The Land of Not

The nightmares have returned.  I woke with a startle, breathing heavy at 3:45 AM according to my iPhone.  My husband was sleeping peacefully so I dimmed the light on my iPhone then checked Twitter.  Spotting a couple of tweets from one of the new folks I'm following drew me back into The Land of Not.  My descent into this dark, almost void, lack luster state of mind has taken months to get to this point.  Somewhere in the recesses of the nothingness, I realize this is not the place I want to be.  I toss off the covers, quietly close the bedroom door, step on the scale the click on my pedometer.   I make my way to the kitchen while seriously considering getting on the elliptical to escape thinking.  Instead I made a cup of coffee and settled on the couch with the laptop.

I've been withdrawing for months, focusing on a couple of personal pursuits.  The very thought of being around people fills me with dread so I avoid doing so.  I'm even avoiding the drama of the forums I once enjoyed.  Heavens, why some folks get their knickers in a knot over the simplest non-problem is beyond me!  Instead of being around people, I lace up my runners to go for power walks.  The ear buds, sunglasses and no nonsense fast pace is a clear indication that I have no desire to stop and chit chat. 

Today is our anniversary.  I need to be back in a better frame of mind!  In the early morning hours, I did what I haven't done in months.  I blogged!  Whether blogging will draw me out of The Land of Not remains to be seen but for now, for today, it is a small step forward...

Savannah, Georgia

City Hall Downtown Savannah, Georgia

October 10, 2013

We arrived in Savannah, Georgia shortly before 10:30 AM on October 10, 2013.  Within minutes of our arrival we spotted the gem of our destination, Paula Deen's restaurant The Lady & Sons where we were stopping for lunch.  It wasn't open until 11 AM so my husband put our name on the reservation list then we took a brief stroll.  City Hall is located in downtown Savannah, only a few short blocks from the restaurant.  We parked on the road in front of the park (out of camera range) then wandered through the shady park enjoying the warmth of the morning sun.  It was absolutely gorgeous, leaving us wish we had planned a longer stay in Savannah!

The East River Mountain Tunnel

The East River Mountain Tunnel

October 9, 2013

 

We left Ontario on October 9, 2013 en route to Florida where our vacation home is.  We spend about three months of the year there, divided over three trips.   We decided to drive this time since we would be spending three weeks there, fly home for three weeks then return to our vacation home for five weeks.   We took I-77 south to I-95 south, a bit longer route than the direct route I-75, specifically to make a sightseeing stop in Savannah, Georgia.   The East River Mountain Tunnel carries I-77 through East River Mountain between Bloomfield, West Virginia and Rocky Gap, Virginia. 

Originally, we had planned on staying overnight in Pipe Stem, Tennessee at an interesting sounding little bed and breakfast (Nostalgia Inn).  The hostess reassured us we did not need reservations, to just come.  About an hour away, we called to let them know we would be arriving within the hour.  Imagine our surprise to have the hostess tell us that she just wasn't up to company.  Apparently she was expecting a larger group that weekend and didn't feel like cleaning again before then!  It was bad enough that our plans were changed with that one phone call but worse was her beyond horrible attitude.  We thanked our lucky stars know with that kind of an attitude the place would have been disappointing anyway.  I guess she never heard of Karma!  We moseyed on to Orangeburg, South Carolina where we had a pleasant stay for the night, happy we had made good mileage that day which would put us at our vacation home earlier than expected the following day.

The Big Snow Storm

Neighbour Clearing Our Driveway

January 6, 2014

Like many in southern Ontario, we are still digging out from under a very deep blanket of snow.  The snow started in earnest Saturday evening, worsening Sunday.  The road conditions quickly deteriorated as the winds picked up whipping the blinding snow into a frenzy.  Then the freezing rain hit followed by more snow.  The plows off the road resuming operations this morning to start the clearing.  Residents have been asked to stay off the roads and there is a parking ban on all municipal streets to help with the clearing of the snow.   Still they were hindered by cars stuck on roadways.  There were reports of power outages and closures as the temperatures plummeted to record lows.  A lot of cars and generators won't start due to the cold.  Many are reporting frozen pips.  Warming stations are open. 

We are very, very blessed to have wonderful neighbours who cleared our driveway.  It quickly filled in so they cleared it again!  Our power has stayed on so our house is warm and cozy.  One of our friend's furnace blower quit so his house is in the 60's because he can only run the furnace for very short periods of time.  We lent him our electric space heaters.  He doesn't want to leave his house in case the pipes freeze!  The temperatures continue to fall. 

This storm has had a huge impact across North America due to the polar vortex.  I suspect it will be affecting many areas for several days yet...

A Special Kind of Stupid

This image has been making its way through Facebook with no credit given to whoever created it.  Seriously, they deserve a thumbs up!  If you are on Facebook, you will likely know why I say this.  Some folks seem to think everyone of their 'friends' need to know all of their drama.   Of course they are the ones with a couple hundred or more 'friends'.  That means they will post something about their drama du jour so not only do you get to see it, you get to enjoy their couple of hundred friends comment on their post AND as if that isn't enough, 9 times out of 10 a huge fight will break out because one of their friends didn't like something another one said.  At the same time, you can't block them because that would be rude especially if they are a close friend or family member AND you can't comment because you don't want to get involved in their drama.

Last fall, friends who are also on my Facebook friends went all out gung ho on what appears to be a very nasty split-up.  A large part of it captured forever on Facebook!  Believe me it was and still is nasty watching the cheap jabs go back and forth.  I've been sitting on my fingers, shaking my head at the stupidity being displayed.  All I can say is both lawyers are going to have a field day and it's all there in black and white! 

Honestly, somethings should not be discussed outside the home.  Just saying...

And So the New Year Begins

This is the time of year that many make or start their New Year's Resolutions.  I do not.  The past year (2013) was one in which I made three major life changing decisions that I diligently worked on throughout the year and look forward to expanding on them in 2014.  So I have no resolutions to break within the first week or so of the new year then feel guilty about it.  I have all the hopes and dreams for a beautiful, memorable new year filled with family and friends, love and laughter, and good times. 

It was a cold, blustery, snowy winter start to the New Year here.  My husband went to the Winter Classic (Maple Leafs vs Redwings)  in Ann Arbor, Michigan yesterday so the house was quiet.  I puttered around the house and made a few annual updates to my blogs while watching the game, looking for him in the crowd.  I spotted him three times!  One of our kids paused their TV and took a picture of him.  It was snowing and cold so I kept an eye on the weather knowing the roads were going to be horrible for him and his friend both ways.  He arrived home safe and sound, happy but tired.

And so the New Year begins...

Happy New Year

Wishing each and everyone of you a very Happy New Year!  Welcome 2014...