To plan or not to plan - that is the question........

Someone has misinterpreted my view on packing and planning for a vacation. Even though I am a Virgo, I am not a fan of planned vacations. Why? I have no idea, but I suspect two things contribute significantly to that fact: 

1. I spend almost every day planning classes and Zoom calls, and my life revolves around teaching scheduled classes or deadlines, so when I go on vacation, I don't want any structure. 

2. My first "real" vacation was not structured, and I had a blast! 

I took that first "real" vacation with my then-husband. He was a hot head from Quebec, and well, you don't need to plan, so I went along! He taught me that planned vacations are fun, and after this one, I agreed. I have never planned a vacation since! 

We went to Mexico in 1980, and did not have a plan. We flew to Merida and stayed for a couple of days. Then we took the bus to Chichen Itza, where we would stay the night. The bus dropped us off at the site, and the only building in sight was a mud hut that sold Coca-Cola! That was it! No phones, no internet, no hotels. And too late for any other buses! We walked about a KM down the road, found three hotels, and stayed there. 

The next day, after visiting the site, we took the bus to Cancun, which was much different than now. We took a ferry to Isla Mujeres, where we planned to stay the day. We arrived at the ferry to see the LAST ferry of the day, halfway back to Cancun. Hmm—there was no hotel available on the island. So we found a new hotel under construction and slept in the kitchen. Then he got sick (stomach issues), and I spent the rest of the vacation at the pharmacy! But it was fun and I will never forget that vacation! 

My daughter and I took a trip to Europe, and we planned to stay five days in Amsterdam and one day in Bruges. We were not fond of Amsterdam (I'm not sure why, but it wasn't our thing that time), but we did manage to visit a few places, including the Anne Frank Museum (one of my top-of-the-list must-see museums). We left after one day and went to Bruges, where we stayed for five days and loved every minute! 

Another time, M and I took a bus tour in England to visit Stonehenge after hours. There, we could walk amongst the stones, which you cannot do during the day. We also visited two other places on the same day. While I thoroughly enjoyed the tour of Stonehenge, I HATED the bus tour. I constantly looked at my watch to ensure we didn't miss the bus. 

I have spent three summers walking the Camino in Spain and have NEVER prebooked a bed in advance. OK, I booked the final night on the third trip, but I could always find a place to sleep. 

When we went to Hawaii, we didn't book a single activity in advance. We got there, and we could book everything we wanted to do through a company we found there. There was always another company or another activity if there was no availability. 

So while I "hate" planning, it's because I want to be free to do what I want when I want. MY philosophy is that if you plan too much, you spend all your time trying to enjoy and stay on track, which I am not fond of on vacation. You want an extra day somewhere? If you have a plan, that's not possible. 

As for packing? I take ONLY the absolute minimum stuff needed. One pair of pants, two shirts, etc., and EVERYTHING is washable and quick dry. I carry only the necessary documents - a passport and a credit/debit card. Nothing more! So it's easy to pack the night before a major trip. Most of my travel clothes stay in a drawer and are specifically for travel. What I wear at home stays at home. So I open my backpack, empty the drawer, and I'm packed! I would NEVER survive on a cruise. 

I totally get that some people like to plan and pack long before their vacations, and if that works for you, then that is what you have to do. But I haven't traveled like that EVER in my life. And I ENJOY each and every one of my vacations. I've never had a bad vacation! 

As for our upcoming trip? I had to prebook the climb as you couldn't book at the last minute. It'll be eight days of backpacking up a mountain, with no buses to catch, so I'll enjoy it. As for the rest? I want to be super flexible when we get there, although DH likes a bit more structure, so we do NOT usually take vacations together. I am sure that day trips will be available; if not, we will wander around the towns all day, I'm OK with that. You cannot tell me that local people have their entire life planned, so if the locals can live without daily planning, then so can the tourists, and that makes me very happy! 

I am not planning a days-long wildlife safari. If you are there in a Jeep, are you respecting the wildlife? You are disturbing their natural habitat. Nope—I'm leaving the animals alone. Will it change my life if I don't see a giant elephant? Nope! I'd rather see the people and how they live! Can we go to a village and see how they live? How is that different from life in the city? I do NOT want to do the tourist things in most places! 

And now onto the regular blog post. Here's something to put on your calendar. I will be the featured quilter at the Buckhorn Quilt Show on September 5 and 6. I'm pretty excited about that and will be prepping for that event in July. So you see -- I do plan, because that stuff can't be done at the last minute. 

Featured quilt at the Buckhorn Quilt Show

As for my 60-minute-or-less project, I got the final three placemats bound! So that is exciting. 

Three placemats are done! 

And now all five are done. That initial placemat, cut from the border print, was probably made 25 years ago! That is just silly! But the fabric is entirely used up, and I can cross this one off my list! YES—I plan and make lists all the time! 

Five placemats done! 

I've gotten so much feedback about how organized my classes are. I LOVE to plan, just not a vacation! 

Well, I decided to do a bonus 60-minute-or-less. I had cut some binding strips for a quilt of mine, but wasn't sure if I could cut enough—the binding is very scrappy. So the rest of the fabric sat on the cutting table in case I was short. 

However, as I attached the binding this morning, I realized that yes, I have enough! There was about 20 inches left over, which is pretty good! I did not plan that. If I had been short, I would have simply cut more fabric, which is why the fabrics were still on the cutting table. 

Extra binding, which is always good!

It was a big quilt, but sewing the binding to the back took less than 60 minutes. 

Sewing the binding on

I have to prepare for my Facebook Live tomorrow. Yes, that involves some planning and organizing! The first step was to move the furniture around so I could set up both machines, my computer, and all the cameras. 

The film area - rearranged

I bought a new fancy tripod, and do you think I can figure out how to use it? I need to find a YouTube video today. I can see why that new camcorder is inexpensive, but it should do the job—no bells and whistles on it! So that's on the agenda for today—setting up and finishing stitching some samples. 

As we chatted through Monday Sewing, I mentioned that our vet is retiring after 53 years! Everyone said that I might have a hard time finding a new one, and I wanted one that was close enough to walk to. I stopped by yesterday, and there was no problem. We are registered, and the paperwork will be transferred. I'm not usually that on the ball about stuff like that, but all the files will be transferred before they close on August 31st. 

Of course, neither of the girls was too excited about that and would have happily foregone having a new doctor! No more needles!!!! 

MOM - we don't like the vet! 

Murphy was helping me sew yesterday! She's so needy! 

MOM - just in case you need help!

And she LOVES to lie in the mess, which she then brings into the house! I don't even bother sweeping every day. What's the point? 

MOM - I hear a plane

But when I was having my snack in the gazebo, she was back at it with he toy and the pond. Nothing went in, but she tried!!!

MOM - my fish needs water! 

Over the years, I have learned through many instances that my "laissez-faire" lifestyle is NOT for most people. Eons ago, I almost drove a corporate client to drink when we were returning to the Boston Airport, and the bus was late. He almost took my head off for my casual comment. 

I love my spontaneity! I love making things up if the original plan (if it existed) didn't work out. There is always a solution. I'm NEVER disappointed, as I had no expectations! Yep, each of us must live our lives as it works for us. But will I be sad about not planning a vacation? NEVER!!! There's always a silver lining! 

I get that not everyone can afford a vacation that allows them to plan and pack way in advance. But we have so many wonderful places in Canada to travel to that wouldn't require a significant cash outlay! Get in your car and plan some day trips! Those are very exciting mini-vacations. I've traveled to every province (multiple times) and two of three territories in our beautiful country. 

None of my vacations have been expensive. I stay in youth hostels and buy food from the grocery store. For breakfast, I buy a pastry from the bakery, not the cafe. I take one piece of luggage—a carry-on or a backpack! I go as light as I can. I have traveled many years in Canada by bus or bicycle, although I do fly more now. Only in the last ten years have I been venturing further afield more regularly.  

On that happy note. I'd better start the day because I have a lot of work to set up for tomorrow. Be sure to stop by and check out the Facebook Live (June 4th at 3:00 PM EDT) on Using Decorative Stitches in Embroidery Mode. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!