Thursday, September 29, 2011

Great UTUBE that will show you Ghana

I am so excited about a UTube that a PCV posted on their blog.  Please
go look at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo_hYdFvCc0

I am packed and two boxes to be mailed.... maybe I'll go through things again HA!!!  We have met so many people through our facebook Ghana Oct 4, 2011.  Everyone is trying to make our new experience easier.  THANK YOU!!

Still visiting friends having lunch so much fun.... Went to one of my favorite yoga teachers class on Tuesday so much fun.  She gave me some DVD's to keep me in line or meditate my worries away.  Thank you so much Diana.

Went to San Antonio yesterday to visit with my dear Mother in law and my Nephew and his wife.  It was a very pleasant lunch with lots of talking!!! Thank you Lance and Alisa for my present ya'll are so thoughtful!!!  Happy Birthday Pauline!!!

Had a wonderful Lunch with my Son at the Longhorn Club.  Very nice surroundings but it was great to have my boy to myself and we could talk.
Thank you Bob, love you bunches.

After a wonderful meditation class (Thank you Catherine) did some legal stuff - wills etc yuk!! Meet a very good friend for lunch at a new Argentina Cafe in the Galleria.  We had empanada's and lots of talking and catching up. Great 2 hrs (these 2 hr lunches are so much fun).  Thank you Donna - can't wait to see you on the computer. Ha!!!

Tonight is last pizza at Home Slice with some friends.  Hoping they have some book ideas to put on my Kindle. 

Monday is D day getting close and so excited to meet my new family for the next two+ years!!!

Thanks for reading just don't forget you can talk to me too!!! I need to keep up with happenings in Austin.

Friday, September 23, 2011

TWO MORE WEEKENDS OH MY!!!

Had lunch today with a wonderful  friend from my kids High School Days.  It took us 3 hrs and our husband's kept calling so we had to leave.  She has just moved back to town and I regret we will have to wait 2 years to get our friendship rolling again.  Thank you Darlyn for a wonderful afternoon.

Last night had dinner with some great friends.  They have hiked with me in New Mexico including at least twice that we have been lost thank goodness for water and snacks Ha!!, yet they still come back for more hikes.  True friends.  She has been to see some great and not so great foreign movies with me and some good talks over lots of dinners.  Thank you Barbara and Harry for lots of good times.

Had lunch with a friend that I do yoga with.  Got to know each other better in our love of travel - had to leave after the 5th glass of ice tea got to us!!! Ha.  Thank you Lynn for a nice lunch.

Went to the lake with Lisa and Ron for a birthday dinner for Cole.  The Mcguires, Seaches, and lots of Grandkids were there. Ron fixed my favorite ribs and he was so sweet to make sure I had plenty before the "group" arrived to the table.  Great Times.  Thanks to all of you for a good Sunday.

Bunco Monday was great with EVERYONE there.  Not only was I the biggest losser but I got to visit one on one with everyone.  Could not have been better.  They gave me an album with a group picture to start it and an Amazon gift certificate for my kindle.  What a thoughtful gift.  Thank you all for a wonderful evening.

The weight is coming on with all the good meals but the talks, memories and laughs have been the best.


I have shown a couple of friends my vest.  Thought I would show ya'll.


Here is the vest like I will wear everyday. zipped like a regular vest
Here is the insides.  EVERYTHING that is in my purse - ipod, telephone, id,travel papers, magazines, ipod or kindle (will fit an ipad), camera, glasses, wires in the jacket for any ear plug needs, It is so cool plus not hot.  Its called a scottivest.


 Here I am with the backpack in place (with all stuff for Pa. and 1st night in Ghana) including my pillow dangling from the side.  Not heavy yet. What about my yoga mat - guess that will have to added.  Balanced on my back-that I used hiking in France for the 3 weeks I went with the girls.
Okay now I have a vest, backpack and all the paper work and my computer PC says I need to bring including my mamogram film.  Beginning to look like a pack mule.

This is all good but tomorrow I add the weight of the duffel bags - pulling as much as possible but what if I have to carry them?  What about my water filteration system PC gives me, what other papers will I carry?  Oh the questions without real answers.  Of course this is all while I am wearing a skirt and shirt with sleeves so there is HEAT to consider. 

 Yes this adventure is met with an open mind and a giggle in my heart.  Only 9 more days until I will know some of the answers.   

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

13 More Days

I am stressing out about my packing.  When I roll it is good, but what if I can't roll?  So I pick them up and try to carry one - can go from one side of my bedroom to the other side but THAT IS IT!!!  My scales say it is less than 40 lbs but my shoulder says get a new scale. Ha!!

Having fun meeting friends for lunch or yoga or a glass of tea with lots of talking.  Have had two people hear about me from friends and they are calling asking about PC and wanting information.  Both are a little younger than me.  Lots of people looking for something full filling in retirement.

Have made a couple of professional contacts (through friends) in Ghana.  They are emailing to try and get us together while I am still in Acura.  It's exciting that I have someone to contact to get local information - one is at the Univ another is at the Bank.

Making lists of things that have to get done each day then checking them off.  Hoping nothing is left undone like something legal for Jack.  Don't think he will come get it from me.  Ha!!!

Our staging event is taking place in downtown Philadelphia.  Hopefully I can fit in a walk to see a little something while I am there.  I am glad we are downtown since I have never been to PA.

Got my new computer today and trying to get it all straight for what I need.  I took my old one down to almost nothing except internet so I can teach Jack how to get my blog, or emails.  13 days may not be long enough but maybe enough to get him started. then he can ask friends to help from there.  He retired before computers were in all offices and he wasn't interested in what we had in our office so he is really behind.

Need all the good thoughts you have that the next 13 days will go smoothly and I am able to get everything done.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Three Weeks To Staging

Have 3 weeks, I have said that so much today and I think it is sinking in.  I came back to look at my packing, looked at my to do list, look at what needs to be purchased and I think I am becoming over whelmed.  I have sat here on the computer getting a few things done and realized 2 hrs have gone by.  How fast is 3 weeks going to go and will I get it all done.

ON a brighter note my sister gave me some skirts that are perfect and I am putting in pockets -got to have my pockets.  Got my vest out and started putting things in it to see how it will be.  Maybe I will wear it when I go out with my sisters for the day on Thursday for a trial run (what in 103 degree weather yep practicing!!!)

Got some free movies with the usb and micro chip I bought but they won't down load - hate computers sometimes!!!  Was thrilled to learn all the elec stuff I am taking will use 120/240 elec so I am one step ahead there.

At the party on Sat my son's family gave me a whole box of stuff for kids I meet.  With balls, jump ropes, books and games surely I can make some new friends.  Justin, my 7 year grandson, went through the box and wanted to have everything.  Good recommendation!!  Thank you Bob and Erika.
Lot of nice things for me too from family and friends but able to remember each of them each time I use my presents.

Guess I better get back to my lists and see what is next.  3 weeks, 3 weeks, 3 weeks oh my!!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

30 Days Left Still lots to do!!!

One month from today I will be on my way to Accra, Ghana. Any day now I should be getting my information to book my flight to staging, PA or WA.

I have been enjoying time with Jack, my sister Tish and brother in law John. We are in the mts. Saying goodbye to our friends up here. The weather has been wonderful and I am sure I won’t see this cool weather again for 2+ years. We have had a few bear sightings and the dumpsters are being empty each night by all sizes of bears. Of course been to the casinos and to copy my sister “we have been scalped”. Ha!!!

With help from a couple of women that are going with me we have been in contact with about 15 PCV’s in Ghana. The are giving us lots of information and have had a few requests also. Got a wonderful video on Utube from a PCV showing us his village and the area around it. It makes it so real that I will be there very soon. The address to this utube movie is



Ghana: So Far, So Good www.youtube.com.

 

My children, sister and her husband as well as my husband are planning a party next Saturday night for me in Austin. They have invited friends and family some that I have not seen for awhile. I am so excited and sad at the same time. My new friend Teri that is going with me said it was alright to be both at the same time.

Because everyone is so busy I get to be the “greeter” at my daughters home when my niece her husband and three munchkins drive in from Dallas to go to the party. My Mother in law wants to come up a few days early so we can have a little time before I leave. Again very excited and a little sad.

Got a few football games at Dripping Springs High School to go to so I can see the grandkids dance, cheer or play football. I will miss all that but hopefully pictures will be sent. I am sure there will be a few soccer games to go to for the youngest Grandchild. Fun times -



Will be back in Austin Wednesday and will have to get the packing thing done as well as tie up a few loose ends. Last Dr appt, get prescription etc.

Need to get voter thing done too!! I am afraid this last 30 days is going to fly by but then……