Recommended by Ricochet Members Created with Sketch. Quote of the Day: Friends

 

“It’s the friends we meet along the way that help us appreciate the journey.” — Unknown

I just got back home from an extended weekend around the Seattle area to visit friends (and to finally get a break from work). Aside from the cousin I visited, all of the friends I met up with are relatively recent relationships I’ve made through my husband.

When you’re feeling burned out or stressed out, it’s difficult to notice, let alone appreciate, the small things in life. It’s hard to appreciate the journey without getting into a hurry. I know I need to slow down sometimes and just let things happen as they will. Fortunately, all the stress regarding work helped me crank out some comp time that I used to take a break from life.

I’m the kind of person who normally has everything planned out when I leave the house, though I’ve found over my years of going back home to visit, vacation seems more enjoyable when there isn’t an itinerary for every minute of every day. My original plans fell by the wayside and I took off towards Yakima with half a plan, deciding to just play my vacation by ear, with no set day to return. Two nights at Ryan’s, three nights at another friend’s, 1 night at another friend’s on the way back home. It was gloriously nomadic.

I did a fair bit of running around, both by myself and with at least 1 friend. I got to spend time getting to know my friends’ children. I also got to be stressed out by the insane traffic, get dirty looks and horn honks from people as I meandered my way around the city, going the wrong way up one-way streets, and failing at parking garages. I got to try soup dumplings, raise my blood sugar much higher than it needed to be, eat a delicious Hungarian feast (courtesy of @ryanm), and play some games. I got to visit a tea shop I helped through Kickstarter, and spend time with family I hadn’t seen in 15-plus years.

Prior to my trip, I was feeling a bit burned out on work and life, but I’m now feeling rejuvenated thanks to amazing friends.

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  1. RushBabe49 Thatcher

    And why, pray tell, did you not let us know you were coming? Sorry we missed you!

    • #1
    • December 14, 2017, at 10:07 PM PST
    • 5 likes
  2. Mim526 Member

    J.D. Snapp:

    It’s the friends we meet along the way that help us appreciate the journey. -Unknown

    I’m now feeling rejuvenated thanks to amazing friends.

    Soul food. What a wonderful break.

    • #2
    • December 14, 2017, at 10:10 PM PST
    • 1 like
  3. J.D. Snapp Coolidge
    J.D. Snapp

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):
    And why, pray tell, did you not let us know you were coming? Sorry we missed you!

    It was a suuuuuper short visit this time! Terry and I will be coming up that way again as soon as he’s got some real time off work. I saved back some vacation time! :)

    • #3
    • December 14, 2017, at 10:43 PM PST
    • 3 likes
  4. MarciN Member

    What a great trip. :)

    • #4
    • December 14, 2017, at 11:16 PM PST
    • 2 likes
  5. Arahant Member

    J.D. Snapp: It’s the friends we meet along the way that help us appreciate the journey. -Unknown

    For an author, it’s the imaginary friends (i.e. fictional characters) that make life interesting.

    “Would you guys just behave and do what you’re supposed to do to get this book done? You there! Tom! This section won’t finish until you get in the door. Quit fooling around outside and come have your conversation with Cornelius. Don’t make me write in a meteor to take you out so your brother Jesse can get the job done.”


    This conversation is an entry in our Quote of the Day Series. We still have four openings on our schedule for December on the 23rd, Christmas Day, 29th, and 30th. If you have a quotation that might start a good conversation or a conversation percolating that you’d like to start or end with a quotation, why not sign up right now?

    • #5
    • December 14, 2017, at 11:22 PM PST
    • 5 likes
  6. Susan Quinn Contributor

    Lovely. It’s the reason family and friends are so precious.

    • #6
    • December 15, 2017, at 10:44 AM PST
    • 1 like
  7. The (apathetic) King Prawn Inactive

    J.D. Snapp (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):
    And why, pray tell, did you not let us know you were coming? Sorry we missed you!

    It was a suuuuuper short visit this time! Terry and I will be coming up that way again as soon as he’s got some real time off work. I saved back some vacation time! :)

    If it’s during a time when the passes don’t scare me I might even make it over the mountains.

    • #7
    • December 15, 2017, at 5:03 PM PST
    • 1 like
  8. J.D. Snapp Coolidge
    J.D. Snapp

    The King Prawn (View Comment):

    J.D. Snapp (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):
    And why, pray tell, did you not let us know you were coming? Sorry we missed you!

    It was a suuuuuper short visit this time! Terry and I will be coming up that way again as soon as he’s got some real time off work. I saved back some vacation time! :)

    If it’s during a time when the passes don’t scare me I might even make it over the mountains.

    The next time, we’re going to get @vicrylcontessa and @1967mustangman involved. This trip was short notice and I cut it short. Next trip will be at least a week.

    • #8
    • December 15, 2017, at 5:09 PM PST
    • 2 likes
  9. J.D. Snapp Coolidge
    J.D. Snapp

    Also the roads back were definitely getting a bit… sporty.

    • #9
    • December 15, 2017, at 5:09 PM PST
    • 3 likes
  10. Stad Coolidge

    J.D. Snapp: Prior to my trip, I was feeling a bit burned out on work and life, but I’m now feeling rejuvenated thanks to amazing friends.

    After a lifetime of work, I was starting to feel burned out too – which is why I retired. One thing my wife and I plan on doing next year is visiting out-of-town friends more, especially the ones we’ve met on Ricochet. We’re looking forward to visiting Maine, and (hopefully) Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, Tennessee – maybe even the left coast.

    Gonna have to buy a new car first, because the minivan is larger than the two of us need.

    • #10
    • December 16, 2017, at 6:07 AM PST
    • 4 likes
  11. Randy Weivoda Moderator
    Randy WeivodaJoined in the first year of Ricochet Ricochet Charter Member

    Stad (View Comment):
    Gonna have to buy a new car first, because the minivan is larger than the two of us need.

    You’ve already mentioned exactly what you’d like, if only you could talk your wife into it.

    I totally endorse this plan and think you should drive it when you come for your Minnesota visit.

    • #11
    • December 16, 2017, at 8:50 AM PST
    • 4 likes
  12. J.D. Snapp Coolidge
    J.D. Snapp

    Stad (View Comment):

    J.D. Snapp: Prior to my trip, I was feeling a bit burned out on work and life, but I’m now feeling rejuvenated thanks to amazing friends.

    After a lifetime of work, I was starting to feel burned out too – which is why I retired. One thing my wife and I plan on doing next year is visiting out-of-town friends more, especially the ones we’ve met on Ricochet. We’re looking forward to visiting Maine, and (hopefully) Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, Tennessee – maybe even the left coast.

    Gonna have to buy a new car first, because the minivan is larger than the two of us need.

    You should check out Big Sky Country while you’re at it. It’s gorgeous up here! :)

    • #12
    • December 16, 2017, at 10:29 AM PST
    • Like
  13. Stad Coolidge

    J.D. Snapp (View Comment):
    You should check out Big Sky Country while you’re at it. It’s gorgeous up here! :)

    Really wanted to the Glacier Park Meetup, but that was my last month at work.

    • #13
    • December 16, 2017, at 1:13 PM PST
    • 1 like
  14. Stad Coolidge

    Randy Weivoda (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):
    Gonna have to buy a new car first, because the minivan is larger than the two of us need.

    You’ve already mentioned exactly what you’d like, if only you could talk your wife into it.

    I totally endorse this plan and think you should drive it when you come for your Minnesota visit.

    We’ll probably go with a Camry Hybrid. Just have to check the sofa cushions first . . .

    • #14
    • December 16, 2017, at 1:14 PM PST
    • 1 like
  15. Hammer, The Member

    @juliesnapp, It was nice to have you as well! :) I know the feeling of being burned out at work… For me, it usually culminates in some sort of event, and I’ve got one coming up tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully, it will make the Christmas break all that more enjoyable.

    (And the boys loved playing with you!)

    • #15
    • December 19, 2017, at 12:21 PM PST
    • 3 likes
  16. J.D. Snapp Coolidge
    J.D. Snapp

    Those boys are so sweet! :)

    Looking forward to seeing y’all again! (Also, Terry is headed home and we’re not due to leave out again until Friday, so you could easily get him to do a podcast!)

    • #16
    • December 19, 2017, at 12:47 PM PST
    • Like

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