Happy New Year!

We are getting close...really close to leaving.  We could even be leaving by this coming weekend.  That's what Daniel said to me on this past Sunday afternoon.  I was sitting and reading a book in the cockpit enjoying the new cockpit cushions and it hit me.  We really COULD be leaving extremely shortly.  I hopped right up, packed my bag to head back to work and said I had to go.  I had laundry to   do at my friend Blenda's house, shopping left to do, another trip to Goodwill to give away more stuff...basically I had an anxiety attack.  It's not about being anxious to leave, it's about all the things that have to be accomplished before we can go.  I knocked out quite a few of those things this week, but still have a few more.  We've been told that our grandson is not too anxious to meet us, it may be another week to 10 days before we get to hold him - just gives us more time to finish those last projects and shop and plan more.  

One of the worst things I have been dreading to do, I will have to do tomorrow.  I know it's crazy to get all emotional about saying good-bye to a dog, but Shula is MY dog.  The only one that has truly been mine.  We've had other dogs, but they were the "family dog".  Daniel gave me Shula 8 years ago, a puppy to help fill our empty nest and fill it he has.  I've shared him with Daniel, so Shula is ours, but he's a "Momma's boy".  He has sat and comforted me after a 6 week surgery recovery, he sat with me and stayed at my feet after I slipped and fell earlier this year and had to be home for 2 months.  We go for walks, I talk to him and he wags his tail every time I come home.  After a bad day at work, a smile immediately comes on my face when I see him running towards me when I get home.  This is really hard.

 

This post is not meant to be a sad one, or even an anxious one, it's just a "real" one - it is just to show you that as much as I'm looking forward to our upcoming adventure - it isn't always easy to get there or to even get started.  It's hard and a big commitment.  I'm ready, though, and am truly looking forward to seeing what 2014 has in store for us.  Happy New Year, everyone!