Day 12 - June 11, 2011

Day 12

June 11, 2011

We got up early - courtesy of Bear - around 7.  It was kind of a crazy morning, trying to get everyone fed, packed, and the car loaded...one tiny elevator in the back of the hotel.

Our first stop was the Capitol.  As it was a Saturday, in June, it was pretty empty and we toured it without incident!  The kids even did a scavenger hunt.

Next, we hit the FSU campus.  Took them to the book store and the Business School.  I felt oddly detached...I was there for so short a time.  Then we went to the library & they let us go inside.  So different!  All computers:(.  The phone both, where  I used to call Barb (crying), which led to her inviting me to live with her and her dad to attend FAU - was still there!  Couldn't believe it! 

It was soooo HOT.  The kids complained, constantly.

We hit I10 for Mobile at noon.  I listened to "Ten Habits of Healthy Moms" - happy to report I already have a couple of them!  I10 was b-o-r-i-n-g, but we got to Mobile by 4 p.m.

The hotel is awesome!  The kids were so excited because it's tall, like a skyscraper - 20 something floors.  We got a room on floor 18, with a beautiful view of Mobile Bay.

We walked all around downtown & found a pizza joint to eat in (so-so food).  When we got back to the hotel, we played Sorry and watched iCarly and Victorious...all night...zzzz....

Tallahassee - Mobile

251 miles/3 hours, 45 minutes

Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel, room 1818

Day 11 - June 10, 2011

Day 11

June 10, 2011

I woke up early, refreshed.  That was good, because I needed to pack & load the car.  I grabbed Cammy and went for a coffee/grocery/oil change run.

Marcie made an awesome breakfast for us and we were on the road by 11.  I took the back roads through Ocala and arrived in Tallahassee by 4.

Our hotel was 2 blocks from the capitol and it was a nice hotel with a nice staff.  However, there was a girls’ softball team in house and they were rocking the pool (our room was poolside) at 10:30p.m.  Life on the road...

Before dinner, I took the kids on a mini T-Town tour.  We went to the Capitol and then north on Monroe, to the Sheraton Tallahassee, where I used to work.  It was abandoned!  Shocker...once was one of the nicer hotels in town.  Everything had changed, but then again, it'd been over a decade since I'd been there.

I took the kids past FSU, but only recognized the old round Holiday Inn.  My old apartment was a nasty dump.  Couldn't believe it.  Times have changed...

We had dinner at Chilli's - quite the government happy hour crowd.  Back at the hotel we watched game 5 of the NHL finals...Bruins lost:(.

Quote of the day: 

At Publix, Cammy wanted gum, and I bought what I thought was gum - but turned out to be lifesavers.  I explained to him that you suck them for a while and then they disappear.  Two minutes later, "Mommy - it's still in my mouth and it's spicy - turn around and go back to the store, I need to talk to the manager!"

Sarasota – Tallahassee

318 miles/5 hours

Hotel:  Tallahassee Courtyard

Day 10 - June 9, 2011

Day 8

June 9, 2011

I woke up exhausted...which could have been allergies.  I don't know why, because I usually sleep a lot & well at Casa de Nash.

The kids had an early morning swim before breakfast.  Then they played while Marcie and I packed up for the beach.  I was nervous - having never taken the four kids for "a day at the beach".  But as it turned out, I worried for nothing.

Barrett loved the beach.  I took him out to a sand bar (on my back) and he loved it.  He stayed close to us all day.  Hunter was good, too - he only spent an hour, tops, hiding under a beach towel.  Aud loved playing in the sand and water.  Cammy had his moments, but good overall.

We ate lunch at the beach and then buried all the kids in the sand!  The ideas that Marcie comes up with.  It was fun, though.

Jake had another baseball game, so we headed back to the house around 3.  Marcie drove Jake to his game and I took the other 5 kids to a restaurant for dinner.  Marcie met us and we sat at our own table, with the kids nearby, at a separate table.  Genius!  Then the kids hit the bar area and took over the pool table.  It was too funny, but Marcie & I got to talk, while they played.

After, Marcie brought Tanner & Hunter to Jake's game, I took Aud, Bear & Cam for frozen yogurt on Siesta Key.  It ended up pouring...so we missed the sunset.

Day 9 - June 8, 2011

Day 9

June 8, 2011

Much better sleep - we all slept till 8 a.m. - yeah!  Quick breakfast at the hotel, trip to Barnes & Noble, and a short visit with Sandy.

Decided to treat everyone to one last swim at the pool.  However, for some reason, they were all horrible.  I kind of lost it.  Our first meltdown...for all of us.

After packing the car, I went to the cemetery to see my mom & dad, which made me sad.  So, I tried to restart the day and brought the kids to the Lighthouse for lunch.  We had a "talk" and it seemed to help.  One foot note - the Lighthouse has gone downhill, food was terrible.

We drove to Sarasota in just over an hour, but I did have trouble keeping my eyes open.  Late afternoon driving is rough, but it was so good to see the Nashes:).  We had a quick visit and dinner with them, before they all had to head out to the ballpark.  Jake had a baseball game, so Hunter & Audrey went with them.  I stayed behind with Cammy & Bear - who swam, while I watched/read.  Then I watched the CMT awards, which Kid Rock was hosting.

Jake's game was really long, so Jay ended up bringing Audrey & Hunter home (at 10 p.m.).  Then, to my horror, Audrey had a temper tantrum...in front of Jay, because Hunter was sleeping in the top bunk, with Tanner.  Oh Lord help me!

Naples – Sarasota, FL

107 miles.1 hour, 30 minutes

Hotel:  Casa de Nash

Day 8 - June 7, 2011

Day 8

June 7, 2011

Not thrilled with our hotel.  I got next to no sleep.  It was hot, hot, hot...when the air conditioner did turn on, it sounded like a freight train.  I was sleeping with Hunter & he kept kicking me all night! And my heat rash was itching.  No sleep:(.

We had a buffet breakfast at the hotel, where I was told that my kids were wonderful - yeah!  Turned out to be a jinx...the calm before the storm.  Then Starbucks & pool time.

At the pool, Audrey made friends with a girl named Brittany (I was afraid she wouldn't want to leave the pool!).  After, we gathered all our dirty laundry and headed to the Werabs.  The kids had no problem making themselves at home - Wii/Cable/toys/pantry/computer/Mario - while I did laundry.

Lisa's not herself - she's too skinny & so sad:(.  Teresa Harmon drove down to see us.  She looks the same (good).  We made plans to have a drink & Demi would watch the kids.  I ran to the hotel to change & got back in time for us to go out and still be able to watch the sunset.  Lisa, however, was not ready - and 2 hours later, I gave up. 

Audrey went to the mall with Demi (times passes too quickly - my flower girl, with my daughter, at the mall).  I took the boys to Vanderbilt beach to watch the sunset, which was beautiful!

Day 7 - June 6, 2011

Day 7

June 6, 2011

We had a good-bye breakfast with Ed & Kelly & my tummy was hurting.  I hate saying good-bye to my family and friends.  There were too many "I wish you all still lived heres."  Val stopped by to see the kids and say good-bye, too.  She seemed sad:(.

After final good-byes and a Starbucks stop with Val, the Storm & I pulled out of Lauderdale at 10:15.  Easy drive across the Alley!

First stop was Nana Natalie's (who looked fantastic), who graciously made us lunch, while I used her washing machine.  Then we took the kids to the Naples Pier, where we were lucky enough to see dolphins!

Then we stopped by Naples Leather for quick Costantini "hellos."  Once we got to the hotel, we decompressed a bit before dinner.  Then we met Lisa & Michele at the Cheesecake Factory.  Dinner was great - Fresh Vegetable Salad!  Lisa seemed upset, not sure why...but we still had fun.  The kids were good enough to earn dessert.

We finished the evening with the "Naked Man Incident."  It was very funny!  When we pulled up, I saw a naked man walking around his hotel room.  I froze, trying to figure out how I could get the kids out of the car, without them seeing...when I heard Hunter shriek, "Oh dear God!"  I asked what was wrong (knowing full well) and he said "I accidentally saw a naked man!" - all the while covering his eyes:)>  Audrey started asking, insistently, "Where?  Where?"  Then the man turned around!  I screamed!  Hunter gasped...Audrey kept asking, "Where?"  Finally....he closed the blinds!  Life on the road....

Fort Lauderdale to Naples, FL
110 miles/1hour, 45 minutes

Hotel: Naples Residence Inn, Room 107

Day 6 - June 5, 2011

Day 6

June 5, 2011

Rich left early for the airport, and I felt bad - I'd barely spent any time with him.  I took Cammy & Bear for breakfast & Kelly joined us.  Then I brought the boys to Imperial Point Park to meet Barb, Rob & the kids.  We hung out for an hour, while I talked to Barb & Rob about Abbey & schools.  Broward County doesn't sound good.  It would never be an option for us.

After, I dragged the kids to Deb & Steve's hotel to swim.  Ed & Kelly came, to help with Bear.  Good thing, because he only lasted an hour.  They took him to Shooters, to eat.  The other three were hungry so I got them lunch & Deb joined us.  I love my Deb & Steve.  Meanwhile - over at Shooters, Bear gave Ed the slip.  Apparently, it was quite the scene.

We all went to Barb & Rob's for dinner.  We had the best time.  Some dinner, some cocktails, some story-telling, some laughs!  We also played games with the kids - lots of Uno.  It was a blast.  Abbey and Bear even played!  I was so impressed by Abbey, she's come a long way:).  It kind of made me feel bad for Bear.

Highlight of the night:

"I want some Popsicles!" - Cammy, running, from the bathroom, in only a t-shirt & shoes - when he heard Barb giving out treats for the other kids.  We made him do the naked dance, to get his Popsicle!