Ray had to make cookies and I had to have my blood work done. I was running out of days to do it and couldn't put it off any longer. So I had to not eat anything and I was at the lab at 7:45, before anyone else. I had been warned that this particular lab was really slow sometimes. But they opened the door at 5 of 8, took my information, and took my blood in 5 minutes. I was home about an hour after I left, most of that driving time. Then I could really enjoy eating. Ray was finishing the oatmeal-raisin cookies and they smelled so good.

He packed for our trip and I did some preparing. He went to his office and I went to the GED program and worked with a young woman on math. Now I have committed to being there for her next Monday and Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30. She is actually in really good shape, already passed several of the tests and just needs to work on math and science. She passed the pre-test. So she should be able to take it again pretty soon. Very fun.

Then I went to the Arch and ate my sandwich. Adam was there again and a young black man from Jamaica. He was wearing the Lorax sign (unless somebody cares a whole lot, nothing is ever going to change...) and yelling at another young man, shorter than him and better dressed and calmer. I tried to get him to calm down and listen, but to no avail. I was actually impressed with the other man, who stood his ground quietly and waited for a chance to talk. I try to be calm and not get upset with the protestors (or the opposition), but I think it's important to look for common ground and listen to others.

I headed to my gynecology appointment, but got distracted when I went by Robins Credit Union. I stopped and opened an account. It's going to be a major pain to transfer everything over, but I can do it. Not by November 5, I fear, but it's a start. First, I have to put some money in and pay some bills on line to make sure I am okay with their system. Then, I have to stop all the automatic payments out of the SunTrust account--and the direct deposit of Ray's paycheck. But the timing is important. I don't have enough money that I can have plenty in both accounts to cover any miscalculations.

So I was a little late to my first visit to this gynecologist. I still had to wait a bit, but not too bad. This may be my favorite doctor ever. I was awfully fond of Dr. Pelham-Harris, too. (she died). Dr. McPherson is the daughter (Camille) of Warren and Lavonne, who run the Montessori school the girls went to back in the day. She is wonderfully approachable, and even laughs. I wouldn't exactly say I enjoyed my exam....but I feel comfortable having her as my doctor. I have to wait for the results from the Pap smear, and schedule a mammogram.

I went home and started working on getting ready to go. My Dad arrived and we spent some time together. After he left, I finished packing and put everything in the car. Pretty haphazard, but that is one of the advantages of driving. Just throw it all in any way.

Ray was at the Democratic Committee meeting and he came out when I texted him I was there. He was only there about 10 minutes. He started driving because my back was bothering me a little. We talked some, I knit some, I looked at the iPhone some, we listened to the radio some. I fed him lentil salad as he drove. Also guacamole and crackers. And plums. We drove and drove and drove. It got dark. There was stop and go traffic and construction. I dozed a lot. We stopped at a Wendy's, but only the drive-through was open. We went to the gas station instead and ate ice cream. We got to our motel before midnight. Oddly enough, there are two LaQuintas--one across from the other. Of course, the one we went to first was the wrong one. We are on the third floor. There is a microwave and fridge.

I slept until 6:45. The light coming in the window was from the parking lot, not daylight, but it didn't matter. My brain/body decided it was morning. The hotel breakfast was pretty awful. Mostly it was just that I can't bring myself to use styrofoam plates and cups and bowls and plastic utensils. I had a yogurt and an English muffin. No peanut butter. Jelly or fake butter in little plastic containers. I couldn't do it.