Plans changing...

My plans for this evening have changed several times over the course of this week.

And now, now I'm feeling a bit at loose ends, trying to decide what to do with myself, and with the time I have in front of me.

What I want is to be in the mountains. But, it's not practical to make the drive this evening when I'll have to remake it again in the morning. And, since (even though I have great new travel bags!) I really can't afford to book a room overnight tonight, the mountains seem to be out as an option.

So.

I'm considering what to do in the city.

The zoo is closed for the day, and so is Heritage Park.

I'm thinking I might just grab the camera, fill my car with gas, and see where I end up.

And maybe, maybe I'll take in a solo movie later. hard to say.

Travel?

Well, if my purchases of the last few days are any indication, I'm slowly starting to dream of travel again.

Some of you will know that I have been hesitant to dream about the trips that have been on my heart, thanks to the many challenges of the last few years.

But last weekend's jaunt to Kelowna underscored a few needs in my travel supplies department, and I've spent some birthday money to accommodate those needs.

I bought this and this today. My current pack is about half the size of the new one, really too small for more than an overnight trip. My current day pack is about half the size of the new one, and too small for trips when I need more than a very small waterbottle and a book or two. This one will accommodate river trips and such when I also need to pack a towel, and bathing suit or so forth.

In the last few days I also bought a few other travel related items. Things that will make it easier for me, whether I'm traveling overnight, or for longer periods of time.

Apparently traveling is becoming a possibility in my head again. Hmm... that's going to require some pondering....

End of Day...

I went to a large number of my favorite places today, along with discovering a beautiful new park and garden.

I saw a very dear friend and collected a hug from her, and am looking to spending a bit more time with her later this weekend.

I bought myself a few birthday presents on sale at my current favorite clothing store.

I took a lot of photos.

I had dinner with family and a few friends. My mom made a favorite dessert for me for my "cake".

My roommate, my brother, his girlfriend and I went for a walk in my favorite park.

Mid-way...

Some things on my list accomplished. Some still to come.

It's my birthday, right? If I want to eat blue jello and string cheese from Wisconsin, that's pretty much exactly what I get to do on my own day, right??? And I can even say it's healthy, right?

It's nice to be loved on, and to be reminded of some scattered friends through birthday wishes by text message and facebook. Especially given the post I wrote last night. I am, these days, increasingly able to believe that I am worthy of love, and that I am, in fact, loved, but it's nice to have a day when lots of people remind you of that all at once.

And, with that, I have dishes to put in the sink, a quick task to finish up, and then I'm headed out again for a bit.

The Starting Plan

It's my birthday, and I have a thing about being another year older. It always seems like some kind of victory to me. (Maybe it helps that since I was about 7 I've been accused of being a bit old for my age, so every year older I turn, I feel like I'm slipping more easily into the person I've been for a lot of years already, and that as I get older it's easier for others to accept that person since she increasingly fits the age and body that she exists within.)

Anyway, here's the starting plan for the day.

I'm actually planning to spend the vast majority of the day doing errands and various things that I love. I'm headed out at the moment for the farmer's market to find some breakfast and soak up some color. I'll be stopping at the bank before I do that. I'm following that plan up with a trip to a local store to hunt for a belt (I badly need one), and a trip to the AMA to renew George's insurance for another year. Sometime today I'm hoping to go to the Catholic bookstore. I need to buy a birthday card for a friend who's celebrating tomorrow. I might go to the zoo, or to a cemetery that I love to walk in. I borrowed a great camera from my dad, so I'll be taking pictures at various spots along the way as well. And then, tonight, I'm having dinner with my family and roommate. Followed by a trip out somewhere with my brother and his girlfriend.

It has the makings for a great day - lots of little errands and things to be accomplished. Some favorite people and places. And lots of flexibility.

And by the way, it's Friday, and I'm not at work! And, I'm not missing casual Friday even a tiny little bit! Because jeans at home and out and about in the city always trumps jeans at work!