Snow, snow go away, don't come back another day

They are calling for more snow on Wednesday. Please no more! We have 17 days left before we leave on our trip of our lifetime and we cannot get packed and loaded because of the snow. The RV cover is still covered with snow so we cannot remove it. That really hinders us from getting in and out of the RV. There is so much to do but we feel stuck. Anxiety levels are increasing. Tommy was able to do some work on the RV today. Oil got changed, lubed the chassis and the steps, and put on the rat wire under the grill to help protect the radiator if a rock is slung. That could hold up our sight seeing for a while. Tomorrow we will try to obtain some aluminum angle iron so he can put the "broom" on the back of the coach. This will help stop rocks from kicking up in the back and hitting the car we will tow - our little "hooptie". Also the alarm company comes out in the am to install the alarm system in the house. That will give us a sense of security.

Snow, Snow go away, please don't come back another day. We have to much to do.

Happy 80th Mom!

Happy 80th birthday Mom!
Had a surprise birthday party for Mom. We told her we were bringing her to Baltimore. We took her to a show 2 years ago so this would not seem odd for her. My brother Dave, sister in law Jackie, their 4 year old twins Cameron and Aly came up from Branson, MO and brought Hilary his first child. One of her dearest friends, Linda, flew up from Florida (that was hard to do - leaving the warm air to come to all of this snow). Her other dearest friends, Gen and Richard, came and brought their kids who Mom watched grow into adults who have their own children now. Stanley, a Chinese man, she met in the 1980's at his restaurant was here. He sincerely calls her his sister. Erica, my daughter and her eldest grandchild, her husband Joe, and their 3 kids Ayren, Jaida, and Addison were here along with Joe's mother Roxanne and stepfather Dean. My sister Holly and her husband Franny brought the gigantic birthday cake. Of course my Tommy was there.

We had my brother, sister in law, and the twins hide in the background and after the initial surprise of everyone being here started to dissipate, Cameron came out and said Happy Birthday Memaw! Well, the look on her face .... priceless.... then she saw Aly..... then of course she was hunting for Davey. That was the cherry on top.

It was a SUCCESS! She did not know and was so happy. This was her day. Wow did she enjoy it. Lots of food, friends, family, and a toast from Tommy.

Happy Birthday Mom. We love you.

Farewell to my second home of 18 years

My last day at work was February 23. Hard day. I miss some people already since I have been using up vacation and haven't seen them much recently. You know you spend more time with co-workers than family and some co-workers become a part of your family.

I want to say thank you to my nurses for their dedication, friendship, memories, and laughs all of these years. I have been fortunate to have worked with some really nice women who each has their own special qualities. We have learned, laughed, groaned, giggled, & listened to and with each other.
Thank you so much. I am a better person for having you all in my life. My best wishes to all of you.

My first melt down

OK, I have had it. And I am sure I will have it some more. My first melt down about this trip across the US and up to Alaska. A new friend, who has taken this trip, suggested I write about us getting ready to go, our packing, unpacking, repacking, emotions etc. She said it will be interesting later looking back because you forget about these things.

We have been looking at our routes, figuring out how long we can stay here and there, trying to figure out where we want to go, what to take - can't take too much because of weight - but you need stuff, but what stuff. We are new at the camping thing and really it boils down to we don't know what to take or how much. We are trying to be prepared, but prepare for what. We know the basics. Water hose, sewer hose, chairs, water and electric surge protectors, blocks for leveling the RV, maps, atlas, GPS, air filters, oil filters, basic tools. But what else? I know we need stuff.

Since we have been snowed in by a record breaking snow storm (over two feet), and we will be leaving in about five weeks, I decided I would start to pack up some clothes. We will need clothes for three seasons. It will still be winter when we leave, spring will come soon especially since we will driving west, then summer in a blink of an eye. We can't take to much, but you need enough. Weight, weight, weight. Storage space. Weight, weight, weight. It's a big deal. You need shorts, need sweaters, short sleeved shirts, long sleeved shirts, pants, sweatshirts, jackets, socks, underwear. You need these things. Can't take much. But I need some of my stuff. I haven't been away from my home for more than two weeks ever. I need some of my stuff. No, I need to put some stuff back. But I need it.......... So my melt down happened in my closet as I was trying to pack and reduce. Man the tears were a flowing. It all hit me. Leaving my job, leaving my daughter, grandkids, my home. Wow! is it funny how packing underwear can bring it all on.

I decided to pack one more sweater and call it a day.

2/6/2010 Blizzard

There is a peaceful, a special type of stillness, a calm that occurs after a blizzard before the world starts to move. A type of stillness we need more often to take in the beauty of what is around us, to appreciate and acknowledge in our hearts the people and things that are most important to us, and to have the quiet to hear ourselves.