A Bug's Life

We're here. The car was covered in smooshed bugs, so we got a car wash. Then we went to the beach. It was a very breezy 76 and I covered up in a towel. Charlie was oblivious to the wind and frolicked in the ocean.

Manny came up last night and hung out with Charlie so I could hit the gym. He left and Charlie cried for hours. Said he hurt all over. Coincidentally, today all 3 of us are sick! CC seems a bit better after a couple doses of Tylenol. I'm down and out. UGH! I think it finally caught up with me. All I want to do is sleep - I look ROUGH!

We're watching movies, major dosed on cold meds and trying to sweat it out. Hancock was great. Tropic Thunder sucks. We also have Harold & Kumar Escape from Gitmo, Nat'l Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Lion King 1 -1/2 and Get Smart. All I want to do is sleep.

It's cold, windy and raining outside. So we're not missing anything. I'm hoping to be better by tomorrow as I have to work.

Going to nap.Hope Charlie doesn't tear up the joint...

C.

So ya want cable with that?

We're in line at Comcast to pick up cable modem. We are #25 in line. The office opened at 10. It's 10:08. WTF! Notice the demographic change from Grand Rapids. Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore! I love the diversity!

Update: after an hour in the store we left empty handed. They can't get to our unit to connect the cable/internet until Thursday. We leave Friday for Seattle. So we'll need to find creative ways to fill our days. Ways that do not include surfing channels or the web.

Deliver Me

We're here.

Charlie will not stop talking. His current theme is the dietary habits of common animals. I ache all over, but mostly my brain. I'm road ravaged and the boy is bright eyed n bushy tailed.

The fridge is empty save the above items. The truck is unpacked, nothing is put away and I desperately need a reprieve!

We had to stop for wine. A very kind but homeless man engaged me in conversation and gave me a hard luck story about someone stealing his pants. As a former friend noted, I'm soft as cotton on the inside; I gave him $5. He thanked me and then kept talking. That talking thing must be catching. My response? "God bless you, brother.". Charlie immediately asked, "Is that your brother?"

Talky, rested, energetic boy aside, I'm feeling better simply because it is currently 72 degrees. At 9:00 at night it is seventy-two degrees!

I am happy.

Ocala Sunshine!

We're about halfway to Pompano. I tried to make it to the turnpike before we stopped, but the gas tank didn't cooperate. Gas light came on and I stopped right away. It's mildly funny to run out of gas on 285 with a nervous-for-gas-cuz-the-light-came-on guy friend. (Ha!) But it ain't funny at all if you're alone with a toddler in the middle of Florida. So the light popped on and we took the first exit. We're 25 miles from the turnpike and 4 or so hours from the condo.

The sun is shining and it is 81 degrees. Yes. Eighty. One. I can't wait to get there so I can put my feet in the warm sand and baptize myself in the Atlantic. I plan to wash away all that Grand Rapids drama and start 2009 with a renewed spirit and a new set of short term goals.

Anyhooooo, back on the road. I just put Madagascar in for my Charlie and we've got to move it move it.

Big Love!

C.

P.S. Do I look as tired to you as I do to me? Or is it the sick that's making me look that way? I'm due for another dose of that crack (aka DayQuil). I'll be right in no time! Peace out.

Highway Hypnosis

Ha! I love this kid. He has been watching Max and Ruby dvds, had a fruit snack and evidently needed a nap. Those are headphones around his face.

We're 2.5 hrs into the trip. Sara (our navigation system) shows another 7 hrs of road in front of us. I hope to be there by 9 tonight.

I took a dose of DayQuil at Tera's suggestion and feel much better. Great idea, T!

We'll check in again soon.

Big Love!

C.

Breakfast & Das Boot

The other pics didn't post...

Let's see if this works.

...And We're Off (Again)!

ATL was great. I'd stay longer if I could, but it's time to be on our way.

We had a restful Thanksgiving. I was not feeling well (and am still not). Charlie was gracious enough to let me doze until 1. We hung out with Auntie Ros (tho not for long enough) and had dinner with the family.

Breakfast at the hotel this morning was eventful, as CC talked the whole time. A man at a nearby table found him charming and made him a Santa Boot out of a $1 bill.

Then we packed the car and here I sit. Not wanting to get on the road, but knowing there's no other way for us to get to Florida if I don't start driving. I really feel sad to leave - Guy n Ros n all my other friends and family made me feel SO loved and special at a time when I needed it. I hope y'all know how much I love you back!

Big Love!

C.

P.S. Pompano here we come!

Hair Today, Gone Today

Guess who got a haircut?
Yeah, baby!

Mind you, I usually cut his hair. Once or twice a friend in Grand Rapids did it, but that was more trouble than it was worth. His father cuts it if we're in Florida. It's good to know that Charlie acts with Manny the same way he acts with me. We have video of one of the Manny haircuts - it makes me laugh to tears even a year later! Manny was so patient with him, and Charlie cut completely up!

The hotel manager directed us to a barber shop and Darnell the barber hooked Charlie UP! He only cried for about 15 seconds, and then Darnell was funny and distracted him with a comb and a brush. Charlie was asking questions, looking in the mirror and telling Darnell to "go slowly so it doesn't hurt." Too funny!

After his haircut, we were going to meet a friend for lunch, but she got bogged down at work and couldn't get away. (Booo work!) While we were waiting, Charlie got all caught up in the huge Christmas tree in front of Cumberland mall. He wanted to touch it to see if it was cold (weird, I know) and our compromise was that he could stand on the ledge in front of it so I could take his picture. I think he looks like Vin Diesel in his shades. Is he the sexiest 3 year old kid ever, or what? LOL

Lunch was fun. He ate a bowl of mac n cheese, and I had my favorite avocado eggrolls. I only ate half, so I guess that's 1,500 calories instead of the full 3,000. (laugh) There was a mirror behind our seat, and Charlie caught his reflection. He said "Mama, I really like my haircut! It didn't hurt at all!" Very cool, lil dude. Very very cool.

After naps we made it to Greenbriar Mall to see Black Santa. I feel terrible now for mindlessly referring to the man as 'Black Santa,' as Charlie has picked up the vernacular. As in "Black Santa said he's going to bring me Spiderman toys" and "Black Santa gave me a funny book!" I had to tell him that we'll call him "Santa" from now on, and he seems agreeable to that new rule. How bout this for a new rule: Mommy needs to edit her speech a little closer for potentially offensive and insensitive phrases.

Charlie was SO CUTE meeting Santa Claus. He is typically not too keen on people dressed up in costumes. I mean, they usually freak him out! Kimiko, Tera and others have seen him shriek and panic when in the presence of Spongebob, Spiderman and Tony the Tiger. I'm no help at all, as I laugh or try to capture it on video. ROTFL But he got a bit conscious of himself when he met Santa, and was almost reverent! Too sweet. The innocence of childhood brought a tear to my eye.

We had a picture taken, and after the 3rd shot, we settled on a smile. I bought one single print. Santa's helper wanted to put a fancy border on the picture, and I requested that she not do so. I plan to make a Christmas card out of it, and didn't want it all polluted with snowflakes and candy canes. It's a cute picture - I left it in the car or I'd post it.

Now that we're home, we're both coughing, achy and feeling yucked out, so we each took medicine and are getting into bed. We've got the heat cranking and I'm getting dozy from the TheraFlu, so I'm hitting the sheets for the night.

Thanks for checking in on us, y'all! We're having a great Thanksgiving! Dinner at Aunt Barb's tomorrow, but we do have a couple of other stops to make, and on Friday we're heading to Florida to hang out with Charlie's dad! At least he doesn't have to give Charlie a haircut (this week).

Big Love!

C.

Paradise was Heavenly!

Yes, Charlie did take that picture of me sleeping. And yes, he did get a time out for being precocious. But I must admit, it's a cute picture!
After naps we got up and went to meet friends at Cheeseburger in Paradise. It was so much fun! Click the picture to see all of the Cheeseburger in STI Paradise pictures. I'm totally bummed that I didn't get a picture with my good friend Guy, but we'll try to fix that today. He claims he's camera shy. Whatever, dude. This is all about ME! :)

We had drinks, Charlie was busy and friendly and even took over photographer duty for a while. I must say that Carol, Fernando and Wanda were very patient, as he took 50 pictures - mostly of them! I included some of his pictures in the gallery. Some are really cute!

I loved talking and laughing and reminiscing about the good ole days. (HA!) It was good to be with people who knew me BC (Before Charlie) and for me to remember what my life was like years ago. I have a tendency to romanticize my past; I was reminded of a few realities as well. I was most proud of my little guy, who was outgoing and charming (when he wasn't racing around the restaurant like an olympic sprinter). He never meets a stranger, and doesn't have a shy moment ever. Admittedly, we had some touch and go moments, but he had a lot of fun, too!

So we're heading out for a haircut now. Then to the Atlanta Children's Museum. Black Santa is this afternoon with Guy. And tonight is a whole nother adventure in itself. We're finally hanging out with Auntie Ros. (Bout time...)

Big Love!

C.

Now's My Chance! Shhhhhh!!

Hi Guys!

Mama is sleeping, she says she has a sore throat and a headache, and something about needing some rest before dinner. I think she's just not used to keeping up with me 24-7. I am busy! We have been on the go for the past couple days. So since she's slacking on the blog, I'll fill you in on what we did today.

This morning we had early breakfast downstairs with Uncle Rowland, then we came up to get dressed. We drove a long long ways and met Mikey for hot chocolate, which was too hot to drink, so I dinked around with it until it tasted like chocolate milk. Yummy!

Mama threatened to take me for a haircut, but couldn't find any place to take me. That's a good thing cuz I hate getting my hair cut! I'm glad she left the clippers at home, too, or she'd be trying to cut my hair again. Trust me - that is not a good look! While we were driving around we saw a car that looks like a zebra. A ZEBRA CAR! That was SO COOL! I had never seen a zebra car before. Mama said she wants a giraffe car. I say she has enough giraffes.

We went to see Santa at the Greenbriar mall, but he was at the North Pole today. Whatever. So we have to go back tomorrow. Mama said she's definitely getting my hair cut before we see Santa, plus she said she doesn't have a shirt for me to wear. I got LOTS of shirts. Most of them say OBAMA on 'em tho.

When we got back to the museum (which she calls the hotel) I got to change clothes and get into the pool! Oh man it was FUN! I splashed and kicked and we even found a ladybug in the pool. Mama said we had to let her go be with her friends by the window, but I saw her friends and they all looked dead to me. So I stepped on her. BOO-YAH! I also got to wear my very cool shirt with the octopus on it that we bought yesterday at the aquarium. I like that shirt.

Tonight we're meeting Mama's "old life" at Cheeseburger in Paradise. A lot of the people she used to hang out with when she lived here in Atlanta are going to be there to see her and meet me. That will be fun. I hope they have french fries. I really love french fries! Later on I get to see Auntie Ros and my fake cousin Mya. That's all I know because I didn't hear the rest of what she said. I was telling her something important and she wasn't listening to me.

Hey, I'm not a bad photographer, am I? I took that picture of Mama right before she woke up and fussed at me for bugging her by taking her picture. She's got a lotta nerve - she's had that camera in my face since the day I was born. Now she knows what it feels like. I'm sure she'll be back on the ball later to tell you about our night. I hope we're not getting sick. That would be bad.

Later Guys!

Lil Dude (aka Charlie)

Aquarium pictures posted

We never did get those naps. Here, however, are the pictures from the aquarium. I tried to show all that we packed into the 4 hours we spent there!

I didn't take this amazing picture, however. I snagged it from the Internet. Those whale sharks are a-friggin-mazing!

We had a great day! From the aquarium we went to lunch, then tried to nap, but couldn't. Dinner with Debra and Samer (I love them SO MUCH!) and then home to bathe and put my crazy boy into bed. He has had such a full vacation so far, and he's off schedule, so he is acting ... "outside himself." I hope he finds his mind soon.

Tomorrow's big event is going to see Black Santa at Greenbriar Mall! I'm so excited. Charlie's never seen Santa before, nevermind sitting on his lap. I'll have the camera ready, and the video camera ready in case he throws a fit. Then, tomorrow evening we're meeting a group of former co-workers and friends for dinner at Cheeseburger in Paradise. Definitely looking forward to it!

Big Love!

C.

Georgia Aquarium

Let me start by saying that I am worn out. I have a great kid, but he lost his entire mind today! He morphed into "Cornholio" as soon as he stepped foot into the atrium of the GA Aquarium. We had a blast - we laughed, he cried. All in all worth the investment - plus we left with a photo souvenir, a t-shirt for each of us and two toys.

The whale sharks are amazing! They are 18 feet long, but because of the glass, they look smaller. The are huge and graceful with ginormous mouths. They were, by far, my favorite!

We saw alligators - at one point Charlie was standing at the tank and 4 of them were gathered in front of him staring back. He said, "mama, they are watching me!" They actually were! Too funny.

He also liked the octopus in the box. This huge orange thing crammed itself through a tube and into a box. That's where they feed it.Charlie studied the thing intently and almost fell off the ledge on which he was sitting.

One of the day's highlights was the 3-D show! He looked like Poindexter Eugene Mergatroid in his glasses. LOL And he was too cute trying to catch the 3-D movie fish and pop the movie bubbles. We got sprayed with real water during the show, and our seats shook. The special effects really immersed us in the underwater adventure of the fish and their dolphin, shark and sea turtle friends. The movie had a good message, too: don't pollute the oceans, because it hurts the fish. They had a soulful sea turtle singing "Think" (a la Aretha Franklin). He also made the connection between the ocean in the movie and the ocean "by Daddy." He asked if the characters lived in Florida and if we could go visit the turtle. I swear my boy is brilliant!

We took a ton of pictures. I'll spare you the details of him wandering away near the whale slide and being lost for 10 minutes. I swear my heart stopped! When I found him we took a time out... For both our benefit! I got lots of hugs, kisses and "I love you, Mama"'s during our very exploratory, informative and entertaining morning/early afternoon!

I'll upload pics to my Picasa photo album (and post a link) this evening. We're eating lunch now, then headed back to the hotel. And then? NAPS! YAAAAY NAPS!

Big Love!

C.

Chow Baby -- and how!!

We finally made it to Atlanta at about 5:30 this evening. 12 solid, hard ridden hours on the road. (And to think, this is only 1/4 the trip behind me - I still have to get to Pompano then do it all the way back!). So after some semantics and hotel clerk drama, we got settled in the room. Charlie barely slept along the way, so he was acting frenetic and wild (not a good combination).

We met one of my best friends, Rowland, for dinner around the corner from my hotel at Chow Baby. My college friend, Chip Joyner, is one of the owners. It's a mongolian BBQ type place that puts our MI local BD's Mongolian BBQ to shame! Charlie was in his own little satan spawned world. I had a martooni to take the edge off, and Rowland was as unflappable as ever.

Dinner rocked! After 2 fast food meals and road snacks it was nice to eat from something besides paper bags and sporks! The restaurant has valet parking, so you should have seen me collecting our road trash as not to look slovenly!! LOL

I can't get the wireless to connect in the hotel room. As soon as I do, I'll add more pics from today. The ones of Charlie sleeping are comical! He's sleeping now... That is my cue as well.

Thanks for all the texts, emails, messages, prayers and well wishes today. I love feeling loved. (Who doesn't?) I really have the most awesome friends!!

BTW Charlie had just fallen off a chair and banged his biskit against the wall, so he was crying and needing MommyLove. Instead I gave him the ole W.C.Fields: "Get away from me kid; you bother me!". So wrong, but so funny! Tomorrow's adventure is The Georgia Aquarium.

Sweet Dreams & Big Love!!!

C.

Mickey D's sanity break

We're through Indy headed toward Louisville. Stopped for gas and to stretch our legs. McD's is the stop of choice for Charlie, as he wanted pancakes and sauchach. We made potty in the nastiest McD's restroom I've ever seen. Seriously.

Charlie will not stop talking and cheering for the things he's seen: cows,water, grass, big trees, sheep, the sun, Obama signs, cars and trucks. He was singing a song about a smokestack before I crossed the crankiness threshhold. The DVD's aren't keeping his attention. Madagascar was a flop - he only watched the parts he likes.

So I filled up my tank at $1.55 per gallon for unleaded in Indy. Gas is $1.79 at home. How low can it go?

Loving the drive so far. Can't wait to get "home" to ATL! As long as The C Man is happy, we're doin all right! I hope he gets food coma and sleeps for a few hours when we get started again. Which is now!

Big Love!

C.

And we're off!

Not quite the 4am start I wanted, but it's still dark. 5:30 departure puts us into ATL close to 5pm. Glad it's not a workday! (I hate ATL traffic)




Charlie is up and in the car- but groggy, grumpy, whiny, cold and about to get on my nerves. (laugh) He's awfully cute wrapped in his Diego blanket. He keeps asking when we're going to see the sharks - the answer is MONDAY. Little does he know we have a long long long trip ahead of us!

We'll check in later. Btw it is 14 degrees outside. This is a lovely day to leave!

Tomorrow Tomorrow Tomorrow

It's been an interesting day so far. I'm not packed. Matter of fact, I'm not half packed, and my place is still cluttered. I've got laundry to fold, a dishwasher to load and trash to dump - yet, here I blog. We went to the Grand Rapids Santa Claus parade this morning with our friends - it was 27-degrees outside. Twenty. Seven. Degrees. The kids had a blast!

So we're home and the list is growing. I know I'm going to forget some stuff, but hey - that's the nature of travel, eh? I'm not looking forward to the drive, but I'm looking forward to wearing less clothes, especially these big bulky coats.

Still not sure how to mobile-post, but I'll figure it out.

Anyhow, time to get crack-a-lackin'!

Big Love!

C.

T-Minus Three and Counting!

Today was my last day in the office until January 12, 2009. I haven't been this happy in months. It's been a hard year, and I am happy to step away from the office for a while. I want to keep in touch with my peeps, thus the blog. I filled the candy bowl, chased out the dust bunnies and cleaned off my desk before I left! (This is not my office photo; I didn't want to get busted taking pics in the office - security @ the job is tight!)

The next seven-ish weeks will be jam packed full of adventure. Charlie and I are hitting the road on Sunday headed for Atlanta. I'm going to introduce him to my old life. Old friends, old haunts... He'll meet his cousins for the first time, too. And on Friday it's on to Pompano Beach to play with more friends and hang out with Charlie's Dad. A long drive, but well worth it!

True to form, I'm nowhere near ready to head out. I have a long laundry list of errands, tasks, chores and actions that need to be completed before I can go. Tomorrow will be a very busy day for me. It'll all be done by Saturday afternoon, cuz we're pulling out early on Sunday morning.

We'll post pictures and updates as we can. I set it up so I can mobile-post, so I expect to take lots of pictures of a drooly, sleepy kid stuffed in the back of the Highlander, and crazy random shots of things that catch my eye on the road.

Sunday will be here before you know it! Of course, so will 2009.

Big Love!

C.