Home at last

WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW! What a trip. Literally and metaphorically. I thought this trip would be unforgettable and I was right!

The total miles logged from December 20 thru yesterday, January 5th totalled out at 5972.8. I realize that truckers do it like it's nothing but I'm not a trucker and they don't travel with their whole family ... or maybe they do, in which case I pity them. I don't mean to sound like I didn't enjoy myself, I did. TREMENDOUSLY! It was just plain exhausting.

The kids were great. Joe behaved like a trypical teenager, waking only to eat and use the little boy's room. Alexis was a great sport, reading and keeping herself entertained. There were a few moments when one or both were uncomfortable and a squable started. I found myself looking over my shoulder and saying something so typical like, "When I was a kid there were three of us in the back seat and laying down wasn't an option, stop your whining." Nothing quite like becoming your mother. I'm not certain that there was reasoning behind leaving the dvd players at home but I'm also not sure that it occured to me to pack them so this was a movie free trip with the kids. I feel another Mom moment coming on ... Remember when you were stuck listening to whatever your parents had on the radio and playing travel connect-four with a mint to replace one of the missing piece? DVD's are for sissy!

Our return trip was not quite as food centric and frankly the camera made few appearances. 14-16 hour travel days were not really condusive to snapping pictures and discovering new places to feed our faces. Don't cry for them, Argentina, the kids did not get robbed by any means with a stop at In' n Out, home-cooking at Grandma's, and some of the best bar-b-que I have ever tasted. I bet hot-lunch at school today (I was in no mood to pack lunches) was a big adjustment from the last two weeks.

I guess this concludes our posts from our first official GAYWALD Vacation .. We hope you have enjoyed a peak into our insanity and we look forward to our next adventure and sharing it with you.

I’ve always had the idea in the back of my head that blogging was for people that had something profound to say. HA, guess not! I don’t know that anything of substance has been recorded over the last two weeks but at the very least the writing has entertained Allyson and I and helped to pass the time.

Truth be told, I think Allyson is probably one of the funniest people I have ever met and I’m almost certain that she feels the same way. I think she also finds me mildly amusing. I suppose there is the distinct possibility that she is laughing at me but entertainment is entertainment, right? If I were to be asked for my insight into a relationship and it’s success, I would probably say it is most important to be able to laugh with your “person,” and at yourself. I relate to people through humor and if I spend my time or effort poking fun at you, I like you. I suppose I make fun of people I don’t like either ... I really don’t discriminate. You’ll have to decide which category you fall under.

For those of you just tuning in, Joe and Alexis flew out the Thursday before Allyson and I set out on our leg of the trip. Traveling with the kids is a totally different experience. On our way out, we spent endless hours oohing and ahhing over the beautiful landscape that stretched out in front of us. My 14 and 10 year old really don’t give a damn what’s going on outside the car unless it involves a drive-thru window and whatever is coming out of it. I really can’t complain, the kids are being great given the circumstances and I haven’t had to break out the first-aid kit. BONUS!

We hope to end up in Garland, Texas tonight/early tomorrow morning for a quick visit with Alexis’ paternal Grandparents. There’s somethin’ to chew on ... I’m taking my girlfriend and my kids to my ex-husband’s parents house .... The only thing better would be if HE read this blog!

Alrighty, that’s it for now, kiddies ... it’s time to pay attention to the road. The people behind me are really not sympathetic to all the bobbing and weaving.