Virtual retreat for August

 If things are going well, I won't be around to host the Virtual Retreat this month. Well, I'll stop in to say hi, but it'll depend greatly on where I am and what kind of WiFi connection I can get. 

But there will be a virtual retreat on Saturday, August 26. It'll start at 6 PM EST and runs until 9 PM. However, I won't be there, so I bet they go crazy!!! 

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89254233911?pwd=VGQrTnFybW1HMWpleHA4M2Q2NGVwZz09 Meeting ID: 892 5423 3911 Passcode: 982797

And here's the link for Sunday, August 27. This one starts at 12 NOON EST and runs until 8 PM. Since this will be my BIRTHDAY, I hope to be able to connect!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86119598156?pwd=ZDFxcElxS0NmeTRjczdSR2FXd3N2Zz09

Meeting ID: 861 1959 8156
Passcode: 053861

Have a super day!!!!

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!!!!

Virtual retreat for August

 If things are going well, I won't be around to host the Virtual Retreat this month. Well, I'll stop in to say hi, but it'll depend greatly on where I am and what kind of WiFi connection I can get. 

But there will be a virtual retreat on Saturday, August 26. It'll start at 6 PM EST and runs until 9 PM. However, I won't be there, so I bet they go crazy!!! 

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89254233911?pwd=VGQrTnFybW1HMWpleHA4M2Q2NGVwZz09 Meeting ID: 892 5423 3911 Passcode: 982797

And here's the link for Sunday, August 27. This one starts at 12 NOON EST and runs until 8 PM. Since this will be my BIRTHDAY, I hope to be able to connect!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86119598156?pwd=ZDFxcElxS0NmeTRjczdSR2FXd3N2Zz09

Meeting ID: 861 1959 8156
Passcode: 053861

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!

First Impressions

Every time you meet someone for the first time, you make a first impression of them. When someone meets you for the first time, they make an impression of you. And I don't remember the exact number, but it's something like you make that first impression within seconds? a minute? And there's the question of is a first impression right? And does it change over time?

Two things happened yesterday that brought this to mind. OH -- and there are some comments I want to respond to, which I'll get to later this week. 

OK -- so I was off to physio yesterday to see what they would say about my knee. I went to the sports clinic at my gym. It's not far and well, it's convenient. I wasn't sure if I would be able to drive my car, but all was well.

 

My appointment was at 10 AM and I didn't get in until 10:15 so that started off the first impression as I hate when medical people make me wait - unless it's an emergency, of course!!! 

When the guy came out of the room, my first impression wasn't good. He seemed like a bumbling (is that a word?) person and what was he going to tell me about my knee. So I told him the story -- the real story and then he had a look. Yes -- more than likely, this is a meniscus related injury and there's not a whole lot that one can do about it, except to strengthen the quad muscles 

Of course, there's elevating the leg, but the new thought on using ice is that ice doesn't do what people thought it used to, so he doesn't recommend ice. I'd been doing some reseach and I found that as well. Ice will numb the area, but does it really do anything beneficial? OK -- I like the elevate the leg thing because I can sit down and do nothing! 

Anyway, then he suggested that he do some traction on the knee to try and stretch out the meniscus which has more than likely been compressed HARD between the bones. OK -- let's give is a shot -- he's the professional after all. So he did traction, which was totally weird because he hooked a strap around my leg and using his body weight, he pulled. And he pulled and he pulled. This didn't hurt one bit except for the pressure on my leg. 

Then he did some shock therapy. Hmmm -- this is new to me. But he treated the affected area and that hurt! Oh yes -- that indeed did hurt. But I have to say that when I walked out of there, my knee felt much better. And the best news is that while it still hurts, it felt better all day and even this morning. I can actually walk like a normal person, albeit with some discomfort. It's like the pain has shifted and is not nearly as acute as it was. It's hard to explain. 

I need to follow up with my doctor about the X-rays and ultrasound (which will be totally useless now), from before and see what her recommendation is. Should I tell her what happened? But I'll continue with the pain killers if I need and while there is still some swelling, I have a much better range of motion. 

But one of the key things he said to me is you have to MOVE that knee. Just because it hurts is no reason to not use it and thank god he said that, because for me to NOT move would be - well, it wouldn't be good!! So I'm going to continue to move and I'll attempt to walk a bit outside and then I'll come in and elevate that leg and have a nap!!!!

While my first impression wasn't good, he turned out to be not so bad!!! So one must be careful with those first impressions. 

This second story has got me in a tizzy and I am going to let it go -- but only after I mention it here because I think it's ridiculous. I'll keep the details vague, but I'm sure many of you will figure this one out. A number of years ago, I met a very talented person and I was impressed with their skills. Over the years, that person has been very successful, which I think is a great thing. My first impression was spot on or so I thought. 

I don't even know when this started, but this successful person has an ego the size of North America and isn't afraid to show it. Now I don't have a problem with that, but it's how it's presented. When you hear things "I didn't see that coming" (and they have taped the event) or "I've been waiting", then well, I almost gagged when I saw the "I've been waiting" comment. 

I made a comment once on their social media about humility and it went totally over their head. I was so tempted last night to blast the person, but then I thought I would be lowering myself to their level and you know what -- I'm above that. So I'll be blocking this person from my social media, although I'm sure I'll still get notifications. But what kills me is the number of people who are congratulating this person. Oh -- "that's so wonderful." But people ---- you are PROMOTING the lack of humility. 

So that's an instance where I made a wrong first impression. 

I just don't get it -- I'm very good at what I do, but I don't go around flauting it (god -- I hope I don't) and well, it's good to be humble. 

So the other thing I noticed this morning and NO, I am not in a grumpy mood, but just observations I made. Here's some background into this thought. When I went on my first long distance cycle trip in 2010, I was away for three weeks and in the wilderness in Northern Canada with little access to anything - some nights there was no electricity. When I returned from that trip, I stopped watching TV cold turkey. It was all so frivolous -- what's the point of all this "noise?" 

And now as I looked at my e-mail this morning and saw MANY e-mails from companies and designers, all clambering for a piece of my time and my money, I said "it's all too much."  I'll be spending the day unsubscribing from as much as I can in one day. Some of it, I signed up for to stay in touch with trends, but seriously?? Do I need to do that? I don't need more of anything. I need LESS. So wish me luck with that one as some of those e-mails are hard to unsubscribe from. And some of them come so often -  multiple times a day! Who do they think they are to encroach on my space like that!!!!!! 

I almost think it going to be time for me to retire, so I can stay in my own little world and sew what I want to sew and not worry about what's happening out there. Do I care? Nope!!!!

And to reintegrate, I'm not grumpy this morning -- I'm actually in a really good mood -- making decisions like this are so freeing!!! We have to stop being at the mercy of everyone and everybody and for god's sake -- if you have FOMO (fear of missing out), get a life. The only FOMO you should have relates to YOUR OWN PERSONAL LIFE. What are you missing out of YOUR life because you are trying to keep up with everyone else!!!!!

And now on with the blog. 

Miss Lexi and I had a chat and she's mad at me because I don't post pictures of her. So here she is in HER spot on the sofa!!!!!

 

MOM --- this is MY spot and I'm watching you even though I don't move my head!

While Miss Murphy sleeps on the floor. Oh those girls --- we could learn a lot from observing our pets and not social media!!!!

I'm on the couch and Murphy is NOT!!!

Of course, Murphy has to do something cute as well. The competition between them is heavy!!! So she looks so cute and innocent - right? 

Mom -- just hanging out with you!!!!

Not when she is sleeping right in the middle of where I need to stand for the long arm. And she wouldn't move. Nope --- I need my Mom and if Mom has to step over me, then she steps over me. Mom didn't even step on me once, even though she is walking funny!!!!

Mom -- just hanging here if you need me -- I NEED you!!!!

I accomplished a lot -- remember --- this is my time and I need to be doing something!! It's pend up energy and I am happy. I did have a nap on the couch, with my leg elevated. I sat in the gazebo and listened to music. And I also did some quilting. 

I had a couple of the Barbie quilts that needed the binding on. 

Binding one of the Barbie quilts

Guess who helped? 

Mom -- just keeping your shoe safe!!!

I got the binding (one side only) on three of the Barbie quilts. There are two more trimmed and waiting to have the binding put on later today. I have that ninth Barbie quilt that I started to quilt over 20 years ago. GASP!!!!  Why I let things like that happen is beyond me! Anyway, I did not like the quilting and I wasn't going to work around the quilting, so I'm ripping it out. A great thing to do with an elevated leg!!! It's going to take a bit of time, but you know what? This is my time and I LOVE the puttering. I hope to finish it off today. 

Then there was the issue of what to bind it with once it gets quilted, but with all the odds and ends from the other 8 that Diane made, I don't think I'll have to worry about binding. 

Leftover binding bits

When I was sitting out in the gazebo, guess who was there to help me? Yes --- that dog is so clingy, it's crazy. I'm surprised she survived the four weeks that I was away!!!!

Mom -- I'm here for you!!! 

And there are the three Barbie quilts that I quilted yesterday. They are all attached to the same backing. 

THREE Community project quilts - DONE

I swear that it takes longer to prep the quilts for quilting (backing and batting), than it does to quilt them. And yes -- I got everything right this time. The backing was loaded properly, I set the Safe Zone correctly so it took only two advances to quilt them, not 7 or whatever it was the day before. I guess that means that I'm back!!!!!

Everything is ready to go for the next batch today so let's see how that goes. 

I must get some computer work done today and mostly I need to follow up on a few things. I haven't even been through the mail since I got home, but that's OK, but there are a few things that I should really take care of, while I have a bit of extra time. 

Anyway --- things are looking up and I'm feeling better and I'm happy!!! That's all that counts in my world. 

Have a super day!!!!!! And maybe think about unsubscribing from a few e-mails and see if your world crashes?? I get it that this is how these designers/companies encourage people to sign up for classes, buy fabric or whatever and if that is your thing, then stay subscribed. But it no longer works for me, so I'm hosting a private unsubscribe party!!!!! 

Ciao!!!!!

Virtual Retreat for August

If things are going well, I won't be around to host the Virtual Retreat this month. Well, I'll stop in to say hi, but it'll depend greatly on where I am and what kind of WiFi connection I can get. 

But there will be a virtual retreat on Saturday, August 26. It'll start at 6 PM EST and runs until 9 PM. However, I won't be there, so I bet they go crazy!!! 

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89254233911?pwd=VGQrTnFybW1HMWpleHA4M2Q2NGVwZz09 Meeting ID: 892 5423 3911 Passcode: 982797

And here's the link for Sunday, August 27. This one starts at 12 NOON EST and runs until 8 PM. Since this will be my BIRTHDAY, I hope to be able to connect!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86119598156?pwd=ZDFxcElxS0NmeTRjczdSR2FXd3N2Zz09

Meeting ID: 861 1959 8156
Passcode: 053861

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!!!!