Our 52 Hour Adventure

You probably observed how it's been awhile since I have posted. Well, do you really want my lame excuse? Chemo killed almost all my brain cells! I'm trying to grow me some new ones...better then before....so hang in there.

The Friday before Christmas we took off visit family in Kentucky. We did this trip before so it shouldn't have been that big of a deal. Max got off work on Friday, came home to change and load the car and we were on our way. When traveling we usually leave super early so by the time the kids actually wake up we are due to gas up and stop for breakfast. We decided to do the 'not usual' and leave Friday afternoon to beat the expected Saturday evening snow. Well instead, we drove into the blizzard! Not the plan! It wasn't my first snow driving experience. We have lived in Rhode Island and when we lived off base (in base housing) in Japan we had to commute in the stuff. I'm comfortable if the roads have been plowed. I will say this was my first 'I can't see the lines in the road' driving experience. When we got stuck the first time (yes, happened more then once) I put the car in park and made Max drive. This Californian doesn't have ice skating behind the wheel training that Max had because he grew up on a mountain. Per Max' pet peeve, we kept a full gas tank....and it saved our butts. The only Wal-mart that was open happened to have chains. All food places closed and even most gas stations were a ghost town. The freeway went to a complete stop at 10:30pm. We parked, people actually got out and stretched. Kids were sleeping and we didn't move until about 4am. By then a plow had to come through and not only make way for everyone, but dig some people out. We got 22 inches of snow where our car was parked that night! Once we got moving again we probably went up about 10 car lengths when the big rig that was creeping 2 cars in front of us did a slow motion slide into a jack-knifed rig. Once again we were parked, but that time only for about 3 hours until a tow truck pulled them out. Drove for a hour and parked for two was the cycle all day Saturday. Max and I talked about how long it took people like my Nana and Papa to travel from upstate New York to Florida for the summer in the 50's...or how long it took people in the covered wagon days. Gas got down to about 1/2 a tank again so we were due to stop. We found the ONLY restaurant open and decided to go for a good filling meal since the previous night's dinner consisted of pretzels, chips, water and nuts. So we enjoyed conversation with some strangers at IHOP and called around to book a room because it was just way to dangerous to be on the road. Every room on the exit was booked! We couldn't even go to the next exit they CLOSED the 64 while we were eating! The strangers (Grandma, Daughter and 2 Granddaughters) told us they got a room down the road but they had to clean it and change the sheets themselves...and if we couldn't find anything, go to their room. We spent 2 hours driving and walking to hotels to find a room but NOTHING was open. At that point we just wanted a shower so I called to see if I could get me and the kids up to shower and change clothes. They insisted we stay and had no problem with us bringing our dog up too. As tired as we were, we sure did enjoy conversation with those ladies and all 4 kids played, jumped, danced and stretched out well together. Sunday morning the freeway opened up at 10am. After a good breakfast we got back on the road and it was smooth sailing. It took us 52 hours to hear "you have reached your destination" and let me tell you, those were some sweet, sweet words!

The kids did great! It actually surprised us. For those that knew we were traveling, we are thankful for your prayers of safe travels.

Strange how when I drove home we actually got somewhere. We made it back in 11hours. :)

Weirdness

It's amazing how a cute scarf, pair of heels, and a good bra make me feel like a woman!

I found the perfect hair spiking glue.

If I spoke the same words I say every day in a voice changer, I wonder if my kids would know it's me speaking.

I'm getting myself psychologically ready to be anti-sweets again.

Certain brands of hand sanitizer taste funny, stink and feel weird. I know what your thinking...and no, I don't eat it. If I eat a cracker I touch, I can taste it. If I eat it with no hands, I look weird. So that's why I only buy Purell!

Nana's visit

My mom came to visit for Kalee's birthday party this past weekend. Here are some random pictures while she was here.

Of course we took her to one of our favorite places recently, the Aquarium. Kalee was able to show Nana how to identify all 4 species of sting rays that the touch pool had; Cownose, Roughtail, Southern, and Atlantic.

My little Lady.

Handsome Ham!

Rockin' Rudolph.

They love each other....most of the time.

Nana and her baby girl.

Me and my love. Look at the hair...look at the hair...look at the hair! I finally have some! :)

Bear started Basketball. He sure did enjoy his first practice. I will be amazed if the coach returns. Those little 4 year olds are only concerned with the color of ball they have. Wonder whats going to happen when they realize only one ball is needed for the game?

Kalee started Tai Kwan Do. On day one, her feet were glued to the yellow line and she was as frozen as a popsicle. The second time she went, she volunteered and participated way more then I expected. Strangely enough my popsicle observed all the moves from day one and was able to explain and demonstrate them. Time will tell if this is something that continues to be her interest. :)

My interest? To hunt down the laundry monster.

Our Thanksgiving Weekend

For Thanksgiving my Dad and Brother came out from California. We thoroughly enjoyed the visit. Max and Bub went hunting but secretly I think the deer were laughing as they passed by watching them text each other. I did figure out how to get them home on a chilly morning...text them a picture of the steaming coffee pot. :)

Kalee, Bear and Uncle making faces.

Kalee and Grandpa playing Scrabble. She's my lil genius...just needs a pair of glasses. :)

Max waking up Bub with a dog butt. Who needs an alarm clock with that?

Kalee and Grandpa making cookies. Unlike when I was a kid, he actually remembered the sugar.

Grandpa tasked Bear with licking the spatula.

Can you see them?

Lincoln logs are the best!

Showing off her reading skills.

Me and Bub.

Max and Me.

My Dad and I took the kids to the Virginia Aquarium to check out the new exhibit. Kalee, my observant child was very interested in the horseshoe crabs "getting a ride". Great memory for when we start discussing reproduction again. Something must have been in the water because there were lots of "pairs".

We had fun and already can't wait to see either of them again.