Central Virginia Weekend Adventure

We haven’t been there for six months. So we finally decided to bite the bullet and visit the family in central Virginia this past weekend. If we waited for the pandemic to settle down we would be waiting forever. Since my husband and I received our second boosters last month we’ve done everything we can within reason. We really love going there for a visit because we don’t have to think of or about anything. We get driven around, have wonderful meals made for us, and just get to sit around and chat and relax. This time was a bit different because the “cabin” by the James River - that has been under construction for the last few years - has been completed. There is of course work that continues on the exterior grounds and surrounding area, but we can now go inside to a fully furnished place. And it is beautiful. But we spent more time sitting along the river enjoying the view. The predicted rainy weather never materialized so it was just perfect. Avoiding ticks and such in the wilderness is something we usually don’t have to think about. But we were in a different environment. All in all it was just a wonderful time. We need to do it more often. 

Union Station Labor Day Weekend Begins

We usually walk to the air conditioned Union Station when it is too hot. To get there today we needed to pass through the blocked off streets around the Capitol Building set up for Senator McCain’s funeral services. I always ponder what the business is for people coming and going to and from the trains. Some are obviously dressed for work with suits and business attire and hanging identification tags. Others are tourists and visitors getting ready to spend a few days in the city while others are heading back home just having finished theirs. Suitcases come in all shapes and sizes. There are always those running late and scurrying through the place. The food court on the lower level has something for everyone. There are shops and restaurants on the upper level. The main terminal, ticketing, arrival and departure gates are all on the main level with metro stations accessible on the west end. A lot of people have made their way to this destination over the years. It’s within walking distance from our house with a lot of things going on in between. So I hope everyone coming and going has a safe weekend ahead. It is quite a scene to observe. 

The Start of the Holiday Weekend

Since we moved to DC almost nine years ago, we traveled to Milwaukee for a long Fourth of July holiday weekend. But it's not always the case lately. When I worked full time, it was nice to have the extra day off, so it worked out better in our schedule to take a weekend trip then. But since I now work part time, and am off every Monday and Friday, I don't really even get any holidays anymore except for Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving. All the other ones typically fall on a Monday, and lately Christmas and New Year's are at the end of the week. So when it comes to scheduling vacations, we can do it almost any time of the year since I have four day weekends. Our planned vacation to Milwaukee was delayed because of a family emergency which took us South instead of North a couple weeks ago. So we are home for the holiday this year and it is VERY BUSY in town. As the afternoon wore on the crowds got bigger. Evidence of the upcoming fireworks celebration is everywhere - especially all the porta potties placed strategically all over the mall and near the monuments. Depending on the weather we may venture down just to see the sights tomorrow night, but may end up close to the House Office Buildings where the tip of the Washington Monument can be seen. Today we ended up for lunch near the National Cathedral neighborhood where a lot of the homes have beautiful wrap around porches. Most everyone was enjoying the weather and having lunch outdoors. I'm hoping the rain holds off because I'm sick and tired of it lately. I'm hoping my Dad is celebrating his 66th wedding anniversary in heaven. He just missed it by two weeks. Hopefully the reminders will always remain. You can't help but miss it around here. 

The Long Weekend

As a heath care provider for thirty years, I worked many odd shifts, weekends and holidays the first ten years. Then I moved to a Monday through Friday schedule for the last twenty, with six holidays. When I became a federal employee eight years ago, my work days were nine hours with every other Friday off and ten holidays. Since I finally went to a part time schedule for the first time in my work career in March this year, I have been working three eight hour shifts a week. This is the first time in forty years that I work less time than I am off - and it is simply delightful! The eight hour days are so much nicer than nine. And in the winter months, leaving work in the dark was a drag. Unfortunately, Monday is the day that most holidays fall on, and since I am already scheduled off, I miss out on having the holiday day off about six times a year. But Veterans Day falls on a Tuesday, so I am finally in luck. On top of that, last week we had already scheduled annual doctor appointments for Tuesday and Thursday, which meant I had one working day last week. And thanks to the extra holiday on Tuesday this week, I actually have a six day long weekend! Most of my friends are retired, and I have never heard any of them even suggest they dislike it. Until that time comes for me, this is a great segue for transitioning into full retirement. We've lived in Washington DC now for eight years. Maybe we can reach another milestone in a couple more. With Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year landing on Thursday this year, I'm looking forward to having some really long weekends off. Maybe I should change my work schedule to Include Mondays?