I have said it before - we love visiting family in the US, but the trip is a bear. Why haven't we figured out "beaming" like the Star Trek folks?? Seeming unending hours on a plane with hardly room to cross your legs and god forbid you should drop something because your body can't move that way anymore to pick up the thing you dropped! Choosing between 100 movies, 95 of which do not interest you, doesn't soothe the soul while zooming along at 35,000 feet at thousands of MPH which I really don't want to think about because it makes no sense. We wonder about visiting a bit, just a bit, less frequently, but then we get into the weather problem. Blame climate change, blame getting older or less tolerant of higher temps, blame me. Whatever, summers are brutal in the Southern of the USofA and I gotta say, I can't take it anymore. (Is that a song??) So, here we are, summer and late fall for visits.
We have finally learned how to moderate some of the awfulness. Since the second "meal" is always to be avoided at all costs (it's a microwaved piece of dead bread with bad cheese or maybe a dead egg or a piece of dead salami, or pesto from hell), we've learned to take something with us - a little sandwich, fresh fruit or tomatoes and a bit of sweet something (chocolate is a fav). Those of you travelling might consider taking tangerines, or oranges, or grapes. Good snacks, those, and better than anything you'll get in Economy. I can't speak for Business Class.
BUT, even as much as these visits are the same, things change!! The grandkids keep getting older (how is that?) and the nieces and nephews move houses and their families change and grow and nothing is ever quite like it was the last time. Fun!
First stop, Atlanta!
We are getting familiar with MARTA and now know how to buy a ticket and get from wherever to the airport. It's a great way to get to the airport, service is on time and reliable, but I have to say, the trains need - desperately - an upgrade. Have they replaced any of the cars or interiors since they inaugurated the line??
Julia and Larry are the hosts this time and Julia takes my desires to heart. OMG, after a getting-used-to-being-here evening with a light lemon pasta, the next dinner is half of my to-eat list: fried chicken, fresh corn, etc. To die for. So glad there was some left over for sandwiches. So yum.
Barry had had a visit from the kidney stone fairy, so was not as available as we'd all have liked, but Ginny came for dinner on Saturday and Sunday we were all together for a visit at their place. Not enough, but so it goes. We will make up for it next time!!
A visit to Costco, a visit with the two of the nephew boys, and a visit with David and Dana and Atlanta was gone before we knew it!
On to Panama City. Kids at the airport!! What a wonderful greeting.
I have to say, the whole vibe is different. Hunter and Hannah (with Harrison) have their own places. Our room - formerly Hannah's - has a comfy Murphy bed and we can unpack. That's a treat. Hunter's old room is now Michelle's craft room and Joey's office. Our space is great, and the pups are always fun, but I have to say I kinda miss having the kids around (even though they aren't kids anymore.)
More wood work from Hunter. I like these a lot, especially the off-center ones.
Hunter had a little repair job for me, Hannah wanted to learn some embroidery stitches, but otherwise it was just fun and games!
Pups and Oma.
Beach day. A walk on the beach. NO SWIMMING!! It was a two-red-flag day though there were lots of folks soaking up the sun.
Puzzles at home.
A food fun fund raiser downtown.
Lunch at the History Class.
We took a couple of rides around the circle and to the local shops and just lazed. It was great.
Pre-birthday dinner for Hunter.
Michelle left on Thursday for a ladies-only trip to Savannah and Werner and I headed to Tallahassee. I think this was the first time we spent the night there in a hotel. Recommendation: avoid the Wyndham on Apalachee Parkway. Not very nice. But it was close to what we needed - a visit with a roommate from college days. That was more fun than I had imagined! Thank you Myrtle!!
And a evening with Paul, my former boss and forever friend. Why don't I have a picture?? I was really glad to hear he has survived a blood clot in his brain and a heart attack since we've seen each other last. What ???? I think we should communicate more often.
Our room fee included breakfast, but we got bad info about the time, so NO BREAKFAST. Thank you, Wyndham. We headed out and found a fast-food place and kept going south. US 27 is the best way to get to Orlando, no question.
But we did have a detour. The magic traffic apps told us there was a major accident on the Turnpike so we took another route, longer, but weirdly fun. And we totally avoided the Turnpike, which makes me curse like a sailor every time. Good all around.
Orlando! Sun!! Warm!! Work! Well, not work, but something to do. Dylan had a costume to be altered, her duet partner had a costume to be altered, and she had a beautiful gown that had to be hemmed. Those little tasks kept me fun busy and I was so happy to have something to do.
Otherwise, we went for walks with Hayden.
The cat - whose is he? - came often. Friendly until you stopped petting and then he'd nibble on your leg!
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