Arrived home just before two o’clock. It’s 2:22 PM and I’ve checked my email messages. Nobody missed me!! No personal email messages–just my “get them every day” health and nutrition newsletters.
Halloween message (below) was prepared a week or ten days ago. This evening there will be a bonfire and some games, and scary stories. I’ll wear the costume.
Honestly, I was having so much fun, I seldom took pictures. I never unpacked the laptop computer during the week!! Four “senior” ladies in the cabin and a great time was had by all!! 
Perhaps a total of thirty “Escapees” from Chapter Ten but the others were in their recreation vehicles.
Honestly, I’m not a fan of Halloween “trick or treat,” etc. But it is fun to dress up “silly” once or twice a year. Remember when I dressed up in a lion costume??
For many years, I wore a “generic Halloween costume” (as a witch). This year I’m adding a mink shoulder wrap to the ensemble. The beautiful mink wrap was in a pillowcase that ended up at my tables prior to the CARE garage sale. With an eye for value (because I’m a thrift shop “junkie”) I “rescued” the adorable little critters because “too valuable” for our twenty-five cent, fifty cent, and one dollar bargain tables!! (I think our most expensive item was a new large crock pot priced at $20.00. I believe the same item sells for about $60.00.)
I’ve been doing research, on the Internet, and have a treasure trove of valuable information. “Minky” will eventually find a new home and the money will be added to the proceeds from the CARE garage sale. This article was especially helpful –and interesting reading!! Here’s a professional view of a similar mink wrap.
Postscript, 8:20 PM: Changed my mind. The fur just didn’t belong with this outfit!! (There was major conflict with the long gray hair!!) ~~ I came home before the festivities ended. I was (am) cold!!
Another article from The Health Ranger. Because I don’t have television, I haven’t followed the major news stories. The news from Mike Adams (Natural News) keeps me informed.
Lots to do before we leave for a four-day camp out. I’m packed–and well-organized–but the other three ladies needed “a meeting” to discuss (and re-discuss) details. We’ve all been RVers (seasoned travelers); it surprises me that there is so much indecision. Unfortunately, that’s what happens when we get old?!?!
This morning I packed my summer skirts (nine) and blouses. Now, instead of bright colors, I’ll wear brown, gray, and black.
There was a special trip to Livingston to buy gasoline, get the car washed, return items… and buy items at Walmart. For this trip, I bought bottled water. (At home, I filter my water. ) I’m taking instant oatmeal for breakfast–and will share, of course. I don’t know what “they” will be serving but I’m not fond of “big breakfasts.” Practically every lunch and evening meal is scheduled at a restaurant. Wednesday night is a potluck and I’m prepared with Bush’s Baked Beans and my crock pot. I have a lot of snack items, too (for “them,” not me).
It’s 4:30 and the car is packed. I’m eating the last of the perishables so my refrigerator is almost bare. The plants are watered in my yard, and the yard of a traveling neighbor. Oh yes, I stopped and paid the rent on the mini-storage unit; I mailed checks. I think everything is done and I’m almost ready for an eleven o’clock departure tomorrow. 
Boring message, I know.
While enjoying my first cup of coffee, I read this article about artificial intelligence. I doubt that I live long enough to experience that threat. Our more imminent threat is Ebola. ~~ I love the vast information available at my fingertips: The World Wide Web. ~~ Frankly, I would accomplish more projects in my yard, mini-storage, and trailer home **if** I spent less time on the computer. OK, almost nine o’clock, time to get busy!!
My morning started in a usual–and unusual–way. First (as usual), make coffee and read my email messages. One message mentioned Happiness Hypothesis and that intrigued me. I went to the Internet and quickly found this lecture by Jonathan Haidt. This held my attention for one hour and I found it very interesting (and challenging). What’s my biological “set point”? Later I plan to take a test (or two?) from Authentic Happiness. Right now, nine o’clock, I need to tackle some of my many projects!!
This morning–bright and early, I was at the laundry room. There were clothes in two washing machines and a sleeping bag in the third. Likewise three dryers. Although I use the dryers, my preference is to have things “line dry.” We do not have the luxury of clothes lines but I have places in my yard where I can hang hangers. Today I had eighteen hangers and there were two items on each hanger. All that to say: I have two new (used) square dance outfits. I fell in love with the long, full, “swishy” skirts of two sleeveless dresses!! (This old lady does not wear “sleeveless.”) I’ve searched for “pullovers” to complement the dresses. I like to create things that are unusual and unique!! As time goes by, I may be able to add different tops for additional variety?!
Although I started packing a suitcase a few days ago, I still have lots of things to do the next two days–before our Monday morning departure for the Escapees Chapter 10 camp out–at Rayford Crossing RV Resort. ~~ Furthermore, the weeds, and falling leaves, are relentless. The yard needs lots of attention!!
On a positive note: I have spent very little money on my square dance, and cruise wardrobe.
Postscript, Saturday, October 25, 2014: Received my Texas driver’s license today. In an earlier blog message, I said I look like “the cat that ate the canary.” The cat’s meow?!
Planning ahead for next week (camp out), I needed to off-load five large planters. I opened the mini-storage roll-up door and put the planters in open spaces. I closed the roll-up door and started to latch the padlocks. “No, Lorraine, spend a few minutes rearranging!! Take a few donations to Habitat for Humanity Resale store.” So I arranged, and rearranged. I even considered shifting the picnic table to a place along the right side wall. The picnic table is so heavy I couldn’t budge it one inch!! I took the Halo vacuum cleaner, two electric heaters, and several framed pictures to Habitat. “Are you sure you don’t need the heaters?” My reply: “I can’t hang on to everything; I must downsize.” ~~ Guess how many large planters are stored… but will be used next Spring? Fifteen!! Honestly, I didn’t realize I had acquired so many new planters. (They were on-sale!! Hence I could justify the purchases [a few at a time].) ~~ An Internet search reveals a similar picnic table weighs 216 pounds and sells for $179.00. Hopefully it will sell at our CARE Health Fair in March. ~~ “Baby steps”?? I’ve only begun to apply time and energy to downsizing the mini-storage unit.
Three Quarters & Counting 