This has been a quiet, stay at home day. I even took a nap. I was cold and couldn’t get warmed up so went back to bed and piled on the blankets. I warmed up and fell asleep. It was good to have a very quiet day. It helped soothe my soul.
No plans for tomorrow except to kinda watch the Chief’s game. I am a kinda fan. I have a dislike for the dollars that professional sports players are paid in relationship to the value they bring the world. I can take them or leave them when it comes to watching them. I guess if I totally followed my values, I would boycott them completely. I didn’t have a TV for years but now that I have one again, I am a casual observer of professional sports.
More stuffed animals were purchased via Amazon today, These stuffed animals will be used by the Detainees to give to their children when they have their last visit before the Detainee is deported. I have no idea how many were needed but am thinking they have enough for now. The Center is to let me know if the supply starts to get low.
I need to write an update to the Love in Action project before I leave next Saturday. I am hoping to know this week if we can extend the program to helping the Detainees that get released to find their way home. The attorney I spoke with was thinking she would have paperwork for me to review before I leave the 8th. We won’t start the program, if we are allowed to proceed, until after I come home the 22nd. I want to supervise it carefully personally when we begin it so we can get the kinks worked out and then I will invite volunteers to participate. It helps to be able to share with them the things to expect and what to watch for to avoid. This extension feels like it will be rewarding on many levels and I am hoping to get volunteers on board so they can have a hands on experience with a Detainee.
I am hoping that the little free pantry blessing box I am working on will be ready to put up when I get back. The person I hired to build it kinda got off track but am hoping I can get her back on track and get it built the way I want. I’m afraid if we wait too long the ground will be too frozen to dig a hole to install it. I’m ignorant about those type of things so maybe it won’t matter.
This week the heating and air guy is coming to see what needs to be done so the addition gets heat and air. Hoping there is an easy solution to that situation and work on it can proceed promptly. That step is holding up the installation of insulation and drywall. I hope it warms up enough this week so Kathy and I can get the outside of the addition painted. I would love to get the dog pen moved to right behind the house before winter sets it. That makes it much easier to get the dogs in the house. I don’t want to have to walk through the yard in the snow.
I may call the cement guy to see if he can get a path laid from the back door to the door to the pen yet this year. Not sure how warm it has to be to be able to do that. That may have to wait until spring.
Need to review my Thanksgiving list and invitations before I leave. I love having a full table and so far have lots of room left for others to join us. I need to remember to write down the date I need Kathy to pull the turkey out of the freezer and move it to a refrigerator so it will be thawed enough to work with when I need it to be. I have my grocery list made for the perishable things I will get the day or two before Thanksgiving.
Ellexia sent me her Christmas wish list. I may try to get some things on it ordered so they will be sure to be here on time for Christmas. We usually have our early in December so won’t have lots of time when I get back before it will be time for our Christmas. I also need to talk to the kids and set a date. Their calendars fill up much quicker than mine does. I like to give them lots of notice so it is easy for them to get here.
I started a packing list for India. I think I have everything I need in the house so packing won’t take long. I travel light so won’t be taking much. I had lots of Halloween candy left over and plan on taking some of that with me. I am a coward when it comes to trying new food and India food seems exotic to me and I may not have the courage to try some of it.
I watched the Jane Goodall documentary that is on Netflix. It is wonderful. I hope everyone gets a chance to view it. She is the type of person you want to have over for a cup of coffee or a shot of whiskey. The impact she left on this world will be felt for a long time.
I was able to get back above neutral today and climb out of the muck pond. Trusting I will be able to maintain that this week. I realized I am emotionally tired again and my tank feels small. It doesn’t take much to drain it. I need to cut out the news again for a bit until I can make a bigger tank for myself again. This trip is well timed as it will allow me to step away from most things for two weeks. That should help my tank to expand.
I saw where most bigger airports are starting to have delays due to so many air traffic controllers and security staff calling out sick. I trust we will be able to make our flights and the delays will be minimal. Once we get to New York, we will be on the tour guides schedule and they are good at helping with delays and changing flights as needed. We are arriving in New York City in the morning on the 8th and don’t leave for India until the 9th so any delays will be on their hands. I will pack an extra portion of patience and will attempt to stay in a go with the flow mood. Delays are sometimes a part of the adventure. We will allow lots of extra time to get checked in on the 9th in case the lines are long.
My anger seems to have dissipated today. I am grateful I had the time and space to allow it to be heard and felt. I woke up with a bit of a sore throat today but that has gone away. I have finally learned that if I allow my emotions to be heard and felt, they dissipate much quicker than if I try to stuff them. Staying in anger does no one any good, myself included. I do much better when I find positive steps of action to take.
Grateful for a very quiet day at home, grateful for the love and work of Jane Goodall and the path she calls all of us to take, and grateful for the sunshine today after a week of cloudy skies.