My Chaotic Realm

We finally made it to the Upper Peninsula! Getting here wasn’t exactly smooth sailing, but hey—that’s part of the adventure, right? Friday night, we pulled the RV up to the house to start packing, and in true “oops” fashion, managed to fry the wiring in the entire living room. Turns out plugging the RV into the outside outlet while the hot tub was still on the same circuit was not our brightest idea. So now the living room is dark and moody. Issue#1 on the now-growing list of things we have to deal with upon our return. Don’t worry—Issues #2 and #3 will make their grand appearances later. We kicked off August 9th bright and early, tackling the usual last-minute scramble: packing the stragglers, taking out the trash, and finishing the dishes. All that domestic hustle before… heading to work. Because apparently vacations don’t start until after the real workday. This was our third adventure in the Itasca. Trip #1, I had to meet her on the road (thanks, work), so I drove the tow car. Tr...

On August 14th, after a full day of work, we set off on our trip—a lesson learned: always take the day off before leaving! Our journey started on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, taking us through Louisiana, then up through Texas to visit family in Plano. From there, we continued to Moore, Oklahoma, for more family time, and then ventured through Kansas and Nebraska into South Dakota. We explored Wall, The Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Mammoth Park, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park over several days. Our adventure then led us into Wyoming, where we hit a snag in Casper—a flat tire. Thankfully, Les Schwab fixed it for free! We managed to cross Highway 26/287 just before it was closed due to the Fish Creek Fire and arrived at our campsite in the Grand Tetons with plenty of time to relax. We sat back, enjoyed some adult beverages, and watched the sunset—perfect ending to the day. We explored Yellowstone and stopped by the Elk Horn Archway in Afton, where our dog had his stitches removed, and...

We were taking 32 days to go to Portland (via family and friends in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Portland, New Mexico & Texas) and back, seeing several state and national parks (including Great Basin, Crater Lake, Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Wind Cave, and Palo Duro Canyon). On Day 1, a mere eleven miles south of the Arkansas state line, our truck broke down. We called Good Sam & they called Michael from A to Z Towing.  We spent most of 7/15 at Firestone. At 2:30pm they had a verdict, which was that the repairs were outside their scope of practice. We called Good Sam & they again called Michael from A to Z Towing, who towed us to the shop attached to the wrecker company, EZ Automotive. As the shop was closed until Monday, Michael called the owner. After explaining our dilemma permission was given to bring our camper as well as the truck. Michael set our camper down in the parking lot and ran an extension cord so we had power. We also had running water. Thank...

We have returned from our voyeuristic travels as "Leaf Peepers". Got a lot of leaf shots, and color changes, and even preserved some leaves in my planner. In spite of an issue or two along the way, it was fantastic!! On the way out we found a tasty hole in the wall in Meridian called Maria's on our way to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. We found a Buc-ees in Leeds AL!!.  Up and on the way to Tennessee's first state park (Harrison Bay, 1937) which we had stayed at before for the total solar eclipse. We made our way to Chatanooga early the next morning to see Rock City & Lookout Mountain. After a night there we headed to Cumberland Gap, Kentucky, where we saw some historic sites, hiked to the Tri-State point, and made it to Pinnacle Overlook in time for sunset. The park rangers at Wilderness Road Campground went above and beyond, lemme tell ya. Gave us some pointers on places to see, and delivered firewood to our site.  A couple of nights there and we were on the move again, t...

  Here it is — the final Mercury retrograde of 2021. So far this year, we've made it through a mentally exhausting retrograde in Aquarius and a chaotic, gossip-loving retrograde in Gemini. But this time, we might be catching a bit of a break. From September 27 to October 18, the speedy planet will be doing its backward dance in Libra, a sign known for being peaceful and harmonious — and relationship-oriented. And, so where am I in all of this, you ask? Since Mercury rules my Sun sign and my Ascending (moon is in Aquarius, thankfully!) I like to use these retrograde periods to ruminate and do some shadow work. And, as the Deep looms a mere 32 days in the future, I am beginning to ponder on what I will take with me into the Underground Season. Anyways, Libra is ruled by Venus, the Planet of Love and Affection, and as a result, our social lives will be the star of this retrograde. This transit will deepen the need to recalibrate our most important relationships, a theme that was start...

So I last posted on here February 23rd ...where has the time gone?? OMG!?! Between work (full-time, part-time & self employed), volunteering, Easter, travel to see family AND vacation I have not really stopped. I have been doing my art journal on a regular basis up until 2 weeks ago (need to catch up on that THIS weekend, I promise myself!). And I have been scrapbooking all the events...am even caught up except for our April vacation trip. The Healthy lifestyle challenge is still challenging and at times I am despairing of EVER getting to where I need to be. It turns out that I HATE to exercise. I am good with walking, goodness knows I do enough of that while I am at work!  And I like to walk socially. But I hate doing strengthening exercises. Those weight lifting, core targeting, stretching things. Maybe should take up watching TV and put a gym in living room so I would be more inclined? Who knows. And being in the beginning throes of menopause is NOT helping, lemme just say. ...

Got my car into the shop for new tires this morning so I am in captivity at home today until it is ready. Got back to the house by 8:30am and I have already finished mowing the back yard (Laureli got most of it yesterday), cooked lunches and dinners for Tuesday and Wednesday (I work) then got dinner ready for tonight, all the dishes are washed...feeling pretty good!! So now heading to art table and going to get caught up on 3 different ATC swaps , make a couple of birthday cards and then I am ALL CAUGHT UP!! OMG!! Observed the new moon on the beach Saturday... spent great day with good people yesterday, and today is recharge and get ready for four day week at work. I got this!! And, I will leave you with a picture I took while on vacation... enjoy