Oh - the devastation in the Carolinas. There was so much press about the worry for Florida and it's the mountains that are demolished. So horrible. I pray the agencies can work better than they did for Katrina.

I was up much of the night with intestinal cramping and in the bathroom. Ugh! After the 4th or 5th trip to the bathroom I turned off my alarm for Aquafit and decided to let myself sleep if that happened. I woke up at 9:45am! Russ was off on his deliveries so I made a cup of Aveda Comfort Tea with honey and started knitting. I finished Halen's poncho by sewing on the buttons, went downstairs to bring up my suitcase and the books I want to give the grandkids in AK and in FL now and for Christmas. I am depleting the children's books I used in my career by regifting them to my grand kids. I need to be conscious to save some for Rory and Hannah's first child too (if they get married and go that direction).

Russ made it home and is taking a nap. Over 300 miles of driving today. I'm glad I stayed home. Eating light, working on projects, made my packing list, and planning to watch the vice presidential debate tonight.

I hope your week has started out well.

Your gut is telling you something. Didn't they just get married two years ago? Maybe the brain tumor has been difficult on their marriage. Wouldn't she tell you if she moved somewhere else? They live near you in NE don't they? Has your sister gone completely dark on you? Holidays are approaching for you all.

I have set my goal for knitting 25 rows per day to finish Ellis' poncho. I don't know if I can do that on vacation but can make progress on the plane. I just have to be careful not to screw up on my stitches.

I'm hoping to get to Aquafit tomorrow morning and then I will be focusing on packing and laundry. I contacted my brother's ex-wife who lives in Anchorage to see if she would meet us for dinner on Monday Eve. We all loved Beth so much and were so bummed when he wanted out of his marriage. He has never dated since the 90's when they divorced and prefers being alone. She married again and stayed in Anchorage. She is hoping to move to Bellingham, WA where her daughters and grand kids are. My brother is there too.

Fall temperature is finally emerging. The colors on the trees are changing slowly. We will miss peak color but hope to see something left when we get back.

I won't be taking my computer to AK so won't be able to check in. I haven't been able to use my phone to get to this link in several years.

You’ll have to keep notes on your Alaska trip so you can give me the updates when you return!

Photos missing on both their pages is interesting. Your instincts don't lie that something is up. Time will tell...

I went and bought some travel size toiletries today at Target. I also bought Halloween cards to send off with a couple of my Halloween children's books that I will give each set of grand kids. I will take the books and cards to AK to save the cost of a package. I'll send FL kids package when we return.

I need to figure out which suitcase I am taking. I have two carry-ons and a large. I will not take the large but not sure which carry-on. I'm hoping the smallest will work if I pack right.

The color is starting to pop here. Still a week or more from peak color.

Yay!

Packed except toiletries and knitting in my carry on. Half done with Ellis' poncho so I will finish the other piece over the next week.

Tomorrow, wash towels and sheets, put clean sheets on bed, visit Sarah at nursing home, water plants and feed starter. Vacuum house and knit...

Hope you and yours are well.

Have a safe trip!

Yeah. He got home at 7:30 last night and left at 2 pm today. It was a nice visit, but I hate that he doesn’t even stay a day. But of course I have Zach who will always be here. Such a different picture for this time than I thought

Have a great trip

Good heavens, hurricane Milton is looking really bad. I hope your Florida kids are not in its path. We have two plants in Sarasota. They are looking at a direct hit. I hope they get out and stay safe.

Safe travels

Almost there! Have fun

Hope your visit is going amazing. That your Florida kids made it through safe.

Week is almost over thank goodness!

The girls were over for 1.5 hrs this morning. We played, read books and gave them lunch. Ellis had a melt down at about her nap time and Russ took them home. Quiet afternoon reading and relaxing for us. They will all be here soon for dinner.

Well the hatchets are coming out at work. The word on the vine is after they work everyone over making sure we have a good audit next week, the week after that they will be cutting 10% of the office. I’m not surprised since sales have been down. But sad I hate knowing people who do good work will get let go and the useless opex and other job suckers will still be there. I probably survive but will surely pick up more work. Those who claim themselves leadership are shameful

I slept 3.5 hours, showered and then we went to the fundraising party at a winery for Power Book Bags last night. We skipped the movie with the author because I knew it would be hard to stay awake. They had a good turn out for the fundraiser. Lots of people and it raised 25,000 last update I heard. The winery provided appetizers and desserts with wine for our generous ticket price. That was our dinner. Kara, Director of the non-profit, was very happy with the results. I think it was a lot of work for those that helped put it together. I helped a little by Myapproaching 4 businesses to sponsor but otherwise did not have time with leaving for AK and having house guests. We did donate 3 of our family pets' photos for the big screen prior to the movie, buy two movie tickets and two tickets to the party at the winery. So financially we helped do our share.

Today we are going to drive around the county and look at the Fall color before all the leaves are off the trees. It is still beautiful but peak color had to have been a couple of days ago. Things will get quiet in the county after next weekend and we will all burner down for winter.

Time for Fall comfort foods once in awhile. I will make my budget goulash for tomorrow night. We have some acorn squash from a friend's garden so that will go well with it too.

My cousins will be here election week closing up their cottage so they have invited the cousins to come for a comfort food dinner and watch election results on November 5th. Russ won't go because he never watches debates or election results like I do. I'll take an overnight bag in case I decide to spend the night.

I may do a Covid test today. I have either caught a Fall cold, have increased allergies or have Covid. I had my vaccine before we left for AK but one never knows. I've never had Covid so not sure of what current symptoms are.
My head is achy, congested, sneezing and scratchy throat. Hope it isn't Covid since I went to that party last night.

I hope you are having a good weekend.