Vacation is underway

 When my employer encouraged us to use our vacation time, I didn't mess around!  

A week in September, and a week in October were possible, with my office's ridiculous micro-managed rules, because October is in a different quarter of the year.  I'm a crafty one, HAHA!

And, in November, I only have to take one extra day off  at Thanksgiving to get a 5 day weekend for our annual cabin camping trip.

Yes, we have already confirmed that we have the cabin this year!!

I've also put in for Winter Solstice off.  However, I am trying not to think about how sad I am about Christmas Eve dinner just being me and Dave this year, AND that we probably won't be able to have the tree up because of Frank's destructive nature.....  I can't process any of that just yet.

Anyway, our plans are coming together for some nice day trips this week.  We enjoyed that so much last month!

We even have free lodging one night so we can go visit the migrating sandhill cranes up in the northern part of the state.  

I made some lovely lavender body butter for our hostess, and we will leave a bottle of something for the family to enjoy.  Maybe they will let us come back some time!

Our house sitters are arranged, and the hiking boots and canteen are already in the car!  Mustn't forget the field glasses!

Originally, we were supposed to go to a concert in Dallas mid-week, so we already had a couple of days scheduled off for that trip.

Of course, that concert was canceled, and our tickets will be honored at the same time next year, if it's safe to have indoor concerts by then.

Unfortunately, the hotel we had booked refused to refund our money, OR let us move our reservation to next year, so we will definitely NOT re-book with them if we can go next year.

That being said, it was an easy thing to just take the rest of the week off when my employer said we needed to use our time.

Amidst surging COVID numbers in the "great state" of Oklahoma, we are still in a virtual lock down here.  

I go through phases where I feel like I am an emotional wreck, but then at other times, I just feel like I have adapted to isolation pretty well.

Getting in the car and driving away from the neighborhood this week will be very good for me, though!

When I made my weekly visit to the office on Friday (which is only 2 miles away), I was able to arrange to get my flu shot.  

My employer is doing drive in shots this coming week, on the exact days that we plan to be on day trips, so when I emailed the coordinator, he said I could just come to his office when I was in the building, so it worked out great!

This afternoon, we will be recording my short comedy dance routine for my studio's Halloween Hafla ("hafla" means "party" in Arabic).  The hafla is next weekend, on line.  We can't be together, but we can all "log in" at the same time!

Before that, though, I have to "practice and perfect," and I also need to decorate the end of the living room where I will be "performing."

I'm doing a little witchy routine with a video of "I Put a Spell On You" playing on the big tv behind me. It'll be a multi-media extravaganza!  (I am laughing out loud)

We also need to clean house today  I am a stickler for not letting people come into my home if it's a mess, and I am so glad that Dave helps me with this by doing some of the harder jobs, like cleaning the bathroom floor, and the stove.

I mopped yesterday, and today I will dust, and shine-up the kitchen counters and backsplash, which are black, and look dirty REALLY easily.  Especially around the sink.  Water marks show up really badly!

If I had the money, I would TOTALLY re do the kitchen.  I've never liked the black, or the ugly floor tile!

I also have to do a little bit of my course work today, but I will save that for evening, as it is a relaxing meditation.

Best wishes to my readers for a lovely autumn week ahead!