Afternoon Coffee and Chatter

The days are shorter, the nights are colder, and I can't wait to get home every day after work, put on something comfortable, and either make a drink or a cup of tea. Whichever one I choose, they're guaranteed to warm me up.

In general, life has been simpler and quieter these days. Well, not always. I do try to get out and about more than I did in 2021 - but it's difficult. I don't know the exact reason, but things are different. My life is different and I am different. I don't know how that will all play out, but I'm not worried about it. Life is peaceful and life is good. I really can't complain.

However, wanderlust has definitely been a looming spectre in my background (as if it ever really went away). I want nothing more than to go back to Europe. Recently, I decided to set a realistic goal as far as Europe is concerned so I can actually succeed in going back. I started using my airline miles and hotel credit cards almost exclusively, opened a separate savings account for travel funds, and have been putting money aside in it each paycheck. According to my calculations, I'll be able to travel to Europe with a free flight, free hotel nights, and all the spending money I need by the Summer of 2024. Yes, I'd love to be able to go next year, but credit card churning takes longer when you're a single person on a lower income. Besides, this gives me plenty of time to plan where I'm going and the things I would like to do - although I definitely have a few ideas rolling around.

Not that I won't go somewhere. My mom is currently working out of Idaho, a state I've never been to, and I'm looking forward to getting out there for a week of touristing and hiking. Considering all the mountains out there, this won't be a problem. 

Not that I don't have a trick or two up my sleeve for what remains of this year. I'll be going away this weekend to visit friends in Missouri, and Christmas weekend will see me, my ex-husband, and our kids staying at our favorite cabin for a couple of nights. There's nothing like being in a cabin in the forest, sitting around a roaring fireplace in the winter, to make things right with the world again. I am ready. 

I've decided to start homeschooling my teenage daughter to get her through her last year and a half of school. Why? Well, I'm not going to get into the reasons but it's safe to say that we both feel a sense of relief at the thought. There's also some excitement there, as well. We've worked together on how we're going to teach/learn and the possibilities seem endless.

Well, it's about that time - time to head home and put on those comfy clothes and sip on that drink. 

Have a great weekend.

-H.A.