The Final Entry

So we're home. It's Saturday morning, and I am working to recreate a sense of order in my life. I got home after being road ravaged for 36+ hours, exhausted, hungry and fatigued. It was truly a reality check - the furnace was out, the fridge was stinky (I forgot to clean it before we left), my bed was broken, I had to unpack the truck all alone, and Charlie was a wild man. It dawned on me that I was...and am all alone. No more cushy Florida existence - this was the hard, cold reality of Michigan winter. In the past two days I have gotten re-acclimated to driving in the snow, and remembered how to layer clothes and button up before going outside.

I plan to spend this weekend putting away our things and cleaning up. I didn't realize how much junk I have around here! There are books, clothes, magazines and other stuff that we can do without. I also want to print some pictures and get my digital photo frame loaded up with vacation pictures! Work on Monday - and I need to take a little piece of happiness with me.

In looking through pictures this morning, I came across this little gem. This is the early morning view of the beach - right outside our door at the condo. How gorgeous is that? I took early morning walks, collected shells and dipped my feet in the ocean almost daily while we were away. Know what the view out my front door looks like now? Yeah. Quite a difference, I must say. And yes, it is snowing.

I go back to work on Monday, and I plan to take a bunch of Florida sunshine (in the form of pictures, souvenirs and shells) with me to keep me happy.

My chores for the rest of the weekend are to clean up the condo, unpack my stuff, reconnect electronics, fix the bed, streamline my life (i.e., throw away a bunch of junk) and get ready for work on Monday. It's been about six weeks since I've had that type of responsibility, you know. Party's over!

Thanks to everyone we encountered during our trip - all of my friends in Atlanta, Manny, Theresa and Mike, Daddy and Aunt Peggy, our neighbors and friends in the condo, Kamal and family, Big Daddy Smoov and Tristan and even Walter, the countless people we encountered on the beach and the various other people we met along the way. Charlie and I had an amazing time on our vacation. Absolutely amazing! I'm working on an online photo album of "the best" of our vaca.

Big Love!

Cris and Charlie

Destination in Sight!

Less than 2 hrs to go!

Thru Ft. Wayne

Charlie is so cute watching his movies!

We're 150 miles from home.

Amen!

C.

259 Miles From Home

We've been driving since 5:45 this morning. It has snowed the entire way! The first snowfall in Louisville and lucky me! I got to see it! And drive in it! We're going about 45 mph on the highway. Charlie - bless his heart - is clueless.

I wish I could click my heels 3 times and be home! At this rate we'll be lucky to get home by 3pm. I'm shooting for 4.

XO,

C.

Safe for the Night

I couldn't drive anymore. We're in a hotel in Horse Cave, KY.

Charlie is punch drunk after spending 15 hours in the car. We're still 8 hours from home.

Forecast for snow tonight. I figured it would be cold and snowy, but not this far South! I hope it doesn't slow us down too much. We'll check in tomorrow.

Big Love!

C.

Nashville

It's been raining since Atlanta. Hard. And foggy. It got so bad I put on Fred Hammond (Jesus music).

I am tired and cranky. I am cold and damp. I miss Florida and my Daddy. I've been driving for 13 hours. We still are 550 miles and 8 hrs from home. I just want to get to Louisville. That's just 6 hrs from home.

The question is: do I have another 2-plus hrs in me tonight?

We'll see! I wish the rain would quit! It's picking up again tho.

Rats!

C.

Hotlanta Has a Chill!

We got to Atlanta in record time: 9 hours. Can you believe it?

It's a balmy 64 right now. A far cry from the tropical 80's I love, but not nearly as bad as it's gonna get. We're still in t-shirts, shorts and flip flops. It's actually kind of sad, isn't it? I guarantee we will be better dressed come tomorrow!

For now, we're gonna keep on trucking!

XOXOXO,

C.

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Guess Where We Are?!

Yeah - I bid adios to FL and buenos dias to GA. So far so good! We pit-stopped in Ocala and had a little breakfast.

It's 65 degrees. The temperature is dropping and it's not as tropical feeling. But it's still warmer than Grand Rapids!

Charlie is dressed and watching movies. I have on some energetic music and am dancing. LOL Nothing like shaking your money maker to keep awake - even behind the wheel.

More later.

C.

Grand Rapids or Bust!

We're on the road. Started North about an hour ago. Yep, I cried as I left. I'm such a sissy! I got a little choked up as we pulled onto the FL Turnpike. Charlie told me "Mama there's no reason to cry!" Little does he know: our beach days are behind us. Know what stalled the tears? I had to find a quarter for the toll. LOL

We had an amazing time while we were away. I am all smiles right now, thinking about my vacation. I missed a blog entry or two the past few days. I'll fix that soon - as you can imagine, our last few days were just packed!

Huge hugs to Daddy, Aunt Peggy, Theresa, Mike and Manny for helping to make our time in Pompano memorable, fun and special. We met some interesting people along the way and had a lot of laughs! I'm already planning my next trip.

According to the navigation system, we'll be home in 19hrs 41mins. Think I can drive straight through? Mama's sure gonna try. If we make ATL before rush hour traffic it's a very real possibility. Manny suggested I pound a couple 5 hour energy drinks to pep me up. (Laugh) We'll see how it goes.

For now we're all good. Charlie is sawing wood in the back seat. (Still in his pajamas, I might add.) We've got snacks, music, movies, good company, amazing memories and the realization that all in all, life is pretty damn good. Even if I do have to winter in Michigan!

Watch for updates and call to check on us! It's gonna be a helluva ride!

Big Love,

C.

Breakin' Up Is Hard to Do

It's Friday. We leave either Sunday or Monday. I don't want to go. Good vacations suck, because no matter how long they are, they're never long enough!
We're back at the beach this afternoon. I worked this morning, which in and of itself is a bitter pill to swallow. Charlie is playing in the icy Atlantic and I am soaking up more sun. We started cleaning and packing today. I'm doing laundry tonight so I am footloose and fancy free the rest of the weekend.

Manny, Charlie & I went to Jungle Island yesterday and Charlie had a blast! We saw a 2000 pound killer croc - "Crocasaurus" I think he's called. We saw gibbons, lizards, giant tortoises and a sausage tree. Oh, and a cheeky monkey that made me laugh inappropriately and think of my friend Sara and her brilliant oldest son. I was impressed at Manny's ability to identify the various primates. He's a true Nature Boy! Who knew?

Tomorrow is Dad's birthday. 71. We're doing something fun for dinner but otherwise taking it easy. I am mentally preparing myself for the return to Michigan and the stark, gray, cold reality that awaits. I'm also planning a trip back to this paradise known as Pompano Beach. April sounds good. June (for CC's b'day) sounds better. And then for Thanksgiving, maybe. We'll see. Right now it's just wishful thinking and daydreams.

So we got home and I was cleaning up the kitchen. Charlie walked into the room jabbering about something random, then said "Mama lookit me!" I turned to find him standing in my "emergency hair." I broke my ass laughing at this kid. If Manny is reading this, I'm sure he's not as amused as I am. Where does this kid come up with the jokes!?? I told him he looks like Velma from Scooby Doo.

So yeah - we're preparing to go home. All good things must come to an end. Big shout out to Amy and Mark, who refreshed the condo while we were away. I can't wait to see it. It'll be like a show on A&E or something! It totally gives me something to look forward to when I think about going home. Grass Cloth Green and a faux painted wall? Yeah. That rocks!

On tap? Haircuts, a pedicure, a family picture and finding a way to end this vacation with a bang. Monday morning will be here in a blink and a shiver!

Big Love,

C.