The countdown is finally to zero!   Check in has happened, suitcase is ready to be zipped and briefcase (with needlework) is ready.  Passport, credit cards and foreign money are also at the ready.  To say I'm excited is an understatement.  I'm going to try to sleep.......

Meanwhile I keep going over clothes, in my mind, to make sure I have the right things with me.  Trying to think of everything I'll need for 10 days of traveling.  Yes, I have the meds.  Yes, I have my walking shoes and my walking sticks.  Yes, I can even lift the suitcase by myself!  So.... all the work to gain strength for this trip has worked.

I will NOT be taking my laptop.  Time AWAY is something ALL of us need.  A break, a way to s-t-o-p and listen for what God is saying to me.  Just like I encourage ya'll I will be "backing" off until I get home, have internet and know what time zone I'm in.  I will be TRYING to post on Facebook but technology and I do not always play well together.  I do promise pictures when I get back.  So.... For the next 10 days..... try laughing instead of screaming......  Something to think about.

Are you planning any trips this summer?  Are you ready for said trips?  When is the trip?  I have been working, with my friend, on this trip to Scotland for almost 3 years.  We've talked about it, looked for the trip we wanted, vetoed a couple and finally found this one.  We leave in 3 days (but whose counting!).  To say I'm excited about the trip is an understatement!

What about packing?  When do you pack for the trip?  We're going to the Highlands of Scotland so it will be, probably, a little cooler than here (MN).  So....layers - right?  I've thought about the clothes - I really have.  I've even laid out some to get ready to pack.  I have found the suitcase.

I do have the important "stuff" ready.  I have my knitting started, extra yarn and the pattern ready to go into the suitcase.  I have the crochet hook and yarn ready for the briefcase and sitting on the plane.  I even have an "extra" sewing project just in case said knitting isn't with me.  Soooooo......  I DO have the important stuff ready!  Now I just need to work on more clothes..........  Might as well laugh = it IS easier than screaming!

Have you set any goals?  How are you doing actually reaching said goals?  Could the goals be referred to as "bucket list"?   Sometimes a goal is a place you want to see.  Sometimes the goal is the strength to actually be able to "see" a particular place.

Working on gaining the strength takes time and goes slowly.   I, personally, have been working on getting stronger so I can reach each one of my goals.  The interesting part is the first goal was to be able to sit down, and stand up, in any chair.  I can do this now - even with something in my hands.  The second goal was to be able to travel and not collapse.  I can do that now too.  The next goal is to be able to get to the top of hills in the Highlands of Scotland.  (Leaving one week from today!)

I've been working on each of these goals almost a year now.  NOW even I can see the difference and I'm ready to travel.  Frustrating while working on them.  Definitely better to laugh than to scream!

Have you ever stopped to compare the clocks around you?  Not the kind of clock digital vs "regular" - but the times on the clocks.  I've recently started noticing clocks.....  For instance the clock on our microwave says a different time than the clock on the stove right under it.  The difference is only a minute or so but still different.  Both are different from the clock in the living room which is different from the time on the TV.  Again only a minute or so but still different.

Then today I was at the gym (working on gaining strength for Scotland in 18 more days) and I noticed the clock on the wall was several minutes slower than the digital clock hanging over the track.  The numbers on my treadmill didn't match either one - so I stayed with walking 30 minutes and ignored both.

All I could think of was the opening of "Back to the Future" where Marty is at Doc's house when ALL the clocks chime at one time.  Again.... might as well laugh or you will start screaming!!