Just a few work days left for the year. I’ll be off much earlier this year so this will be strange. I may have a day or two here or there volunteering over the winter, but the end of the month is pretty much it for me this year.

With this rain we are getting across the state it is really making going somewhere this weekend tough but that’s okay since I will be able to take a trailer trip the first part of November. Gotta find some sunshine (hopefully), and someplace not raining (a must have).

I was hoping to get to ME, VT, and NH this Fall to see the leaves but I ended up working later than I originally thought. I think it will be too cool and snowy up there to do the things I want to do in November. I can have that here, so I am looking at some other options. Other than the trip to MT in December for Baby C, I really have no other travel plans as of the moment. Having an apartment has changed my financial situation and that might cut back on extensive travel as far as number of trips I’ll take. However, it won’t stop me from going!

I got an e-mail with some killer Hawaii deals so I am considering that possibility. I want to see a different island this time. My first trip was all on Oahu, which really did NOT suck. I would like to visit one of the less visited islands – not as many tourists would be great.

One thing I would like to pass along while I am thinking about it. If any of you have pain, such as back, neck, knees, etc., I suggest you try these //ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=thesh0f4-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00XD6QWPU&asins=B00XD6QWPU&linkId=3f287663caca42b0cbe71fc6ea535572&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>herbal patches that I get from Amazon (or you may be able to find them at a local acupuncturist). I use them on my neck and back and they do seem to help. Wish I had one now – my neck and back are angry with me! I just ordered some more and they cannot get here fast enough. I may have mentioned these last year after trying acupuncture. He had me try these along with some kudzu tea pills. They seemed to help some but I still strongly believe in the acupuncture and think he gave me the best results. The patches have helped me recently, though.

I have some meat I need to cook up so the Instant Pot gets a workout this weekend. I am going to change my Italian beef recipe around a bit and make it with chicken instead. I think it will work out great! Plus, I have some other things I need to cook up and they can get tossed in there after the chicken is done. I have several things in portions in the freezer so far and it works out great. Fresh ingredients, leftovers for the freezer (both home AND the Scotty!), and the awesome feeling when something you made turned out great!