Charli’s first soft-carrier car ride was kept very short this morning — to just under three miles — because she became upset and cried loudly as soon as I put her into the vehicle.

 

By the time she quieted and settled down appreciably (which took a good two miles at about 15 miles per hour), I wanted to be sure we were very close to being back home (without incident) so I could lift her out of the vehicle and to the back yard to carry her some more. I wanted to reassure her quickly that nothing adverse had occurred and that we’ll always end up somewhere safe and familiar again.

 

As soon as we got to the back yard, she settled completely, so I let her out of the carrier after a few times around.  She meandered out of it, as before, not looking or acting upset in any way.

 

For this reason, I think she’ll be car-ride ready within the week.

 

I’ll give her a calming chew before we head to the airport, and will carry more along so I can offer them to her if she becomes upset at any time.  I’ll also have a tranquilizer for her, in case the need arises, but I don’t think it will.

 

The carrier itself doesn’t upset her at all.   She wanders in and out of it at will several times a day now.

 

And while we’re sitting in the airports before and between flights, she will have on a harness and short leash and will be attached to the carrier, so she can come out and sit with me if she wants.

 

I want to give her as much independent control of the situation as I can. Cats hate feeling out of control.

 

 

Walked 8500 Steps Already Today

 

After my routine with Charli, I walked 8500 steps early this morning. That’s because it’s supposed to be a scorcher today.  It’s going to be almost 10 degrees hotter here in Tacoma than in Grecia and San Ramon Costa Rica for at least the next four days.  (That’s good.  The change won’t be so dramatic that way except for the altitude and humidity.)

 

 

Getting My Last USA Haircut This Afternoon

 

I’ll be getting my last USA-based haircut this afternoon. I went there a few minutes ago to have it done, but the barber is utterly swamped right now, so he asked if I could come back later this afternoon. I said yes and we set a time…

 

The Result:

(I’m no expert with mousse powder, as you can plainly see! LOL!)

I’m Sleeping Like a Baby

 

Two weeks from today at this hour I will have been in Costa Rica for two and a half days already. WOW!  It still sounds very fantasy-like.

 

Now that all the work and tasks have been done to make the move possible, all of the prep it took seems almost like a dream, too. I have a great support team, so I’m not stressing at all about  feeling alone, unsafe, or clueless after I get there.

 

I will probably have moments of befuddlement and fright

 

… a few weeks hence, as I learn the ropes of living vehicle-less (for the first time in over 55 years!) in a new nation  — transportation options to and from the local medical clinic for my INR level results and to the feria, pulperia, sodas, town square, parks, etc., getting more fluent in Spanish via immersion, and more. But I realize that none of these “challenges” are insurmountable, and they’re all survivable and temporary; they’ll soon become routine. Tens of millions of people do the same thing every year, everywhere in the world, and they all get through it.  Ya do what you have to do to adapt!

 

I’ll Follow Charli’s Lead:

“New thing! Yellow Alert!

(After a few minutes) Oh, this isn’t so bad…

(After a few more minutes.) Hey, I kinda like it.

Yes! 

What’s NOT to like?  My life ROCKS!