Moving And Triggers

[desiderata310]

Hah. Yes, my cat and I are mostly settled. He did pretty well all things considered but I don't think I will ever make a move quite like that again. Moving by plane with a Maine Coon in a cat carrier and all my belongings in two suitcases? Nope. I'll move via car next time.

Don't think of it as a test! A test means you could fail. An adventure works better because you know that things are going to be uncomfortable and you will have disappointments and be hot or cold or wet and miserable but it's ok because it's part of the journey and it's transient. Telling myself it was a grand adventure was the only reason that I didn't walk up to that counter and demand a flight back to my hometown when I got here (and I though very seriously about doing that when I got wheels on the ground)

 

[shimmerz]

Don't think of it as a test! A test means you could fail.

Great advise @desiderata310 . An adventure! It's all in how you look at things isn't it? I will say that word a thousand times today as I throw out, give away, re-arrange and prepare for my 'new adventure'. Thanks so much!

Maine Coons don't much shine to being ticked off as I recall. Man oh man! You are brave!

 

[shimmerz]

Columbus, Ohio. Stopped at the border. La nightmare. Hours there - however when they found my pills and asked what they were for and I told them about the PTSD and warned them if they were in any way aggressive each person I spoke to softened their eyes and calmed their voice. Still had to go through the process but it almost seemed like they were trained to know what to do. I am not used go that. I feel safer after that experience somehow.

onwards....

still doesn't feel real. Feel nothing about this.weird feeling. Thanks for hearing me.

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

@shimmerz - That is so great that you had a not so bad experience at the border. Hoping you will continue to have a positive journey.

 

[shimmerz]

Elizabethtown (Ville)(?). Kentucky. Mammoth caves tomorrow. Lets hope I am not claustrophobic!

 

[desiderata310]

Yay! Lovely part of the country! Are you going to hit Memphis? (Guessing your going to get on I-40?)Get some BBQ if you do! Central Barbecue, interstate BBQ or rendezvouse BBQ are best.

 

[shimmerz]

Yes - Nashville today after caves and then off to Memphis. Will look out for BBQ! Thanks so much for the tips! I feel like I am driving through places but missing so much!

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

I absolutely loved Memphis when I went there. Lots of cool things to see. One of the best places there was Sun Studios. A very poignant place was the National Civil Rights Museum. The funniest was seeing the ducks at the Peabody Hotel. Sorry, I get excited about Memphis because it holds so many good memories.

 

[shimmerz]

Oh please! No sorries! I love hearing about these places. I will be sure to check it out @JEKBreatheandBelieve . Thank you so very much!

 

[desiderata310]

It's going to be very chilly in Memphis but if you have the time to spare and the coat to bundle up in there are a ton of cool places downtown: absolutely the Civil Righs Museum where King was shot, the ornamental metal museum, Beale St, or course the Peabody(do the research on line and find out what time the ducks parade through) If you stick around through dusk they might have some of the lights up in Shelby Farms.(Germantown) After thanksgiving they have a big walk/ drive/bike through light display through New Years.oh and of course, don't forget to go look at the bizarre and mostly abandoned pyramid by the I-40 bridge. There's a story there!

 

[shimmerz]

Nashville tonight. Lots of driving. Car in for repair at 7 am tomorrow. Caves were amazing. I am drained though. On the upside of being wiped out I don't give a rats a** about my crappy hair cut. ;-). Thank you so much for the ideas! Crashing hard now.... Hugs and thanks so much... More when I can actually be coherent.

 

[shimmerz]

I have arrived. I have many stories to tell but I will spare you all. We were pulled over at the border. It was very interesting the way it happened. It was my girlfriend who was driving and the lady at the border got all ticked off at her because she sounded 'nervous' when she was asked questions, and yes, the fact that she was driving my beloved's car was a problem too. They were super aggressive when the border patrol told us to get out of the car. The man on my side had eyes like fire and a stance that almost made me drop on the spot. He told me to open a section of my purse that I keep my Ativan and Clonazipam in. He saw the pills jumped on my as to what they were for. I told him I had PTSD and that if he continued to be aggressive with me he would be calling an ambulance as I would go comatose on the spot. He immediately dropped his pose, softened his eyes and told me that if the interviewer was too intimidating I could ask for another one. From there, we walked into the building, and the man waiting at front asked me immediately why I had PTSD. Had I been in the war? I told him yes, but not in a different country - I was lucky enough to suffer it as an infant and toddler at the place most would call home.

They detained us for three hours. It looks like they were looking for drugs. The man who interviewed me allowed me to be interviewed with my friend. I warned them that I needed someone with me or the reaction would be something they wouldn't want to deal with. They watched me carefully, I could see that but obviously were trained. They noticed I looked for a certain chair with my back to the wall, they noticed when I started to lean as if I was about to drop, they spoke to me very softly.

I have to tell you. From what I have seen here in the USA, officials know what PTSD is and seem to be trained much better than they are in Canada. Just an observation.