Hitting sheets early
Exhausted after the day’s
Long drive to Cleveland
Category Archives: On the Road
Weather
Cooler today in the Mitten and the sun was a stranger.
Working in a conference room with no windows for these long days, I haven’t seen much sun anyway.
I had an appointment with my tax preparer this evening, so I left the office after only a 10-hour work day to get to the 6:00 p.m. appointment. I made it just on time and there was enough rainy daylight left when the appointment concluded that I was able to fill up the gas tank before heading back to my parents’ house.
I’ve felt under the weather all week – at first I attributed the exhaustion to travel fatigue, but I suspect I might have picked up a bug. A sinus headache has plagued me all day, so I’ve got a date with a hot shower and an early bedtime. Hopefully those activities will cure the headache and give me more energy for another long day tomorrow.
Who knows, maybe I’ll see some sunshine soon!
Time Zone Tango
My team spans Eastern Standard through the Pacific time zones.
When I’m on my home turf, I wake early and try to be on-line a little before 6 PST because so much can happen by 9 EST.
This week, on Eastern time, I’m discombobulated. I’m trying to reach team members in all of the time zones and am leaving long, rambling voice mails. Tonight, I got back to the ‘rents by 6:45 – earliest night yet.
I wish I had more time here this week – there are so many people I’d like to see while I’m in my “home” town, but with the long work days, I’ve been unable to see anyone but family and my coworkers at the office.
I travel early Sunday to Cleveland, so I’d planned to spend the night at my sister’s on Saturday. She invited me to stay Friday, too – and she’s having a party. I hope I’m up for it – I may be the lame older sister who snores on the couch!
Think it will be an early-to-bed night!
Road Warrior Haiku
late evening meeting
time together with the team
even if by phone
Winter Critters
Winter appears to linger here in Michigan this year.
Staying with family while I’m working here this week, I cannot get enough of the furry and feathered creatures who still sport their winter coats. In California, the birds and beasts appear scrawny when compared to these sturdy midwestern fauna.
Breakfast Break
Thirsty Work
Stealthy Sipper
Handsome Drake
Pretty Girl
Turbulent Creek
My mom and I spent part of the day walking the Rochester Municipal Park, admiring the ducks and the sound of the water.
Wearing mom’s walking shoes proved problematic and we had to cut our walk short as I felt the start of a blister forming. I wish, of course, I would have packed hiking shoes, but I’ve been wearing Teva sandals on my walks this month and with snow still here on the ground in the Mitten, they would not have been the right walking shoes to pack.
Still, even though the temperature today was cold, walking in the sunshine was terrific. I just wish my sister and her family would have joined!
Road Warrior Haiku
Greeted at the gate
friendly family faces
long day’s great ending
A Little Sparkle
Like a magpie, I find enormous delight in things that sparkle.
This week, in the few short days working with colleagues both within my organization and in our client partner’s organization, I received multiple compliments on my shoes and jewelry. It really makes me feel good when people compliment my eclectic taste – especially since, working remotely and mostly from a home office, my usual attire has gone from business casual to yoga pants and t-shirts. When I travel to collaborate with the team, it gives me the opportunity to wear sassier duds and bring out the bling.
A fan of Lindsay Phillips for years, I own kitten heels and wedges, “switch” flops, and little leather ballet slipper “snap” flats in multiple colours. This trip, I packed my black ballet flats and a few of my favorite snaps. Unfortunately tonight, somewhere between dinner and returning to the hotel, I lost one of my Dylan snaps. This style, retired for a while, proved a challenge to locate. I found a website that had a set, so I ordered it immediately – I wear these snaps all the time and definitely wanted a replacement! Here’s what the Dylan snaps look like – perfect for Tampa, no?
Lindsay Phillips Dylan Snap – Retired
In addition to admiring my cute shoes and snaps this week, several people complimented my jewelry. My Bijoulee ring garnered a considerable amount of praise during yesterday’s meeting and over dinner last night. I wore the Dark Night Entwine design bar with my square band – my ring looked very similar to this – except on my finger.
Dark Night Entwine Design Bar/Square Band – Bijoulee
I wore the band with different design bars every day this week. Red Jasper, Purple Rain, and Dark Night Entwine so far. I’ll wear a different design bar tomorrow. I love being able to mix and match so that it appears as though I’m wearing something new and different every day. I also like that the design bars can be worn with the ring base or as a pendant.
Today I wore my Origami Owl locket as well. Earlier in the week, I just wore a small Chamilia bead on my black leather cord – one of my favorite looks.
Circle and Square – Black and White – Chamilia
I heard several colleagues say that they were going to do some retail therapy this weekend after admiring the jewelry and shoes – sometimes you just need a little sparkle!
Road Warrior Haiku – 2014
sifting and sorting
numbers dance before my eyes
wicked get no rest
Island Romance
Spent a fabulous two weeks on Fort Myers Beach/Estero Island in the company of my family. My sister, her husband, and my nephews spent the first week with us. When they travelled back to the cold Michigan winter, it was mostly me with Mom and Dad, sometimes enjoying the company of my aunt and uncle.
While no one made me feel like a third, fifth, or seventh wheel, being the only single in a world of couples proved a different kind of experience for me.
As an adult, most of my trips to Fort Myers Beach were in the company of a boyfriend or my ex-husband. In fact, said ex proposed to me many moons ago on the beautiful beach in front of the condo where we stayed.
I thought I might feel blue being single in this tropical paradise, but my island romance was with the waves, the sun, the sand. I fell in love all over again with the birds, the beasts, the natural beauty, the sound of the wind in the palm trees, the comforting sound of the surf as I fell asleep each night. I never felt lonely or awkward or sad…and that welcome surprise made me realize that I am, perhaps, further on the road to recovering from my failed marriage than I originally imagined.
Sunshine is the best cure for pain that I know, and being unable to work as much as I had planned helped me relax more completely than I have in years. I think the combination of loving company, sunshine, and relaxation provided a magical elixer – balm for a broken but mending heart.
On our drive back from Greek food and Bloody Mary’s on the beach yesterday, I asked my dad to pull over so that I could snap a picture of some signs that tickled me. In my heart, I know there are no dead ends – only required course corrections.
Last Day on the Gulf
Today marked the last day of my vacation. Tomorrow morning, I fly back to Cali.
I miss my doodles, kitty, and step grandson – I miss sleeping in my bed – but this break provided much-needed time with my family and a healthy dose of sunshine and relaxation.
Part of me hates to leave the sun and the sand behind, but it is time to go home.
I spent my last day on the gulf enjoying as much sunshine as possible. Dad dropped Mom and I off at the shops down near the pier so that I could find a t-shirt for my grandson and we could enjoy a little Greek food at The Plaka. We enjoyed spicy Bloody Mary‘s while waiting for Dad to meet us for a light lunch of marinated octopus, skordalia, and saganaki.
Mom Enjoying a Bloody Mary on the Beach
Before Dad arrived, we walked down the public pier to visit with some local wildlife.
Pretty Pelican
Hanging at the Pier
Back at the condo, Mom and I walked off our lunch walking toward the bridge to Bonita and back. We saw this handsome Egret and this beautiful Heron on the way.
Snowy Egret
Handsome Blue Heron
We saw these keys decorating one of the driftwood branches – hopefully someone will discover what they’ve lost in the sand on Estero Island.
Lost Keys
We also met this little Boston Terrier enjoying a game of frisbee on the beach.
After playing with the pooch, we walked back to the condo and spent the remainder of the afternoon reading poolside and soaking up some rays.
My aunt and uncle invited us for dinner on my last night and picked us up for a night of dining excellence. They took us to Roy’s in Bonita Springs, a five-star Hawaiian fusion culinary wonder. It appears there’s a location in San Francisco, so I’ll have to check out the action a little closer to home someday!
Yum!
When we opened our menus, this note appeared on top of our cocktail and wine menu.
Special Message
When my aunt called to make our dinner reservations, she had mentioned that it was my last night visiting. The restaurant made our dinner special and I admit feeling very loved. My uncle snapped this photo of me preparing to enjoy my meal!
Spicy Tuna Roll
Our waiter was kind enough to take a photo of our group and frame it for me to take home. I asked that he take one with my camera, too. Here we are after our amazing meal.
Well-fed Family
My parents and aunt and uncle will enjoy another meal at Roy’s before my folks head back to Michigan, but I am thrilled my aunt and uncle asked that we join them for a special dinner on my last night in town. This was a lovely end to a fantastic surprise for my dad.
Florida Finery
Tickling my Fancy 