Day 3 - June 29, 2013

Day 3 – June 29, 2013

Allen TX

Temperature 99 degrees

We woke up lazily…it was very quiet with just three of us this morning.  I think Bear was missing Hunter, as I could NOT get him out of bed!  But eventually we did and made it to Barbie’s on time.  We loaded up the kids and headed into the city, to the G.W. Bush Library.

The library is beautiful!  Gorgeous.  It even has a restaurant – a first for us.  Kind of a bummer though, that we had to go through security that would rival the ATL airport.  Poor Georgie – people are still after him.  The place was packed.  Crazy busy.  I couldn’t believe it.  It was hard to get to some of the displays.  I won’t bore you with a blow by blow, but some observations:

Very high tech.  Lots of interactive stuff.

Lots of video footage, which was cool. 

We got to walk THRU the oval office and sit at the desk!  VERY cool.

Lots of focus on the White House and its staff, which I thought was very nice.

A video of the funny, silly Bushisms.

Lots of rude people all over the place – one lady seriously, not accidently, pushed both Bear and Barbie out of her way – on two separate occasions.

Lots of focus on policy, it needs more about Bush pre-presidency and his family.

Needs more focus on the time period and what was going on in the country during his time in office.

The 9-11 section took my breath away.  The have a large part of the Trade Center and a wall, similar to the Vietnam Memorial, with all the names of the victims.  It took me right back.

Well worth the money, time, heat and effort!  Even though I was praising the Ford Library a couple weeks ago – this was my favorite Library so far.  I left with the warm fuzzies about W again.  I didn’t think that was possible.

When we left, there was a big van parked next to Barbie’s car, from some Church of Christ.  Barbie opened her van door and the kids all started piling in.  Not a big deal, but apparently it was to the woman driving the church van.  She lost her marbles.  She was screaming at the kids though the closed window.  What she was saying, I could not tell.  I reacted immaturely, but really thought her tirade was irrational.  I asked her if she was okay (to be fair, my tone was unpleasant).  Her head snap back, and she replied, “Yes, I’m fine.”  Okay then, stop yelling at my kids.  It was ridiculous and not very nice.

It was good prep for our next event – a hockey game.  We grabbed a quick bite and then headed to the ice rink to watch Bobby play.  What a rock star!  The next GretzkyJ.  We got to see him score four goals!  His team won 5-1.  It was fantastic.  I walked out with him, and everyone’s like, “Great game Bob!”  “Way to go Bobby!”  “Way to score, Bob!”  It was like being with a rock star.

Then we hung out at the house and the kids swam, before heading out for authentic Tex Mex.  Food was great, Margaritas were great, company was great!  Back to the hacienda for a night swim and grown up chit-chat with Barbie and Jeff – I love them, I miss them.  Poor Barbie, I talked her ear off for two days, I couldn’t stop. 

But very quickly, like a tornado, I felt that the Smith Storm brewing.  Audie jumped up in the pool, under the waterfall, hitting the top of her head on a rock…big ole egg on her head.  This was followed by drama, which triggered an internal mom debate about whether or not to go to the ER.  She was working it, but Barbie deduced that she was fine, just enjoying my panic.  Barbie was right.  Grown-ups were having deep conversations, followed by over-sharing on my part.  Then Barrett christened Bobby’s bathroom...literally.  Very sorry for the TMI, but he bombed the place out.  There was some collateral damage, involving urine, which resulted in Bear wearing Hunters PJs (too small) sans underwear.  So we had to walk through the hotel lobby, in front of the Miss Texas wannabes…looking like the Clampetts! Time to buzz out of town!  It was Great Allen, TX – till next time!

Quote of the day:  Camden, “Wow, this place glitters like it’s decorated with gold.”  Cammy’s comment about the hotel lobby.  Not sure if it’s the decorations, or the beauty queens.

Bush 43 Library

 

In the Oval Office

Celebrating with Bobby

Dinner

                                                                          Me & Babrie

The whole gang on the Ponderosa

Aud, post bump.  She's fine - swear.

Bear, about to enter the hotel lobby.

 

Day 2 - June 28, 2013

June 28, 2013

Monroe, LA – Allen, TX

310 Miles/4 ½ hours

Temperature: 103 degrees@ 4p.m.!

Marriott Courtyard Allen, Room 706

We had a very, very, very slow morning.  I think our long day wiped everyone out!  We didn’t get up (Barrett was the only exception – started delivering his soliloquies around 6a.m.) till 8!  I had a bag of powered donuts and some hotel coffee and wha-la…breakfast.  After catching up on e-mails, we were headed west on I20 by 9:45.

Drive was okay, until we got to the Dallas area – lots of traffic, made worse by the kid’s excitement and anticipation of reuniting with the Berniers.

We finally go there about 2:30and the kids picked up like they’d been living down the street from each other all along.  Same for the mom’s!  Barbie and I had so much, too much, to catch-up on.  We kept marveling at how easy it was, even with time and distance, to be together again.  I first met Barbie in 2001…when I would constantly walk the twins, in their double stroller, in our old neighborhood, for a mental break (I was in phenomenal shape, let me tell you!).  Her mom was staying with her and stopped me, to mention that she was helping her daughter, who was pregnant with twins and on bed rest – Barbie.  We became very close and she was one of the women who held me up when autism knocked me down.  She, Jen J & LynnAnn were constantly taking me out for much needed Ladies’ Nights.  She and her family moved to Dallas, about 7 years ago.

At one point I snuck away, to check in to the hotel, while Barbie held down the fort.  Well the Courtyard in Allen, which is one of my favorites, was a mad house!  Apparently the Miss Texas pageant starts next week and all the contestants are staying here.  Wow.  The hair, the heels, the skirts, the glitter, the luggage and the mothers, should be interesting!  Think Toddlers and Tiaras – on steroids.  Audrey’s going to have a field day!  I think I need to hang out at the hotel bar tonight, I’m sure I’d gather tons of material for a blog. 

Alas, there was not a luggage cart in sight!  It took four trips to get our stuff to the room.  If this had happened the day before, I probably would have slept in the car.

Back at the Bernier ranch, everyone was in the pool – it was hot, hot, hot!  Seriously, you had to go in the pool because you literally could not stand on the patio without burning your feet.  It’s so cool how all the kids get along.  Barbie made a wonderful dinner and Jeff arrived home about the time her parents dropped by – so it was a party.  Very nice, very relaxing. 

After dinner, I bugged out, with Bear and Cammy – I’d forgotten B’s medicine, and the clock was ticking!  Hunter and Audrey are having a sleep over, so it’s serenely peaceful in the hotel room tonight!  The heat and swimming wore the boys out, and Barrett displayed no effects of not getting his meds on time.  He’s exhausted.  I may even attempt to read tonight.

Texas, here we come!

Yes - they got into the make-up.

Bear Bear in his element.

Brooke - spitting image of her mom, and Aud.

Bobby - best Hockey Hair evah! Adorable!

Yeah, Mr Jeff, mom doesn't serve her brownies like that.

Day 1 - June 27, 2013

Day 1 – June 27, 2013

Cumming, GA – Montgomery, AL – Monroe, LA

206 miles/365 miles = 565miles total

Courtyard Monroe, Room 306

I tried to leave at 6a.m., but ended up leaving at 6:15 and after a quick pit stop for coffee, we “officially” hit the road at 6:30a.m.   I was very tired.  I’d stayed up past midnight printing out maps and other stuff and when I finally got to bed…my mind started racing…

We got to Montgomery at 9:30, which was really good time.  The town seemed every quiet – little did I know that it was actually 8:30 – CENTRAL time zone.  Our first stop was the Alabama State Capitol, which was very tourist friendly.  I actually set off their alarm (with my Latchkey!) and the security just laughed.  After our self-guided tour, I realized why it was so chill – the state legislature and the state senate relocated to a separate building across the street.  Not much important going on in the Capitol, but I sure wished the walls could talk!  TONS of history, with the Confederate War and the events of the civil rights movement during the 1960’s.  We also visited the Confederate War Memorial.

Then we went to the Dexter Baptist Church, where MLK was pastor, but it wasn’t open.  Like I said, very sleepy downtown.  Then it was on to the Hank Williams Museum…where we couldn’t get in at 9:55 – when the hours where clearly listed the doors as 9-5.  Hello, McFly.  This is when I finally realized we were in Central Standard Time zone!  It was funny, because I was flummoxed when the young girl walked up to open the door – totally not apologizing for being an hour late to work!  Thank God I didn’t say anything.  The museum was a quick (and not worth the $22) tour.  It was rather depressing, as I thought HW died in a car crash, little did I know he suffered heart failure, while he slept in the back seat of a car.  Yeah – didn’t help my mood.  To be fair, if you’re a Hank fan, you would love the place.  Lots of stuff.

Next we hit the Rosa Parks Museum and Library.  It was awesome!!!!  I learned so much.  Of course I knew the story of Rosa Parks, but I honestly didn’t know about the 13 months that followed with the bus boycott, bombings and Supreme Court cases.  Fascinating and presented in a way that really kept the kids interested.  Audrey dazzled our guide (we were the only people in her groupJ- again, early) with her Martin Luther King knowledge (while Hunter literally rolled his eyes).  She asked Audrey where she went to school – and then praised the GA school system for their celebration of MLK.   Highly recommend.

Next we drove by the Greyhound bus station, which was the scene of the attack on the Freedom Riders.  Unfortunately, the bus station/museum is only open on Friday & Saturdays, so it was just a drive by.  My first traffic violation on the day as well – I did a U-turn on a one-way street – alerted to my mistake by the security guard who was yelling, “Keep it turning!”  Hunter was thrilled with my ability to do a 360.  Again, I must stress, we were the only people in downtown Montgomery this morning.  I never did discover why.

Then we went to the Civil Rights Memorial and Center.  The memorial was pretty cool, but was obviously under some sort of renovation project.  Then we went into the center and saw a movie about the 40 people who died during a 13 year period, all of whom died while supporting civil rights, or were literally in the wrong place and the wrong time.  So sad, and I don’t think schools quite tell the whole story.  The movie made me cry.  Audrey did too, and Hunter was in shock.   

Good times in Montgomery!  How to pick up the mood?  Visit Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald’s house!  The “museum” is in the only Montgomery home they lived in as a married couple, and only for six months – the notorious couple never actually owned a home.  They rented a series of luxurious hotel suites and mansions in Europe and America – this I the only home they lived in that’s still in existence.  The museum was very small, but full of treasures.  Unfortunately, the museum is contained in one of the apartments – the house has been subdivided into four – so there’s no real tour.  I really enjoyed talking with the man working there, who was full of tidbits and trivia!  The boys waited out front – I knew they’d not be interested – so we were serenaded by Barrett’s siren’s and Hunter’s reprimands.  Audrey insisted on coming in and interrupted the man constantly.  He called her on it too, not that it helped!

Then we took the long 5 ½ hour drive to Monroe – long and boring – thank God for Jen Lancaster.  I’m listening to her book, The Toa of Martha, which is about the year that she tried to live according to the rules of Martha Stewart.  As always, she’s very funny.  Ironically, the book is also about grief.  She lost her dog while writing it – and I am in NO way comparing my brother to a dog, but she apparently really, really loved this dog and a lot of what she’s written has pierced my heart.  “You cannot run from grief, you cannot deny it, it follows you everywhere.”   Don’t I know it.  Not to worry, though – then she drops a series of F-bombs about the trick-or-treaters that didn’t show up for her full-sized candy bars, and I’m laughing again

Our hotel is adjacent to the interstate, so it’s loud, but clean nonetheless.  It’s close to a mall, so we had lots of dinner options.  The kids were starving, as southwest Alabama offered NO lunch options, other than the gas station variety.  By the time we reached the civilizations of Meridian and Jackson, it was almost dinner time, so we held off.  Needless to say, four out of five plates at Longhorn were all but licked clean.  I was so tired, bone tired, that we went back to the hotel and it was lights out at 9p.m. – there was little argument.

Quote of the day:

Camden:  “Okay, I’m just going to say it – I hate traffic!”  This, after four hours, on the second leg, when we hit a wall of construction traffic, 15 miles east of Vicksburg.

Ready to go!

Alabama State Capitol

Aud & Cammy riding at the back of the bus:)

Dexter Baptist Church

Hanging with Miss Rosa - check out Cammy!

In front of the Civil Rights Memorial

 

Fitzgerald Home 

Road Trip Update

I just want to thank everyone for all the love, kindness and support that you’ve offered me over the last six weeks.  I apologize for going off the grid, but I’m just heart broken.  Rich suggested that I may want to “check-in,” so that’s what I’m doing.   Just a few weeks after the loss of Edmund, our family also lost my Aunt Mimi.  We’ve been pinballing from state to state - not the summer I’d planned.  I cancelled the first half of our road trip, to spend time with family in Michigan.  I’m planning to head out west for part two of our family road trip, meeting up with my cousins.  Some of you have been asking about the Road Warrior trip blog…I’m going to try, but I may not be updating every day, but I’m hoping to check in – trying to get back to “normal” for the kids.  Our travel adventures, thus far, haven’t been the stuff of funny reading.

Please know, I’m very grateful for all my friends and family.  Truly.  I promise I WILL return all your phone calls and e-mails, I just need a little more time.  Thank you so much for the cards, flowers, gifts and memories you’ve shared with me.  I will always cherish them.

On a professional note, I’ll soon have news to share and I have a number of book reviews that have been posted.  I’ve been hesitant with links and updates on my blogs well, because it just doesn’t feel appropriate and my heart hasn’t been in it.  I’m not sure when that will happen, but I know I’ll be back.  If I’ve learned anything, it’s that life is too short. 

Kelly took me, Hunter & Aud to the Red Sox game at Comerica Park Friday night.  Detroit fans rock, they were so gracious.  Uncle Eggie brought home the win for us! – thank goodness.  Perhaps we should have been at the other three games?  Brother, please shine on the Bruins!

Spring Break, Day 5

Day 5

March 31, 2013 – Easter

Naples

We woke up to discover that the Easter Bunny does in fact find you when you are on vacation.  Thank goodness!  Although one child, who I will not name, was rather disappointed because that the EB doesn’t “bring as much stuff to a hotel.”  Ah, probably because he thinks you’re spoiled, since you are in a hotel, in Naples, for spring break!

Hotel coffee was awful, so I ventured out to Starbucks.  I gathered everyone up and we went to Nana Natalie’s place, to have our Egg Hunt, which took all of 3 minutes!  Of course, the hunt was not without a battle between Frick and Frack…Lord give my strength.  We decided to go to the beach by the Naples Beach Club, since we were already there.  It was very convenient to park at Natalie’s, because we only had to cross the street!

Great picture of Bear!

Absolutely gorgeous day at the beach!  Did I mention that I LOVE NAPLES?  The water was a bit chilly, but that was okay.  Natalie joined us, so we got some bonus time.  We got lunch from the Beach Club and ended up staying for four hours.  That my friends, is a major record with the kids!

 

We had our own little Easter dinner at the hotel.  The suite has a small kitchen and we heated up a ham, had potato salad, real salad and green beans.  It turned out quite nice.  I then cajoled everyone back in the car, so we could go see the sunset.  It was just so pretty last night, I couldn’t miss it. 

Gorgeous!

Cam & Daddy

Aud & Mom

Aud, Hunter & Bear

 

Early to bed, as everyone is a little bit sunburnt.

Tomorrow we’re off to the east coast.

Spring Break, Day 4

Day 4

Sarasota-Naples

103 miles/1 hour 45 minutes

Rich and Hunter got here last night, and it was nonstop (which I’m sure my guy didn’t appreciate).  In quick succession, we went down the street to see Jean, played basketball with all the kids, went to the beach, took pictures, unpacked and then Rich and Jay went in search of a seafood restaurant, that could accommodate 10 people, with no reservation, on Good Friday, in South Florida.

Eventually we scored, and our wait was under an hour.  We had so much fun, laughing and catching up.  I love that our kids, who don’t get to see each other very often, get along so well.  Marcie’s youngest boy and Audrey definitely get along well – which could prove problematic in a few years!

Cammy seems to be on the mend, fingers crossed.  I went to bed early with him.  I didn’t have it in me to stay up for the UF/FGCU game at 10:30p.m.! 

A little B-ball

Rich and the kids

Jake, Tanner, Bear & Hunter

Me and my girl, Marcie!

Smithes & Nashes

Me & my guy

Good Friday Dinner

 

Getting silly!

 

Jay & Rich

 

Saturday morning we had to pack up and drive to Naples.  I felt a little rushed, which is my own fault.  I try to fit too much in, in too short of time.  But I just have so many people I want to see.   I guess it’s better to leave them wanting more, yes?

Halfway to Naples, I realized I left Cammy’s antibiotic at Marcie’s, so that took more than one phone call to straighten out.  Dummy.  Then, when we got to the hotel and unloaded the car and got everyone to the room - I discovered that we were in a one bedroom suite, not a two bedroom suite.  No way would it work, for six people, over two days.  Some more phone calls before we managed to get that worked out. 

Then it was off to lunch at the Dock.  I LOVE NAPLES!  Love this place.  Lunch was good, but ridiculously overpriced.  Then we went to Publix, to get supplies for Easter dinner and it was a zoo.  Complete mayhem.  Then we stopped by to see Lisa and Sandy at their store.  Then back to the hotel.  All rather boring, I’m sorry.  No major drama, so far, on the trip.

We were supposed to have a sitter, so Rich and I could meet some friends for dinner, but there was a snafu, so I ended up meeting Michele and Natalie for a drink at the Turtle Club and witnessed an amazing sunset.  I grabbed some take out and went back to the hotel to have dinner with Rich.

 

With Michele

The Kids and I on the Naples city dock.

Spring Break 2013, Days 1-3

Spring Break Day 1-3

ATL – Sarasota /560 miles, 8 hours

March 27-29, 2013

I departed ATL with Bear, Aud & Cammy around 1p.m.  It was so cute.  When we left Bear’s school, I asked him where we’re going and he replied, “Road trip.”  Love it.

With the exception of a half hour hold up, due to road construction north of Macon, it was a pretty good drive.  I almost think I should have pushed it and kept going to Sarasota, but I had mercy on the kids.  I stopped in Valdosta, after checking in at the Courtyard, went to Chili’s (yuck) for dinner.  I was tired.  It had been a long week.  So at 8 p.m., I climbed into bed with the kids and we watched Enchanted.  I love that movie.  We all fell asleep early, except for Bear, who was up till midnight.  I think he was really missing Hunter.  It was his first time on the road without his twin.

The next morning we were heading south by 8:30.  Other than a huge tire remnant landing on the hood of my car – scared me to death! – it was an easy drive.  The trouble was in Sarasota, because you would not believe the traffic.  Unbelievable.  It took about 45 minutes to get from I75 to Marcie’s house (roughly 10 miles).  Once at Marcie’s, I noticed that Cammy didn’t quite seem himself.  When we went down the street to see Marcie’s mom (Nana Jean), he fell asleep in my arms.  Uh-oh. 

We went to lunch with Jean, at The Boatyard, which is on the intercostal.  Oysters, sangria and boats cruising by ...almost heaven, except for the fact that it was windy and the temperature was in the 60’s.  Brrr.

After lunch, it was very apparent that poor little Cammy was not well.  He had a very high fever.  Not good.  Tylenol and a nap for Cammy, while Marcie and I hung out with the kids, outside - freezing!   We fed everyone a late dinner and then watched the basketball games.  Cammy’s fever wouldn’t abate and I started to panic a little.  At one point it was 103, and the Tylenol and Motrin didn’t seem to be helping.  I don’t like fevers.

After a fitful sleep, in which I woke up many times to check on Cammy, I knew a doctor’s visit was in order.  First thing in the morning, I took him to an urgent care, where they diagnosed him with an ear infection.   However, getting the prescription from a crazy busy Publix Pharmacy, which was on the corner of an incredibly congested intersection (that offered direct access to Siesta Key), well that wasn’t easy.  Wow, I forgot how crazy “season” can be, in Florida!  It took over an hour – and this included the 1 mile drive back to Marcie’s.

The good news is that the temperature has begun to rise!  Although the sun was burning bright, it didn’t warm the pool water very much (65 degrees), but it didn’t stop Bear.  After administering antibiotics and Motrin, I donned a swimsuit and hit Marcie’s roof for a little sunbathing…just a little.

Hunter and Rich are currently in route to Sarasota, so the family will be reunited.  We’re planning a Nash-Smith Happy Hour at the beach and then a Good Friday dinner of pizza and salad, while watching the Gators (Rich, Hunter & Audrey) play FGSU (the rest of us).  Good Times!