Home Sweet Home

Yes, we made it home from the trek to the great white north. I was really looking forward to going to Wisconsin and exploring new territory. I have to be honest, though. It didn't look much different than Indiana or Illinois to me. Lots of corn fields and dairy farms, but not much more. Of course, you have to remember, I live at the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains (which we kindly refer to as 'God's Country') so it is hard to compete with my everyday surroundings.

The trip north was excruciating. We followed ThiThi who was being guided by the misguided Magellan. I think I have figured out what "GPS" REALLY stands for, something along the lines of "Goshdarned Piece of Scheist". (Ya know I have to keep things clean around here). That stupid Magellan and its wonderful services turned a 13 1/2 hour trip into a 17 1/2 hour trip. All I can say is, at least I was in good company.

My cousin, Cizzy, and her two girls, K8 and SJ, joined Kaylea and me. We had a lot of fun, some at ThiThi's expense (sorry, sis!). There was a lot of laughing and quality time spent with them. Heck, what other choice did we have. The girls watched lots of movies and Cizzy and I listened to lots of movies. Once we reached the 14 hour mark, we all were ready for the ride to be over, but we managed to endure the remainder of the trip.

Before making the return trip, I invested in this really neat navigational device - it's called an ATLAS. Wow, imagine my surprise and joy when I was able to drive home without having to change interstates 14 times and encountering hardly any traffic. Yes, the return trip was still a long one, but it was sooooooooo much easier. Cizzy made a profound statement. She said she believes the GPS makers are in cahoots with the oil companies and getting kickbacks for the extra gas people are buying by following the GPS' directions (i.e. - going the long way). Ya know, she might be onto something. Makes ya think, don't it?

Luckily for Kaylea and me, we were able to stay at Cizzy's house Sunday night. That enabled me to rest and catch my second wind for the remaining 4 1/2 hour drive to K'town. Needless to say, we were in no big hurry to leave Indiana on Monday. If Kaylea had her way, we would still be there. I had to explain to her that we just couldn't move in with SJ. I guess we finally made it home about 7:30 Monday evening.

We are still trying to recuperate. Both of us are tired and our butts are dragging. Kaylea slept until 10:30 this morning and we're still in our PJs. I have a feeling this will just be one of those lazy days.

Roadtrip

Normally, I would be excited about a summer roadtrip. But for some reason it doesn't seem right to get excited about taking a roadtrip to a funeral. Don't get me wrong, I am looking forward to seeing my Aunts, Uncles and Cousins that I don't get to see very often. It is just the reason for this mini family reunion that really sucks.

Tomorrow, Kaylea and I will be heading up to Indiana to pick up my cousin, Cizzy and her two daughters, K8 and SJ. (you all remember Kaylea's favorite cousin, SJ from the Hilton Head trip?) Needless to say, Kaylea is beside herself with excitement because she gets to play with SJ for another 5 days, or so.

Thursday morning, Cizzy, the girls and I will meet up with ThiThi, Mr. Bob and Ethel and Chris, the two Hens (you know from our Annual Hens and Chicks Trip) they are bringing. I'm sure the intercept destination will be a Cracker Barrel somewhere in Indiana. Afterall, you can't have a roadtrip without at least one stop at a Craker Barrel. After stuffing our guts, we will do our reenactment of Speed Racer to get to Stevens Point, WI by that evening.

I never would have guessed that I would be spending the 4th of July in Wisconsin, but I suppose there could be worse places to be. Actually, in addition to seeing family members, I am looking forward to touring this part of the country. I have never been to Wisconsin, so this will be new territory for me.

Luckily, we will have a couple of days to spend with Auntie H's family. My cousin Thom and his wife are having all of us over to their house on Friday. The kids will get to swim while the adults get to take the every-so-familiar walks down Memory Lane. What is a family gathering without a little bit of "Remember When...?" I'm certain that there will be a lot of laughter and a few tears that day, but we all will go home that evening with a smile on our face and pleasant memories from days gone by.

The caravan of vehicles will be heading back home on Sunday. It will be too soon; but, Auntie H would want it that way. She would expect us to get on with our lives and stop blubbering over her. She was just that type of person.

So, my friends, until we return.............