Tonight we are in Flagstaff Arizona and our hotel is on the famous Route 66 highway. It is also known as the Will Rogers Highway.
We stopped at a National Park today and saw what is called the Painted Desert. We also saw ruins of a Pueblo nation at the Petrified Forest National Park. Very cool and beautiful.
Tomorrow the Grand Canyon! I can't wait. Actually today, I write this in the early Tuesday morning.

Good Morning from...

Albuquerque, New Mexico. We got here last night and it is such a pretty town. We are going to explore it a bit today. It is very warm here and very windy.
Yesterday we enjoyed the Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City and the Memorial at the Federal building site. That was quite moving and made it very real. When I can settle down a bit I'll have some pictures to share of that.
I saw antelope yesterday as we drove, that was pretty cool. They are so small, somehow I thought they were bigger.
I love New Mexico. So far the people are nice and the land is pretty to me. We walked to the downtown area last night from our hotel and it is so cool. Very modern with lots of shops and places to eat.
From here on out, we're slowing down to enjoy some of the places we are going through and I'm looking forward to that.

A Little Snow and John Wayne

We spent most of yesterday driving across Arkansas, "HI Shirley!" We stopped right before leaving Arkansas and visited a history museum where Matthew posed with his hero.
We ended up in Oklahoma City (Hi Michelle!) and I saw more snow on the ground than I've ever seen. The storm was over by the time we got here but as we entered the state there was still plenty on the ground..

I am up early and Matthew is still snoozing. We are planning on staying here in Oklahoma City this morning and visiting the Cowboy museum and the site of the federal building explosion.
Last night we ate dinner at Toby Keith's I love this Bar and Grill. Very interesting to say the least and good food, but way too much of it. And we should make Amarillo by evening!

Good Morning from...........

Tupelo Mississippi. We got this far yesterday. Sweetie approved of our accommodations for the night and we all three slept like babies, traveling tires you out. This is the birthday place of Elvis you know. We are leaving first thing this morning to continue on. We are driving as hard as possible to get out West and then we are going to enjoy some time at the Grand Canyon and in Salt Lake City. Right now we are trying to dodge bad weather. So far so good.

At Last

Today's the day! Matthew got in yesterday morning. He visited with his grandparents most of the day and then he and I loaded the truck and have decided we are ready to leave this morning. It is two days earlier than we'd planned!
I am so very excited. I have waited for this day for so long and had to go through a lot of stuff to get to this day. AND here it is. Today one of those dreams I've stored in this old cedar chest is coming out of storage. So remember, no matter what happens in your life, dreams can come true!

Goodbye Job

I keep trying to say goodbye to people but they keep saying, "Oh, we'll see you on Wednesday", so if that is true today is going to be busy.
My boss is coming to take me to lunch. I wasn't expecting that but it is ok and a good thing, as I've known her the whole time I've worked for the company and she hired me so it is nice to get to see her a last time.
It will feel good to know when I leave that store this afternoon that I won't have to worry about customers, sales, company policies, or that whole corporate world anymore. But at the same time I will miss the people that I've spent more time with than family members, they are my family really. So it is with mixed emotions that I leave with. I've looked forward to this day and dreaded it all at the same time.
But as of around five o'clock today I will officially be unemployed for the first time in many years. That is going to feel weird! But before I have time to even think about that much Matthew will be here tomorrow and we'll be loading that truck! And before I know it, Haleigh will be in my arms and my new beginnings will begin.
SO for the next few days things will be hectic around here and if we can we are going to leave Saturday, although it depends on how things go.
Hope your day is a good one and if I don't blog for a few days, I'm ok, I'll be back soon.
Love,
Robbin

Unexpected Tears and Things to Tie Up

Another short post today as my boss surprised me with unexpected tears saying goodbye to me on Conference Call this morning. You have to understand that she is a very Professional person and I guess I just didn't expect that. So of course when she said she didn't know if she could do it, and then there was a silence while she tried to get her composure back, that caused me to cry, which I wasn't expecting. So there you have it. I'm glad that is over. As one manager put it, she and I have a lot of history together and it was she that originally hired me all those years ago.
AND.....I'm doing things like picking up my medical records, scheduling for the electricity to be cut off, closing out a local bank account, still trying to get them to pick up this dumpster, just taking care of loose ends you know.
I don't go in until noon today and I'm tired already! But I am so excited. Matthew leaves Washington tomorrow, flying through the night and will be here soon!
I am so excited I can hardly breathe, have to keep reminding myself to BREATHE!
Ok, off I go to take care of some of these things.
Love,
Robbin

Conference Call Day, My Last One

I'm about to join my very last conference call for this company and you know that does not make me too sad. Although I will miss some of the other managers, the call is not something I will miss at all. I had thought maybe I wouldn't need to be on this one yet my boss thought I needed to be, to say goodbye. And so I can do that.

After today, I have one more day of work. It is kind of bittersweet to leave a company you've been with for almost 15 years. Yet I don't regret the decision at all. It is time to move on and I am glad I have the means and the opportunity to do so.

I will continue to blog as much as I can during our trip. AND will share as many pictures I can.

And I am so ready to go I am about to bust!!

Closer and Closer

My counter is a little off. I was counting down actually to my last day of work but that's changed a little. I actually have only three days to work this week and then a total of five or six days that we actually pull off.

Last night Matthew and I got on the phone together and mapped out our trip. We are going through some really cool places for someone like me who likes cowboys and indians. I can't wait.

How I will ever get though three more days of work is a mystery to me but I got to do what I got to do. But actually it is better than me being home waiting for three more days.

Anyway, that's all that is on my mind of course. I can't believe this is finally going to happen. It has taken me years to make this decision and then a couple of bumps got in my way but now the road is clear and this is really going to happen. So look out Washington State, I'm nearly on my way.

A Good Night

We had a great time last night at my dinner. This is a pic of me and the girls and my little namesake, Robbin who is Steph's daughter. Remember my post here about my french doors and flowing robes? Well, that's exactly what I got! Two beautiful silky flowing caftan robes to walk out on the deck in. They are beautiful!
The Dr. and his wife gave me a very generous gift of cash which will come in handy for sure. He specified he wanted us to use it as "fun" money on our trip.
I took my travel journal that Tammy sent me and asked them all to write me a little note in it.
I'm going to miss these people very much and they will be in my heart forever.

Dr. P

Vicki

Steph

Lonieze (we call her Loni)

Kathleen

Kayla

AH AH CHOO!!!

That's all I can seem to do this morning along with blowing my nose. But I'll take this lovely spring weather any old day even that yellow pollen that comes with it.
After work the girls and I and their husbands are going out to eat to celebrate my "New Beginnings". I like that so much better than a Going Away party.
After today I have only three more days to work. Matthew will be here Thursday. My brain is mush. I don't think I have a complete thought in my head but it feels good to be ahead of the game and be all packed up already. In fact, I can't believe I've accomplished all I have.
I have in fact worked so hard to keep it together the last few months that I hope when I can let my guard down, I don't crash. After the dust settled a little I sort of had a little break down that I had to work through. There were times when I thought I was losing it, times that I questioned everything. And I'm not the same person I was this time last year. I know this, I know I am less confident in my job, in my decisions, in almost every action I take. And so, nobody really knows how hard the last few months have been for me to get through. Staying busy, as to not have to think, concentrating so hard on just trying to get through each day and putting all my trust that moving is the best decision for me.
And so, the time is almost here to start my new beginning, to just take the time to heal completely, physically and mentally. To be with my family, to love my grandchild in person. I'm so ready.

I'm READY FREDDIE!

Ok, I'm ready, where are you Matthew? How can I wait another week? Oh but I must, I have to but it is not going to be easy.
I've found things I had lost, things I'd thought I'd thrown away and things I didn't even know I had!
But at last I've got what I'm taking packed and other than a few pieces of furniture, this is all I'm taking.
Everything else is either thrown away or given to charity. SO there! Now where oh where is Matthew??? I'm ready to load that dang truck!

Into the Single Digits Now

Would you look at that counter? I only nine days away now, actually only seven days away from Matthew arriving and we could leave earlier, we'll see how that goes.
I'm off today and tomorrow and I'll finish up things around here. And Saturday night the girls at work are taking me out to dinner. And then the goodbyes begin and I hate goodbyes. I think I'll just say "See ya" to them all.
I can't believe the time is almost here.
Ok, I'd better get busy around here!
Love,
Robbin

Not So Much to Talk About

Yesterday was a rainy, lazy day. I didn't do too much, mostly watched movies and slept. I should have done lots but I have two days off this week and I don't have too much more to do anyway and still be able to live here, so I guess I needed a rest day.
And I'm moving slow this morning and it is still raining, a nice slow rain, one that maybe will soak in because we always need rain here.
Nothing much is going on, I'm just biding time here, and moving day is almost here. So I hope for you all a good week.

I'm Almost There

I've got the worse behind me now and all else as far as this moving thing is downhill. I have to work today but not tomorrow and should have pretty much as much packed as I can and still live here for two more weeks.
My little Sweetie dog is a little confused and not sure what is happening. Boy she has no idea how her life is about to change. But she travels well and she'll be fine but living in town will be a different experience for her for sure.
It's a little cooler this morning here, no windows up, in fact a little heat going.
I don't have to go in until around ten this morning. And then after work I got to do a little shopping for a few things I need.
And that is about my life right now. Hoping you all have a nice weekend wherever you are and that maybe some nice weather.
Love,
Robbin

Listen to the Mocking Bird

Every day this week he has serenaded me before daylight. It's been warm enough that my kitchen window has been up since the weekend and that's where he is, right outside that window and as I make my coffee he sings the most beautiful melody.
It makes me smile every morning.
And I have lots of other things to smile about as well. I am alive and healthy again. The days are clicking away, I'm off today to work on getting this packing a step closer to being done. The weather is good. And pretty soon I will be where I want to be with my granddaughter in my arms. SO sing little bird, sing your heart out, I totally agree with you, life is good!

Awake Before the Chickens!

Ok, not sure what the deal is with me this morning but I woke up at five thirty and can not go back to sleep although I could sleep at least until seven. I haven't done this in a while. Finally I just got up and got the coffee going.

I do have a lot on my mind. In fact it is spinning with all I've got to finish in just a short time for my move, with things going on around here at work, with concern for some people in my life and with just stuff!

I also am sneezing my head off. My little car was covered in pollen yesterday so with the pretty weather comes that yellow stuff that gives us all runny noses and sneezes and wheezes and all that. But it is worth it to have had the nice weather for a change.

I'm going to catch up on everyone's blogs this morning since I've neglected to do so lately and drink coffee until it is time for me to get ready for work.

Hoping you have a good day,
love,
Robbin

JUST THE FACTS MAM

Conference call this morning instead of yesterday throwed me off kilter as far as blogging today.

I am tired but getting things done.

A dumpster can be a person's best friend when they are moving.

The Moon is beautiful tonight.

Two friends of mine got disappointing news today.

My Son called me and we talked and talked.

In fact, I spent a lot of time on the phone today.

I got an email from a friend that I've missed a lot.

I am moving very very soon.

So there's just the facts for today.

Spring is Rearing It's Pretty Head at Last

I did pretty good at work yesterday, we stayed busy and so I didn't go too nuts. And no conference call today, although we will have it tomorrow morning which is my day off, but that's ok, I'll still have all the rest of the day to work here. I need to finish up with what I'm throwing away as that dumpster is costing me each day I have it and I'd planned on keeping it only a week or ten days.

Steph's husband leaves today for a mission trip to Russia, so she will be off to see him off. He'll be gone for ten days. Steph and I were excited because our company gave 300 pair of glasses for the mission and we thought that was pretty cool and generous of them.

The weather is beautiful this week and yesterday I spotted the first Azaleas blooming on my way home. I've not been up to my Mom's lately but I bet her yard is beginning to come alive. She is pouting with me and not communicating so much and I'm very busy and haven't had time to spend much time with her, but she is busy too. Plus her negative comments about my move makes me feel bad so there you go.

My coffee is calling my name and so I'm going for a cup and then maybe get a few things done before work since I don't go in until noon.
Have a good day you all!

It Can't Be Time to Wake UP!

I usually almost always wake up before the alarm but this morning, with the time change of course I didn't. And I couldn't believe it was time to get up already. It's still dark! Usually the first thing I see is daybreak out my bedroom window. So, good morning Day Light Savings Time.

On the bright side there is a bird outside singing the most beautiful melody. I mean he is singing his heart out and so I'll take his lead and know what a wonderful thing it is to have another day to wake up to. And that spring is on the way. Even if I do have to work, which I don't dread too much. After two whole days of packing, I'm ready for a break and so work will do it for sure.

The clock is ticking away and I'd better get going here. Hope you have a great day.
Love,
Robbin

I made a trip to the dumpster a minute ago, just before dark and there was the moon, bright and almost full, 94 percent according to my Moon Chart thingie.
I love the moon and have had little time in the past few months to pay it homage.

Today I've not had the energy I had yesterday but I did ok. I got a lot accomplished but nothing like yesterday. I still have a few more days off before Matthew gets here and if I'm not done by then, well, he'll be here to help me finish up so I'm not stressing much.

I've worked all weekend with music playing and it's funny to me the assortment I've been through.
Now don't laugh because I have a thing for Johnny Rivers, Glen Campbell, and Barry Manilow. I've worked away with Celine Dion, The Bee Gees and Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight on that Midnight Train to Georgia. Oh and I love the Beatles. And of course there's Elvis. And then the Broadway tunes. Phantom of the Opera, Evita, the best of Andrew Lloyd Webber. I hate it when people ask me what kind of music I listen to because, well, I like some of this and some of that.
And so as my day winds down, I'll soon be another day closer to this big adventure. And don't worry Matthew, if the U-Haul has a CD player in it, I promise not to force Glen or Barry on you.

Happy Sunday!

Oh my goodness am I sore this morning. I'm getting a workout with this moving project for sure but for almost a year I've hardly gotten any exercise so it's all good. Now tell that to my aching body, lol. I got a lot done yesterday, I found stuff I forgot I had, I found stuff I wondered why I kept and I found stuff I've been looking for! And today I'm back to it. The hardest thing of course is deciding what I take and not take since I'm super down sizing. It's HARD! But it's also a good thing. Living alone, I practically live in only one room anyway, so there you go.
Yesterday I drove my car down to the mailbox. It was a beautiful day, in the seventies and so I had my car window down. On the way back I felt the oddest sensation that at first I couldn't figure out what it was and then I realized it was the wind blowing my hair!! Now I've not felt that in a long time. SO I'm getting there although I still have some bald spots, mostly I have hair and enough to blow in the wind. Woo Hoo!
Hope you have a good day. I'm off to get started again and LOOK at my counter........I'm in the teens! YAY!

A Surprise in the Mail!

In my mailbox today was this beautiful travel journal from my friend Tammy. Now I can journal my trip and it has a place for pictures too. So I'll always remember it. Tammy says it is for her too because she's going to read it too one day, since I'm moving to her coast.
Thank you Tammy, I am so proud of it and very surprised too.
Love you!

Time is Marching On

Life is good. The weather is beautiful, although a little cool this morning, the sun is shining and it will be almost 80 degrees today. I am making much progress in my packing and throwing away in my big old dumpster. I got off early yesterday and worked into the night. And this morning I have discovered muscles I've not used in some time but I am ready to go again.

Poor little Sweetie Dog does not understand what in the world is going on. Nothing is where it is suppose to be, there are boxes stacked up and a big green monster of a thing outside where her Mama keeps throwing things inside of it. She barks at it and challenges it to move everytime she goes out. Boy, she has no idea what an adventure she is about to be in for. I've tried to explain to her that she will no longer be a Georgia dog any longer but a Washtonian. I don't think she gets it. She has however been to Alabama and Florida for short visits but this is all together different. She's going to be living with two other dogs for a while and we are anxious to see what comes of that. We shall see. And then there's that little eight year old bundle of energy that she's met before but never had to dea with on a day to day basis. Sweetie is not a young dog. I got her when she was a grown dog and I've had her for nine years so I'm not sure how old she really is and she is used to not a lot of stuff going on. Yep, her life is about to change for sure. But then again, so is her Mama's. ANd I can't wait!

A Sneak Preview

Amy posted this picture she took not too far from her house. This is where I will be living. How's that for a view?

GOOD Friday Morning

Yesterday was slow at work, I'm thinking our busy season is winding down and I'm not sure where that will bring our store. I'd like to think with the economy down and the fact that people will still have to have glasses, they'll choose us since we have such good prices.

Of course I won't be around to see but I still care about this little store, it is sort of like my baby that I've tried to grow and nourish and make sure our customers are treated better than if they'd gone somewhere else.

And sometimes glasses ,believe it or not, are not on people's highest propriety list, especially if they already have at least one old broken down pair that they can still have way see out of. More and more people have vision insurance now but that's only if they still have a job. Things are tough for sure.

I will not however miss the pressure that comes down from the powers that be when sales are down. I will be sitting on the deck, drinking my perfect cup of coffee, and trying to come to terms with how my life is so very different than it was just a year ago. I will be having very interesting conversations with my granddaughter and enjoying being with the people I love most in the world.

If I can get through the day, I have the weekend off. I'm driving my co-workers nuts as I'm afraid as I am restless and can't concentrate. I think they are ready for me to just go already!

And so that's what I'm thinking this morning. As Shirley said to me last week, in the tune of Raw Hide, "Movin', Movin', Movin' ". That's what I'm singing this morning Shirley, over and over and over.
Have a good day!

Let's Git Er DID!

Oh what I'd give to not have to work today, but that is the theme of my life lately. Because I have to I am determined to not let it get to me, to laugh off the things that come up, to try as hard as I can to concentrate and to get through the next few weeks.
The night I closed was the longest day so at least I don't close today and the day, if we are busy will go fast.
I got my dumpster and it is twice the size that I had ordered but it was all they had available so I don't have to pay extra at least and I can dump to my heart's content.
The girls at work have planned a dinner for me on the 21st and that will be fun. Although I'd like to just go out quietly and without fanfare they told me to shut up, this is what we were going to do and I know it will be fun. So there.
And that's about it for now, I'm preoccupied with getting my work around here done and ready for this to happen!
Have a good day,
Love,
Robbin

Dumpster Day

I'm off today and I never thought I could be so excited over the fact that a dumpster is going to be delivered today to my house. YAY! Makes things so much easier in cleaning my life out and simplifying things.
So today I'll do my best at filling that thing up. I wish they'd deliver it early but you know how that goes. Who knows when it will get here but it is coming for sure.
SO for now I'm sipping my morning coffee and planning what room I'm going to work in today. I'm taking the weekend off too so that will help out a good bit and the weather is going to be great.
Hope you have a good day.
Love,
Robbin

Moving Jitters

Conference call this morning is over and it was pretty short compared to some. And for that I am glad. Our store is doing good at the moment so my boss recognized that and announced to the other managers that this is my last month and that I am going out in style. One of the managers said, "We should all get together and have a party!" And my boss said, "Well, we'll have to do it over the phone." LOL. Miss out on the party food that way but anyway.
And speaking of work.........how am I ever going to get through the next three weeks? It is so hard. Hard to concentrate, hard to be there. Just plain HARD. But I must do what I must do. And the reward at the end of the road will be worth it.
And I am so anxious with a nervous stomach. Nervous that something is going to happen at the last minute to screw up my plans. Nervous that I'm going to forget to do something I'm suppose to do. Dreading saying goodbye to my mother, my co-workers, my job, everything I know that is familiar to me. Scared and excited at the same time. I'm a mess really, just ask the girls at work, lol.
I try to concentrate on the actual trip Matthew and I will get to do together. I am thinking of that little girl jumping in my arms. I am thinking of my French Doors, and I am thinking of a brand new life in a beautiful place with people I love and that love me back unconditionally.
But for now I am a wreck!

25 Days & Counting

The big news around here is that it snowed in Georgia yesterday. Even here we had some flurries but not enough to even take a picture of, but not so far from here there was enough to accumulate a little. Of course it melted as soon as it fell nearly but it gets us all excited nontheless.

And just look at my countdown meter! Can you believe it? WOO HOO!

Work is getting harder and harder. If we stay busy I do pretty good but when it slows down I get itchy! I want to be home packing!

This week I'm having a dumpster brought out and that will make things easier for me as I throw away stuff and I won't have to haul it off in my little car.

And so we start a new work week and it is March and time is marching on for sure. Hope you have a good day and a good week!
Love,
Robbin

Drama at the Parts Store

I am the Queen of procrastination. I admit it, I know it and I accept it. But there comes a time when you just can't put things off anymore and last night in the rainy storming night I knew it was time to stop putting off the fact that I needed new windshield wiper blades.

So after leaving work I drove to the nearest Auto Zone I could find and went in to get some. The man was super nice and even put them on for me for which I was very grateful.

While there waiting in line, there was a woman customer working with one of the parts people when her cell phone rang. Her conversation was not a quiet one, she could be heard for miles I think.


Here was the part of the conversation I heard.

"What? You want me to bring you something to eat from town when I've spent all the money I have on parts for the truck that you've still not got running? NO! There is food there, cook yourself something. There is macaroni and cheese, can goods, noodles, rice, potatoes, and in the deep freezer there is ground beef, chicken, pork chops, neckbones, stew beef, steaks, and fish! I am not bringing you anything from town when you can cook!"

I told the lady that was with her that I thought I would go eat at her house. Man!

And then she went on to say to the person on the other end of her phone, "Meat doesn't keep forever in the freezer, I'm going to have to have a meat sale in my front yard! I'm not spending money on food from McDonald's when we have all that food at home. You need to cook! I'm here trying to get the part you say I need that is going to cost me a fortune and you want me to bring you something to eat from town?? NO! Cook you and my baby some macaroni and cheese, you can at least do that much!"

Alrighty then.

And me, well I have nice new windshield wipers that I should have gotten months ago. And I came home and cooked. I was going to stop and get something from town but somehow the appeal of doing that left me.

And how was your day?

New Beginnings.

Click this, I liked it and wanted to share.