Another month has passed since my last post. Things are considerably better than they were in my Toads Down the Rabbit Hole post – due in large part to medication and in small part to the THE Toad in MY Road straightening up his act somewhat. Visits to Family Toads over the past month have helped immensely! Long conversations with a close Girlfriend, my Daughter, and my Sister have been invaluable at retaining my sanity.

I spent a week with my Father – always interesting. He has SO many things to say – many of which I agree with; many which I don’t. It was a wonderful visit and I cherish each one. I know that as the years pass, my visits with him become more and more important – both to me and him. Father has reached the age & health conditions where time left is much shorter than time passed. Luckily his mind is clear and he is able to golf, mow his grass, and drive – all things that provide him with a sense of continued freedom and self-worth.

Today finds THE Toad & me winding up a week spent with our Daughter & her Boyfriend. They are a wonderful couple with a great relationship. I truly enjoy spending time with them – they are so thoughtful – showing me places & things they think would interest me. And, given that my Daughter and I are identical twins separated in age by 21 years, I love all the same things she does; so the places we go are just as interesting to me as they are to them. Tuesday we visited Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, NH – beautiful ocean views & relics of WWII coastal defenses. The day of hiking & sightseeing was topped off with a delicious lobster dinner! Wednesday we visited Woodstock Vermont, a Sugar Bush Cheese & Maple Farm (a family-owned & run cheese & maple syrup farm), the Quechee Gourge, and lots of beautiful Vermont scenery. We also had Mother’s Day Brunch and Friday dinner with the Boyfriend’s parents. AWESOME people & GREAT food! We went to a ballgame, visited with friends that own a winery, ate some great Paella, and drank some of their wine – ooh, la, la – good food, good friends, and good wine – what more can you ask for! My Daughter & I discussed our move to New Hampshire when I retire. Now, if the plane just had not been delayed today causing us to miss our connection home! Alas they are stuck with us another day. I don’t think they mind. I certainly am enjoying the extra visit time. Happy, Happy, Happy!

Coming up on Memorial weekend I am flying to Phoenix to visit my Uncle, Aunt & Cousin. That will be another adventure to tell. I am so looking forward to seeing my Uncle! To say that I have always idolized him would be an understatement!

The Work Toad is as frustrating as ever. The last 6 months of the year are shaping up to be pure hell – working 7 days a week for months on end. Not my idea of fun and the reason I have decided to retire in 2 years, 3 months & 1 week instead of in 5 years, 3 months & 1 week. And yes, I am counting!

In the mean time, I purchased a new long lens for my camera & am getting back into my photography big time! Got to develop some options for retirement that do not involve IT or Project Management! The time has come to sharpen old skills, develop new ones and move out on the next book of my life!