At one time this blog was really important to me and every once in a while I’ll come back and read some of my past years of life. I’m not sure why I stopped writing in it, I really love to think about things to say and then put it into words.

This year (2026) I’ve been trying hard to be selective about my time, who I spend it with and how I use it.

Just writing that sounds so selfish.

My time? Why is my time so important and why would anyone care how I spend it?

I’m 61 years old and every time I say it, I think to myself “how in the world did you get to 61.” I remember being a kid and a teenager (I was not a very nice teenager) and spending summers on the road with my parents. I remember getting married and now Steve and I celebrated our 41st anniversary this year. My kids are grown ups with families of their own. I’m a grandmother for goodness sake.

I have a stellar family unit.

I have great friends.

I have a lovely church family and I am busy with many activities that give me joy.

I’m not saying 61 is old……it’s not, but it’s also not 30 or 40 or even 50.

Steve is getting ready to slow down finally. While he still works, he no longer will be traveling, he will no longer be meeting with customers and won’t be away from home for days at a time. It’s time and we are ready.

We are going on a great vacation starting tomorrow. We have talked about it for months and it’s finally here.

So much to prepare. So much to pack. Steve has made fun of my packing strategy. Lots of piles and labels on piles………

I made check lists for the boys to take care of a few things while we are gone.

Jack and Luke are taking care of the chickens and Mom and Patrick are going to water my plants.

I sat across from Mom this afternoon discussing all the things and she said “just go until you can’t go anymore.”

That’s where this big post all started.

We can still go.

We have the finances to go

We have the support to take care of everything at home so we can go.

So I’m going to blog our trip for Mom.

I want her to feel as close as she can to having the experience without actually being there and I’m going to write it out with pictures galore so that I can look back in later years and relive it again.

I’m excited for tomorrow so let’s GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Until Thursday,

Charma