[Travel Plans - seasoned travelers enter and offer advice, suggestions, tips, etc.]

DS and I did a Florida trip in January that included a drive through the Keys and a couple days in Key West. We started in Naples and drove through the Everglades, a few days in Miami and then to the Keys. I enjoyed the drive through the Everglades more than through the keys honestly. Or maybe it was about expectations;) Most of the bridges weren’t bad. It was more like a road with water on either side except the long one. But they aren’t too high. 
We snorkled on our way down, and that was good! There are several road trip websites with itineraries. 

You can rent bikes in key west, but it’s also very walkable. I like it there a lot. It’s a good size with enough to do for a couple days, but probably not too long. The Hemingway house, the butterfly museum, there’s a good food tour, the trolley tour, sunsets, good restaurants. 
i usually try to airbnb or similar at least one stop on a long trip to do laundry. 
we waited until mid December to make reservations and that was a little late! It was busy. It is pricy! 
when I get on my computer, I’ll try to link some of our favorite spots. 
 

vancouver is on my short list, so I’ll be following. 

[Anyone doing the 1000 hours outside challenge this year?]

I was at 111 for the month and 281 for the year. The last few weeks I’ve been able to be outside lots of hours, even working on a screened porch many hours of the day.  It seems like cheating sitting outside on a porch all day, but I guess those are the rules. 

[Tower fans…..do they really cool down a bedroom?]

That’s the kind of mask I have as well. It took some getting used to but now I really like it. I do find mine kind of hot though. But it is not the exact brand. 

[Snack ideas please]

And no nuts at all? Those have been my low carb replacement for salty crunch foods. Pistachios, salted cashews. 

[Tower fans…..do they really cool down a bedroom?]

The dreo https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09MKPDJRT/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I paid $62 though. Not sure on this price. I bought it and only used it a few nights and since then I’ve been out of town so I don’t have a good review yet. 

 

[Tower fans…..do they really cool down a bedroom?]

I’ll let you know in a few weeks. I bought one on Amazon that says that and I swear it blows cool air out of it. But the temps have been cool enough that my room is still cool and I can’t vouch for actual room cooling yet. 

[Snack ideas please]

These are very good and blood sugar friendly https://beingbrigid.com/recipes/chocolate-peanut-butter-cluster-cups/

 

[Snack ideas please]

Veggies and ranch? 
cheese whisps are good.

sliced and fried chicken sausages. Like little medallions. 

[When Lots of Things Coincide in a Weird Way; I.e., “a sign”!]

I read that book Rosie, and I think that’s when the Camino got into my brain. 
I’ve been thinking about it for several years @Ginevra- maybe your post is another sign for ME! 

[What does a therapist do?]

I can’t help with the therapy part, but if it was sudden or seemed to come on with a hormonal change, HRT could be helpful. Looking back, mine was definitely perimenopause. I was like a different person, I just couldn’t get out of my own way. Mine was more anxiety, but there were times I just couldn’t leave the house. I was a recluse, should have lost my job I was so bad at it, etc. I did see one therapist, but it wasn’t a good fit so I can’t say if that would have helped or not. But when I finally entered menopause, it was like the light switched back on. It seemed to be so cut and dry for me with the timing. I was back to my old self and really felt even better. I didn’t even consider HRT, but looking back I wish I knew more about that option. I did do some compounded progesterone cream, but I couldn’t really find a provider that really helped. Now there seem To be more, and even some online ones. Or course yours might not be that issue, but just in case, I thought I’d share.  

[URGH I think my son was profiled- ADHD med issues]

Also- DS has either long hair nor piercings, I think they profile college age students in general. It’s very rampant on campuses. 

[URGH I think my son was profiled- ADHD med issues]

My DS had the same issues at about that age. I even went to his appts with him and it went about like that. He did not get good care. Switched to a new mental health office that could prescribe and they were much nicer to him, but he could never find the right formula. Lots of side effects. He did have to get a neuropsych evaluation. Took forever. 

[We need prayers right now (update in OP)]

So sorry! I will say a prayer.

[Would you be offended? Guest hosting edition]

18 minutes ago, hjffkj said:

Or you could ask them if they are comfortable with you going into the guest room at specific times to rotate the eggs

I vote this too. I wouldn’t be offended at all if it were my college friend. If we are still friends after all these years, this is not an issue that would offend or worry me.  But, you doing it would make me more comfortable than worrying I’d forget or do it wrong. 

[Food that is okay, better, best]

https://www.paaap.org/uploads/1/2/4/3/124369935/dollar_store_recipe_book.pdf
 

was curious about the dollar store foods and found this. 

[Food that is okay, better, best]

I grew up on fast foods and probably live somewhere similar to you Sahara, although closer to groceries. But LOTS of fast food. I’m trying very hard to eat better and right now for me, that definition is less ultra processed food, so I can somewhat relate to her plight. Just somewhat.  It’s hard! I commend her for trying to change at all because I do get the environment she’s in. And the fast food taste buds that come into play. So I kind of always think- pretty much ANYTHING I can make from real ingredients at home is going to be healthier for me than almost anything I buy at a fast food place or pre processed. So, that does mean last night for dinner I had oatmeal with chia seeds, a sliced apple and cut up cheddar cheese and some pistachios. For lunch today I had grilled chicken, a sliced red pepper, beans and a clementine. None of that took any cooking ability. But it’s hard when you’re used to processed food. I totally get the taste bud issue, especially for kids! And it can get expensive at times. 
Everyone has their go to appliance that makes life easier- for me that’s a panini grill for my chicken. I season chicken breast and grill up a bunch at one time and then I can add almost anything to it to make a decent meal- rice, fruit, bag salad, frozen veggies, etc. 

[Food that is okay, better, best]

One substitution at a time is good. It’s very easy to get overwhelmed with change. Veggies are great, but so are fruits and maybe more kid friendly. Real oatmeal and apples, a banana with peanut butter. I just try to eat whole food ingredients and not worry too much about creating a meal. Scrambled Eggs, with fried potatoes, grapes. 
Probably not- but is there an Aldi close by? We live in a smaller town but have one and I’m amazed how less expensive their food is. 
and batch cooking if possible. 
 

[Anyone Traveling for the Eclipse?]

I was thinking it would be darker too. we traveled a couple hours to my brother’s house to be in totality. No traffic there or back. We did see one star in the sky. The weather turned out much better than expected and was clear and sunny. 
It was a great experience. Totality was cool, but I do enjoy the process of the moon covering the sun too. 

[Fireworks during the eclipse?]

I heard them too- central Ohio. Luckily they were pretty far away, but what a strange thing to do during an eclipse. 

[Anyone Traveling for the Eclipse?]

We traveled a couple hours north to totality and no traffic so far. We’re going to a friend’s house about 15 minutes from here but not expecting any traffic from what we’ve seen. If it’s bad, we can just stay here. I’m excited! 

[How would you divide this?]

We divide by room. 

[I reserved through a booking site and now I’m worried]

Booking dot com is legit site. I used them this year for a hotel stay. Lots of hotels charge for parking depending on their location. 

[Anyone doing the 1000 hours outside challenge this year?]

I made it to 80 hours in March and 175 for the year. I was in CA for a week and the weather was perfection and then I lucked out with some nice weather here too. I can’t imagine doing much more than 80 a month, but we’ll see. I suppose in summer I’ll just sit outside more, we’ll eat outside at home too. Plus more pickleball. I have a great screened porch, but I’d like to do something with my back patio or actual yard to get myself out closer to nature. All in all it’s been a good three months and it’s pushed me to be outside more than usual. I’m not sure of the real benefit to me, but I’m going to keep going. Being outside does feel good in the moment. 

[How do you sleep?]

I use the MZOO 3D mask. I like that my eyes can open with it on. But it can get kind of hot sometimes.  We’ll see how it works this summer. 

[How do you sleep?]

I need more info on these cooling toppers! I get so hot. That’s my next challenge to fix. 

I am also a recent eye mask convert. I have the ones where you have room to Open your eyes, but sometimes they make my face too hot.
We’ve always used a sound machine. I’m looking for a summer fan, but DH hates when it blows on him so I need to figure that out. I’m a side sleeper with my dog snuggled in my knee bend. It’s hot, but comforting until he gets the shakes.