Live from Tormville!

We made it!

So on Wednesday night, about midnight, I was still working on getting some last minute things together and an assignment done. And Milo, as we've named him, was screaming at me from his 4 x 6 storage sheet...... TAKE ME!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I was a little overtired.

But I cranked up Michael Franti & Spearhead from my youtube favorites and made quick work of responding to the screaming in my head. A bit of paper piecing, a bit of glossy accents, and some paint on a stick - and Milo was born.

I went to bed at 1, and woke up at 6 without an alarm. We hit the road at 7. 

It was hot, but it wasn't as bad as I was anticipating/worrying about. You see - I've been on some awfully hot trips in my past. When Greg was in the military, I'd drive the hot and hazy road down to Tennessee - stopping at every rest area to dunk my head in the sink. 

I was having flashbacks when I heard the forecast. 
But it wasn't that bad. It wasn't hazy.  Hot - but not hazy. That made all the difference.

I was a bit disappointed to see that they've changed the Sea Shell City sign. I don't like the new one, and I'm not afraid to say it. The old sign had been there forever and was very simple and eye catching at the same time.  

We didn't actually go here, I just stopped to take a photo of the new, albeit disappointing, sign. So I could share this memory - When we were kids, we I would taunt my younger siblings into saying this ten times real fast in hopes that they'd inadvertently get into trouble for saying a bad word.  It never worked the way I planned though, it seems I was always the one that got into trouble. I got blamed for everything.

Two bathroom stops and one memory stop later, we were driving over this bridge by noon. We stopped here for just a few minutes - long enough to stretch our legs and walk under the bridge.

Milo was a help when I realized that the new swim trunks I bought for my no butt son are no better than the ones I was replacing.  Tighter drawstring and all. 

The temperature dropped, literally, ten degrees from the south side of the bridge to the north side. While it was still in the high 70's, we decided not to jump into Lake Michigan since we were doing well travel wise and heat wise, and opted instead to continue on to Au Train. It was a fun place to take a dunk. We all put our heads under here.

Allan debated jumping off the bridge as some of the teenagers were doing, but he opted not too. I think just because it seemed like the large crowd of kids was very familiar with one another and he didn't have a partner to go break into it with.  

We made it to the bridge just in time for it to be lifting for a sailboat to sail under. Lucky us! And yes, I drove around the other way - I wasn't sure where the construction was and it's always fun for me to drive by my grandparents old house up on Paradise Road.

It occured to me while driving this trip, that the whole trip is a scrapbook of sorts. If I were to take a map of my route and poke a pin it for every memory I have of this five hundred plus mile journey - the map would be riddled in pins.

I remember different stops, people I've traveled with, passengars I've taken, rest stops, midnight skinny dipping, jokes told, food we've eaten and the list goes on. It makes the trip fun, and at moments sad for the passengers I've had that are no longer with us or for the friends who have lost their lives on this very trip, and makes me enjoy the stops I make now with my kids for the memories it will trigger later for both them and myself.  

And we made it. This is my mom's house.

We were up until nearly 2 last night playing Dominoes - and forcing Allan to play with us because we know we won't see him much once he gets going.

We enjoyed our first gut buster.

I'm glad we came. 

 

 

photo heavy Denver post

 

Okay - time for the photo heavy Denver post.  I've been busy with back at home things, but I'm also anxious to share before the busy holiday weekend.....so then...

I flew into Denver Thursday night, arriving just before 9pm Denver time, which was 11pm my time.  I was pretty tuckered out and I don't think everything, if anything, I said that night made a whole lot of sense.

 

On Friday, my friend and hostess Tina had to work, so I made plans to walk a few blocks into town and meet up with some scrapbookers who I've known in the online sense for well over five years already - some even more, some less. When you work and play in the same network and online community as others for so long, you get a good sense of their humor, their interests, and there's already a shared bond in hobby.  It's a cool and fun thing to put those personalities and names to real live faces. 

From left to right - Houston, Mary Kay, Heather, Emily, myself and Arleigh.  We ate at the Egg Shell and it was awesome.  I misbehaved though and ordered this delicious egg and potato dish and then suffered some serious guilt when Emily ordered yogurt, granola and fruit.  I enjoyed my meal tho and my scale still likes me. Phew

 

I really have to thank Emily for bringing everyone together. It was a fun morning. I love meeting people.

 

I really like this picture I caught of Arleigh - she had taken her hat off and I couldn't resist. Brian says, PINK!

 

After breakfast we walked a couple of blocks over and passed some time in Penzey's sniffing and purchasing spices. I walked out with a nice little bag full.  I bought Greg some Black and Red after the lady reassured me that it would satisfy his need to kick everything up a notch.  For myself I bought some Cardamom, just in time for holiday baking.  I picked up a few others as well.

After that we hit a couple other stores - a chocolate shop, a German bakery - where I'm tickled to say that I behaved.  The raisins in the carrot cake saved me.  I was so close to buying a piece until I learned there were raisins.  Blech. I'm not a fan of raisins in my carrot cake.

The scrapbookers all drifted apart and I headed back to Tina's with my spices and new sunglasses - and snuggled up in the lazyboy with a book - nodding off every so often - until she got home.

Friday night we headed to downtown Denver. It was a little chilly with my fleece,  but not too bad.

The view was wonderful.  I could have easily spent more time here. Next time, right?  I was wishing I had a zoom lens - there were some interesting characters.

 

These two tho - I really enjoyed my evening with them.  That's Tina on the left, and my husband's cousin Janet on the right.  We stayed up and giggled until Tina's roommate shushed us and we had to call it a night.  hmph.  Apparently we even tried to include my cousin Julianna in on the action as she informed me that Tina's phone called her twice and while nobody was there, she was witness to our good time. 

Cell phones are risky.

 

On Saturday morning, Tina and I started our day at Udi's for breakfast, where we both ordered this salmon and egg breakfast thing that I'm not having any luck finding online to link - but it was incredibly delicious.  We were just both surprised that the salmon was actually raw and came on top of our bread.  But boy, was it good.

We ran a few errands then, got some Advil for my tiny headache and then headed up to the mountains.  It was gorgeous.

 

I'm not sure what the names of the areas we went to were - I wasn't paying much attention, just absorbing the beauty and the ride. There were a lot of snowboarders about and this guy - he looked about to launch himself and was setting up his video camera.  Had it not been so cold and windy up on the top like that, we would have stuck around and watched, but our fingers and cheeks were quickly freezing up, so we headed back to the truck for warmth.

 

Well, after I made Tina pose for 20 minutes so I could get this shot.......

This was the shot that sealed the deal - I definitely need that wide angle lens.  I can't remember the name of this town, but it was one of several where Tina had lived. She was an excellent tour guide stuck with a poor receptor.  (does that make sense?)

 

Actually, I had left my journal/notebook back at the apartment when I really should have had it with me on this tour so I could write down those things.

 

I love this color combination.  mmmmmmm.

Speaking of which.....

 

Remember those glasses I had to buy because they have *Sun!* in Denver?  Well. yeah.  So we're driving along and all of a sudden I tell Tina - pull over pull over!!  I just love that contrast and color combination!  So she pulls over (she gets me) (well, mostly) and I hop out to take a few pictures. The first thing I did was take off my sunglasses and it was this majorly serious letdown.  Until then, the browns had been such a gorgeous yellow hue - and when that hue met up with the red barn it was jaw dropping.  I was crushed when I realized it wasn't real. 

So I tried to capture it this way, but the mood is lost somehow. 

 

 

It was still worth the stop anyway.

 

A little further along, Tina suddenly tells me to get my camera ready and to take a picture of the town's sign.  She assured me that one of my blog readers is really going to appreciate this one.  I'm just taking her word for it.

 

 

Our journey then took us through a bit of canyon, we saw some trains - but I wasn't prepared camera wise - and ate lunch in Grand Lake. We bought some stuff for sandwiches at the local grocer's and ate near the dock - but it was cold. By the time I finished my sandwich my lettuce had ice chunks on it. At least, it felt like it did.

 

After our lunch, we headed up into Rocky Mountain National Park with the hope that we'd see some moose. We didn't see any moose, but we did see all those elk in the distance and I was not very prepared lens wise.  But it was fun.  Only the first ten miles of the park were open this time of the year, so we got to the barrier and then started heading back towards home.

 

And I had her pull over just one more time before the sun went down. Man, I love that 10mm.  wow.

We wound down our day looking through photos, enjoying a yummy dinner, cheesecake for dessert and more visiting.

On Sunday - I didn't take any pictures but for two of the cat that didn't turn out.  He decided he didn't like me once I pulled my lens on him.

We spent a few hours at an antique mall before lunch time and heading to the airport.

It went quick - but I felt like I did a lot and really enjoyed seeing what I did of Colorado. Like Tina said - there's still so much to see, I'll just have to go back someday and next time take the family. One of these days.

And with that - that coffee that I had after dinner is just about wore off and I can be thankful that the kids don't have school tomorrow as I crawl into bed at 1:30 am.  I'm still on Colorado time. 

be good.

from my journal

I arrived back at home just after 10pm.
I'll share more photos tomorrow, but for this evening - I thought I'd share a few bits from my journal.  I like to keep a little notebook with me on trips.  I enjoy jotting down notes, thoughts, bits of inspiration and details, such as..... (in the order they were written)

• I wasn't expecting to feel so strange leaving the hubby and kids. It probably didn't help that both Brian and Mark were practically sobbing 'please don't leave, mom' as they dropped my off at the airport
• It's a good thing I kept my belt handy - it would have been hard to walk without one.  I don't know how those low riding pants guys do it - that can't be good for their backs
• I had a Charlie's sub: chicken bacon swiss, at the airport and it was surprisingly good
• They have these things now called cell phone lots where people wait until the people they are picking up call to let them know they arrived.  Who knew?  They didn't have those 8 years ago when I last flew
• I could watch people all day long
• There were two empty seats on the plane to Denver, and one was the seat beside me.  Me and the gal in seat 23D pumped our fists
• I wonder why they don't load the planes from the window seats in - it seems like it would be more practical
• I'll never get tired of the window seat.  I enjoyed a clear view of the Big Dipper the entire flight out.
• I tried to get my friend Melissa a photography job on my way out.   The gal next to me was planning a May wedding in Grand Rapids.  But she already had a photographer, and her name wasn't Melissa.
• When the loudspeaker comes over the tram in Denver and says 'hold on'.  They mean it.
• When we got near the last stop on the tram, the mayor of Denver came on the speaker and said, "Hello - I'm Mayor Hickenlooper, Welcome to Denver"  I leaned over to the lady next to me and asked, "Mayor WHO?"  She got the giggles so bad, she couldn't answer my question. I had to Google it when I got home.
• It was an odd feeling to walk into the waiting area and try to scan a sea of faces while remaining somewhat nonchalant and try to find my hostess, who I'd never met
• Tina took one look at my light fleece jacket and pretty much declared me a Colorado coat packing failure.
• I like Tina
• Sleep!  Sweet!!!
• I met Houston in Colorado
• They have sun in Colorado!  Who knew??  I had to buy sunglasses.
• I love putting names to faces - I enjoyed a breakfast with fellow scrapbookers and had a lot of fun and laughs
• I really like Tina
• I love the mountains.  Darn we didn't see a moose, but it was fun to see the elk.  I'll have to come again.
• My brothers wide angle lens is SO cool.  I need one.
• There are very few tens in this world
• There was a guy in the security line on the way back home, and when he took off his belt, his pants fell to his knees.
• I packed very light - I didn't have to check luggage either way, and I did do some shopping
• I sat next to a pilot on my flight home and he ordered two beers.  I decided I don't like the smell of beer.
• I keep putting this journal away and then recalling another thought
• Behind me, on the ramp to the plane, was a boy of about 10-12 years old with his family of four.  He was concerned because one of them would have to sit separate on the plane. His dad, joking, points at me and says - yeah, you might have to sit by that lady.  And I said, yeah - and I've been away from my kids for three whole days and am going through serious mothering withdrawals.  It was funny.  He looked scared.
• The Lions won, apparently. The flight attendant did a cheer and got everyone fired up just before take off.
• What?  None of the kids came with dad to pick me up at the airport??  Didn't they miss me???

There's more - but that'll do. ;)

More photos tomorrow.  MONDAY!  woot! 

Why Denver?

I leave for Denver Thursday afternoon.  (I'll be home Sunday evening)

The question I hear these days is - Why Denver?  And it's usually followed by - is it a scrapbooking thing?

Nope.

It was a whim, really.  Colorado is on my list of wanna see someday.  It was completely on a lark last month that I priced a ticket and was surprised to see they are quite affordable and realistic.  When my husband came home that night I jokingly mentioned that I had priced tickets to Denver and he laughed and said, you were serious when  you said you're running away from home!   It had been a long day.  He then said, why don't you go? I'll take a few days off work. 

And my eyes got real big.  

And I bought a ticket. Heeee.  Denver! 

I made up a Denver song yesterday.  Wanna hear it?  It's sung to This Land is our Land.  Ready?  I'm going to Denver, I'm going to Denver, I'm going to Denver, I'm going to Denver, I'm going to Denver, I'm going to Deeeeenver, I'm go.ing to Dendendenden Denver.   Repeat repeatedly.

Wendy thinks my song is dumb.

Now.  When I get there, I'm going to stay and hang out with my friend Tina.  I enjoy telling people that Tina and I have never actually met.  She's on my list of wanna meet someday.  We've emailed, we have a lot of common friends - my mom knows her mom type thing and I'm certain that we've sat in the same church at the same time at least once in our lives.  We've just never met, but there's no doubt in my mind that I'm going to have the best time.  I'm completely fired up.  Our emails share that we have a lot of common, and while I'm sure that there must be things we don't agree on as well, that's what all good relationships are about, right?

It's going to be fun.

Yesterday I made some plans to meet a few more friends while I'm there - a Friday morning breakfast, shopping, and laughs. 

I really can't wait. 

I'm going to Denver, I'm going to Denver, I'm going to Denver......

somewhere between home and my mom's house.....

...today, I took this picture.  Any guesses?   :)

The pros and cons of owning a timeshare

Time to wrap up our vacation week. 
So - first we stayed five nights in Minnesota at my husband's brother's house - and then we moved on to Wisconsin Dells for five nights.  Wisconsin Dells is conveniently located on the route home - making it a convenient stop in the middle of the trip.  It's not quite halfway - a couple hours closer to Minnesota than to Michigan - but close enough.

It's also convenient in that we have a timeshare there. 

As I mentioned in an earlier post - our timeshare is something that we purchased before we started debt-proof living.  Would we have still purchased it if we were practicing debt free living?  I'm thinking probably not.  But are we glad we have it?  Mostly yes. We enjoy it.

Take this place, for instance. 

The way our timeshare works is on a point system.  We purchase nights wherever our network has space available (similar to calling and making a hotel reservation) and how many nights we get depends on how peak (in season) that week is and where. Wisconsin Dells in April is pretty low points.   But it suits us.  There are also options as far as what type of unit/how big we'd like. (one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom - cottage, townhouse, lodge...that type of thing)

We're also behind on using our points - something we're able to rollover and use next year. (with stipulations)  The points we used to go to Wisconsin Dells were actually from two years ago.  Had we not used them before May 1st (our renewal date) we would have lost them.  So it was a no brainer to go at this time. 

Then again - that's one of the hard parts.  We are often surprised at how quickly a year goes by and sometimes find ourselves scrambling to use our timeshare.  With Pa's work, we're seldom (never) able to make summer plans so our vacations tend to fall on Easter and Thanksgiving when the kids are off school.  I, however, have a hard time being gone for the holidays - it's not really something I want to do all the time.  So sometimes the year slips by and we've not used our timeshare.  There are options for the points - and we just have to become more energetic (organized) in doing that. It's not difficult - just another thing on this busy mom's agenda. 

What we love tho, as Pa often says, is that it forces us to take time just for us and to enjoy family vacations.  This was our second time to Wisconsin Dells (we went about six years ago), we've been to Myrtle Beach, Shenandoah Valley, Boyne, Branson-Missouri, Pigeon Forge and I think I'm forgetting one - it will come to me. 

We're also currently contemplating Orlando sometime within the next year, Oregon, Dorr County and Williamsburg Virginia.

And we do enjoy the accommodations.  Another thing nice about our options is that we can rent one unit for a long stretch or two units for a shorter stretch - so we've been able to invite friends and family to come along.  For this particular trip - we invited Pa's folks.  Our unit, in total, was 1500 square feet (less than 100 square feet smaller than our home) but it was split up 1100 on our side and 400 on the folks side. While each side had their own entrance, we could also access the other side from inside the unit - similar to a hotel suite.  I jokingly told my mother-in-law that once I was certain that this door closed and locked - I said, sure - you can come along. 

heh
The thing is - she was the one that closed it first each night.  Something about my wild hooligans I think.  :)

So within the 1500 square feet - we had five televisions (which for a bunch of tv-less Finns - is key), sleeping for 10 (both couches were sleepers), washer and dryer, two full kitchens (stove, pots and pans, dishwasher, full fridge, coffee pot, microwave) etc...

We never eat out on vacation (can you imagine??).  I always Google Costco and Walmart before we go, and we always bring the majority of our food - I plan our menu out before we ever leave home.

So our actual out of pocket expense while on vacation is actually minimal.  We've already paid for the timeshare (we do pay yearly fees and maintenance) and our food is no different than what we'd be doing at home.  Our only cost is entertainment.  In this case - all we paid for was for Pa and the oldest three to go to the Ripley's museum in town.  Our waterpark was free for listening to the upgrade meeting. 

There has been, in our experiences, also a lot of free things right on sight.  In Wisconsin Dells we've enjoyed free paddle boats, free putt-putt, a nice swimming pool and hot tub, and a constant list of optional activities at the clubhouse.  In Branson - there were even more options - tennis courts, horse riding.  Same with Shenandoah - more horse riding and rowboats..

I guess we more like it than don't.

So if you've ever wondered or considered one, those are some of our experiences.  We own thru Bluegreen.  It is something we own until we sell it, it is something our children will inherit. It's something I hope our kids will enjoy for their honeymoons and something that we've enjoyed making family memories with.  If you're ever considering buying or just want to learn more about it and listen to their presentation - let me know. (stormanen [at] gmail [dot] com) (We'd enjoy referall credits)  And we're always open for selling rental time.  It's wonderful for large families too - I can't imagine what staying in a hotel would be like when we have this option. 

Feel free to ask questions - I'll answer them on this post. 

But for now - I've got company coming today!!  Hooray!  Time for me to go get dressed!

Onto the Dells

On Wednesday morning, we packed up the van and headed onto the second part of our adventure - Wisconsin Dells. Check-in time wasn't until 3pm and it's only just over a 4 hour drive from Cokato - so it was nice to enjoy a lazy morning and easy packing in order to get on the road.

Of course, with the kids, nothing is ever easy. Our two bigs were determined to find as many things as possible to bicker about.  On this day, it was about who was sitting where.  But you said! But you sat there last! But I can't hear mom if I'm back here! I don't like sitting next to Mark he pulls my hair.  But if you sit there then all you're doing is passing passing passing things from the front to the back.

I decided that they'll split their time - one on the leg to the Dells and the other from the Dells to home. That settled that.

We've stayed in the Dells before - when Wendy was nearly two - so six years ago.  On that trip, we stayed for 12 days and really got to know the area and the attractions.  Twelve days is a bit much to stay there - if anyone is wondering - but we did enjoy it.

I've mentioned before that we have a timeshare. I'll go into more detail about that in another post - as there are pros and cons - but for now, just know that that's where we stayed.  It's one of those timeshares that allows you to stay wherever they have resorts - and any time of the year that fits our point balance (more on that later).  It's something that we purchased before we were debt-proof living, and while I don't have any regrets and do enjoy it - I wonder if we still would have purchased had we been living our current lifestyle.  More on that later.

One thing we did learn on this trip is that while our resort is a few miles out of town (which I love) we now have the option to stay right at Mount Olympus - the water park.  This makes me a little bit queasy, but I know my kids would love it.  We're considering it.

The reason I share some of this information in this post is because one of the routines in staying at our timeshare, is to go to an update (pressure sell) meeting.  By going to this meeting, we are rewarded with a variety of things depending on the location - cash, free tickets, dinners - etc.   For this meeting, we were to receive 4 free tickets to the waterpark and a $25 gift certificate to the restaurant of our choice (Applebees - because that one is good for 2 years at any location - all the other restaurants were local to the Dells)

We usually like to get this meeting out of the way first thing - first thing in the morning on our first day.  This allows us more options for ticket use and well, gets it out of the way.

We checked into the Dells Wednesday afternoon - and found out that because of current economy, they no longer had the office open on Wednesdays and Thursdays and because we were already out of town in Minnesota when they tried to preschedule our meeting - the earliest one we could get was at 1:00 (smack in the middle of the day - argh) on Friday.  This meant we could only use our waterpark tickets on Saturday or Sunday on a holiday weekend.

This made me queasy.  My imagination immediately saw crowds.

It also left us with Thursday open to do - what?

Because it was still April - not a lot was open as far as boat tours and the sort of thing we really enjoy. So we chose the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory.  We'd been here on our last trip and felt it was something that all four kids would enjoy.   And they did

Mark's favorite was the Big Dig - he broke away from us constantly to get to it.  Wendy and Allan both enjoyed the virtual games and Brian - he just absorbed and enjoyed it all.
___________________

Thanks for all the comments - I occasionally like knowing someones reading all my rambling.  LOL 

Now - off to enjoy the sunshine - I just wish it didn't make my dust show up so much.

a few outtakes

Home again home again

And how quickly I've left that getaway to a simpler time and am gnashing my teeth just thinking about all that I have to get done this week.  Today will be lists and laundry and lists and more. 

But for a moment here, I'll revisit the weekend.  It was lovely.  I thoroughly enjoyed going with friends who've been there before, who knew the roads - the shops - all that.  I had been to the area once by myself when Pa was working in that area - but it confused me.  I couldn't figure out where to go and what to do.  Now I know and feel more confidant.  This trip, for me, was like an introduction or a learning of the ropes.

So, what I learned was, that you have to get a map. (who knew?) And then drive - up and down the county roads, from little town to little town - watching carefully for buggies as you go - and choosing shops randomly based on past experiences or current needs and curiosity.   It was beautiful.  And I was very thankful that despite the rainy weekend forecast, we didn't see any rain until a few miles into our trip home.  We had perfect in and out of the vehicle weather.

I really didn't take that many pictures.  I made attempts to purposefully not be the last one left in the store so that I could use that time to get about and see what caught my eye - but then I found myself being torn between the beauty of the area and wanting to catch that on camera, and the feeling of wanting to be respectful.  I felt really self conscious.  If I went again, I would like to bring a zoom lens, altho the one that I would bring isn't very inconspicuous. It's an interesting feeling.

I also didn't take any pictures of the group that I went with.  Mine was the only camera that I saw all weekend in the bunch, and I'm always very nervous about being a pest and a bother with my big lens.  I see photos everywhere - sometimes it feels easier to just keep them in my head - altho sometimes I think, like a child, that it would be fun to be invisible and go around taking photos without the self conscious worry of all that. 

I would have enjoyed being invisible here, for instance.  I was positively itching to just crawl up close and get some shots of hands, or closeups of their expressions.  These guys were a fun bunch - I could have listened for hours.  They were not Amish.

I wanted to bring this guy home with me.  Isn't he the cutest?  I think he and George would have a good time filling my house with music.

And then, on our way home yesterday, we stopped at Warther's Museum and Knife Factory.  It was Pa's birthday on Saturday (I know - I'm pond scum) and I wanted to pick him up a gift - and, as luck would have it, I was also able to get the museum tour.  I was completely and totally fascinated. As multiple people have recommended it to me over the years, I would recommend it also. 

And then - back to reality.  I came home to a 2 year old who indulged in dairy all weekend and was up all night fussing with it, an 8 year old who didn't do her homework, piles of laundry and a to do list miles long.

HAPPY MONDAY!!

Pa's home!

And I got to play armchair tourist.  These are the ones that caught my eye especially.....

Pa's the one on the left.  He got this one taken because he knew it would amuse our Wendy. It did.









It sounds like he might have to go again sometime in the not so distant future.  I think I should get that passport ready - I'm completely fascinated. 







Definitely looks far more fascinating than my week here at home.  Pa didn't get home until just before 9 (just in time to wind up the kids before bed - it's a tradition) and he's pretty well tuckered out, but I did get this much out of it:

• It was cold
• The beds/bedding are very much like Finland
• There was no internet at the hotel
• He found a cigar shop (not surprised)
• But did not find any other shop (not surprised - lol)
• Next time he'll bring a hat
• German sausage is good
• The breakfast was super expensive
• The toilet flusher was way different
• The cartwheel was invented in Dusseldorf
• The street performers ain't got nothing on Chicago
• Again, like Finland, wall to wall carpet is out - even in the hotel room, which looks so odd to us
• The bell in that church does dong, and Pa nearly - oh, hm - nevermind
• Very Americanized
• Pa says he found the people to be very friendly and forthcoming - he enjoyed himself very much

A rapid weekend summary

It was a fun weekend - filled with much needed gut busting laughs

we didn't waste any time getting started on those.  As Suz's GPS unit led us in circles around the city of Charlotte not too far from where we live and still hours from our destination, I began to wonder if we'd ever make it to the other side of Chicago - but the laughs were worth it.   I'm not, however, impressed with the GPS.  I'll stick to my paper maps.

We eventually made it tho - and after meeting up with our moms, sisters, cousins - half of us piled into the car and checked out the much talked of Thrift Store.  I made out with a few pairs of pants for Allan, a pair of shoes and three tops for me.  Oh - and a cool dog that one of the boys will get for Christmas - I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of it all weekend.

 

After that, we headed back to my cousin Leah's apartment and donned our party hats.

 

My cousin Janet, she's so stinkin' creative, won the prize for the best hat.  It was no contest - and we laughed until the eyes were watering.  That should be a written prescription, I think - we all need to do that more often

 

We then had a yummy spaghetti dinner and celebrated some upcoming birthdays. 

 

Check out those eyelashes!

We then headed to our hotel, checked in and I crashed.  The cousin side of the suite headed out to a hockey game. 

 

On Saturday - we split up for awhile - I went with my mom and auntie Barb to this town we had passed thru the night before and wanted to check out. I thought they would have more shops than they actually did - but the eats were good

 

and because it was also their pumpkin festival - the people watching was prime

 

Check out this cute little people - she was all concentration as she was decorating her cookie. 

 

And this people makes me smile.  She'd been pointing out photos to me throughout the morning and when I turned the camera on her she said, 'what are you doing' and thru giggles I was trying to explain that the blue shirt and the depth of the red thing (my cool terminology again) was a cool shot.  She wasn't gettin' it. 

The afternoon came - we all met together again and ate at Ruby Tuesdays for dinner and then split again while some of us shopped and others went back to the hotel for a nap.

After that, we decided on bowling.  Once again, I was completely unimpressed with the novelty of the GPS unit as it led us in circles landing us at Tokyo Bowl - a take out food place. Eventually we found a real bowling alley and I was once again reminded why I don't bowl.

 

While we were waiting for some lanes to open, Molly and Leah had a fierce air hockey competition going

 

Leah won!  She also won our personal competition as we were battling to stay out of last place.  I'm so not a bowler.

 

I'll have to study form from the multiple bowling pose shots I took.  And just in case you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to ask someone to take your turn for you at the bowling alley - don't ask Suz. 

 

She's a sneaky sneak.

 

(don't bother clicking that one to enlarge.  really)

 

 

After bowling we headed back to the hotel and crashed

All too quickly, the weekend was over.  Sunday morning found us packing our purchases, loading the car and playing the tourists at the Golden Pyramid on our way back to Leah's.

(from L to R - Carla, Julie (my sil), Janet, Molly, Leah, my mom, my auntie Barb and Susan)

 

where we said good-bye to her family before heading back home.

A trip that took far too long - we got stuck in construction traffic outside of Battle Creek that added almost two hours onto our trip.   Bonus bonding time.

Now - I'm anxious to get back in the routine and reveling in the thought of not traveling again until April. It feels good to sink my teeth into some stay home time and batten down the hatches.

until later -

happy monday!