Archives for January 2025

I’m planning an upcoming trip and it’s maybe my favorite thing to research, plan and organize my thoughts.

I usually create a note in my phone’s Notes App and then organize those by year so I can look back on previous trips. Sometimes I’m returning to a city I’ve been to a few times before, like Tulsa, and I like to peruse old notes to see what I didn’t get to visit last time.

What goes into the notes? I might look up restaurants that look interesting, then explore their menu. If they’re open during the days/hours I’ll be visiting, I add them to the Note with hours and address included.

If I’m not pre-booking a hotel then I’ll list out a few options and why I short-listed them (pool, hot tub, gym on site, etc).

Then there’s the hobbies. When I travel I like to visit local quilt shops but they’re not easiest to find so pre-planning is important. I may also look at local bookstores, antique shops or small businesses that I want to check out. It helps to know what opening hours are so I don’t plan a whole day around visiting stores that are closed on Monday.

While I don’t need to write down driving directions, I might note distances between cities so I have an idea of how much of my day will be on the road. When I went from Kansas to Arizona a few years ago it was really helpful to see what I could fit in based on arriving at my hotel at 5pm or 10:30pm. Some days I planned to leave early so I could do some sightseeing or shopping midday to break up a long drive.

Finally, in the notes I’ll make a packing list of the things I want to bring with me or what I need to do before I leave. For example, I may want to put ice chests in my car for the drive or I may need to remember to pack a gift, a donation or a jacket for the weather. While I always charge electronics the night before, I may also need to clear files off my camera’s SD card or download a new ebook for the drive.

Planning a trip is second only to going on the trip and having a great time.

I currently live in Southeast Kanas and we received a small heaping of snow over the weekend. While some nearby cities are buried in feet of snow, we’re dealing with an inch of powder and ice that covers most everything.

It’s really beautiful, but a pain in the butt to be outside. Since my 8am meeting was cancelled, here are my favorite snow day luxuries to enjoy:

• Snuggles with the puppy, especially after he bravely goes outside to pee and has cold feet.
• A hot coffee or chocolate in front of the fire place.
• Sitting in my most comfortable chair with a few big blankets and journaling.
• Reading a book and being grateful for the heat and power.
• A long, hot bath with bubbles.
• Using the good lotion to keep skin hydrated.
• New windows which keep the drafts out and warmth in.

Now that so many people work from home, it’s easier than ever to power through and work work work, even on a snow day. Compromise by taking at least an hour to yourself to enjoy being out of the bad weather and relaxing.

Tonight when I go to bed I will layer up my quilts and cover them with a cheap throw (because puppy isn’t fully housebroken yet!) and then snuggle in to sleep filled with appreciation.

I’ve never been homeless but I have lived through rough winters with no heat, broken windows and negative temps. It has gotten so cold in my home that the Keurig stopped working and the olive oil froze solid. Now I try to remember and appreciate how far I’ve come and the warmth, always the warmth.