and presentation. After the ceremony, I decided I would leave the packaging of "the project" to my co-workers. I came home, rescued my ring and then headed into my parents for wash day and late lunch.

After that I took my walk and have to admit that I was in bed by 7:48 p.m. I am going to get rid of the bags under my eyes by the end of my vacation!!! (And no, I do not have cosmetic surgery on my vacation to do list)

Dropped my car off this a.m. and walked home. When they call me and tell me it is ready, I will walk back up and then head to OSJL for my plant re-potting needs and drive by what I thought was a grand opening sign for a skin care place in the next town over - see about my facial plan. I will hold off on the manicure until after I finish my dirt work. Then I am thinking walk and next stop will be Book Club tonight.

Tomorrow I think I will head to the Kendall Sculpture Garden. Get my longest road trip done first. We will see. All I know is I am beside myself about my vacation!