An Excellent Adventure Begins

An Excellent Adventure Begins

We’ve taken vacations, but only over long weekends
We’ve taken vacations, but only in the low season or shoulder season
We’ve expanded our long weekend-week to two week splurges
We’ve digital nomad-ed, which isn’t snowbirding because the work comes with us, sort of
Now, because we don’t want to miss any of the buzz words, we’re in the planning stages for an 89-day slow travel extravaganza (yes, the work is still coming with us, sort of)
It’s not about the weather, because although we will be gone from Chicago during the colder months of November, December, and February, we’re not just going to warm places.
We’re starting in Ireland for the month of November
We’re basing in Marbella, Spain for another month
We probably can’t go to Europe and not stop off in Italy again (it’s not a rut, it’s a groove)
In between?  After?  Still under development (yes, I hear you, Portugal, Seville, etc. etc!)
Planes, trains, busses, or automobiles?  Still under development
Stay tuned.
Snowbirding or Nomading

Snowbirding or Nomading

What’s the difference between nomading and snowbirding?  The line seems very blurred, especially for the self-employed and especially if you are of “a certain age” and financially fortunate.
On the snowbird side, we’ve traded a bit of winter in our beloved downtown Chicago (no, no sarcasm in that statement) for sunny Palm Springs with a touch of snowcapped mountaintops.
On the nomad side, the computers are set up, we are writing, zooming, and sending out invoices (but not all day every day, and there are plenty of long walks and pool time and leisurely lunches).
The destination has been great, but let’s not skip over the journey itself.  We happily roadtripped.  Could have been a disaster, and I admit that coming in to Albuquerque after three days of heading south and still seeing snow was not in the plan, but I wouldn’t have missed it.  Those beautiful mountain views between Albuquerque and Phoenix were great, and the weather was with us, so no knuckle-biting along the way.
And then there are the unexpected little moments, like when we stopped for gas or a snack and found ourselves here.  It’s hard to see, but in addition to the availability of what I am sure was excellent bar-b-que, the gas station across the road offered a selection of “exceptional wines”!
Wrapping Up November

Wrapping Up November

November has been our digital nomad month for several years now, one of the perks of both of us being self employed, which we remind ourselves of often.  We have to, because many days we remind ourselves that being self employed is the same thing as waking up unemployed every day if you don’t put the right spin on it.

Our retreat of choice is the Panhandle of Florida, specifically a 30 mile stretch between Panama City and Destin that is blissfully devoid of many highrises.  It’s a quiet time, at least until Thanksgiving weekend, but the perfect place to replace our urban walks with beautiful beach walks, and lots of time to work or play on the comfortable balcony.

I’ve written this month about the curated collection of project I brought along  –  here’s summary of the progress made:

  • Quilted table runners all bound and threads clipped – they could still use some extra quilting
  • Changed my mind about the pattern I wanted to knit – cotton yarn can be tricky – but I found a new one and am about 70% finished, well maybe 50%
  • Two malas made except for the final attachment – found out my tassels didn’t have the top loop I prefer, but I’ve ordered up replacements, so that will be a quick fix. Two more fully designed but not yet in process
  • Some water color and collage play, even some sketching, but no where near the daily practice I still hope for
  • Paper pieced curvy blocks all finished – next step will be pressing and blocking, then figuring out the setting

All in all,  not bad.

Also made a trip to the local quilt store – trying to support the local arts economy – and found out they are closing their bricks and mortar in 3 days!  Not sure if it’s the economy, or just a desire by the owners for a more manageable day to day life.  As a lifestyle entrepreneur myself, I know that exit strategies aren’t always clean.

I’ll miss this place, and have fingers crossed it will be available to us again next year, and we will be available to take advantage of it.  Grateful though, for my Chicago home to get back to that still gives me light and a view of water all the way to the horizon.