The kids and I are en route to Colorado. We're not heading home though--we're heading to the Durango area for our family vacation. We're side-tripping through one of our favorite places tomorrow--Santa Fe, NM-- to meet up with John. I'm as excited about getting to go there as I am about vacation! I'm also very ready to see my husband. We've been apart about 10 days. It's not the longest we've ever been separated, but it's definitely too long. I've missed him terribly.
Thanks to all of you who have emailed to ask about my dad. My visit with him was good. Hard, but good. He's not really any better, but he's not any worse either so that's good. I spent most of my time playing nurse and taking him to his doctor appointments. I was thankful I could be there, but honestly, it was all a bit overwhelming.
I loved my time in Arkansas though because I just really love Arkansas. The weather was unseasonably cool and I only had one or two encounters with the suffocating humidity. I left this morning and realized that I didn't get one single mosquito bite while there. That is quite remarkable since mosquitos love me! (Let's be clear though--it's not a mutual affection.)
John and I think/talk about moving back every once in awhile (usually after a trip to Arkansas). I love Colorado and I don't know if my heart could handle not seeing the mountains every day, but it's so hard being far away from family. I tell John that if we ever do move back I'll absolutely have to have a house with a swimming pool. Seriously, it's the only way you can survive the summers! It's a deal-breaker for me. :)
My kids have been having fun with their cousins (and are still having fun since we're all traveling together to CO!) and I was so grateful for all of my family's help with them while I was away from them last week.
Yesterday the kids and I made a Walmart run (you know you MUST shop at Walmart if you're from Arkansas, right?) and we picked up a new game to take with us to Durango. Can't wait to try playing it. It's Scrabble Slam. Anyone played it? I'm excited to try it. I was also looking for LCR, a dice game that my cousin taught us to play last Christmas. Anyone played that one? I can't seem to find it anywhere but online. Was hoping to pick it up on the way. Anyone know where I might find it??? If I can't find it I may buy Farkle instead.
After Walmart, we ran by Sonic because it was hot and it was happy hour and those two things just go hand in hand. The car hop reached to hand me a cherry slush and spilled it all over the inside of my van and all over ME. It was a sticky mess. I cleaned things up immediately, but today I noticed a few places that I missed. Ugh.
Had a really sad thought today while driving through Oklahoma (land of the worst cell phone coverage so far on this trip). Once we get home, my kids will only have 1.5 weeks of summer left. It's really gone by way too fast. Hoping we can really just lay low and fill those last few days with lots of nothing.
Can't wait to get home and see our new front yard! A friend from church repaired our sprinkler system and laid some sod for us last week and all my neighbors have been sending me messages on Facebook telling me how wonderful it looks. I'm excited to see it for myself! John sent me a pic from his cell phone but it's not quite the same.
Speaking of cell phones. I really want a new phone with a QWERTY keyboard. I love texting but I hate texting on my phone because I have to scroll through all the letters. A-n-n-o-y-i-n-g and p-a-i-n-f-u-l-l-y slow.
I don't know when I'll post again because I don't know if our cabin has internet. Actually, I don't think I'd mind being unplugged for awhile. That's actually my idea of a restful vacation.
So I guess you'll see me when you see me! Have a great week!
19 comments:
So glad to get caught up on your life - I've been wondering how you've been doing.
You'll only be an hour from me tomorrow! Enjoy your trip to Santa Fe - and your family vacation - we love Durango.
I keep waiting for the day when I get something spilled on me at Sonic. I know for sure that if I was the carhop, I would've spilled something on someone a long time ago - I lack a little in the smooth and graceful department. :)
We just started playing LCR this week! My cousin from CO got my mom into it when they visited her in....wait for it...Colorado! Mom bought hers at Bed, Bath & Beyond of all places.
I hope you have a restful and fun-filled family vacation. You've been in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to be. Heart you muchly.
Was coming in to tell you that they sell LCR at Bed, Bath and Beyond here in Ohio, but looks like someone beat me to it, lol.
Glad you had those bonding moments with your dad and are ending on a high note. Enjoy your vacation!
Looks like I have some shopping at BB and B to do. Oh, well. There are worse ways to spend my time. :)
So glad that you got to be with your dad. That you're on your way to fun and relaxation now, and that I didn't see you on the news, so the Sonic car hop must be alive still. ;)
Blessings, friend. Praying for a whole lotta nothing, too.
I'm going to send you an email so this won't be a novel but I hope that Sonic guy gave you everything for free and then gave you free ice cream. Unbelievable!!!
Have a fun vacation!!
Whenever I'm in AR visiting friends, I ALWAYS want to move back. It's such a special place to me. Enjoy your vacation. May your sightings of men in capris be few.
It kills me that you were driving through Oklahoma today. And that I was in NWA the same time as you, again! In my opinion, you should move back. Lots of houses in Arkansas have pools!
The best family vacations we took growing up always included Durango. I love it there. I hope you and your family have a wonderful vacation!
Hey Meredith! I have never commented before, but love your blog and read it always. I'll pray for your dad. Enjoy your trip. I've been to Sonic thanks to you! Men in capris???
Have a great time with your family!
I don't know if you have tried this for texting on your phone. It's called T9. It's a mode you can select in texting like when you change modes to type numbers. It will take the keys you type and give you a list of words that the phone says are options with the numbers you hit. For example to type the word "with" I just hit "9484" and the phone automatically shows "with". If it brings up an option and that's not the word you wanted, you can hit "next" (it's my 0)button and it will bring up another word. It saved sooooooo much time! A friend of mine who has teenage girls taught me this trick and I love it!! Hope it helps until you can get a keyboard which does make it much easier!!! Have fun in Durango! Tricia from Texas
Sweet Meredith...
I am sorry that I have been so absent from blogland this summer. We are just enjoying lazy days with our boys :)!
It sounds like you have been having a great time with family and friends. The weather has been unseasonably cool in TN as well. I wonder what this means for the fall?
Have fun and enjoy these last few weeks of summer.
Hey there..just chanced onto your blog and read your last post of the "I hate's.." list. Just wanted you to know I've so totally been there. My mom passed away 5 years ago w/a brain tumor. Parents were divorced and felt the huge burden of being the caregiver at the ripe ol' age of 27. Just wade through these waters...they won't sink you...they'll feel like it, but they won't. Spend as much quality time as you can w/your family to give you nourishment when you have to be away. Spend alot of QT w/the Lord. Looking back, I wish I had taken each moment as they came, instead of dreading the upcoming ones..... Wish you well!
Sending you a hug Meredith! Besed upon FB.... It sounds like Santa Fe has been worth the stop!
i want a new cell phone that makes texting easier too but they don't offer a free one in my upgrades just yet and i'll all about the free.
have a good trip.
We don't have a pool, but this summer we have something even better--our single, working lady w/grown kids neighbor invited us to use her pool while she's at work! So we do. As often as possible. :) Have fun -- still praying for your dad.
I'm just now catching up on all things internet since my vacation. I was hardly on mine while we were away, and, you are right, it is relaxing and very peaceful.
Glad to get caught up on everything that has been going on with you.
I saw Scrabble Slam! Looks fun! Let us know how it is!!
And...if you ever want to move back to Arkansas, you would have a whole host of people here that would welcome you back in a second!!!
Enjoy your vacation!
Move back...move back...only thing is if you had a pool you would have lots of company!
Hope you are enjoying your vacation...we had a wonderful time on ours.
Mer,
As I read your post about your dad I can certainly empathize with you.... I'm glad you got the time there with him.
My girls has gotten a job at a coffee shop there in Monument. I can't remember the name of it... I know they have scones and coffee cake because she makes them. She's adjusting to life in Colorado.
Glad you got a good visit in Arkansas!
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