It's one of the questions on the customs form you have to fill out before they'll let you into the USofA. They ask too if you're a terrorist or if you've been on a farm lately or if you want to sell some of the stuff you're carrying, or if you have over $10,000 in cash on your person. I generally answer No to everything.
But the business or pleasure question? This time, I wanted to say: Yes. Both. It's always a pleasure to be there. Good grief, it's Florida, pleasure destination of half the world! But there was (family) business to take care of in GA, too. But I checked Pleasure. :)) Don't confuse the customs guys is a good rule to follow.
After landing in Orlando we took the weekend to reorient ourselves, but there was a special dinner to squeeze in, too. Le Coq au Vin. Voted the best French restaurant in Orlando. If I could vote, I would agree. Excellent service, excellent food, and we loved the company, too. :-) Some of the charge went to charity too. Good all around!
On Monday we walked Hayden to the bus stop and then Dylan to kindergarten. What a pleasure!! Hayden loves school and loves riding on the bus (Thanks, Mr. Fernando! Great bus driver!). Dylan does not so much love walking to school. Why can't we go in the car?? This is so boring!! My legs are tired!! But we find ways to pass the time and before you know it, there we are! Wow! Did you see that lizard! How many bikes have gone by?? It turns out to be a lot of fun.
Are these kids cute or what?
Then, so soon, we were off to Michelle and Joey and Hunter and Hannah. We hardly ever take the direct route because we have time. At the end of the Turnpike, we toke the Scenic Route. Love it.
US 27 leading to US 98. Through little towns and along stretches of woods and pasture. We looked longingly at the turnoffs to Cedar Key and Steinhatchee, but we kept driving. Somewhere, though, you have to take a break and St. Marks, just over the bridge, was the place: Tupelo honey, cane syrup, home-made jam, sitting on the hood of a pick up truck. Ya just gotta stop.
We tasted the syrup, selected a jar of fig preserves, and took a picture, but not without a price - it comes with a story. Seems the old guy has been there a while doing his thing and a few years back, someone else asked to take his picture. Later, his son-in-law says Dad, you're famous! and shows the old man a picture of the painting that was made of him and his truck and his goods. And the price of the reprints - hundreds of dollars!!! Well, that's me, he says, don't I get a cut?? Another grandkid, a law school, grad, says So sad, too bad, you gave permission and now your image is not yours anymore. So the old man takes pleasure in telling the story and showing the copy of the painting.
Then a pause in Apalach. It is impossible to not stop. Regardless of the changes, there is the permanence of the water and the boats and the seaside buildings and the lovely salty scent of the place. If we ever get back to the USofA, that is right up there of where I want to be.
And finally to Michelle. And family. They are all so busy! School, work , dance, soccer, homework, cooking.
Werner got the valances re-hung.
I got the Christmas pillow and ornaments finished.
Michelle did some serious showing off of how to throw pizza dough. Very cool. I think she's been practicing on the side. I definitely need lessons!
We walked on the beach. You would not believe it from this picture, but it was a Red Flag day, a tropical storm out in the Gulf, but she never showed up.
There was a quick side trip to Tallahassee and a too-short visit with Nancy. But so much better than no visit at all!
And the highlight of the week: the FSU game. Leaving early has its rewards.
And what pleasure for me: for the very first time, I got to see all the grandkids at one time in one place. Kids too. This simply does not happen often enough.
Add to that a big win over Maryland. Go NOLES!
Before we left, Hannah modelled the dress she'll wear to the freshman dance (she's growing up, don't you think?), and they posed in front of the car before leaving for school. It was too early for Hunter.
Next stop, Atlanta. Not really. NObody lives in Atlanta. It's Tucker and John's Creek and Suwanee and Decatur and Lithonia. (Really, it's Atlanta, but don't tell anyone!)
This was the "business" part of the trip, doing my part to get mother's house organized for an estate sale. NOT so easy! Julia and Ginny had already done the lion's share of the work, but I helped for the last organizing for selling. The guys helped, too. Cool. Done.
Meanwhile, Mother is enjoying her new digs. The place is more than nice and the service seems to be top-notch. I heard no complaints. How could you???
There was time to meet up with the big and little kids of the family and do some catching up. Once a year is hardly enough time to do it all, but again, it's better than nothing. The kids are all teenagers now, all of them driving. Geeze. I think us old folks are holding up pretty well, too.
But then another reality set in. Werner's mom was not doing well, so he headed back to Germany a week before our planned departure.
I headed back to Orlando on my own. It was such a treat taking Hayden to the bus and walking Dylan to school (still boring, but we managed :)). The Christmas pillow got done, one (!!??) of the ornaments for the kids. Saturday was the BIG GAME, FSU vs Clemson. What a show and FSU showed them all what they could do. I forget how wrapped up you can get in college football, so far away that I am. But I'll be a close watcher the rest of the season.
Here's mommy and daughter. What a beautiful pair.
And Dylan before she had her visit to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party. Tinkerbell, of course, just like last year!
Afterwards, she had a hoot organizing all the loot.
And then it was time to say goodbye. Getting two kids to hold still is challenging and the pictures don't always come out great, but I love the memories they evoke and I wouldn't trade them for anything - the memories OR the pictures!
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