We got home Saturday afternoon.
Amazingly, we found notes between sis Sandra and Duke the guinea pig on our dining room table! They seemed to have gotten along well.
Found the grass overgrown, the daffodils out, and the mail box stuffed full of the mail USPS had been holding for me all week.
Only one message on the answering machine - ah, gotta love retirement.
Loads of laundry and a trip to Columbus to pick up the little doggie, and we are settled in for back-to-school.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
Day6: Athens, we have a problem
We were scheduled home today, but didn't quite make it. We've stopped off in Cincinnati after being forced off i71 by a torrential downpour. The Pumpkin is many things, but an ark, it is not.
We also had a long delay in Louisville, as traffic became stop and start on i65. We were in "crawl" mode for about 30 or 40 minutes, when we suddenly weren't anymore. Strange, but I wasn't about reason why.
We saw a beautiful rainbow when the waters started receding. During the "coming down in sheets" part, we first took refuge in a McDonald's, along with many other i71 travelers. I dropped the girls off right in front of the door, and parked very close to the door, and I used an umbrella - yet we were all three soaked.
It had gotten late, the clouds looked ominous, and it was continuing to rain, so we decided to spend the night. There was a Day's Inn nearby, and we got the last double, non-smoking room they had. After a week at the fancy-schmancy "Embassy Suites" in Huntsville, the girls looked doubtfully around the no-frills Days Inn Room.
"It kind of smells . . ." said Roxanne.
"How do you know there aren't bedbugs??" asked Nicole
After turning on the fan and airing the room out a bit, and after I showed them how to check for bedbugs - and we found none - they settled in, though Nicole spent some time looking for room spray.
Home for sure, tomorrow.
We also had a long delay in Louisville, as traffic became stop and start on i65. We were in "crawl" mode for about 30 or 40 minutes, when we suddenly weren't anymore. Strange, but I wasn't about reason why.
We saw a beautiful rainbow when the waters started receding. During the "coming down in sheets" part, we first took refuge in a McDonald's, along with many other i71 travelers. I dropped the girls off right in front of the door, and parked very close to the door, and I used an umbrella - yet we were all three soaked.
It had gotten late, the clouds looked ominous, and it was continuing to rain, so we decided to spend the night. There was a Day's Inn nearby, and we got the last double, non-smoking room they had. After a week at the fancy-schmancy "Embassy Suites" in Huntsville, the girls looked doubtfully around the no-frills Days Inn Room.
"It kind of smells . . ." said Roxanne.
"How do you know there aren't bedbugs??" asked Nicole
After turning on the fan and airing the room out a bit, and after I showed them how to check for bedbugs - and we found none - they settled in, though Nicole spent some time looking for room spray.
Home for sure, tomorrow.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Day5: You can always go: Downtown!
Today, the girls and I walked around the large park and duck/goldfish pond area in downtown Huntsville. Very pretty. The girls fed the birds and fish and really enjoyed the park. Huntsville has a very clean and pretty downtown.
I read about the Boulder that ate Athens! Why, when I leave down, does all the excitement (Sweet Sixteen!! Boulder!!) happen? First, I gotta say, I think these two stories are related. Can it really be a coincidence that right after the earth-shattering news that the Bobcats reached the 16, a house-sized boulder shakes loose?
As far as why all the excitement happens when I leave town, I have two theories:
1) These happenings are nature's way of filling the excitement void created by my departure
2) I act as a kind of "excitement dampener," keeping Athens nice and safe and "even," and my absence causes an unregulated disturbance in the time-space continuim.
It's gotta be one of the two, but I guess we will never know for sure.
In the afternoon, we met Monnie and her sister-in-law Wendy for lunch at Cracker Barrel, which was fun. A vacation to the southeast is not a true Southern Adventure unless you eat at a Cracker Barrel. It was really fun to see Wendy again - she's the sort who brightens up your day.
Then - talking of Southern Adventures, we went to a place called Southern Adventures. It was . . . basically a video arcade with a few extras. Kinda like the Donato's Pizza Arcade at home, but twice as many games, and bumper cars. It did not live up to its hype, but it was still fun for the girls. I rode the bumper cars with them, and while I claimed to have "kicked their butts" on the bumper cars, they claim that in fact, they kicked mine.
It's gotta be one or the other, but I guess we will never know.
Said my good byes to Monnie just now . . . it was so fun to see her again. We are leaving Huntsville tomorrow. Weather forecasts are bad all the way into Ohio - thunderstorms, thunderstorms, thunderstorms. Was hoping to get us home tomorrow, but we'll see.
We'll miss you, 'bama.
I read about the Boulder that ate Athens! Why, when I leave down, does all the excitement (Sweet Sixteen!! Boulder!!) happen? First, I gotta say, I think these two stories are related. Can it really be a coincidence that right after the earth-shattering news that the Bobcats reached the 16, a house-sized boulder shakes loose?
As far as why all the excitement happens when I leave town, I have two theories:
1) These happenings are nature's way of filling the excitement void created by my departure
2) I act as a kind of "excitement dampener," keeping Athens nice and safe and "even," and my absence causes an unregulated disturbance in the time-space continuim.
It's gotta be one of the two, but I guess we will never know for sure.
In the afternoon, we met Monnie and her sister-in-law Wendy for lunch at Cracker Barrel, which was fun. A vacation to the southeast is not a true Southern Adventure unless you eat at a Cracker Barrel. It was really fun to see Wendy again - she's the sort who brightens up your day.
Then - talking of Southern Adventures, we went to a place called Southern Adventures. It was . . . basically a video arcade with a few extras. Kinda like the Donato's Pizza Arcade at home, but twice as many games, and bumper cars. It did not live up to its hype, but it was still fun for the girls. I rode the bumper cars with them, and while I claimed to have "kicked their butts" on the bumper cars, they claim that in fact, they kicked mine.
It's gotta be one or the other, but I guess we will never know.
Said my good byes to Monnie just now . . . it was so fun to see her again. We are leaving Huntsville tomorrow. Weather forecasts are bad all the way into Ohio - thunderstorms, thunderstorms, thunderstorms. Was hoping to get us home tomorrow, but we'll see.
We'll miss you, 'bama.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Day4: The Big City
Well, we small town gals had a good time today. We didn't go to DeSoto Caverns as originally planned, but are going to "Southern Adventures" park tomorrow instead.
Today, Roxanne had her first-ever massage at the hotel spa. She came out looking so relaxed she was barely recognizable. Nicole told her, "Wow, I think you liked it!" Roxanne just smiled dreamily. "And you smell good!" Nicole added (not always the case with Roxanne, so worth noting).
Later, at a pretty outdoor mall that Monnie took us to, Nicole got a professional manicure with sparkly purple nailpolish.
I did not tell them that one procedure cost $7.27 more than the other, so as not to upset the delicate "who do you love more" balance. I prefer to keep them guessing.
Monnie needed a new small purse but refused to pay the 200 or more dollars expected at the stores at the posh mall, so we went to a "regular" mall. There we went to a great little store that had nice purses and more, though at more reasonable prices. There were many, many purses, and Monnie spent so long trying to choose between them that the girls and I grew a crop of corn from seed to harvest. But she did pick a really cool purse.
Monnie has been graciously driving us all around Huntsville. We got to see the vet's office that she manages, and it was quite the place. The area still bore some marks of the tornadoes that have passed through.
She was driving us around in the Toyota that I became so familiar with during our trips to Vermont - and I gotta say, she does it all without Gigi. She knows Huntsville well enough to sort of pick her way around, saying things like, "I'm not sure where it is, but it's around here somewhere - I'll find it" . . . and then she does.
Driving around in the Toyota brought back good memories of our trips to VT, and we had some good laughs remembering. We sure miss the other M's, and our friends in VT.
Today, Roxanne had her first-ever massage at the hotel spa. She came out looking so relaxed she was barely recognizable. Nicole told her, "Wow, I think you liked it!" Roxanne just smiled dreamily. "And you smell good!" Nicole added (not always the case with Roxanne, so worth noting).
Later, at a pretty outdoor mall that Monnie took us to, Nicole got a professional manicure with sparkly purple nailpolish.
I did not tell them that one procedure cost $7.27 more than the other, so as not to upset the delicate "who do you love more" balance. I prefer to keep them guessing.
Monnie needed a new small purse but refused to pay the 200 or more dollars expected at the stores at the posh mall, so we went to a "regular" mall. There we went to a great little store that had nice purses and more, though at more reasonable prices. There were many, many purses, and Monnie spent so long trying to choose between them that the girls and I grew a crop of corn from seed to harvest. But she did pick a really cool purse.
Monnie has been graciously driving us all around Huntsville. We got to see the vet's office that she manages, and it was quite the place. The area still bore some marks of the tornadoes that have passed through.
She was driving us around in the Toyota that I became so familiar with during our trips to Vermont - and I gotta say, she does it all without Gigi. She knows Huntsville well enough to sort of pick her way around, saying things like, "I'm not sure where it is, but it's around here somewhere - I'll find it" . . . and then she does.
Driving around in the Toyota brought back good memories of our trips to VT, and we had some good laughs remembering. We sure miss the other M's, and our friends in VT.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Day3: In Orbit
Wow!
The Space Center is quite the place, and so is Huntsville. It seems to be full of smart, friendly people, and the area is beautiful.
At the Space Center, I got on a ride that simulated (very realistically!) a flight over Mars. Amazingly, our pilot found a previously undiscovered Martian Roller Coaster, and was able to connect to the track and we rode it. Those old Martians sure could build a roller coaster. I hear Disney plans to use the roller-coaster as it's centerpiece for Mars-Disney, opening in the spring of 2052.
Now remember, that spring on MARS, not Earth, and also, there are time zone differences. So if you are in Ohio, that's actually winter of 2054; if you are in Alabama, that's fall of 2054; if you are in Indiana - well . . . who knows?
For lunch, we ate in the Space Center cafeteria, where I had a "Schirra," a grilled chicken sandwich on flatbread, with cajun seasoning and spicy peppers. I guess Wally must have been quite a guy. Monnie had the "Gordo," named after astronaut Gordon Cooper. It was sliced ham and turkey on a croissant. I guess Gordo must have been more white bread - or French bread - than Wally.
I also rode the G-Force ride with Roxanne. It was pretty unbelievable. We were spinning so fast it was impossible for anything to move, which was lucky for what was left of the Schirra. I left the centrifuge dizzy and nauseated - but I was at least 2 inches taller and with 20% less wrinkles, so it was all worth it. Monnie had refused to come on the ride - I'll bet she was envious when she saw my green - yet surprising smooth - skin, as I staggered off the ride.
I also saw a "quarantine unit," where the astronauts were quarantined after a flight. They were truly sardines in a can during that time. They may not have picked up any germs from outsiders, or passed any germs to the outside world while in that teeny-tiny living area, but they sure had no secrets from each other. It reminded me of an office I once shared.
The most surprising thing: The bathrooms at the NASA Space Center. The bathroom at the rest stop on 33 on the way to Columbus is more high tech! I was expecting "cutting edge" toliets (well, not literally), and hoping to find the answer to how astronauts go the bathroom anyhow. But no - not even a blow dryer for your hands, just a "you have to tug extra hard" paper towel dispenser.
Should we blame Bush, or Obama?
Later, we met Monnie's very gracious Mom, and her two cutie pie little dogs, Marshall and Oliver. Monnie said she picked the name Oliver for the new pup because she wanted something "classy and formal," and his full name is something like Sir Oliver Mc'FluffyBottoms," or something like that - which, yes - does give it that touch of classic elegance.
Monnie also showed off Huntsville, and there was plenty to show off. We went to the top of Monte Sano Mountain (which I thought should be called Monnie-Sano). Everything was in bloom and it was very, very pretty.
Sweet home-away-from home - ALABAMA!!
Roxanne bought herself a cap with an A on it, causing someone to ask us "Is that A for Alabama or Arkansas?" When I said "Alabama," he said, "Well, I'm from Arkansas and a Razorback fan, but I won't hold that against you." So I replied, "We're actually from Ohio, if you'd like to hold that against us." This caused him to just grunt and grin, and say no more, but I could see the wheels turning in his brain, and the blood starting to form in the corner of his mouth as he bit his tongue.
Tomorrow, we hope to go to DeSoto Caverns! Also, Nicole insists that she isn't leaving Alabama without a manicure, and Roxanne is going to have her first massage at the hotel spa tomorrow. It should be quite a day.
The Space Center is quite the place, and so is Huntsville. It seems to be full of smart, friendly people, and the area is beautiful.
At the Space Center, I got on a ride that simulated (very realistically!) a flight over Mars. Amazingly, our pilot found a previously undiscovered Martian Roller Coaster, and was able to connect to the track and we rode it. Those old Martians sure could build a roller coaster. I hear Disney plans to use the roller-coaster as it's centerpiece for Mars-Disney, opening in the spring of 2052.
Now remember, that spring on MARS, not Earth, and also, there are time zone differences. So if you are in Ohio, that's actually winter of 2054; if you are in Alabama, that's fall of 2054; if you are in Indiana - well . . . who knows?
For lunch, we ate in the Space Center cafeteria, where I had a "Schirra," a grilled chicken sandwich on flatbread, with cajun seasoning and spicy peppers. I guess Wally must have been quite a guy. Monnie had the "Gordo," named after astronaut Gordon Cooper. It was sliced ham and turkey on a croissant. I guess Gordo must have been more white bread - or French bread - than Wally.
I also rode the G-Force ride with Roxanne. It was pretty unbelievable. We were spinning so fast it was impossible for anything to move, which was lucky for what was left of the Schirra. I left the centrifuge dizzy and nauseated - but I was at least 2 inches taller and with 20% less wrinkles, so it was all worth it. Monnie had refused to come on the ride - I'll bet she was envious when she saw my green - yet surprising smooth - skin, as I staggered off the ride.
I also saw a "quarantine unit," where the astronauts were quarantined after a flight. They were truly sardines in a can during that time. They may not have picked up any germs from outsiders, or passed any germs to the outside world while in that teeny-tiny living area, but they sure had no secrets from each other. It reminded me of an office I once shared.
The most surprising thing: The bathrooms at the NASA Space Center. The bathroom at the rest stop on 33 on the way to Columbus is more high tech! I was expecting "cutting edge" toliets (well, not literally), and hoping to find the answer to how astronauts go the bathroom anyhow. But no - not even a blow dryer for your hands, just a "you have to tug extra hard" paper towel dispenser.
Should we blame Bush, or Obama?
Later, we met Monnie's very gracious Mom, and her two cutie pie little dogs, Marshall and Oliver. Monnie said she picked the name Oliver for the new pup because she wanted something "classy and formal," and his full name is something like Sir Oliver Mc'FluffyBottoms," or something like that - which, yes - does give it that touch of classic elegance.
Monnie also showed off Huntsville, and there was plenty to show off. We went to the top of Monte Sano Mountain (which I thought should be called Monnie-Sano). Everything was in bloom and it was very, very pretty.
Sweet home-away-from home - ALABAMA!!
Roxanne bought herself a cap with an A on it, causing someone to ask us "Is that A for Alabama or Arkansas?" When I said "Alabama," he said, "Well, I'm from Arkansas and a Razorback fan, but I won't hold that against you." So I replied, "We're actually from Ohio, if you'd like to hold that against us." This caused him to just grunt and grin, and say no more, but I could see the wheels turning in his brain, and the blood starting to form in the corner of his mouth as he bit his tongue.
Tomorrow, we hope to go to DeSoto Caverns! Also, Nicole insists that she isn't leaving Alabama without a manicure, and Roxanne is going to have her first massage at the hotel spa tomorrow. It should be quite a day.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Day2: The Pumpkin Has Landed
Wow, what a drive.
Nashville seemed endless, but once we got through, it was pretty much a no man's land until we hit Huntsville.
We got off the freeway and took a state route into Huntsville on the Tom Tom's advice, which turned out OK. We got to see various little Alabama towns.
It was great to see Monnie. Roxanne immediately asked her if she was as mean as I said she was, but she denied it. They were young and innocent enough to believe her.
The hotel is huge, and we are on the 8th floor. Nicole isn't too happy with heights usually, but after taking a big breath, she managed to ride the glass paneled elevator without too much trouble.
Mostly, I am tired! Need some sleep tonight - Space Center tomorrow!
Nashville seemed endless, but once we got through, it was pretty much a no man's land until we hit Huntsville.
We got off the freeway and took a state route into Huntsville on the Tom Tom's advice, which turned out OK. We got to see various little Alabama towns.
It was great to see Monnie. Roxanne immediately asked her if she was as mean as I said she was, but she denied it. They were young and innocent enough to believe her.
The hotel is huge, and we are on the 8th floor. Nicole isn't too happy with heights usually, but after taking a big breath, she managed to ride the glass paneled elevator without too much trouble.
Mostly, I am tired! Need some sleep tonight - Space Center tomorrow!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Day1: Bowling Green KY
Things I learned today:
*names have been changed to protect the privacy of the bratty.
It takes two teen/tween girls 75 times as long to get ready to travel as it does one teen boy.
They sell Sour Skittles in the BP at the Jeffersonville exit in Ohio. Nicole*, the older girl, was ecstatic, as she has such trouble finding Sour Skittles at home. She ate them all up so fast that she irritated her tongue.
Roxanne*, the younger girl, thinks that wearing sunglasses everywhere, even in a restaurant at 8:30 PM in KY, is super-cool.
How is it that driving the 71 tunnel through downtown Cincy and then over the bridge into KY never gets old, even though it ages me 5 yrs each time?
Columbus is way cloudier than anywhere else in the world. Apparently, I just missed very severe weather after dropping of my little doggie at my sister's. It was sunny skies right after we left Columbus, and all the way down.
ATHENS! The Bobcats get to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since possibly 1776, and I'm missing the celebrations. Go Bobcats!
*names have been changed to protect the privacy of the bratty.
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