Now that my internet is up and running again here is the next installment...
18 hours is a long drive and even longer when you are towing a Bronco.
We were bringing to Ohio John's Bronco that we had to leave behind when we transferred from New Orleans to North Carolina in June 2005. He has been chomping at the bit to get it home so he could get it running for three years now, thus why we were in a truck, not the van to drive down. We borrowed Aunt Robin's very awesome truck (which I loved driving around MS, I was afraid of such a big truck after driving a Mustang for 4 years, but that quickly changed) and rented a tow-dolly to bring her home with us.
I has still super relaxed because of the awesome time we had in Mississippi. The trip opened my eyes and mind to the way I perceived life and the way it really was. It showed me that at the pace I was living, worrying, stress, etc, I was not really enjoying the little things in life like I should be. The perception of the South is that life is slower and laid back, and it is that and more. Being in the South opened my eyes to way of life that I didn't realize I missed until I was immersed in it. Not to bash living in the north because it is wonderful in its own way.
People were respectful of each other and they were friendly. I met so many of my brothers friends and neighbors and everyone of them treated me as if they had know me for years, not just a few minutes. When we were hanging out at Erik's house there was this great energy all around us. I wish I could have bottled it. Don't get me wrong they work their asses off when they have to, but life wasn't about all work and no play. It was a life of working hard deserves playing hard and you work to live not live to work. They soaked up every last drop of off time whether cooking and eating great food, watching a game, or simply sitting in the front yard listening to stories or listening to nature. Whatever they did they did it so that they and their families could relax and enjoy life. This was something that I needed to rediscover so desperately and it happened at the most perfect moment when I needed it most. It was like recharging my batteries and boy did they need recharging.
Another wonderful lesson that I needed to relearn is one that I observed in my brothers amazing fiancé Ashley. When we met I instantly loved her to death and admired her confidence and attitude. She told me she was who she was and didn't give a shit what anyone wanted her to be because take or leave she was herself and that wasn't going to change. To me this is a foreign concept. I try to be so many things for so many people. I dress like I think I should for work and other things, even though I am miserable and super self conscious. Now, Ash is no slob and she has effortless beauty, but above all she is comfortable in her skin. I was envious. I decided then and there I was going to learn or rather relearn how I thought of myself. Once these thoughts began to process, I was feeling the weight of all this self consciousness lift. I was regaining Me back.
So I send a great big thanks to Erik and Ash for everything and more.
Back to the drive home…
We took our time driving home because we planned to stop for the night in Kentucky so we could sleep and drive home the next day. We stopped in every state, both because we drank too much and needed breaks and because I was determined to get a shot glass from every state on the way home. Plus, I had to replace the Bama one I got because I gave it to Ash because she is a HUGE Alabama fan. I got some great ones from all over. My collection tripled in size on this trip. (pictures to follow)
I felt great up until we stopped for the night in Ky. That is when I started stressing out. I got sick to my stomach, couldn't sleep and was extremely anxious. I tried to hide it and said it was because of the driving. John was worried that I would lose my happiness I gained on the vacation, I was worried I was walking into a huge trap when I returned to work. Don't ask me how or why, but my intuition told me this was the calm before the storm.
The next day we continue on our journey. I slept a lot to make up for the non-sleeping in the hotel. The further we got into Ohio the more dread I felt. Mind you I loved my job, just not the abuse I was receiving. My last week there was a huge push to drive me over the edge and every time I thought of quitting, I reminded myself of the vacation coming up and how I'd feel better when I got back. I was just overstressed and needed the time off to refresh my spirit. But I began to feel like I had never left. I tried to sleep between the very boring parts of the drive (between Cincinnati & Columbus) but I kept having nightmares of returning to work. Because we stayed longer then expected we would have no recovery time when we got home. We got in around 4:30 Sunday night.
We unloaded and I felt so anxious that I decided to take a trip to Wal*Mart. I walked around trying to shake this feeling of dread. Usually shopping (even if I don't buy anything) had a calming effect on me, but not today. I picked up a couple of things and checked out. I ran into Aunt Daisy and Uncle John while there which was cool. I headed home.
When I got back I tried to busy myself by unpacking and getting everything ready for the next day at work. I tried to go to bed early but despite all my sleeping and anxiety meds (most of which I had to start taking due to my work environment) I tossed and turned all night. When I finally would doze off I would have nightmares. I gave up trying to sleep at 5. I knew I needed to get up soon anyway.
I got ready for work and drove in. I parked in my usual spot and headed in for my morning routine-pick up paper, unlock door, start computer, turn off answering service, start coffee. But something was amiss. The paper was not there, the door unlocked, the phones on, the coffee started. Hmm. That was odd. No biggie, maybe they were giving me time to catch up on my emails and get settled in, after all I was gone for 12 days (on a vacation that was approved in March). Boy was I in for a surprise…
Showing posts with label vacation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vacation. Show all posts
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Part 2: Vacation all I ever wanted…Vacation I had to get away….
We arrived around lunch time on July 4th at my parents home in Kiln, MS. Aunt Phyl , Uncle Ed & Eddie are there already. Dad has the grilled fired up, the kids running around, the humidity is high and the temps are higher…yup I am home. J
Mom came out for hugs and kisses. We began unloading and talking about the trip down. John and I gratefully take the alcohol of our choosing and set our stuff in our room. The kids are antsy from sitting in the truck for so long and began running in circles.
The yard looks so different now without the trees. I really miss the big magnolia that was next to the carport. Everyone is helping with getting the food cooked. Dad is smoking everything on his fancy grill. The men are hanging out and beginning their Wilderness Family tradition of drinking, retelling stories, drinking, eating, watching the classics (Slap Shots, Animal House, Blazing Saddles) and retelling the stories once more with extra flavor. Ask them sometime about the “Hocker story” it will surely cause you to lose your lunch, especially when the sound effects kick in.
I decided to take a quit nap to head off the head ache I am getting. I lay down and before I know it an hour has passed and my brother and his family have arrived. My kids haven’t seen his kids in about 6-7 years. The older ones are bonding while the younger ones are playing games and giggling. This is what vacation is about. Laughing and chilling with your loved ones.
I got to me my brothers fiancé Ashley. She is one awesome woman. I really like her right away as we plan for a trip to the Quarter and for tonight’s firework fest at Erik’s house. We bond on talks of shopping and our love of daiquiri’s.
For some reason I am super happy and extremely relaxed, and we just got here. I will be jello by the end of the trip Thursday at this rate.
That night we decided to take all the kids over to Erik’s house for fireworks. Eddie comes along for the booze and the ride. We get the kids settled and head out for firework hunting. We hit this giant stand which was nearly cleaned out as this was the night of the 4th. We all gather arms full of fireworks and head to wait in a line for 30 minutes. We pay and head for the liquor store. Yes, I am sure we are violating laws in many states but who the hell cares, this is vacation!
We get a combined over $300 worth of explosives and set up for the show off between neighbors in my brothers cul-de-sac. We are sure this violates his tenant agreement, but again who cares.
Now mind you I have never in my life shot off fireworks beyond the level of sparklers or those snappy things you throw on the ground, so this is a whole new experience for me. Erik’s neighbors (hi Katie) join us as we begin the blast off. It is freakin awesome. I didn’t know you could get the same fire works that they do at fireworks shows. They were big, loud and beautiful. This with a few shots made for a great evening. It ended with a 5 yard long firecracker that Katie lit. I couldn’t hear for a few minutes after that one.
The kids all were camping out at Erik’s because the next night they were camping out with us at my moms. All except Johnathan, he came back with us.
The next few days seemed to both blend together and last forever, all good on all fronts. I was so relaxed I had no idea what day it was. I know I shopped the outlets with Ash and the girls, shopped again by my self, went to the bay, had a shrimp boil at my brothers, ate a lot, saw Mrs. Dailey, ate some more, hung out with my parents and Aunt & Uncle, John and Eddie worked to get my Dad’s mustang and my uncles Camaro running again. They drank 2 liters of Gentlemen’s Jack, 1 liter of Captain Morgan’s Private stock and at least 12 cases of various beers. We ate the best food in the world thanks to my mom’s fabulous cooking and hard work feeding anywhere from 9-15 people per meal. They went to NASA, we went to the Pass beach. Me, Ash & Cassie had an awesome girls night out at the casinos and Michael’s. Like I said it blended. At some point we changed our leave date from Thursday to Friday and then to Saturday. I wanted to soak every last ounce of amazinginess out of this vacation as I could. I had never felt so relaxed and at peace before. The guys fixed the cars, loaded the Bronco for us to tow back and we unfortunately headed home that Saturday.
Before leaving my brother took me, john, cassie, Ash & Eddie to the quarter. We made a pit stop in Slidell for our drive through daiquiri’s. (Yes it is a real drive through and yes they are yummy)
Slidell looked almost back to “normal” to me, as did much of the area of MS from ¼ mile from the beach and north. This really surprised me. But driving into New Orleans, you could see it was no where near re-built. It was dark as we approached the downtown area and I mentioned to John that the city seemed so small. You see before when you took I-10 from Slidell into downtown you would see houses, businesses, street lights and signs of life all the way from New Orleans East in to and beyond the exits for the Quarter. But now there are only lights in the very downtown area. Oh yeah, before I forget, I hated driving the twin span and squeezed the life out of John’s hand as we went over it.
As for the trip to the Quarter- it was the best time!!! We walked the now small area of bars, shops and strip clubs. We dipped in and out of various places. I vaguely remember Tropical Isle, Beerfest and shopping for things I couldn’t buy anywhere else. I got chickory coffee from Café Du Monet and some spices. I got touristie t-shirts and drank some more. I was really buzzed by the time we got to a bar that had a mechanical bull. I had a few more shots and went on to film Cassie, Eddie & Ash on the bull. I couldn’t stop laughing, I was having a ball.
At some point Cassie decided that she wanted to be de-viriginized in the art of strip clubs so we sought out one of the finer establishments on Bourbon Street. Rick’s Cabaret was our stop. It was air conditioned and very entertaining. Cassie was successfully deflowered and we all had a blast.
By now it was 3:30 am and we needed to head back for our hours drive to MS. We also needed gas. Thank God John was our driver that night because we were blitzed. We found out that most places that are opened outside of downtown close at dark to prevent them from being robbed. So we nearly ran out of gas trying to find an opened gas station in New Orleans East. Gas pumped and we headed home, me again squeezing the life out of Johns hand as we crossed the twin span.
We got home safely and got up the next morning for an amazing cook out at my brothers. He makes a mean Jamaican Jerk steak and a tasty seafood stuffed mushroom. He is one hell of a good cook (not to mention great dad and pretty cool guy too).
All good things must come to an end, but I decided that I was going to adopt the way of living that my brother and Ash had adopted. Live life, drink and laugh often, play a lot, work to pay the bills and not to let work control you and your happiness. Relax, kick back, hang with the ones you love and forget about those you hate. Let go of yesterday and worry about tomorrow another day. Be happy and be free. Yep, I am taking that prescription home with me.
I am sorry I didn’t hook up with my friends like I wanted to. This trip ended up being about family and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Mom came out for hugs and kisses. We began unloading and talking about the trip down. John and I gratefully take the alcohol of our choosing and set our stuff in our room. The kids are antsy from sitting in the truck for so long and began running in circles.
The yard looks so different now without the trees. I really miss the big magnolia that was next to the carport. Everyone is helping with getting the food cooked. Dad is smoking everything on his fancy grill. The men are hanging out and beginning their Wilderness Family tradition of drinking, retelling stories, drinking, eating, watching the classics (Slap Shots, Animal House, Blazing Saddles) and retelling the stories once more with extra flavor. Ask them sometime about the “Hocker story” it will surely cause you to lose your lunch, especially when the sound effects kick in.
I decided to take a quit nap to head off the head ache I am getting. I lay down and before I know it an hour has passed and my brother and his family have arrived. My kids haven’t seen his kids in about 6-7 years. The older ones are bonding while the younger ones are playing games and giggling. This is what vacation is about. Laughing and chilling with your loved ones.
I got to me my brothers fiancé Ashley. She is one awesome woman. I really like her right away as we plan for a trip to the Quarter and for tonight’s firework fest at Erik’s house. We bond on talks of shopping and our love of daiquiri’s.
For some reason I am super happy and extremely relaxed, and we just got here. I will be jello by the end of the trip Thursday at this rate.
That night we decided to take all the kids over to Erik’s house for fireworks. Eddie comes along for the booze and the ride. We get the kids settled and head out for firework hunting. We hit this giant stand which was nearly cleaned out as this was the night of the 4th. We all gather arms full of fireworks and head to wait in a line for 30 minutes. We pay and head for the liquor store. Yes, I am sure we are violating laws in many states but who the hell cares, this is vacation!
We get a combined over $300 worth of explosives and set up for the show off between neighbors in my brothers cul-de-sac. We are sure this violates his tenant agreement, but again who cares.
Now mind you I have never in my life shot off fireworks beyond the level of sparklers or those snappy things you throw on the ground, so this is a whole new experience for me. Erik’s neighbors (hi Katie) join us as we begin the blast off. It is freakin awesome. I didn’t know you could get the same fire works that they do at fireworks shows. They were big, loud and beautiful. This with a few shots made for a great evening. It ended with a 5 yard long firecracker that Katie lit. I couldn’t hear for a few minutes after that one.
The kids all were camping out at Erik’s because the next night they were camping out with us at my moms. All except Johnathan, he came back with us.
The next few days seemed to both blend together and last forever, all good on all fronts. I was so relaxed I had no idea what day it was. I know I shopped the outlets with Ash and the girls, shopped again by my self, went to the bay, had a shrimp boil at my brothers, ate a lot, saw Mrs. Dailey, ate some more, hung out with my parents and Aunt & Uncle, John and Eddie worked to get my Dad’s mustang and my uncles Camaro running again. They drank 2 liters of Gentlemen’s Jack, 1 liter of Captain Morgan’s Private stock and at least 12 cases of various beers. We ate the best food in the world thanks to my mom’s fabulous cooking and hard work feeding anywhere from 9-15 people per meal. They went to NASA, we went to the Pass beach. Me, Ash & Cassie had an awesome girls night out at the casinos and Michael’s. Like I said it blended. At some point we changed our leave date from Thursday to Friday and then to Saturday. I wanted to soak every last ounce of amazinginess out of this vacation as I could. I had never felt so relaxed and at peace before. The guys fixed the cars, loaded the Bronco for us to tow back and we unfortunately headed home that Saturday.
Before leaving my brother took me, john, cassie, Ash & Eddie to the quarter. We made a pit stop in Slidell for our drive through daiquiri’s. (Yes it is a real drive through and yes they are yummy)
Slidell looked almost back to “normal” to me, as did much of the area of MS from ¼ mile from the beach and north. This really surprised me. But driving into New Orleans, you could see it was no where near re-built. It was dark as we approached the downtown area and I mentioned to John that the city seemed so small. You see before when you took I-10 from Slidell into downtown you would see houses, businesses, street lights and signs of life all the way from New Orleans East in to and beyond the exits for the Quarter. But now there are only lights in the very downtown area. Oh yeah, before I forget, I hated driving the twin span and squeezed the life out of John’s hand as we went over it.
As for the trip to the Quarter- it was the best time!!! We walked the now small area of bars, shops and strip clubs. We dipped in and out of various places. I vaguely remember Tropical Isle, Beerfest and shopping for things I couldn’t buy anywhere else. I got chickory coffee from Café Du Monet and some spices. I got touristie t-shirts and drank some more. I was really buzzed by the time we got to a bar that had a mechanical bull. I had a few more shots and went on to film Cassie, Eddie & Ash on the bull. I couldn’t stop laughing, I was having a ball.
At some point Cassie decided that she wanted to be de-viriginized in the art of strip clubs so we sought out one of the finer establishments on Bourbon Street. Rick’s Cabaret was our stop. It was air conditioned and very entertaining. Cassie was successfully deflowered and we all had a blast.
By now it was 3:30 am and we needed to head back for our hours drive to MS. We also needed gas. Thank God John was our driver that night because we were blitzed. We found out that most places that are opened outside of downtown close at dark to prevent them from being robbed. So we nearly ran out of gas trying to find an opened gas station in New Orleans East. Gas pumped and we headed home, me again squeezing the life out of Johns hand as we crossed the twin span.
We got home safely and got up the next morning for an amazing cook out at my brothers. He makes a mean Jamaican Jerk steak and a tasty seafood stuffed mushroom. He is one hell of a good cook (not to mention great dad and pretty cool guy too).
All good things must come to an end, but I decided that I was going to adopt the way of living that my brother and Ash had adopted. Live life, drink and laugh often, play a lot, work to pay the bills and not to let work control you and your happiness. Relax, kick back, hang with the ones you love and forget about those you hate. Let go of yesterday and worry about tomorrow another day. Be happy and be free. Yep, I am taking that prescription home with me.
I am sorry I didn’t hook up with my friends like I wanted to. This trip ended up being about family and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Part 1: Its my party and I'll Cry if I Want to...
The day before my birthday I posted that I was going to list 37 things that I wanted to do before my 38th birthday. I started to create this list and really didn't get that many things listed. This topped with a really, really bad last day at my day job before embarking on an 18 hour journey and lets say I was beginning to not look forward to my birthday.
After taking a few happy pills and breathing into a paper bag I calmed down by the time we got to Columbus. I was finally letting the waves of vacation begin to wipe away the horrible treatment on that day of work. I dozed off by Cincinnati and the next thing I knew we were in Alabama and it was July 4th. John stopped to take a nap and whispered happy birthday to me. The sun was trying to come up and something inside me realized that this wasn't just the beginning of a new day or a new birth year but a beginning of a new me.
I woke up briefly when we got on the road again. We had about 7 hours left to drive and poor John did every last mile. One good thing about driving at night was all three kids slept through nearly the entire drive, one bad thing is poor John will be exhausted by the time we get to my parents.
I dozed back off and woke up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Hungry and time for a potty break we all got out and stretched our legs at a truck stop. I love truck stops because of all the cool things you can find there. I quickly snatched up some Bama gear for my Dad and my new collecting obsession, a shot glass, and headed on our way back to the car.
I noticed that I had about 40 messages on my Blackberry from my myspace page. I started reading through them and they were all wishes of a happy birthday from all over the country and world. I was so touched and floored for that matter that I showed John as I began to tear up. I was so touched that so many people took the time out of their holiday to say happy birthday to me. We got back in the truck and I could feel even more that this was going to be the best trip and year ever.
After taking a few happy pills and breathing into a paper bag I calmed down by the time we got to Columbus. I was finally letting the waves of vacation begin to wipe away the horrible treatment on that day of work. I dozed off by Cincinnati and the next thing I knew we were in Alabama and it was July 4th. John stopped to take a nap and whispered happy birthday to me. The sun was trying to come up and something inside me realized that this wasn't just the beginning of a new day or a new birth year but a beginning of a new me.
I woke up briefly when we got on the road again. We had about 7 hours left to drive and poor John did every last mile. One good thing about driving at night was all three kids slept through nearly the entire drive, one bad thing is poor John will be exhausted by the time we get to my parents.
I dozed back off and woke up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Hungry and time for a potty break we all got out and stretched our legs at a truck stop. I love truck stops because of all the cool things you can find there. I quickly snatched up some Bama gear for my Dad and my new collecting obsession, a shot glass, and headed on our way back to the car.
I noticed that I had about 40 messages on my Blackberry from my myspace page. I started reading through them and they were all wishes of a happy birthday from all over the country and world. I was so touched and floored for that matter that I showed John as I began to tear up. I was so touched that so many people took the time out of their holiday to say happy birthday to me. We got back in the truck and I could feel even more that this was going to be the best trip and year ever.
Friday, March 28, 2008
First signs of spring
First signs of spring
Sure some might say that the first signs of spring are the buds on the trees or the tiny green seedlings pushing their way toward the sun. Some might say it is because the fall fashion shows have come and gone, as have the winter clothes from the shopping centers. But to me the first sign of spring is the starting of my Mustangs engine.
We were lucky enough to have a "winter" car so that I wouldn’t have to drive the Mustang and let it sit away from the salty Ohio roads.
Starting up the car, backing out and dreaming of the open road is as soul warming as a sunny day. Call me crazy but it is amazing the feeling of driving my favorite car to work. It is like a vacation for my brain.
We all need one of those—vacations that is…the mustang, however is all mine.
Sure some might say that the first signs of spring are the buds on the trees or the tiny green seedlings pushing their way toward the sun. Some might say it is because the fall fashion shows have come and gone, as have the winter clothes from the shopping centers. But to me the first sign of spring is the starting of my Mustangs engine.
We were lucky enough to have a "winter" car so that I wouldn’t have to drive the Mustang and let it sit away from the salty Ohio roads.
Starting up the car, backing out and dreaming of the open road is as soul warming as a sunny day. Call me crazy but it is amazing the feeling of driving my favorite car to work. It is like a vacation for my brain.
We all need one of those—vacations that is…the mustang, however is all mine.
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