Tag: visiting family

Time for Some Road Miles!

I opened an email yesterday morning that gave me two words I was desperate to hear. Those words were, “Hell, yes!”

I have seen my beloved brother just once since the announcement of the pandemic over a year ago. It was on December 12, 2020, a too short visit (they all always are!) with masks and/or social distancing between us. Yes, we snuck in a quick both-masked hug at his arrival and again when he left, and it was better than nothing, but he is one of the best huggers I have ever known and it does my psyche such a world of good when I can linger in that hug for more than 2 seconds.

Now that restrictions are being modified, and because I have some goodies in my freezer for him (yet again), I asked him if I could make a visit to him, since he came here last time. I know that nice weather brings out his itchiness to climb on his motorcycle on the weekends, but recently I learned that he uses his Sundays for grocery shopping and laundry and other chores before returning to work on Monday. And since our Memorial Day falls on a Monday and he has that day off, I suggested my visit be Sunday, May 30th, and told him I was desperate for him to say, “Hell, yes!” And he did!!!!

My car had less than 1200 miles on it between inspection in March of 2020 and inspection in March of 2021. I don’t travel anywhere anymore, except to see him, so I was actually surprised I’d put on that many miles with trips to the grocery store, pharmacy, chiropractor and, once open again, hair and nail salon. My chiropractor is 18 miles round-trip, but everything else I’ve been to averages about 2 miles round-trip.

My car may not know how to handle/remember what it feels like to drive a speed limit of 55 or 65 mph. Heck, I’m not sure I remember how to drive at those speeds! With my energy level per day always seeming less and less most days, this visit won’t be nearly long enough, but I know my brother will appreciate the time together as much as I do, and my car’s engine will appreciate getting some higher speed mileage running through its mechanics!

I was just telling someone from Australia that here, in my neck of the world, we have two seasons: winter and road construction. And even that truth isn’t diminishing my excitement about this road trip!

Now, I just need to stop looking at the calendar, seeing how long it is until this exciting event, and wishing time to go faster (at my age, that’s not a smart wish!). But soon, dearest brother, I will arrive at your door with food goodies and another surprise you don’t know about!

Friday’s 5 Takeaways – 5/17/19

So, another week has gone by and it’s time to review the exciting – and not-so-exciting – events of this week.

  1. My bestie and I got together as planned for lunch and a movie. We’d decided to see “Poms”. The reviews were mixed, more negative than positive. From them, as well as the trailers I’d seen, I was expecting a cute, quirky – at times, perhaps even dorky – light-hearted movie. It was all that, but much more. I won’t spoil it in case you plan to see it, but I will tell you that I will never look at a single firework’s eruption against a blue-black sky in the same way again.
  2. I’m starting to get really excited that I’m going to be spending some time with my brother next week! We only live 2 hours apart, but we don’t see each other that often. There are two things I especially like about visiting him: I like to cook and he likes to eat, so I always get to spoil him with homemade goodies for his freezer, and, we talk for hours – about anything and everything – and we never seem to run out of things to talk about. No fancy hotel, no special attractions to be seen, but a wonderful stay-cation for sure!
  3. I was listening to a short podcast this week and there was a “AHA” sentence that made me scurry for paper and pen to jot it down. The sentence was, “Spending today complaining about yesterday won’t make tomorrow any better.” I quickly read what I wrote and came up with this sentence to follow: “And worrying about tomorrow won’t make today any better, either.” I’m guilty of both, though to a much lesser degree than I used to be. I’m going to type it up and give copies to people I know need it as well. One copy will be for me, to put in a conspicuous place so I keep re-reading it. I LOVE light-bulb moments like that!
  4. Although I know my readers will find it difficult to believe that I’m opinionated (hey, no snickering, please!), I got my first $25 gift card for points awarded from taking on-line surveys. I offer my opinions on three different sites, and while I often don’t “qualify” for surveys based on any number of things, I still enjoy giving my opinions about products, and it’s nice to be rewarded!
  5. I’m headed out shortly for my mani/pedi. For those who don’t know this about me, I was an avid nail-biter until my early 40s (my mom used to say I didn’t suck my thumb, I just waited until I had teeth and started biting my nails!). When acrylics became a thing, I wore them for about 2 years, which finally helped me break that habit for good. My reward is to keep my nails professionally done now, without acrylics. I’m planning a patriotic theme this time, to coincide with the upcoming holiday.

So that’s where this week stands. I have no doubt that, after sharing our adventures (misadventures?) next week with the visit to my brother, there will be more posts fueled and fed by our conversations.!