Do you know where you are?

I need to clarify one thing -- I have been lamenting the last couple of days that I feel like I'm not accomplishing anything. While I am getting loads done, I'm a MAKER, so I need to see results! I think that's why people like to make lists, so they can see the checkmark as if something physically happened! So yes --- lots of things are getting accomplished; I just don't have much to show for it! 

HOWEVER --- that's a bit different today! 

I have loads that I should be sewing, but I'm trying to focus and not move from one project to the next. It's hard!!! But here's one more block from the Barn Star Sampler quilt. Again -- this is a 24" block, so it's huge. There are not many pieces, and they go together pretty quickly. 

Block for Barn Star Sampler

I still had two blocks to catch up on the summer homework, which is already late since I'm supposed to have it done BEFORE I assign it. So, onto the next block. I'm listening to an audiobook, and I NEED to know how it ends, so that's motivation to keep sewing. There are a few more pieces in this block, but this is one more 24" block - DONE. 

Block for Barn Star Sampler

That leaves one more 24" block, and then I'm still behind by eight blocks, although they are smaller. I pulled fabrics for those eight blocks, and if I could get that up-to-date, I would happily move on to something else. I used to be OK with being behind, but I'm trying to avoid that. 

This is going to be a HUGE quilt. Here are my blocks so far, and I'm running out of room on the design boards. I really like the citrus colorway. 

My blocks for the Barn Star Sampler so far

Of course, my helper was there in case my knee got tired. 

MOM -- can I PUSH NOW? 

I was back to the emails and unsubscribing. Good grief -- what a job, but I'm making headway. There are also emails from people I know that just got abandoned in the inbox, and I need to STOP doing that because those emails can pile up as well. I'm down to less than 15,000 emails! I think that's hilarious, but it is what it is, and I've eliminated 5,000!!!!!

There are still a lot of emails to deal with

Two good things are coming from this purge. One is that I'm unsubscribing to prevent the mess from reoccurring. And second, I'm actually reading and dealing with the ones still coming in. Don't compound the problem! So, it will take another month or so to get it under control, but even a little bit every day helps. 

When I went for my afternoon walk yesterday, this was my route. I took the long way to the mall, and my knee seemed to be OK. Not perfect, but OK. The sharp pains are gone -- thank goodness.   

My urban walk

But as I walked, I couldn't help but be reminded of The Camino. 

My Camino walk

There's a path along the side of the road!!!!! I had a chuckle over that. 

And when I was cleaning out my email, I came across one from Google Maps. As I keep my location feature on, there are NO SECRETS about where I've been. It's kind of uncanny as I look at my activity for 2023. 

But here's my trip to Europe in a nutshell. I flew to Paris and took the train to Bayonne (the dot nearest the Bay of Biscay). Then, the train to St. Jean Pied de Port (the start of the long string of red dots). Then, I walked all that distance, and each dot represents a day (more or less). And then the train to Madrid for the flight home. 

Europe trip in a nutshell!

Here's a close-up of all those dots on my walk. You have to admit that it's kind of cool to see that!!! That string of dots represents about 450 KM!!!!! And looking at that map from Leon to Santiago, I'm more than halfway there!!!!

The Camino Frances from St. Jean Pied de Port to Leon

And since it's all on my blog, I don't care two hoots about the location services. However, and I'm sure someone has already done this --- there needs to be a mystery book written about location features and how they helped or hindered solving a crime!!! 

So --- in case you keep that location service on - Google knows where you are!!! Just saying!!!

And I had an excellent two-hour meeting in the morning, which was pretty exciting. Sharing ideas and best practices is, well -- just the best thing. But now I also need to buckle down and work on some samples as I'm a little behind, but that's OK. I'm doing the audiobook thing right now, and it's pretty hard to focus on the long arm, embroidery, listening to an audiobook, and sewing. My limit is two things, so right now -- I'm good. But that dream world of working will come to an abrupt halt soon!

This is my way of thinking!!! Bring on the ideas, let them percolate while walking, and then when you go to actually make the things? Piece of cake!!!

Well, I must start the day as there are many things to do. Oh shoot --- I was going to post the classes for fall -- OK -- I'll try to do that tomorrow. I keep forgetting, but I made the distribution list for Tequila Lime, so a note will go out to them soon. 

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

The simple life

Another year has rolled around! It's my birthday today!! There's no need to discuss the numbers -- birthdays are about celebrating the fact that we are still here and able to live a pretty normal life.

I look forward to the following year, and who knows what that will bring. It's about keeping the mind open and the body in somewhat decent shape to do what the mind wants! 

It's about creating, it's about adventure and exploring, and it's about ME time. But best of all, it's about friends, sharing, and well --- it's just about LIFE and being one of the lucky ones still around. 

By the way (and I don't want to jinx anything), my knee feels pretty good. While it still has its moments, that sharp pain is gone. It's achy and tired, but I feel like I could hop back on the Camino and finish it right now! But let's not get too hasty. I wear my brace when I walk any distance, and I'll keep doing so, but I'm good around the house. I almost wonder what happened out there, and perhaps it was all a dream? 

I'm booking one more appointment with the physio this week because that was a "miracle" cure. It's better than a cortisone shot, although will this euphoria last? I don't care -- let's take it one day at a time. 

I had a somewhat decent day yesterday, but more importantly, I accomplished stuff that I had been dreading doing, and it got done, so that was a good thing. I had to make travel arrangements for several trips. This involved booking hotels, cars, and planes, all of which take time to do when you have to evaluate the options. Let's just say there are some weird trip combinations in the works, and you'll hear about them when they happen. 

But it blows my mind when things go wrong! I needed to book a hotel for an upcoming week-long event. When I tried to do that online, the system told me I couldn't. Why not? Well, because the second night is sold out. OK -- so if it were just me, I'd say - that's possible. However, knowing that hundreds of people will attend the same event and ONLY the second day is sold out, I knew something was wrong. 

After calling the hotel, the reservation desk said the same thing. According to their computer, the hotel was not available that night. So you're telling me that all those customers who have not booked yet won't have a bed that night? I don't think so. I went back to the coordinator to tell her the story, and within 30 minutes, the situation was fixed. It was supposed to have happened the day before, but I digress. I can live knowing that because of my persistence, the problem got fixed for everyone else. 

I get that the person I spoke to at the reservation desk was only an hourly paid employee, but wouldn't you question the logic of that situation? The first night is available, the second is not, and the remainder of the week is available. There must be a glitch. But nope -- they just go by what's on their screen, and I can't blame him -- he is NOT paid to question things. 

I must have sounded a wee bit frustrated, and I was. But I was polite -- I didn't yell. Imagine my surprise when I received a phone call shortly after from the hotel, ensuring that everything was OK. Then I received a second phone from the same lady, just double checking again, and then I got a text from her to say YES -- my reservation was, in fact, correct. I should have pretended I was so distraught that I needed a spa treatment as compensation. But seriously -- I wasn't that upset -- just frustrated knowing that when someone blocked off the rooms, they probably hit 200 for day one, 20 for day two, and 200 for the remainder of the days. It happens!!!

I still have more travel to book and arrange, so hopefully, I can finish that by tomorrow. All these fun and games. 

Then, in the afternoon, I puttered. WAIT -- I had a nap first! Maybe it's the legs over the back of the couch that is helping my knee? Then I puttered. I got the last Barbie quilt on the long arm. That required a lot of fiddling to get all the loose threads off that quilt top and the fleece backing. 

Last Barbie quilt - ready to go

Then, while we had Virtual Retreat last night -- by the way -- I'm back!!!! Yep -- I had no issue participating, and I just needed a few days to reflect on my journey and continue to enjoy the peace of the trip! 

So, during the Virtual Retreat, I managed to get all the bindings on the first eight Barbie quilts. 

Eight Barbie quilts are done!!!!!

Yeah --- that's a huge job done, and I'll try to finish the remaining one today and then call the Project Linus coordinator for pickup. I have a few Barbie books I do NOT want -- I might throw those books in with the quilts. 

I'm still wearing my Camino shoes for my daily walks. I have to laugh when I look at them. Look at this one spot that wore. I knew before I left that it was rubbing the bottom of my ankle somewhat, but it didn't seem to be a big issue. So, instead of bothering my ankle, the shoe wore down. 

My ankle trumps the shoe! 

And what is this on the outside of the same shoe? I've no idea what it is. 

Crap on my shoe!

DH went to the grocery store in the morning, and as he drove away to play golf, he mentioned that he bought me a surprise. OH -- I like surprises. He should have bought that for me today!!!

A chocolate pastry

Bless his heart for trying. This is a good substitute for what I ate in Spain. OK -- the pastry is nowhere near as flaky, and the chocolate is NOT the same. But it was fun to eat and made me think of all the others I ate while away!!! 

Someone sent this to me yesterday. I couldn't agree more. 

The less stuff you own, the less time you need to organize it and the less space you need. I think this is one of the reasons why the Camino calls people back. The beauty of living with minimal things is DIVINE!! You can't imagine the freedom of living with just the bare essentials over an extended period. It's a simple life - it's uncomplicated, and I think people yearn for that simplicity, but we are afraid to commit to living with less; we don't know where to start, and we think we'll miss out. 

So, it's time to let go of many things. I'm trying, but I want to be responsible about it. I don't just want to pull up a dumpster in front of my house and empty it. That would be pointless, and I would be sad. But consciously getting rid of it and enjoying that process brings me much pleasure. I know this is exactly how my Mom feels. But here's the difference between the two of us. 

My Mom is a hoarder, and she was born in the mid-30s, so they didn't have a lot of stuff. Little things became precious to her, and because of that pioneer spirit, many things were deemed useable, but not at that time. And over time, you just continue accumulating, and you don't see what's happening. Of the five siblings, four are similar; one is entirely different! 

Now that we have to finish with the house, she is determined to donate or sell all the stuff to someone. But here's the thing --- who needs a floor polisher? I think there are two in the house, and I swear they haven't been used for over 40 years. But in her mind, they are still valuable. Who polishes their floors these days, and can you even buy the wax? 

We have a job to convince her that everything of any value has already been dealt with, and whatever is left just isn't worth keeping! Thankfully, I have a co-conspirator! 

Thankfully, I realized this potential hoarding thing about 10 years ago for myself. And since then, I've been getting rid of things or using them as appropriate. NOTHING is precious anymore - memories, yes, but not things. Anything can go. I'm trying to get rid of them while they are still of value to someone. Times change, and what was good one day is no longer good. I mean, who wants a fax machine these days? Not that either of us has one to dispose of, but you know what I mean. 

So look around your house. Here's a crucial thing to consider as you look around your house. Are you using the item and want to continue to keep it, or are you bound by a MEMORY of who it belonged to? We all need to get OVER the memory thing and focus on its purposefulness. And while it's OK to keep memorabilia, we need to think carefully about how much we own. What are you no longer using and likely could live without? Can someone else use it? If not, then guess what? It's time to take it to the dump! I know -- -that hurts to the core, but seriously -- why should we be saddled with these physical things? We don't need to be heroes to our ancestors -- if there is no use for it -- then get rid of it!!! They will only haunt you if you let them! 

I'm doing the same thing with my e-mail, and I'm down to less than 17,000 e-mails, so I'm making progress, but there is still lots of work to do. A bit at a time, and before I know it, it's going to be in good shape. 

The key to all this is to NOT let it happen. This is something that parents need to teach their children, and teachers need to teach to their students. If you want to buy your kid toys and gifts -- that's OK, but also teach them how to get rid of what they don't want. DO NOT DO this yourself, but show your kids how to do it --- they'll love you for it later in life. It's an important life skill. 

OK -- so where did all that philosophical stuff come from? OH -- it's my birthday -- one year older and one year wiser! 

Anyway -- have a super day, and if you get a chance, pop into the Virtual Retreat (the link is in a separate blog post) and have some virtual cake!!!!

Ciao!!!

Unfinished business

 I'm such a good talker, but am I a good doer? 

This is the issue with my e-mail. Look at the number of e-mails in the inbox and how many of them are unread!! Yep --- it's a huge issue and it didn't take long for this to happen. 

That's a lot of JUNK e-mail

So true to my word, I sorted the inbox alphabetically and then I started at Z and started to delete and unsubscribe. Why start at the end? Just for something different. Now I'll admit that I didn't get too far, as I then got into my folders and decided how many class e-mails did I need to keep? So a lot of folders got deleted. I went through the spam folder and a few other generic folders. I want to try and get this under control and then call Microsoft to further refine the folder system. 

The big question is how much to unsubscribe from? All or some? The thing is, if know these sites exist so if I want to buy something, I know where to find it. It is almost rare that I'll buy something based on an e-mail that comes in. The only downside is that sometimes a notification of a seminar comes in or some information that interests me. So I'll have to do some soul-searching for some of them. And it's not a bad thing to receive e-mail, but it should be from companies that you will open the e-mail and look at it. Like my favorite (and local) quilt shops. I'll stay on their distribution lists. 

And if some company or person sends more than one a week -- they are GONE!!! That's just too much!

That's going to be a huge job to get that under control, but I NEED to, and I also want to. I'm tired of having a ridiculous e-mail inbox where I miss things and there's no need to have it filled with junk that I don't need or want. Slow and steady!!!!

However, not finishing something seems to be a life issue. I get all fired up about something and I start to tidy/sort or whatever and then I lose steam! Case in point, I found this yesterday. 

Unsorted boxes of thread

A while back, I got this new cabinet and plastic containers for my embroidery thread. I love the setup and it works amazing for me. However, there were THREE containers of thread that hadn't been sorted yet and there they sat. So while the long arm was quilting (yes -- everything went fine yesterday), I sorted those last three containers of thread. Yeah!!!! The embroidery thread is now sorted!!!

My embroidery thread

I have decided that I do NOT need any more embroidery thread. Perhaps I'm missing a color or two from the entire line of thread, but seriously --- can I not figure out how to substitute a yellow for a pale yellow? In most cases, it doesn't matter if I don't use the exact shade and to be honest, I'm not that kind of person. I make it up as I go. In an ideal world, those two flat boxes on top of the cabinet will be integrated into the other boxes when space opens up. They are overflow from some of the colors. 

The bottom line --- do NOT buy more embroidery thread unless it is to replace a color that I use frequently -- like black or white. Make due with what you have!!!

And then when I was sorting the remainder of my other threads, there were two containers that I never touched. 

Two unsorted baskets of other thread

Seriously??? Why do I always get the job almost done and then fail to complete? So I spent some time organizing that as well. There is now just ONE box of thread left to sort and I'll try to do that later today. My brain can only handle so much sorting and when you get down to the last bits, it's hard as you're not sure what to do with some of it. And let me say that when sorting the embroidery threads, it was hard to define some of those colors!! Is that grey? or a pale blue? or a mauve? Some of them are hard to tell and if they are hard to tell on the spool? They will be impossible to tell on an embroidery!!!!

One last box of thread

The other thing that I have to deal with is things that I have sorted, and know that I want to get get rid of it, but never did anything with it. Like this container of paper supplies that I was planning to donate to the college where I took the textile program many years ago. I'l make a note to call the school and see if I can drop it off and then it's out of my house!!!!! 

Paper supplies to donate

This is all going to get cleaned up and hopefully sooner than later, but it's time consuming!! That's the problem with having lots of stuff --- the more you have, the bigger the job to get rid of it or deal with it!!! I'm making a good effort!!! And one day, it'll be good! Let's hope that's not the day when we downsize and then the remainder that I have will not fit in a smaller space!! But NO -- we are not going to worry about that!! It's all going to be good. 

I just do not want anyone else to be saddled with cleaning up my mess. I'm the one that created it -- I should be the one to deal with it. I just wish that someone had of told me/warned me years ago and I could have prevented it! But live and learn!!!!

OH -- I counted the number of quilts in the basket that are to be quilted for Quilts of Valour -- only seven, not ten. PHEW -- that's saves a bit of time. I did not finish ripping out the quilting on the last Barbie quilt, so I loaded one of the Quilts of Valour quilts instead. 

However, I managed to get the last three of that batch of eight Barbie quilts quilted. 

Community project quilt - DONE

Two more community project quilts - DONE

Look at the backing I found for the last two. 

The backing for two of the quilts

Now, none of them are huge, but still -- it's a job to get the backings and the batting ready. Then to load them and quilt them -- it all takes time. 

All eight of them are trimmed and five of them have the binding stitched to one side. I hope to get the remainder done today. Well, let's see what today has in store!!!! And you imagine the space I would have if I could get ALL those community project quilts quilted? The amount of batting scraps, backing, and quilt tops --- I'd have so much room!!! But all in good time. Slow and steady!!!!

Here's something from The Camino that I thought I'd share with you. So while I'm not super interested in the paperwork of the compostella (the completion paper or the half completion paper). You have to request and pay for them. 

However, there is one thing that you need in order to walk and that is your Pilgrim passport. You needed this to get into the albergues since they are only for the pilgrims walking the Camino. 

Each albergue would stamp and date the passport. As well, there are restaurants and cathedrals that will also stamp and date the passport. 

As you can see, my passport from last year (on the left) is pretty prestine. I kept it in my backpack, which was very inconvenient. So this year, I started off by keeping it in my waist pouch, which worked extremely well, except it got wet from sweat!!! So I ended up putting it in a plastic bag to protect it. 

My two Camino passports

]

I was't a bit fan of collecting stamps from everywhere -- I got the required one a day as a minimum and sometimes I got two. This is my passport from 2022. 

Inside my 2022 Camino Passport

And here's my passport from this year. 

My 2023 Camino Passport

For the last 100 KM, you need to get the passport stamped twice a day if you want the certificate. I might just take both passports next year in case I need more room. 

You can buy the passports from your country's Camino office or buy it when you start in St. Jean Pied de Porte. While, it's a fun souvenir, it's also necessary -- you cannot walk the Camino without it. Well, you can, but you can't stay in the albergues. 

I did 10,000 steps yesterday! Yeah!!!!  I will say that the physio treatment made a huge difference to my knee. It's still not 100% (far from it) and I'm not pushing. Walk or stand some and then rest. I didn't get a chance to rest as much as I needed and by 7:20  PM, I was gone!! Of course, that makes me wake up at ridiculous o'clock, but I suspect part of me is still 6 hours ahead!!

But it's all baby steps and I'm not worried about my knee at all. Just keep that blasted thing moving because if I stop, it's going to seize up and then I'm doomed!!!!

Lots of other stuff happening, but I've run out of time!!!!

There's a virtual retreat this weekend. The links are in separate blog posts. To be honest, I'm not sure I'll participate, but I might stop in to say hi at some point. I really have zero desire to chat to people right now! How rude is that???? But I"' enjoying my peace and quiet and when I'm ready, I"ll be there with a vengeance - right now, I need the solitude. 

And I desperately need to get a new keyboard for my computer. Using two computers to create a blog post is a bit ridiculous!!! Hopefully, today!!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!

The Sounds of Silence

I had a super day just hanging out at the house and I think the only sounds that could be heard was laughter. At what? What would you expect? Murphy, of course!!!! That dog is full of antics and how could you not laugh. Ok, Miss Lexi, we love you too, but you are just not as funny as your sister. Oh my --- did I say that out loud. I have a favorite? Oh poor Lexi, Don't worry, she's getting loads of love and attention too - just in a different way. 

And you've heard it said that dog owners soon start to resemble their pets? I think our pets have conformed to us. Lexi is like DH -- quiet, more reserved and Murphy? Well, all hell breaks out with her. 

So in an ideal world, the girls are NOT allowed on the furniture. However, over time, Lexi has become a part of laying on the sofa with DH. I said to the Monday ladies that when I get back, it wouldn't surprise me that Murphy has also overstepped her boundaries. 

Imagine my surprise when I came from the living room to the family room and saw this. 

MOM --- look at me -- I've been missing this big comfy bed!!!!

Ah Murphy -- -that is LEXI's spot!!!!! At which point, she looked at me and said -- seriously? This is a DOG spot. 

Of course, I am partially to blame because from time to time, and it was just shortly before I left, that I allowed her on the sofa one night when we were watching movies. So, the day before, when I got home and had my leg up and reading my book, she jumped up to join me. 

MOM -- look at me -- I missed you!!!!!!!!

 

Now seriously --- how can one get mad at a face like that? 

And there's Lexi -- all calm and aloof. 

Mom -- I can make funny faces too! I'm just as cute!!!!

I had plugged my DEAD Fitbit into a charger overnight the previous night to see what would happen and lo and behold, the darn thing charged. It wouldn't go higher than 92%, but let's see what happens. This is the second time it went totally dead and would not revive and both times I was out of the country. The first time, it recovered the next day. This time, it took two days to recover. 

FitBit is up and running again

While these next couple of weeks are ME time, it doesn't mean that I can't quilt and sew because that is what I like to do -- I just don't like having a crush of deadlines and obligations. So I decided it was a good time to quilt up some more community project quilts. 

I have eight Barbie quilts that Diane assembled (I know -- that was from fabric that I bought). Can you tell me why I had so much? 

Barbie quilt tops and backings

I know that it's hard to explain and I'm afraid you are going to hear about that trip for a long time, but that trip will forever be in my mind. I lived with minimal possessions for four weeks and I was totally happy. I see the excess in our lives in North American and it's -- well, I really want to get rid of everything in my life that I don't actively use. That is going to take a long time, but I'm being very proactive about making it happen. 

The more you have, the more time it takes to manage it, the more time to find a home for it and all sorts of other issues. It will take some emotional struggle to get rid of some things and others, I'll have no problem. But the point is that we put too much value on STUFF and I would love to live a simpler life!!!  Remember, I didn't even get the certificate for the half way point and that is something the old me would have been first in line for. What do I care? The trip will be forever in my heart and I don't need a piece of paper to remind me! 

I dug out some batting bits to make up batting. 

Batting bits for the quilts

And then I got to quilting. Boy -- I am out of touch or what!!!!  First, I loaded the quilt backing wrong -- forgot to pin it UNDER the bar, not over, so that had to be changed. 

Oops -- over the bar, not under!

Then when I cut the backing, I must have forgotten how to measure, because the backing was BARELY large enough for the quilts. 

The backing was JUST the right size

And then I set the Safe Zone too small and it would quilt one row at a time instead of two or three. Oh boy --- it was not my day. But that's OK -- it all worked out and I got two quilts done. They are on the same piece of backing so that's why they look like this. 

Two community projects - DONE

The bindings are all made, so my intention is as one is quilting, I will bind one that is quilted. Diane made eight and I have one other Barbie one, for a total of nine. My goal is to get them done and donated while Barbie is the in-thing right now. Thanks to Diane for reminding me of that before I went. 

Then I had a tub of flannel quilts that are designated for Quilts of Valour. I think there are ten in there. Shirley reminded me of them before I left and I'm going to try to get those done as well. If I could clear up those 19 quilts before it's time to go back to regular programming, that would be awesome. 

Quilt tops for Quilts of Valour

Remember, this is MY time to do whatever I want and although DH doesn't get why I was on the long arm yesterday, that's OK. I need to do something -- it's just not like me to sit around. It's allowing me to do something for others and I get a bit more stuff cleared out of the house!

I had pulled out a huge hunk of pink flannel, which got washed early one morning and there is enough fabric for the backing of six of the Barbie quilts. So I washed a bit more flannel for the remaining two quilts. I have a lot of flannel that needs to be washed for backings, so I washed several pieces. I won't use most of it now, but at least it's ready to go when I need it. 

Flannel to be washed for backings

Even though it was Monday sewing, I didn't participate. I logged in and I listened from afar, but I had no desire to participate in any conversations. I so enjoyed my mostly silent days when I was away. I can keep myself entertained for lengthy periods of time without any outside stimuli and so yesterday, I puttered silently and it felt good. 

I think part of the problem is that I'll get pulled into the daily routine by participating in Zoom and I'm' not ready. I seriously think I'm going through a culture shock to get back into my world. 

So I'm enjoying the sounds of silence! On the trip, I listened a lot to nature, but there is one sound that I am happy to no longer hear. Those morning doves and their WHOO WHOO (pause) WHOO!!!!  They are everywhere and after a while, I was ready to shoot them!!! Oops!!!! So much for patience!!!

The other sound I am happy to leave behind is slamming doors. What???? I believe in all places that the windows were open all night and for the most part we stayed in rooms with doors. So when people are getting up to pee or to leave for the day, as much as they try (and I think some of them didn't), the wind causes the door to bang shut! At some point, I was losing my patience. WAIT - I'm supposed to keep my cool! But those slamming doors were grating!!

I did answer my phone TWICE yesterday, but both of them were important calls that needed to be answered and had nothing to do with work. Other than that, I had a quiet day and I was happy as a clam. And I finished another book!

Well, I'm sorry to Lexi, but here are two other pictures of Murphy (Lexi is going to have to step up her game if she wants to be on the blog!). At one point, I was throwing a big pink ball across the pond for Murphy to fetch. The ball got caught in the trees and Murphy was beyond herself trying to get it. Since it was close tot he edge, she didn't know what to do. So this is what happened. I think one of her legs slipped into the water as well as she was wet. 

MOM -- a little help!!!!!

If you look closely, you can see the pink ball just above her left ear in the bushes. It was hilarious!!!!! 

And then she finally settled down. I peered through the door and saw her sitting like this. 

MOM --- why won't you play with me? I'm super cute!!!!!

Seriously - how can you kick her of the couch when she is so cute! But she desperately needs to be groomed. She is filthy and will always be filthy with the dirt in the back yard. Lexi also needs a bath and a good brushing. That is a never ending job with both of them!!!

M computer woes need to be solved - -I had forgotten about them. The keyboard doesn't work on the big computer and I can't get into e-mail on my laptop!! It's a first world problem to be sure, so I had to use two computers to set up the blog this morning!!! Sigh.................

Today is an appointment with the physio and let's see what he says about my knee. This does NOT feel joint related -- it's more tendon or muscle and let's pray not bone! 

On that note --- here's a link to one of my favorite songs --- The Sounds of Silence. There are several versions and if you don't like this one, find the original!! But it's a powerful song and I LOVE it. 

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

Planes, Trains, and automobiles!!

 So this happened!!!!

I'm HOME!!!!!!

Wait -- before you all panic, I'm OK. I'm thrilled to be home, and let's just say that travel days are always an adventure!

Here's what happened. 

In total, I took three rest days. Then I had to cut back the number of KMs I walked each day, and while I still had time to finish the Camino, I knew that I might be pushing the limits, especially if I wanted another rest day. The fact that my knee is a bit messed up didn't help the situation. 

So over a week ago, I evaluated the options and decided that I could get to a major city (easier to restart the Camino later), and I would be happy. I had a couple of options, but after chatting with DH and with all my reflections, I decided that Leon would be a good stopping point for my 2023 Camino. 

I have to say that I was thrilled with my decision. While I had to leave the Camino last year because of my blisters, the decision this year was easy and didn't cause me grief. I had so much time to reflect and learn about myself that I felt ready to come home. I want to take the things I thought about and see how to incorporate them into my life. Then next year, I can learn a whole lot more about myself.  

My biggest issue is time. I am ALWAYS trying to fill every minute of every day, and if I continued on the Camino, I would be rushed. Rushed to finish the Camino and then rushed to get back to work. And that is one of the reasons I went -- to have the luxury of time. So as a gift (and respect) to myself, I now have THREE weeks with basically nothing to do. 

I will NOT be answering phone calls, or e-mails, except for a few that absolutely need to be done. I may or may not participate in Zoom calls -- perhaps to say HI, and that's it. I plan to spend a lot of time here.

My "new" gazebo

Yes, while I was away, my gazebo got a makeover. I might even go and buy a new chair. I have a lot of reading or napping that I want to do, and guess where I'll be? 

I also want to spend a lot of time with these goofballs. Murphy was beyond herself with excitement when I got home. Lexi, well, she's aloof and needs to be alone to get the excitement out of her system; then she is ready to say HI!

Mom's home!!!!!!

I am incredibly happy with my 2023 Camino, and I'm sure I'll be blabbing on about it for a while. Zero regrets with the shortened time frame. As a matter of fact, I learned that I'm OK being away from home for 4 weeks (maximum), but longer than that, and I start to get antsy! So live and learn, and never look back. 

I thought I'd share the journey home, and I know exactly what some of you will say. This is why we book excursions, so we don't have to take care of the details!!!!

Once I knew what city I was going to end up in, I needed to book a train to Madrid, where I would catch my plane. Wait -- some people will ask, why didn't I visit Leon or Madrid while I was there? Seriously??? I'd just spent 4 weeks traipsing around Spain and seeing amazing wonders - I did NOT need to see Leon or Madrid. Shhhh, but I have zero interest in looking at cathedrals. A museum or two might be fine, but I loved walking through the countryside and the villages to see how the Spanish people lived. I do NOT want to traipse around a city filled with tourists!!!

OK -- so I needed to book a train. Thank god for smartphones because you can do almost anything on your phone. After Googling trains to Madrid, I found several booking sites. The night I tried to book my ticket, I wasn't having any success. The minute I hit "pay now," I would get a message. "sorry, those tickets have just sold out." OK -- let's take the first class ticket. Same thing. So onto the next booking reservation site. 

My original plan was to take the train on Sunday, but that wasn't working. So I checked for trains on Saturday evening after I arrived in Leon, and I had success. I had to take the 8:40 PM train to Madrid, which is a two-hour ride. 

So that is the high-speed train. This is NOT a picture of my train, which was much older, but I snapped this the next morning. 

The high-speed train

I tried to change my flight on the app, but that just wouldn't work, so DH to the rescue AGAIN!! (he had to do it last year as well), and he managed to get me a direct flight home on Sunday. So he might have cheated a bit and upgraded me to business class. 

I arrived in Madrid at 11:00 PM and my flight is at 12:30 the next day. What to do in the meantime? Sleep at the airport? Sleep in Madrid? Sleep in the train station? No more trains to the airport that night, so that wasn't an option. 

I hobbled up the steps at the train station, and to my delight, there was a sign for a HOTEL right at the train station. How civilized is that? So over to the hotel and spent the night there. 

Up the next morning to figure out how to get from the train station to the airport. After asking several people and looking at the signboards, I see that there is a train to the airport in about 20 minutes. OK -- so I need a ticket. The more that one travels on these systems, you kind of have an idea of how things work. So over to the ticket dispensers to buy a ticket. Two helper ladies standing there made quick work of figuring out the system, and I had a ticket. 

No one checks that you have a ticket, so could you just walk on the train? Well, you could, but you need the ticket to get out of the platform on the other end!

If you think the Toronto airport is big, think again! Madrid is HUGE. The train takes you to Terminal 4, and I need to be at Terminal 1. So a few more questions, and let's say that barely anyone speaks English or French; I'm directed to a green bus that transports people to the other terminals. Could I walk? NO -- Terminal 4 seems to be in the middle of nowhere.

At last, I arrive at Terminal 1, which seems to be the most popular Terminal for departures. AHA -- Now I am in a familiar area as I remember the airport from last year. I got to the Air Canada kiosk, which is manned by people! Yeah!!!!!

I wanted to check my backpack. The ticket agent asked me if I really needed to do that since this is how much it weighed!!!! 

The weight of my backpack

Wait a minute --- how could my backpack weigh less than when I left? I had eaten all my snacks, which weighed something, and I had a few things in a small bag that I took on the plane. But that bag weighed 7.5 KM on the way out. I didn't lose anything -- OK -- I did lose my tweezers, but that was it. Anyway, just goes to show that you can live with very few things, and I was happy. OH -- I might add that I was checking my luggage because my walking poles were INSIDE the tiny backpack. Yes -- added weight. God knows what I had in there on the way to Spain. Walking poles are NOT allowed through security, so the bag had to be checked. 

I bet the luggage transfer guy on the Camino was wondering why my bag was being checked every day!!! 

Then onto the lounge to rest for the next four hours while I waited for my plane. As we were getting ready to board, we were stopped on the gangway to wait for them to finish cleaning or something. 

Waiting to board the plane

OK -- I did NOT put pictures of my seat on the plane. I didn't want to make you jealous, but if you ever get the chance to at least once in your life fly business class with the lie-down beds, go for it. Especially on a long flight. This flight was 9 hours, and thank god I had the bed. I didn't really sleep much as I wanted to get myself back into my time zone pretty quickly. So I watched movies with noise-canceling headphones. OK -- so they were amazing. The headphones, not the movies!!!

I watched THREE movies, and that's huge for someone who can't stay awake to watch one at home. 

After disembarking the plane, it was a LONG walk to the customs and baggage area. Remember, I do NOT have walking sticks with me, and one guy asked if I wanted a wheelchair. Nope -- I'm good, and I'm able to hobble at a pretty good clip. Hey -- it hurts if you walk slow or fast, so go fast, and it'll be over sooner! 

Of course, my darn NEXUS card will NOT work with the automated gates. I have no idea why that happens. I must contact them. I don't know if the card is not activated or what - but it's a hassle, and I had to wait in a long line of airline crew to get through. The big Air Emirates plane had just landed, and they have 17 flight attendants on that plane!!!! However, that was better than waiting in the MASSIVE line of other people. 

There was no rush as we had to wait for the luggage. Yep --- it took over 30 minutes, and I was cursing those darn walking sticks!!!!! But all is good -- remember, patience is a virtue, and there was no rush to get home. 

The final craziness of the day was Uber. I get to the Q Door, and I order the Uber. Well, this guy must have been having a bad day or something. I can see his car on the app; he's coming to the gate, and then whoosh -- he's gone. Seriously??? I'm standing right there!!!!! How could he miss me? Or how could I miss him? Then I see him come around again on the app. Still no car. Then I see him come around the third time, and I texted him --- where was he? Well, he first went to the departures level -- seriously???? Then he went somewhere else. Turns out he was in the WRONG lane for the Uber pickup. 

By this time, I just wanted to get home. 

And then there were the girls who greeted me with great enthusiasm, each in their own way. 

DH came home from golf, and we sat around and chatted. I ate like a queen all day between the airport lounge and the business class seat, so I only had watermelon for dinner. 

I had a great sleep -- so nice to sleep in your own bed, but I swear it's HOTTER here than it is in Spain! 

So, yup, I'm home. Remember, I'm on my own time for the next three weeks. I've got nothing to do, but I won't be sitting idle. I want to MAKE things, I want to write, and the most important thing there is "I WANT" to do those things; it's not that I NEED to do them. 

I must take the lessons from this trip and try to incorporate them into my daily life. It won't be easy; no one can turn on a dime. But I am going to try and be very cautious with my time going forward. I'll share my time with others, but I'm also going to be much more selfish with it! 

So I'm home -- I'm healthy mostly (let's see what physio will say later today), and I'm THRILLED with my trip. It was amazing, and I can't wait to go back and finish!!!!!

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!