My business has had a few less-than-stellar years but many more not-too-bad years. This year, I’m happy to say, has been my busiest and best since 2008. I’m grateful for the work. It has been very stressful during the last few years to pass weeks by with no paying work and to wonder if this will be the year that I’ll have to get a “real” job. As grateful as I am, though, the workload can sometimes overwhelm—lots of books on the same deadlines, problem projects all demanding extra attention, the constant struggle to be creative. After several very busy months (for both Mark and for me), we’re taking a break and heading on a Southern Caribbean cruise. As I write this, I’m on a Delta flight from Atlanta to Ft. Lauderdale. We’re planning to have breakfast with some old acquaintances tomorrow morning and then board the ship around one o’clock.
So far, the trip has been pretty smooth. I’ve gotten a ton of projects done at the house over the last week or so—cleaning, getting out Christmas decorations, running my car to the repair shop, and on and on, so by this morning, I felt like I could take this time.
Howi is safely boarded at his vet where I’m sure he’ll be spoiled. The women at the counter were already mooning over him as we left. He’s quite a charmer, and I’m sure he’ll get extra attention. I just hope he forgives us for leaving him alone for 10 days. I actually feel a bit guilty about it; he’s been passed around a fair bit in his short two years—from whomever owned his mother to the young woman who surrendered him to the great folks at Buckeye Bulldog Rescue then to his wonderful foster family and finally us. I hope he doesn’t think we’ve just passed him on yet again.
I’ll provide details over the next several days (if I can get wifi; which sounds questionable unless I’m willing to buy a really overpriced access package), but the basic itinerary after we board is two days at sea (don’t expect a lot of news during those days, but I hope to put up some photos), then a day each on Curaçao, Aruba, and Bonaire. I hope to have something to write about, but I really expect to be able to put up some great photos. We then have two more days at sea on our way home (again, probably not a lot to say unless I get really philosophical).
As we roll into the hotel, is this the first sign of a rough road ahead— metaphorically speaking?
That was the wheel on my large, heavy roller bag. Sigh.
I have to laugh..several years ago, Marc surprised me with a trip to Provincetown for a long weekend. We arrived during a storm that was too rough for the ferry and had to take a long bus ride to get there. The walk from the bus stop to the guesthouse was about a mile uphill in driving rain….and of course the wheel on my roller bag decides this is the time to disintegrate. It rained like biblical times the entire weekend. I hated Provincetown and we have not returned.
LOL. We love Provincetown, but I see how such a miserable experience would poison your attitude toward it.
Time to go shopping for a new bag … ? You might find some good deals on one of the islands, at least for a cheapo rolly replacement to get home. Or maybe not. Wishing you many luxurious and carefree hours basking in the glorious light and doing as little as humanly possible! Dreary in CMH today. Enjoy!
I sometimes wonder if dogs have a sense of time. Can Howi discern the difference between a couple of days or ten days? More than likely he will be the center of attention at the pet hotel, meet some new friends, and when you arrive to pick him up think you were gone just a day.