Time to saddle up

Nice long three day weekend.  I could get used to a 4 day work week if it wasn't for the calls and reports I wind up doing on Friday mornings.  The only way to burn up my vacation is to take off every Friday between now and New Years.  Wow.  Life's tough.

Weekend was packed as usual.  Junior was down for a wedding so we got to spend some time with him and FDIL.  I took both dogs to the Barktoberfest - a local fair that displays a large number of rescue groups/organizations that are dedicated to finding homes for dogs that have been abandoned, abused, or otherwise forgotten.  A lot of fun and a lot of dogs. 

Need something to carry Fido in?

 

Don't step on my blue suede dog?

Andy - one of our rescue dogs that is being fostered and nursed back to health.  He has improved tremendously since he showed up on our doorstep.  In spite of his rough appearance, he is amazingly gentle and his tail never stops wagging. 

I am just about ready for my road trip to Belgium.  The plans are still in flux at this point, but I am working on locking down some details.  Last weekend I went out and got a few essentials for the trip.  Picked up two books to read on the plane.  I guess I am being old fashioned.  When Junior when to Europe, he took his iPad for entertainment on the flight.  I am more old school and prefer a book to read for the flight.  I picked up two books from Half Price Books (Monster Hunter & Ford County) for the trip in case I read too fast.

I am trying to pack the right clothes for the week.  Given a 50 lb limit on checked bags, I have choices to make.  Weather is supposed to be cold & wet, so I am trying to plan for all contingencies (Boy Scouts - Be Prepared).  I have a ton of things to finish up at work and I am burning the midnight oil getting last minute reports/projects wrapped up.  I must over thinking this trip as I've been waking up every morning at 2:30 going over the things I have left to do.  I am mostly packed and I have two meetings in the morning before I head out to the airport.  In typical fashion, I'll probably be all wound up over this until the plane lifts off.  After that, I figure there is not much else I can do so I can relax and enjoy the ride.  I have worked up some plans for the week while I am in country the biggest of which is a side trip to London for the weekend.  Hope to be able to cram in as much British scenery/flavor/culture as I can in a mere 24 hours.  I also hope to be able to meet up with RC during the weekend.  I'd like to get a sample of some good British cuisine and the first round of beer is on me.