Get Set, Go!

It is not easy to plan and prepare for an eleven day get-away.  There is so much to do, and I am not a fan of all the tasks to carry out.  I don't even like to travel.  But I love visiting friends, seeing new places, and going on a cruise.  


This week we were flying to Florida to visit/hang out with/and engage in fun and games with Jim and Debbie.  

Then, to start out next week, the four of us will be boarding a cruise ship for lots of fun and games.  It is a Poker Cruise but will be stopping at four destinations.

 

Saturday 1/17 -  One of the first things to do to get ready to go, was to get the travel laptop working better.  I had handed it off to Joe, and he ended up having the 'computer guy' come look at it, and get it working faster.  I then copied some files to it.  Joe also installed Windows 11 on my large desk laptop since Windows 10 is no longer being supported.  Thankfully, it was a fairly easy switch.

I started selecting and collecting 'outfits' and washed some of  the clothes to be packed that have been hanging in the closet, unused for at least a year.

I made a section in my closet, of clothes ready to go in the suitcase.  I also used the kitchen counter to go through all my travel toiletries and daily pills (mostly supplements) to separate into my carry on and my suitcase.  My carry on always has essential prescribed medications for the trip and a day's worth of necessities in case my suitcase should ever 'get lost' like it has before.

I have been doing a lot of reading during the day, to finish this James Patterson book so I can take just the new one on our trip.  I am nearing the end and it has become an even more compelling page turner.  

My workout at the gym went longer than planned, until almost their 4:00 closing time.  I went to Patty's on the way home from the gym to get her suitcase.  It is the perfect size, so I am borrowing it.  We sat and chatted for awhile so I could fill her in on several little details about Maggie and the ranch, since Patty will be in charge while we are away.

I was too sleepy to make much more progress on my book at bed time.

Sunday 1/18 - It was a cold, crisp morning so Shirley and I chatted at 'our' pew after church, rather than in the parking lot where we usually stand and chit chat.

I did chores at the ranch today because Bonnie is covering for me on Tuesday.  This is Tracy, a lady I met at the gym.  She is looking for horse property, so after coming out to meet our horses while I did chores, we went and looked at some prospects.  One had this cute little barn.

Just before dinner, Joe and I Face-timed with Britney and Juan Carlos.  It was his 54th birthday today.

Monday 1/19 - Today, the third Monday in January, is called Blue Monday.  Supposedly it is the most depressing day of the year; factoring in cold weather, post-holiday debt, and failed resolutions; but it's largely a marketing concept used by travel companies for PR.  However, it does tap into genuine winter blues feelings.  I must admit, knowing we are heading to warm Caribbean weather soon, does help get me through the cold days.  And when we return, it will be closer to spring.  


It was sunny but cold.  My fur babies do enjoy basking and napping in the sunshine.  

Birds were enjoying the feeders and I had no desire to leave my office, especially with the space heater running and the heating pad behind me, warming and soothing my sore back.  I spent a fair amount of time studying our ship map and highlighting the areas I wanted to be sure to check out once on board.



I made a quick trip to the ranch to give Amiga her pill.  I filled Amiga and Zorro's heater water tub and gave the chickens a chopped up apple.  





I also did a few things in the ranch house, including putting my gifted horsey pillow slips on the new pillows I had recently bought.
I dropped in to visit Marie on the way home.






I started a load of farm clothes, and did some more packing organizing before making a late afternoon trip to the gym for an aerobic and leg workout.  Once all the critters and myself had dinner, I got cleaned up, and then tried on various tops.  I made my final selection of outfits to pack for evening attire.
  

Tuesday 1/20 - First thing this morning, all over the internet, was news of the coming winter storm.  Joe and I would be long gone, but I was concerned for Patty having to deal with it.  Some forecast models were really laying it on thick, stating that this snow storm could rank as top ten most snow ever recorded here in TN.  

The weather reports are often exaggerated, an occurrence known as "wet bias".  Forecasters often intentionally err on the side of caution to protect themselves from public criticism, and so that bad weather doesn't catch people off guard.

I returned my paper back to the library on the way to the gym, where I started slow, but ended up putting in a decent arm and ab workout.  

I had my Reclast infusion today so while at the clinic, I started this new paperback, which will go on the cruise with me.  


Calls, text messages, and a pet care note were made once I got home.  After dinner Joe and I watched this new movie (Song Sung Blue) that is recently out in theaters.  He has a way of 'getting' these un-televised shows on our TV.  It was an entertaining and touching 'true' story.

I took a Cold PM Tylenol, hoping not to have symptoms from the Reclast infusion and to sleep well.
   

Wednesday 1/21 - I slept great, from 9-5.  I was glad that I had no 'residual' effects from the osteoporosis treatment yesterday. 
This forecast was posted on Facebook very early this morning.  I am sure we will be hit with a storm, but the prediction uncertainty remains, regarding the location and magnitude of this winter storm's precarious components.

The sun was shining much of the day and the temperatures were up from earlier this week.

After dropping Maggie's bed, food, bowl, toys, etc. off at Patty's late morning (in preparation for her staying there while we are gone), I went out to the ranch.  

Zorro was peacefully resting in the sun, in the corral, while Amiga was off about 40 yards away, eating in the front pasture.  But as soon as she saw me, she started coming over.  

Amiga walking by, wanting in the photo?  She continued right past Zorro, who still remained in his relaxed resting state.  








Amiga was more interested in getting grass on the other side of the fence.  I went into the corral to retrieve her, and Zorro didn't get up until I was leading her out through the gate.  

Down at the barn, Amiga got her pill, and then I returned her to the corral with Zorro.  Rico came right over when I went into his paddock for him.

Karen and I went for a nice little ride.  She rode Cash because Jan was out of town, with Mike who was getting a biopsy.  Karen has been helping with Cash when Jan is away.

Going past the cow skeleton on our back trail. ↓  

Both horses did great.  I was very happy with Rico.  

As we were crossing Marmaduke, I even took Rico up to the construction site.

He hesitated, but went when I legged him on.

Karen headed back earlier than I was ready and I wanted to see how Rico would do by himself since he was doing so well today.  We went an extra mile, totaling four.  Again he hesitated turning away from Cash and the direction of the barn.  But we quietly worked through it and I was very pleased with his effort, attitude, and deciding to comply with me.  
Get set, go Rico.  He can be such a good boy.
 

I  had to restock some feed and supplements and then quickly headed home.  In no time I was back out the door and went to the gym to do leg weights and the elliptical for an aerobic workout.
I did not get any farther on organizing my overnight (carry-on) bag so I would know what all had to go into the suitcase.  This was because I was texting and calling others about ranch business, winter storm prep, and a sick pool employee who needed our prayers and support.  I did some work on my travel laptop, but discovered that it would not let me add photos to this blog.  So it was not set to go.  Ugh!

Thursday 1/22 - Go Time was 3:00, so I needed to get my suitcase and carry-on (backpack) packed.  I did not want or need the cats interfering so planned to just load everything in and zip it up.  


I can handle a little playful meddling, but did NOT want any cat peeing going on, which occurred to a pile of socks and underwear on the bed when I was packing for a cruise last year.  

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Joe but out a new round bale of hay to hopefully last until we get back from our cruise.



As usual, the horses were excited to see a new round bale, and dug right in.  









My bag was packed and ready to go, and no cats caused too much interference.  

Until go time, I did some cleaning around the house; liter boxes, watered plants, filled cat food containers, and even swept and dusted.  

 

Our drive to Knoxville was quick and easy.  We had an early dinner at Quiznos and then a 45 minute wait before boarding.  

Our flight to Jacksonville was only an hour of air time.  Jim and Debbie picked us up and we were soon sitting in their living room enjoying a beer.  

Patty sent these photos of Maggie and Ellie.  Kitties just love this dog.  All was well in Tennessee.
 

Friday 1/23 -  After a hearty breakfast of sausage, eggs and toast, we went for a nice, over one mile walk.  

I did not bring my new walking shoes because they were a little stiff and needed breaking in better.  So I was in my 'old favorites.'  


After lunch we hit the golf course.  I didn't golf but enjoyed more walking.  I don't know what happened with this photo, but I rather liked it.

It was a beautiful, sunny, 75° day.  Absolutely lovely for golf and walking.

Geese were seen at several places along the gorse, as was many turtles and shore birds around the ponds.  








Jim had sliced some prime rib and grilled very juicy, tasty stakes while Debbie baked potatoes and made a fantastic coleslaw, for dinner.  

Afterwards, we enjoyed a nice bonfire which helped warm us from the 60° chill in the air.






Oops, I had a little mishap.  I had my feet up on the rock wall of the fire pit to warm them, but when they started to get too hot, I slid them down a ways.  Well, my shoes had gotten so hot it melted the rubber/glue and part of the sole detached.  As I slid my foot down, the piece of rubber sole was pushed up, part way off the toe of my shoe.  

Once my shoes cooled off, the part of the sole that had slid up, cooled and harden.  I did not discover this until I stood up to come into the house.  We could not get the piece pulled off the shoe.  😞

We ended the evening with some spirited bridge playing, while staying in touch with Patty who had gone out to the ranch to meet a lady traveling with three horses who needed to get them off the trailer for a rest.  She was back on the road after an hour break (to finish her 20 hour trip) and get home ahead of the storm.

Saturday 1/24 -  Debbie and I were off to do a little shopping.  She needed a new watch band and I needed new walking shoes.  We succeeded and also came home with a little extra stuff.  I actually really needed to replace my 'old favorites' and these new shoes worked.  By the time we got home from shopping, Courtney reported that it was snowing in Nashville.   









Britney of course had to share a cat photo and her concerns for us Tennesseans, although Joe and I were safe from the winter storm.  

We took Jim and Debbie out to lunch, and once home, heard that it was now snowing in Crossville.  

During our afternoon of more wild, lively, and rousing bridge, Patty sent this photo and reported that the horses, Wanda, and chickens were all fed and watered. 

Then I saw an email from my twin sister Carol, who also sent photos. 


She was really struggling in Indiana with her Ewes lamming earlier this week and during this storm.  Some lambs had been rejected by their mothers, others stolen by another mother, a pair got switched by two ewes, and one got tousled by a different mother.  Some lambs were found in a semi-abandoned state, way too cold and needed immediate attention.  And while Carol was dealing with the lambs she also was busy trying to feed sheep and get them drinking water.  I felt horrible for her and feared for her own safety as well as her livestock.
I worry about everybody dealing with this storm, feel a little bit guilty for not being back home to help out, but am set and ready to go on our cruise tomorrow.