It's a Wrap (Almost)

Day 10 of 10 in my stretch of social pushes -- Easter with the family. First park time with the grand baby and then Easter at my aunt's with a bunch of extended family. All that's left to do is make the Mac & Cheese. 

Yesterday was the hiking club's VIP tour of Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary. The place is amazing. We got a special tour when the sanctuary was closed to the public and watched the animals feed, play, etc. Totally worth driving 4 hours roundtrip. The animals are from circuses, zoos, illegal pets and pets people can't handle. Lions, tigers, monkeys, bears, baboons, farm animals, etc. 

Here are a few pictures.

Lioness

Bear

Tiger

The tiger "talked" the whole time.

Mini donkey with special needs

Cutest pig

"Running" to get a carrot

Now the downside. The 90 minute tour lasted almost 3 hours. It was good, but then got too much. Lots of dumb questions from the group (yes, dumb!). This older man I've hiking with before wouldn't leave me alone (he did it on the hike too). He was clearly (and grossly) hitting on me. One of the ladies was so sick it was ridiculous that she came. I spent so much time dodging lover-boy and Typhoid Mary that I felt grumpy a lot of the time. With the extended tour and these 2 characters, I left without joining the picnic lunch. My social tank was EMPTY and quickly filling with something less-than-kind. I spent a lot of time prepping a picnic lunch that I ended up eating at the counter at home. 

I need to check if this guy is on the overnight hike in August. Man, I hope not. He was such a pain. He's not old enough to be a sweet old man -- maybe mid-60s and it felt super icky.

Anyway ...

All set with a little Easter gift for the kids. Chocolates from Asheville in the special Trader Joe's bags that have this crazy following. I was lucky to get a couple the day they put them out. Apparently, they sell for $$$ on the secondary market. I don't see the fuss, but I got 2 anyway to give to the kids.

Did a little bunny art I saw from IG.

Monday is possibly an add-on social day with my visiting aunt and uncle. More on that tomorrow. It's been a big stretch of social. More in 10 (maybe 11) days than I usually do in a month. I'm extremely ready to regroup this week, but I have no regrets (except packing that picnic lunch lol).

Happy Easter. Later gators.

Great Ending

The Asheville trip ended with a good trip home. This guy was our send off buddy. He came up behind me packing the car. The biggest gobble turkey I've ever seen and gobbled all the way up the street. He was as tall as my waist. Scared the shit out of me lol.

First stop on the drive home was a small scenic railroad town -- Dillsboro. Total bust. Everything was closed at 9am and no coffee shops to be found. It's a stop on a day railroad tour and designed for tourists. 

We traveled on and exited in Historic Franklin. Jackpot. Fantastic Main Street. Coffee shop for a decaf cortado with oat milk. Long visit at an Indie bookstore -- great recommendations and chat with the owners. A few boutiques. The town has a nice dog park too -- this'll be a good stop when we go as a family to Asheville. Every store allowed dogs too. We had a fun time and spent over an hour shopping and exploring. The shop owners were friendly and the town is adorable.

I found a few gifts and a few things for myself too :)

Handmade book sleeve to hold books and accessories when traveling. A little notebook, a quote and a new book. The bee picture is from my aunt -- save the bees. Everything is sitting on this little swivel board I got from the vintage market for a few dollars. It's made in Holland. I have no idea how I'll use it yet -- I'll figure it out because I liked it a lot.

Here are a few flower containers to use once the summer blooms start. All from the vintage market in downtown Asheville -- great prices.

I have tons and tons on my to-do list that starts today. Only 2 more "things" on the 10 day stretch, but a lot to catch up on this coming week. But, first, getting ready for a visit to Noah's Ark with the hiking club and Easter with extended family. 

I am tired, but I think know I did a disservice to myself by eating a ton of Easter candy yesterday afternoon and 2 GF cookies I got in Asheville. Sugar is the killer of lasting energy. I know this. I'm getting closer to accepting it and deciding it's not worth it.  Progress?? I think so, but this morning I pay a price.

Time to get moving. I'm trying not to get too overwhelmed. Best way is to action through some of this list. I planned to run Duke at the park and I want to hold that plan -- the energy issue is my doing. Hope you're set for a good weekend. Later gators.

Day 7 of 10 Big Ones

Asheville trip is closing up today. We're leaving this morning and stopping at a little town on the way home for a lunch (or coffee). 

We had a great time. I'm shopped out. Got a few gifts for upcoming birthdays, a few vintage finds and a couple of used books. We ate, toured the Thomas Wolfe memorial boarding house, lots of walking, explored some new shops.

I'm filled to the brim with everything -- in a good way, but now I'm ready for some quiet time. Just me, putzing around the house and garden. Listening to some podcasts. Getting ready for day 9 and 10. Last 2 "big" days of this stretch. Next week is filling up, but not horribly so and I should have enough quiet time for some better balance. 

Thomas Wolf's writing

His mother's boarding house.

Vintage book store tea.
Loved this idea.

Birthday girl

Antique jug to replace
a leaking pitcher.

New bedding. Now I need to
swap pillows and pillow cases.
Looks better in person.

I'm absolutely having a "full life" moment and I need to focus on how fun this has been and not how tired I feel. Of course I'm depleted but that's a good thing. I need to balance it out again, but that's a full life. The full life I worked hard to build. I have to remind myself or I lament on the "oh, I'm so tired" instead of the "this was so much fun." I don't need to CRASH, I need to give a little balance and I'll be good to go.

Short recap because I need to get packing. Have a good day. Later gators.

Chimp 5K-ish Weekend

The dread was for nothing. Great weekend. Great group of ladies. Lots of fun.

I got there last (by my design) so I got last pick of beds. I ended up on a cot in a loft area of an apartment over a garage. Very perfect for me. I was able to get up early, have tea, sit quietly ... all without disturbing anyone. I had enough privacy to settle any nerves about anything "embarrassing" stomach-wise (no problems on that end anyway).

The hike was amazing. Incredible views. Steep climbs (it was a workout). Lots of laughs and fun. Rain pulled out early so we had much better weather (still lots of mud).

Halfway to summit.

Steep!!

The start.

Views at the water stop

Everywhere is a rock garden

100 year old original cabin

Of course I got 2 books
from the LFL

VIP room in the cabin

Inspiration

Stopped in the local town for a drive-through and a drink.

Water for me. Didn't matter at all.

The private chef was a bust though. The food wasn't good and it was hella expensive, but it was still a fun night. I also "taught" the rock painting class.

Teacher mode lol

Some were happy.
Some were "forced."
HAHA

Chef dinner

A local country dog stopped by -- named Cowboy. He's a stray a local took in but he needs a vet visit for his eyes. He's the sweetest big boy.

That poor eye

Belly rubs

Joining the fun

Cowboy

The VIP Chimp sanctuary tour was incredible. Pictures are hard because of the metal window bars, but we had a great experience with them. One little fellow snuck up on us and banged the window so hard we screamed. He "laughed" and walked off. Another little one had a blanket and stayed at the window hand signaling us until she got bored. Chimps have the problem solving skills of an 8th grader and the emotional skills of a toddler. Smart and goofy.

One of the family houses.
All the chimps are retired from
research labs.

She had her blanket

A walk-by

Playing

95 chimps live here. Blank spaces
are for the 100+ waiting for the new
houses to finish.

Of course I'm super glad I said yes to the sleepover experience. I'm learning how to stretch myself each time I do something like this. It's okay to be "different" and be myself in a group. I can enjoy experiences that aren't only inside my box. 

Came home, planted the spring greens, unpacked, did wash and went to bed early. Car appointment is canceled today because I got a flat tire. Costco this morning for the fix (thanks hubby). I have a bunch of volunteer work today, grocery shopping and packing for an early start tomorrow. My aunt will drive over first thing and we'll be on the road by 8 o'clock. Rain forecasted -- dang. Hopefully, it'll clear up a little as the days go on.

Day 4 today. Next up is the Asheville trip -- switching gears hard today as I'm now a host, not a guest. I'm excited (and still a bit tired, but hopefully tonight will give me enough recovery).

Have a good Monday. Later gators.

Here We Go ... Day 1

Lots and lots to do before I leave this afternoon. I prepped all day yesterday and then called it for the evening. I'm full of excitement and a little dread. Once I get to the house, meet the ladies, etc I'll either be relaxed and happy OR start managing my mind around "why did I say yes." Hah!!

The dread is because of 2 things. One is I'm probably sharing a room ... and wonder with whom, etc. The next is I learned I probably know the other 3 ladies from when I lived in my old neighborhood. Not well, just met at a few gatherings. They're all very close and they weren't people I had interest in getting to know. Not that they were awful or anything, just not my thing. (Drink a lot and dance around the room with each other kind of ladies -- which is not me.)

I really, really, really hope I'm wrong on all fronts!! I'm going in with an open mind and trust that my friend chooses friends well. Based on the text messages from yesterday, I'm less hopeful though. It sounds like a dance party could breakout -- eek.

Speaking of activities, I'm packing up rock painting stuff and I don't think there will be time or interest. I guess it's no big deal to pack it up and bring it -- the host requested it twice. That's something I can correct my attitude about. I'm also looking at it like part of my contribution to the weekend. I'm bringing homemade hummus (with veggies), Rice Krispie treats, wine and a hostess gift too. That's enough. 

I'm leaving the grow room in hubby's hands. We have liftoff. Cucumbers, tomatoes and basil. Waiting on the peppers and parsley. When I get home I need to rework the plants now that they sprouted -- need to be watered differently.

The raised garden bed is getting irrigation installed today. These are the only guys who responded. One was suppose to come this week -- never showed. Another phoned backed with the most religious voicemail and text. When in the south, that reads conservative, you-know-who supporter (in code because of bots lol). Nope to them. 

Fingers crossed for this weekend. This will be memorable either way and I will learn a lot either way. An adventure of some kind awaits and I plan to enjoy it. This is a total out-of-the-box 'yes' for me. I'm super happy this is the first thing happening for this 10 day stretch. It's the only thing I'm nervous about and good to have it go first.

I'll be back in a few days. Later gators.