My Musings & Lists

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Train Trip day 2

woke up, didn’t sleep great

Breakfast — meh. Met a lovely couple, she’s a former engineer, he’s a writer.

Chilling out with Sean. Reading Loretta’s book

News that Patrick feels poorly, and we’re taking an uber. Got off Raleigh with no issues. First elevator down, then a very Loooooong ramp up to station. Weird.

Ins and Outs for July

IN:

Air conditioning
Protein
Reading
More unpacking
Hanging up art
Trying out a Lakeland church or two
Tampa theater
Strength training
Playing games with new people
Moisturizer and hair conditioner
Estate planning
Christmas in July
Postcards
Needlework
Planning trips with Aunt Laurie

OUT:

Carbs
Social media after 10 pm
Social media during work hours

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Train trip to NC Day 1

The adventure begins! So far… we’ve waited for the train that’s an hour late.

Finally in the train. The station attendant kept telling us to go to far end away from all the other people. We were hesitant and only went halfway and when she next came by, she emphasized we needed to go further. We said what about all of them … and she said they were coach. Oh yeah. We’re fancy with our roomettes.

Sean and I are two cars apart. We will try to get moved closer for return trip. This would’ve been so tiny together! We’d gave hated each other after an hour.

It’s quite cozy.

We’re headed east to Orlando. We passed Lake Alfred where we played games a week or so ago

Sean and I made plans to eat in dining car at 8. There’s no way to lock the room.

So the train WiFi is a joke. Won’t even connect. God I miss Italian trains.

Ok I finally connected to WiFi. We went to dinner. Community tables. Met a woman from DC — born in DC like me! Dinner was good — and I ate too much for so late a dinner. Must eat earlier next time.

Settling back into room. We missed most of sunset.

Reading Loretta’s unpublished book. I’m sure I’ll sleep well with the rocking of the train. So grateful NOT to be in coach.

Monday, June 29, 2026

Living with Peter in the fall

So looks like I (or Sean) will be living part of the week this fall semester with Peter. He’s still terrified of driving, which Sean does with him, but Peter won’t drive solo. No point in getting him a new car yet. I’m okay with it at least until 10/15 (when extended tax season is over). Our goal is to get him through college. So, we have to make concessions.

In December I’ll find a driving instructor that specializes in post accident trauma…? That has to be a thing.

Anyway, poor kid. And poor us. But we’re all grateful we had the resources and flexibility to make this happen. College is the only thing that motivates him.

EDITED TO ADD:

I’ve started looking at graduate level classes for me to take… and I’m getting kinda excited at the prospect! Either history or personal finance.