What a wonderful three weeks. We traveled close to 7,000 miles, crossed many states, slept in dozens of strange beds but had a wonderful time. Chris is a great kid, funny, mischievous, doting,
helpful, just an all-around terrific kid. I know I might be a bit prejudice, but no, he really is just an awesome kid.
He was so excited to be home. He loved on Papa, loved on Suki, and was very happy to see his dad. Russ took him to a movie, dinner and to visit with his dogs. He is happily up in his room, catching up with friends and playing his games. Life is good for a 15 year old.
Art had everything spic and span when we got back. We took the rental car back, then had a nice dinner at Stonewood Grill. Now for a good night sleep. Tomorrow is back to the schedule ... volunteering at the high school, getting Chris to orientation, picking up his schedule and books and finding a locker. Looks like I need to pick up some groceries too. I'm home! Feels good!
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Almost Home!
Our last stop before the final drive home. I don't know who is more excited, Chris or Art. I packed the car this morning while Chris took his shower. Checked out of the villa, got ice for the cooler, gassed up the car and found Steinmart. I could not waste a tax-free weekend! We picked up Art's mom and took her to lunch at Applebee's then took her back home then got on the road by 12:30.
There were a couple of torrential downpours along the way which were quite scary. God is so good - protected us all the way. Lots of prayers have been said in the car and He hears all. Again we had a hard time finding a hotel but are settled in for the night at another Hampton. Very nice staff here - impressed.
Along the way we picked up AP study guides for Chris's world history class this year, some shorts and shirts for school, and stopped at Staples for some new binders, paper, notebooks and a lock. I think we are ready; Chris just needs to finish his second reading assignment. He will accomplish that in the car tomorrow. :)
I am about pizza'd out ... Chris's number one go-to meal. Ready for a good night sleep. Pleasant dreams all; don't let the bedbugs bite.
There were a couple of torrential downpours along the way which were quite scary. God is so good - protected us all the way. Lots of prayers have been said in the car and He hears all. Again we had a hard time finding a hotel but are settled in for the night at another Hampton. Very nice staff here - impressed.
Along the way we picked up AP study guides for Chris's world history class this year, some shorts and shirts for school, and stopped at Staples for some new binders, paper, notebooks and a lock. I think we are ready; Chris just needs to finish his second reading assignment. He will accomplish that in the car tomorrow. :)
I am about pizza'd out ... Chris's number one go-to meal. Ready for a good night sleep. Pleasant dreams all; don't let the bedbugs bite.
Friday, August 2, 2013
If it is Friday, it must be Myrtle Beach
Quiet day. We needed this. Slept in - sort of, got up at 9am. Chris got up at 10:30. Went to lunch at Texas Roadhouse where Chris downed nearly two baskets of rolls before his salad arrived. After lunch, had the car washed - to remove all the bugs from across the country. Car drives better when it is clean. So naturally you have to know it rained this afternoon. Not just rain, torrential downpours.
We picked up Art's mom and after a short visit went to the cemetary. She had not been there for a while and was glad for the ride. Of course we had to sit in the car and wait for a break in the weather. Then we bought some flowers and Chris put them in the urn at Art's dad's grave.
Dropped Mom off at home and took Chris on a round of shopping. He left his phone charger in the last hotel, needed to replace the mouse to my laptop, and wanted to buy a new game for his Game Boy. Allowance given on 8/1, gone on 8/2.
Went back to get Mom for dinner at Carrabba's, it is one of our favorites and it did not disappoint. I told the manager that we were celebrating Mom's 90th birthday so we received a free dessert! Delish.
We are packed and ready to take off tomorrow. We will take Mom to lunch then get on the road. Will not try to make it all the way home but get a good start so we can get in Sunday. Chris has to pick up his schedule and books on Monday. And I have to work Textbook Distribution at the high school.
Have a great night.
We picked up Art's mom and after a short visit went to the cemetary. She had not been there for a while and was glad for the ride. Of course we had to sit in the car and wait for a break in the weather. Then we bought some flowers and Chris put them in the urn at Art's dad's grave.
Dropped Mom off at home and took Chris on a round of shopping. He left his phone charger in the last hotel, needed to replace the mouse to my laptop, and wanted to buy a new game for his Game Boy. Allowance given on 8/1, gone on 8/2.
Went back to get Mom for dinner at Carrabba's, it is one of our favorites and it did not disappoint. I told the manager that we were celebrating Mom's 90th birthday so we received a free dessert! Delish.
We are packed and ready to take off tomorrow. We will take Mom to lunch then get on the road. Will not try to make it all the way home but get a good start so we can get in Sunday. Chris has to pick up his schedule and books on Monday. And I have to work Textbook Distribution at the high school.
Have a great night.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Day 16
Wrote this and then lost it before it published. That is the way this day has gone. You would think I had walked under a ladder or something the way things played out. Had a short night's sleep thanks to a Sysco truck running under my bedroom window from 4 to 5am. Then the hotel clerk refused to give me a print out for our stay. We went to IHOP for breakfast but had a waitress who did not want to work. Driving along from North Carolina, we were cut off badly and had to slam on our brakes. Gigi sent us to Myrtle Beach by way of two-lane farm roads and then had us on a bypass road instead of the actual road where our hotel was located. Then we find the hotel and they cannot find our reservation. Took nearly an hour to get checked in.
On a very positive note, we had a great visit with our nephew and niece, Jason and Stephanie, and helped celebrate our great-nephew Colton's second birthday. He is growing and changing so quickly. Very smart and so cute.
Tomorrow we will visit with Art's Mom and hopefully get her out for a special birthday dinner. She turned 90 in July so she deserves a special celebration. It won't be the same without her son, but Chris and I will try our best to spoil her.
Some questions we came up with when checking into a hotel, based on the last two weeks on the road:
1. Where and when are hotel deliveries made?
2. Does the air conditioner work and is it quiet?
3. Is there a refrigerator and is it quiet?
4. Is there an elevator near the room or an elevator shaft that backs up to the room?
5. Is there a reunion or convention group on the same floor?
And this one from Chris tonight, based on our villa:
6. Is it cozy and does it feel like home?
Chris is ready to get home. He wants to sleep in his own bed. He has been great lugging in all the bags tonight - to our second floor walk-up. I know his fun-meter is pegged and he wants to get back to normal. Back to guitar lessons, getting ready for school starting on 8/12, getting his schedule, books and teacher list. Boy, summer has just flown by.
On a very positive note, we had a great visit with our nephew and niece, Jason and Stephanie, and helped celebrate our great-nephew Colton's second birthday. He is growing and changing so quickly. Very smart and so cute.
Tomorrow we will visit with Art's Mom and hopefully get her out for a special birthday dinner. She turned 90 in July so she deserves a special celebration. It won't be the same without her son, but Chris and I will try our best to spoil her.
Some questions we came up with when checking into a hotel, based on the last two weeks on the road:
1. Where and when are hotel deliveries made?
2. Does the air conditioner work and is it quiet?
3. Is there a refrigerator and is it quiet?
4. Is there an elevator near the room or an elevator shaft that backs up to the room?
5. Is there a reunion or convention group on the same floor?
And this one from Chris tonight, based on our villa:
6. Is it cozy and does it feel like home?
Chris is ready to get home. He wants to sleep in his own bed. He has been great lugging in all the bags tonight - to our second floor walk-up. I know his fun-meter is pegged and he wants to get back to normal. Back to guitar lessons, getting ready for school starting on 8/12, getting his schedule, books and teacher list. Boy, summer has just flown by.
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