Christmas

[I've been trying to update but the wifi connection is pretty weak.  Since the restaurant was closed for Christmas there was no signal yesterday at all.  I have a feeling this will be a continuing situation on my travels but I will update when I can.]

Christmas this year was very low-key.  Under normal circumstances I would be a Christmas nut!  I love decorating and always invite people over for food and drinks.  It's one thing I get excited about every year.  This year was just different.  There was too much leading up to the holiday (a family tragedy, the failed California experiment, Oreo being attacked, etc.) to concentrate on celebrating.  Still, it was nice to just spend the day with my mom, eating and drinking wine.
(I did set up the tree for Kevin and he seemed to enjoy it.)

Leaving for the Caribbean on Saturday and I'm still in a state of disbelief.  Today I managed to pack everything into a small carry on.  I'm sure I'll be able to also fill another bag (or the old backpack) before it's all said and done.  I have a one way ticket so I will need to get employed pretty quickly.  For this reason alone I was over thinking what to pack but realized that I just can't anticipate every possible situation and should go with the flow (a popular concept in the islands).
Money is, well, non-existent.  I have had many donations and I am eternally thankful for all the help but I don't think I've ever been on the brink of a trip with so little in reserve.  It'll defiintely be an adventure!!

Life is Funny

Well, well...  Remember how I kept saying that something big was going to happen and everything would turn out okay?  A friend bought me a ticket to the Virgin Islands and I leave on December 29th!!  I'm still stunned by this unexpected act of generosity but am really excited to be on Tortola for the New Year!!  Beach at last!!!  It just goes to show that you never can tell what will turn up.
So now I am furiously repacking for the beach and trying to figure out just what I will need (I know I'm over-thinking it but have no idea how long I'll be gone and am certain I can't afford to buy anything until I have sorted out work, etc.). 
I'll try to update as often as possible.  Right now I am using the wifi from the restaurant downstairs at my friend, Kevin's, and it isn't exactly reliable.
Oreo is doing really well!  I think he'll be fine staying with Kevin until I know if/where he can join me.  I'll miss the little guy and worry about him but I know he'll be happy and have fun staying in Seattle.

Oreo On The Mend

Oreo had a follow up vet visit yesterday and is healing really well!!  He should be able to resume normal activity soon!!  (He really wants to get back to his routine and doesn't like it when I send him to his bed to rest.)
Paul had a change of heart since the last post and decided that Oreo should come along to California.  We have been giving away everything that was left from the Craigslist frenzy and been cleaning the apartment for departure early Thursday moring.
BUT this morning (after selling my TV and DVD player) he told me we couldn't afford to go and that I should find somewhere to stay.  Personally, I am now done with this escapade.  I have always believed that if you try and fail at something three times it is best to make a new plan.  Fate clearly does not want me to be in California.  Am I disappointed?  You bet I am!!  I had dreams of being on the beach for my birthday and of not being cold forever.  It was just not meant to be.  Thankfully I managed to save a few cold weather items so I should be able to weather the weather in Seattle (none too happily).
I have a friend opening a bar in Panama and have been invited to join in.  I think that'll be my new priority.  Screw California.

Disaster

We had the car fixed and it was all looking good for a Saturday departure.  I had some things to take care of in Seattle and planned an evening with friends before leaving town so I stayed the night up north.  I was heading back to Olympia on Wednesday and arranged to see Oreo before leaving for California.  I got off the bus at the dog park near where we used to live.  Oreo was there with Kevin and Hugh.  He saw me enter the park and was running over when a bigger dog grabbed him by the neck and ran off with him.  Oreo got loose and ran but the big dog chased him and grabbed him by his back and shook him.  My friend, Kevin, dove in the middle and got Oreo but he was bleeding and limp.  I scooped him up and we took him to the vet right aaway.  He has three broken ribs, a bruised lung and puncture wounds on his back and neck.  The poor little guy is on pain medication and isn't supposed to move for two weeks.  At the vet he wasn't moving his back legs at all and they were worried that he might have a spinal injury but later in the night he managed to stand and walk a little.  He's still pretty shaky but should recover in time.
Given this new development, I just can't see myself leaving him in his time of need.  Paul is none too happy with my decision to tend to Oreo but, the way I see it, Paul is a grown up human who can take care of himself and Oreo is a helpless, injured pup who needs TLC.
So I really don't know where we'll go or what we'll do.  I have had offers to stay with friends and that would be the financially logical thing to do at this point considering I don't have any money to get an apartment.  Moving up to Seattle for now would make sense because Oreo's vet is there and I shouldn't be moving him around too much.  I don't like the option but it is my only option.
It was a brutal attack and I know I am traumatized by it.  I can't even imagine what Oreo is going through but I won't abandon him, even temporarily, right now when he needs me most.

I thought I was busy before...

Wow!  Time marches on and we are closing in on the departure date. 
I have to say that if you ever want to get rid of stuff in a hurry, Craigslist is the way to go!  We had a "moving sale" on Saturday and Sunday.  Saturday before noon we sold off a lot of small things ($165 toward the escape fund).  Sunday was a lot slower but we still brought in $275.  Today I took photos of all the big stuff and posted individual ads and we've been busy all day (and another $100 give or take).  Not too shabby considering I didn't think we had anything worth anything!
Last week I sold off books, CDs and DVDs and made about $475.  I had to shop them around Seattle a bit but it was worth the effort. 
So, if we go just on our recent sales we have gas money to get us to about... San Jose.  There is the rest of the week to go so no worries.  We will be out of Olympia one way or another by Saturday and heading toward a warmer Christmas!  Even if we run out of gas in Humbolt and end up on some sort of collective we'll at least be out of Olympia.

Oh, did I just say "no worries?"  Paul just this minute came in from a quick trip to the bank to say the car is "misfiring."  So stay tuned for further developments.
(I'm telling you, I will be out of here even if I have to walk.  I'd prefer not to have to walk but it's an option.  Hm, I wonder how far I could get on community transit buses?)