As Thursday draws nearer, I find I have lists and more lists all over the cottage. Errands to run. Things to pack. Phone calls to make.
And I’m more than a bit spacey. The other day I posted a photo on a blog post that I realized – several days after the fact – I had already used in a post last week. After rereading yesterday’s post, I worried that it was sort of the same thing I’ve said before. And it is. Ah, well. Sorry.
Forgive me if I’m a bit stressed. Packing for five weeks is always hard, but now I’m also taking Scout. And, unfortunately, for the first two weeks, we have to be in a hotel. After that, we will move to an apartment. It’s sort of a pain in the tush. I like this hotel. I’ve stayed there before. Everyone who works there is really nice. But how will Ms. Scout adjust? I don’t know. It’s a bit further from the park and Scoutie has a limp these days, so I worry about her.
Oh lord, I’m all about worrying. I’ve been that way since I was a wee girl.
If Scout doesn’t adjust to the hotel, she’ll move to her dad’s for a week or so. Hopefully, she’ll weather the change and be okay.
Remember the sign I got Don for his birthday? We temporarily propped it up on the piano until we could decide on a good place to hang it. Eventually, we realized that we like it where it is. So, for the time being, it’s staying right there. I added a photo I took of Don when we were in Boston – he’s doing his best to recreate the famous Abbey Road picture.
Stepping back. I am still so in love with that lithograph of the Aquitania.
Yesterday was gorgeous. Today is rainy. I took advantage of yesterday’s beautiful weather and took at least a hundred photos of the gardens and the flowers and bugs and things like that. I’m stocking up on photos for future blog posts. Rehearsals are pretty intense for the first week and I might not have time to walk around Hartford and take pictures. And when I do walk around Hartford, I will often have Scout with me, so there’s that.
Don, my love, more of your zinnias:
We miss you.
We’ve talked about the ad income I receive (believe me, it’s minuscule) from this blog before, right? That’s the only income I receive. I say this only because a sweet and lovely reader assumed I was getting paid for my book reviews and I wondered if other readers thought the same thing? I never thought about it before, but I can see where someone might think that is the case.
I do not get paid for my book reviews. I receive the book in exchange for my honest review. If I got paid, I wouldn’t be able to be completely honest in my reviews. Now, if I worked for a newspaper or journal or something like that, I would expect to be paid because I would be working for an entity that is neutral as to the books being reviewed. But, since I get the books from the publisher and/or author, accepting any pay would be tantamount to writing a post in which I would feel pressure to give it a thumbs up. That’s why I include that statement in every review that thanks either TLC Book Tours or the publisher or NetGalley for a copy of the book “in exchange for my honest review.”
Just wanted to clarify that.
I’m off to read my lists and make a plan for the day.
Happy Tuesday.
Ahhh Claudia, good to catch up on posts on both your blogs (I had been away from the computer for a little while). Good luck with your lists and packing. I know it’s tough. I will be away in FL next week on business (and will miss my husband’s birthday)…but the nicest part for my packing is that my husband did get me a Kindle Paperwhite…I’ve been busy borrowing from the library and downloading some free books from Amazon. In fact, am in the midst of “The Mockingbird Next Door” right now and thoroughly enjoying it. So, for once, I will not be adding 3-4 books to mu suitcase – yay!! Your (Don’s) zinnias are gorgeous!
It’s sure nice not to have to pack a lot of books, isn’t it, Vera? Have a good trip to FL!
Wish I lived closer….I would take care of Scout. I always worried about my pets and wanted the best for them when we had to be gone. A neighbor (dog lover) offered and she and I took care of each other’s dogs, when we had to be gone. It was great…not having that worry anymore. People used to say that I worried about the dog as much as the kids. Well, I did….the dog was my other kid.
Balisha
I agree, Balisha. Scout is my daughter. In fact, Don says to me on the phone, “I miss my daughter!” You are so sweet to wish you could help out. But even if someone could help out, I don’t think I could leave her for five weeks, especially at this time in her life when she is frailer and needs her mom and dad.
As long as Scout is with you she’ll be happy. We have to leave ours in a kennel (gasp) for 5 days next week and I’m a mess thinking about it. We’ve always had the good fortune of leaving them at home with good friends checking on them and loving them but we’re in a different house now so….. One is afraid of other dogs and the other is 10 – rough few days for them both and me I’m afraid. Give Scout a hug for me.
Eileen
5 days might as well be 5 weeks, Eileen. I completely understand. Hang in there. Give your babies a hug from me, as well!
Claudia I know how hard it is to be away from home for several weeks! With both you and Don gone I’m glad Scout will be with one of you at least. So hard on her I know. As Charlie gets older I see my absence from home much much harder on him. Hoping my long stays away are over since Mom is now here! Wishing you a good day and lists are the only thing that helps me keep organized for sure.
hugs,
Linda
Lists upon lists, Linda!
I would imagine that you do have a million things to do. Thank goodness you have lists that can guide you! I know I’m lost without mine! I am sure that Scout will be fine….as long as she’s with one of you…fingers crossed! ;)
Mine are crossed, too!
We have a dog and cat. I will be going to our son’s this Christmas alone because Dad and I don’t want to board them for two weeks. It was a difficult decision! Love the Abbey Road picture of Don – I immediately made the connection. Take care.
Thank you, Dottie!
Claudia..take a deep breath..go forward slow and steady..everything will work out..don’t worry about things happening unless they happen..and then you are a very intelligent woman and you will handle whatever..I like that sign right where it is also..it is a song after all..what better place than on the piano..and the picture of Don..he is so comical isn’t he..tell him it is a bit difficult to recreate the scene with just one person..but he did a good job..lol..I still want to reach right through the screen and pick those zinnias..Now..like the turtle said..slow and steady wins the race..and don’t forget to stop for a cup of coffee now and then..the turtle didn’t say that part..I did..lol..Sorry..I feel a bit silly today!
You have to imagine three other people there! I’m trying to slow down and take some deep breaths and trust that it all will come together.
Sigh.
Great that you’re taking Scout with you. She’d never understand what was going on if she stayed behind with a neighbor checking in – especially for five weeks. I’m sure Scoutie will look on this as an adventure once you get settled in – lots and lots of new stuff to sniff! Not to mention peace of mind for Mom… Good luck with the lists and packing.
Oh, no. That would be unthinkable. If I couldn’t take her and Don was also away, I’d have had to turn down the job. She would be so scared and confused if we left her with someone. I couldn’t do that to her.
So good you can take Scout with you. We have our son stay at our place, when we leave, so our ‘girls’ are relaxed and at home. Took them to a kennel once and came back with kennel cough. That was horrible and yes they have their vaccinations. We were thankful they recovered. Like your Scout, our girls are like our children. Claudia, take every opportunity to relax a little. With coffee and a book or newspaper, I find it easier to relax. Blessings, Patty Mc
Hectic day, Patty. I’m just now sitting down, eating dinner and having a cup of hot chocolate.
So glad your baby girl can go with you :-) She will probably enjoy the new adventure! And you get someone to “wait” on you for two weeks—no bed to make, no towels to wash, no vacuuming—ah, a small vacation! Do you get a food allowance? Years ago when my husband had to travel some for business, he would “save” his allotment for the day, grab a cheap breakfast or lunch and then splurge on an evening meal. We are total FOODIES! Around every nook and corner in a new city, we always try new goodies and have been fortunate to never have an upset tummy–except when in our own neighborhood–go figure :-) Don’t worry—everything will turn out great and you will have a wonderful autumn adventure to reminisce over for years to come. I hope you can find an affordable sweater or scarf to remember the trip by :-) Wish I lived in the area and I would offer to have Dame Scout over to spend the days with our little doggie.
No per diem, Jeannine. I pay for my groceries, so I’m on a strict budget. Don’s doing the same thing in New Haven.
Just make sure you take Scout’s favorite pillow, rug, or whatever…so she feels the comfort of familiar home surrounding. I know, another thing to pack! LOL Enjoy the trip…safe travels!
I’m taking her quilts with me. And her food dish. And her water dish. And her food. And her leash. And her treats. And a sheet to cover the sofa.
I’m a list maker too Claudia. I have lists telling me which bag I want things to go into. However, if while making the list I spell a word wrong or find I can’t read my writing I have to rip that page out of the notebook and start the list over. I can’t have a messy list. The list making almost takes as long as the packing.
As soon as I saw Don’s picture I knew exactly what he was doing, and wondered when he had been in England and why you hadn’t mentioned it. See I am a huge fan of the Beatles too. I love the look.
No, it was a street in Boston and it reminded him of Abbey Road, so we took the picture.