Heading Home

Heading home today. 

Yesterday was a recovery day that I didn't know I needed. 

First up -- manicure. 

My fingernails got too long. 

I forgot my manicure kit. 

I SUCK at clipping my nails.

When they get that long, I get tempted to rip them. 

Made an appointment at a local place.

They were so nice, but something was lost in translation. No big deal. Got a fast, inexpensive manicure and it was just what I needed to shape my nails without ending up with wonky nails (from clipping them wrong or tearing them off). Manicure was 15 minutes -- speedy, but they look good. 

Light pink.
Won't last, but it's fun for
a couple of days.

Drove to park and walk to the teahouse and everything was PACKED. No parking in lots or street. I gave up and went back to the house. I have no idea what was going on with parking late morning on a weekday. 

Then a surprise 3 hour nap ... dang. I guess I needed it. I laid down with the intention of resting for a few minutes and I fell asleep immediately. I worried about sleeping last night, but also slept long and hard. Oura says I might be getting sick. My voice is scratchy this morning. 

No teahouse because I slept until 3 o'clock. The rest of the day was making up beds and getting the house ready to leave.

I have no idea what I'm going to do on the way home. 

Breakfast?

Stop for coffee?

Drive straight home?

Looking for a little delight. 

I hope I'm not getting sick. I have a full birthday week ahead and it kind of starts tomorrow (in my mind). 

More on the birthday things soon. I still haven't done the mid-year review and reflection. That's for next week. I have 2 birthday TREATS that will be waiting for me when I get home. I'm excited to chat about them. I plan to save both for next week too. 

Time to get packing up. 

This was a great Asheville week.

Checked so many boxes and I'm grateful.

Hope you have a good day. Later gators.

Beautiful Hike

The hike was SO GOOD (!!)

I figured out a connector trail that added a couple of miles of rolling hills to the mountain climb and let us park at the inn for the start. 

The drive up was no problem at all. It's actually scarier as a passenger. I had nothing to be worried about.

Here are some pictures from the hike -- found amazing mushrooms along the way. 

Lunch was very nice at the Inn. 

A man choked and I gave him the Heimlich maneuver-- good deed for the day. 

Dinner was also a hit. We walked through downtown on a beautiful evening with a cool breeze. Picture perfect mountain summer weather. 

I woke up this morning not feeling particularly well though. Nauseous, shaky. Both have passed, but I'm not sure if I'm getting sick or the activity was a lot on me. I certainly had a relaxing, fun time. Oura ring stats were off too, sleep was shit. Could a nap be in my future today? I'm not a nap girly, but it's tempting.

My girlfriend leaves this morning and I have the day to myself. A few cleanup chores and that's it. I'm not sure what I want to do, but the teahouse is calling me if my stomach holds. I'd like to long walk, but I need to watch my back. I've had 3 strong workouts in a row and I don't want to push it. 

It was a really nice mix of things this trip. Exactly what I wanted from this week. THIS was the trip I was worried about and it was the best of the three. 

I'm ready to go home though. I briefly thought about leaving today, but I don't want to rush myself and I want to enjoy the mountain air a minute more. Weather is heating up in GA and in Asheville so this will be the last of crisp air for a bit. And I didn't sleep well, so a quiet day (maybe with that nap) might be just what I need. 

I actually thought about going for another massage today, but the massage therapist I wanted is off. Wasn't meant to be, I suppose, but still ... probably not, especially if I'm not sure how I'm feeling. Man, but I wish!!!!

Time to plan my solo day. What to do, what to do ...

Have a good one. Later gators.

A Good Day

Another really good day.

8 mile mountain walk in cool, crisp air. We ditched coffee to keep walking because it was so nice. Sadly, no bear sighting. 

Left by construction equipment.
Looks like HUGE bear claw.

Mountain flowers.

Come on -- beautiful!!

Massage was incredible. I was so relaxed and had to fight falling asleep for most of it. I was half awake, half dreaming -- worried I'd start dream talking. My friend said it was the best massage she's ever had -- everyone I bring there says the same. It's a different style of massage and it's ridiculously relaxing. 

We ditched shopping for a drink on the patio, rocking in the chairs -- lovely, but I missed going to the teahouse. Guess that's a solo moment for Wednesday. Probably better since I like tea and a book better than tea and talking. 

Dinner at Chai Pani for Michelin Star Indian street food. Amazing.

Bed by 8 o'clock. The massage left us like mush and neither of us could form a sentence after the massage and big dinner. 

Today is the hike. We're doing the short, but hard out-and-back up the mountain. Then lunch at the Pisgah Inn -- views, fresh food. It should be a good day. Weather is still awesome (tomorrow the heat comes back). Dinner at one of our favorite places downtown.

I'm getting more relaxing downtime than I expected and that's been a pleasant surprise. We won't leave for the hike until 10 o'clock and we're doing a breakfast here on the patio again. Turns out we're good travel companions. 

On a last note, the 'u' key was not working at all and I gave it an aggressive pounding -- it's fixed. Hah -- guess it was a little dislocated. Maybe that weird little black cloud energy has passed. Healing powers of the mountain. 

Have a good day. Later gators. 

Asheville!

Asheville is doing its thing. 

Easy drive.

A few good podcasts and I was here.

Got a text from a hiking friend who's in town for a funeral. She was 5 minutes from the house and did a quick stop over. Her extended family was in the car, so it was really fast, but unexpected fun seeing her. 

My friend arrived later in the afternoon. 

She brought a hostess gift. Asked a friend in TX to find me a copy of Lonesome Dove (one of her favorite books and a book I've been trying to find used). How lovely is that? She remembered I was searching for it with no luck. Now it's one of my favorite gifts -- she and her friend went to so much trouble to get this. I asked how she knew her friend could find it ... TX always has copies and her friend loves to thrift. 

Also beautiful strawberry
plate and pitcher.

We had a great vegan dinner. Mocktails and split a few dishes. Didn't remember to take pictures of it all, but here's a sample.

Spicy Curry

Best of the meal.
Sauce under was incredible.

Pineapple, ginger, cardamom.

She was a bit hesitant to tell me she likes to go to bed early. WHAT?!?! Perfection! 

So far, so good. 

As for today ... mountain walk, massage, shopping, Michelin star Indian street food for dinner, EARLY to bed hah.

Have a good one. Later gators.

Asheville #3 ... Maybe a Charm

These last couple of days have been that 50-50 of life. 

We said goodbye to a friend and it was hard and beautiful -- as it is. We felt a strong connection to friends as we gathered. Lots of hugs and laughs and some tears. 

"That" person was there and behaved as expected. We actually had a pointed exchange because I'm tired of her, every bit of her. Now I feel that drama level again. She's so intrenched in my world and it sucks. I'm sure there's some growth or grand purpose to my involvement with her, but it's a lesson I'm not asking to learn. I probably shouldn't have poked the bear, but I hate how some people feel they can say or do anything unchecked. I checked her ... and she hit back, hard. 

Pride walk was AMAZING! Loved every minute. It was so humid, but a great turnout and such a good time. I stayed for part of the festival too. My friend hit it out of the park. P.S. The shoes were fun and held the color.

Marshaled the walk.

So many colors and rainbows.

Ready to volunteer.

Kids closed on their new house. People are renting back from them for 3 days and it's going very poorly. The owner inherited the house and doesn't even live there. She's being awful to them and might stick them with things left unfinished. Their realtor didn't protect them against this in the contract. 

They scheduled their move the weekend I get back from Asheville. No rest for the weary. I hope that changes because I planned a quiet weekend to relax and recover from the first half of June. I'm trying (and not completely succeeding) to keep the rest of June chill and easy. Summer of ease and unbothered is not starting well.

Maybe that recovery can come from this trip to Asheville with a friend. I'm psyching myself out because I don't think I'm going to get enough sleep or downtime. Probably isn't true. I'm remembering last trip and how that felt. They're different (hopefully). 

I'm also more recovered. The heart issue from Covid has finally stopped. My period is almost finished (I think). My neck and back are improving. 

The only day that will be a push is Tuesday. Leading a hike I'm not 100% confident about, driving up and back down a switchbacked mountain (freaks me out a little). I need to keep perspective though. It's one little part of the week AND my friend will help -- she's an experienced hiker. 

Weather looks good for the trip. The higher heat will move out today and hopefully the humidity too. Ready for mountain air. 

Remember the spider and computer debacle? The 'u' key is sticking from the computer toss. You don't realize how often you need that letter. Dang. Glad I didn't completely break it. P.S. Spider is no longer with us, but he got the last laUgh. 

Rushed morning, but hopefully that's the last time I use that adjective this week. This week was planned as a wellness moment for body, mind, spirit. 

Can it be done?

Will it be done?

Eeekk. Fingers crossed. 

Off to Asheville. Third time's a charm?!?! 

Have a good one. Later gators. 

And I'm Home Again

Very quick Asheville run, but well worth it. 

Full clean, all the nitty-gritty spots and the house looks great. It's been too long since I've done a complete head-to-toe clean. Did a bit of yard work too. 

Never left the house. It was HOT and HUMID and I decided not to take a mountain or town walk. My neck and back are mending and I didn't want to set either off from the hills. 

I feel better. 

But guess what?? 

I got a period. 

Full on, or so it feels.

Cramps, the works. 

Of course I did. Now what? Does the clock start again? Can I celebrate next week? Will I need an ultrasound and $$$.

Day 3 and I need to use a tampon. It's not just a little spotting. 

I can't even give it much thought. I give up. This June is not the June I wanted at all, but it's the June I'm getting. I'll deal with this after the Asheville trip. 

Tonight is the first of the funeral events. Dinner. It's going to be a late night. The RSVP list is as expected -- out of town family and very close friends. We aren't either, but she asked us to come so we're going. I looked at the RSVP list for the funeral and it's missing a lot of friends. I hope this means people didn't RSVP but are coming to both. 

Hottest and most humid day of the season so far. It's absolutely miserable out there. Ditto for tomorrow. Ugh and double ugh. Pride Walk will be a soupy mess.

Big spider just landed on my lap. Threw the computer, spilled my coffee. 

That's all for today. Dang. NOT a good start. 

Asheville #2

Yesterday was a better day. 

First day that felt like I could ground a bit.

A day where I didn't feel like I was catering to everyone else. 

I'll get that over these next two days too. Of course, I'm driving and cleaning -- not exactly on my list of "best of" ... but I desperately need some alone time and this will do well enough. 

I do this thing where I need some space, panic that I'm not getting it, need space even more from that panic ... and so on. I haven't felt this at THIS level for a long time. 

It's been a series of events that added up to now. 

Covid is the biggest offender. I'm still recovering. I'm still "off," not myself.

Anyway ...

Yesterday's bookstore day was really good. It's an adorable few blocks of gentrification in an otherwise industrial kind of area. Stores, restaurants, 2 coffee shops, one teashop. Easy-ish drive. I love that I know about it now and will be back. 

Top tear Indie bookstore. Shelves were well curated, great shelf talkers, good vibe. I got a few books. 

Lunch was really good too. -- Asian fusion. This friend also has food sensitivities so I knew her restaurant pick would be good for me too. 

We stopped at a teashop walking back to the car because the restaurant served iced tea from this store and it was really nice. I got a few loose leaf herbal blends. 

We made a date in July for another bookstore afternoon. 

I did a fun thing. Got a recommendation for a perfume scent flight from a small, women owned business in Denver, CO. Ode to Perfume. $70 for 5 samples of perfume that are hand selected from unique options. They send a questionnaire and then select for you. 

A little birthday moment for me. I'm back to enjoying personal scents. A friend got me hooked on Crown Affair -- hair perfume. It smells so good. I've also bought a few higher end body washes with more of a designer scent. 

Since June isn't the June I planned, I'm making another plan. Adding in small birthday delights. Little moments for me. Trying for at least one a day. Got a few in yesterday and ordered the perfume flight today. Hoping to find a couple of moments in Asheville too. Of course, not all are buying things hah, but nothing wrong with some treats either. 

I'm going to try an easy workout this morning -- first in almost a week. If anything hurts when I start, I'll bag it. 

Going to grab a few podcasts for the drive too. I'm looking forward to these 2 days far, far more than I expected. I thought this little trip would be the worst of them all, but I wonder ... fingers crossed for a nice couple of days.

Have a good one. Later gators.