It was a rough day yesterday and I drank a wee bit to much coffee. But I made it through with many more to go. The key was by the meal. Yesterday was one of those non stop insane physically grueling no matter the caffeine @ the end tired and sore days. There now leaving that at the door and coming back to this set of projects.
I need to set up for the cat show today, and move onward with cleaning. Beyond that, I was reading a more practical thought on minimalism and the idea that technology has merely replaced physical things is realistic I suppose. I don't play many physical games anymore, I play digital ones, I read more blogs and books online, get the news online, and listen to music in mp3 format, watch videos on DVD and write journals, keep a calendar and write memos digitally. This doesn't make music, reading or games with friends any less important, just less space consuming so why have all of those items except for a few for those unplug no power situations. So realistically, its not minimalism, its more digitizing. But I still choose to have fewer things and would eventually like to have a van and camper for a home base and then international travel with most of my stuff able to fit in 2 sacks, one for the van home and one for airplane or train travel. This obviously doesn't include food. Plus I would eventually like to develop a network of travelers to explore different areas. But I don't want commitment neither. So off to some space. I am definitely going for a mini hike today as well.

How do you count the days to freedom? I am counting by the 4.5 paychecks left or the 7 weeks and 2 days. Other than that, I will be working quite a few doubles. I have avoided it because I originally had 2 jobs and then the 16 hrs is a bit much, but I will just drink more coffee and deal. And boy is the coffee good, oh wait, I drink it anyways Lol... the more I work now the less I need to later. I want to use this trip to just sit back and relax. Then if all works out, I can go to school the first semester without working. Then in december take a train back for the holidays. I only have 2 weeks off and I won't want to take the time to drive and I hate flying although I do have lots of airline miles.
Time will tell, until then I will work and keep counting.

I realized looking at my room just how close I am. I really made progress and have my piles separated. 7 weeks and 3 days left. Now just a few items to sell and I will have all the comforts of home in 2 16 gal totes, one 12 gal, 2 laundry baskets and one 3 drawer stacked. add some bedding, the instruments, a large carrier and a bag for the cats, we are good to go.
Duffles are also nice and I have an evacuation bag as one but its not water proof which with condensation issues that could arise I prefer Rubbermaid totes.

So now that I had an entire weekend off, I feel very refreshed. I really needed it, and it actually felt long. So now I am ready to give all my gusto again. Its that lull in the storm that gets us through it, I can feel positive energy flowing, I have been writing more and achieved some personal nirvana of sorts yesterday. Its crazy how organizing my entertainment collection, going through other nooks and crannies , pulling out the dust bunnies does wonders. I really feel like I made some serious progress and that feels good.
I lit the candles on my lariarium and just sat and reflected on life and my brain did something its never done, I found the off switch, the point of silence in my brain. Its amazing. I sat and made some small offerings today and I feel at peace, surreal.
Now the journey begins, self reflection. More about others, not apologizing for believing as I do and listening more: to people and to nature, to the world around me, afterall, I might learn something. And to think I am a libra and left handed.

The west coast... As mentioned previously I have plans for the west coast, places to visit and people to see. Some I haven't met and some I have. Its a new region for my 2 kitties and lots of great panoramic views to take pics of. I can't wait to see the Grand Canyon, visit the Joshua tree, visit Yellowstone, hopefully drive the Alcan again and spend some time in Quartzite.
I mapped out this trip which will take me from Oh to KY, over to St Louis and out to CO. Then down through NM to AZ. I haven't driven this route entirely before so I wanted to try it. It will be spring time and too hot for the cats on the I 10 so I won't get the texas route this time around.
I will explore that route when I return home for the holidays. Then next summer I want to drive up the west coast and take the ferry to alaska and visit some friends there for the summer and maybe make a few bucks. I also plan to do a horse or mule ride tour in the Grand Canyon and perhaps explore california of which I have friends there. All in all, its sad to say farewell but we only have one life to live and live it I shall.

I entered the cat show for this weekend. Its our final one and the chance to say be well to many friends I have had for the past few years here in the great lakes region. But I look forward to the southwest with the CFA international show, arcadia, colorado springs and a few others. I thought when I moved here that with so many shows I would enter them all but I did about half. It was none the less an educational experience and great fun with so many Siberians in one show, we made history for the US. And on this trip I get to see several of my past kittens which will be nice. I get yearly updates but in person is better since its hard to say when I will be in this region again other than quick visits with the family.
I have a bucket list of places I want to see on the west coast. I did a trip in 2008 to pa, nyc and nj. I saw quite a bit, got lost in nyc and met all different types.

Its such a pretty day today. Depending on how cold it is, I may go for a walk. I am also starting more projects and will have way less to do in 2 months, hopefully once I get all these projects done as far as going through that which needs gotten rid of or organized better, it will be a cake walk to simply take a drive to donations for whatever doesn't sell and be on my way. Also easier to pack out the van. Its amazing how much junk we pick up without searching for it. I wish food and cat food weren't individually packaged because I could then go to the store, bag it and be on my way. I know it doesn't work that way and germs would be a problem, but there has to be a more conservative and econoline friendly option besides grow or kill your own, neither of which I am into even though I have grown up on a farm. I admit it, I like quick easy food with a little spice at the end, and love indoor plumbing.