We're off!

...and not in the bad way! We are on the road headed to Leavenworth, KS to see Sleeps with Eyes Open and Who Needs Hair? The Wise One, the Great Laugh and the Gentleman and I are barreling down I-64 and having fun already. We just saw the arch which is by far the best scenery on this midwest drive.

I was excited to set up my laptop to use the wi-fi hotspot on the iPad...wooohoo! Not the first time I have done it but the first in a moving vehicle.

I have some bad news...turns out I am one of those people who take pictures with their iPad...I am a bit disappointed in myself but my arch picture came out awesome so I will just have to deal with it. 

To complete our interplanetary theme....

I might get to see a rocket launch today! The Delta IV is supposed to launch at 8:27 PM...woooohooo!

Oh the weather outside is....

Lovely! But a little hot today. It's been an interesting weather week, we have had a bit of everything -sun. Heat, rain, thunderstorms! It's crazy.

Today was officially deemed "don't leave the house" day since we have been out at least once every day since we got here. That works out since today it's hot even on the ocean side.

Oh how I have enjoyed the ocean! Sitting out in the morning in the sand with my journal and my blankie is amazing. Walks on the beach are only soured by the effects of sand, but you take the good with the bad.

I can tell vacation is almost over because I am beginning to think about what food to salvage, what to throw away, what cords I need to make sure I pack and what hotel we need to stay at for our overnight return... *sigh* .....

For a week in FL...

Most people would pack several bathing suits, sunscreen and umbrellas. But ellie and her pale friend pack the following...

- 2 playstation 3's

- 1 wii U

- 2 laptops

- 2 tablets

- 1 PSP

- 2 smartphones

- 2 dell desktop computers

...some clothes and stuff too...honestly it really ended up being more electronics than originally planned. 

We left right away - about 7PM - when I got to Lexington. Said bye to theBrother and the dogs and we were outta there! The decision to drive straight through probably took a huge toll on us because we both slept all afternoon after grocery shopping. R already has a list of things we forgot :( oh well. 

We're in FL! and the temp today was 84 and it felt like 94! But seems we left the rain behind in KY, TN and GA. 

Let the vacationing begin!

Flying solo...

So this was a first! I flew by myself and had to deal with a layover. Yes this travel is for work but a milestone is a milestone.

The first flight was pretty good -it was SDF to CLT and I sat next to a nice man and across the aisle from a woman with her 4 year old daughter and her 2 year old son. Amazingly both kids had only minor outbursts and the two year old slept most of the time. By the end of the flight the daughter felt the need to hug me. The crew was great on that flight too.

The second flight crew had more of an ... edge, I'll say. But all in all a good flight. The guys next to me were filmmakers from Cali and had worked on "werewolves" -that doesn't mean anything to me but I am sure it is significant.

Both flights had considerable turbulence ...more than I've had on any other flight but that was because its been raining everywhere all day.

The Baker Boy was flying too but his flight was through ATL. He got in about 3 minutes before me. Blondie flew in from ORD and had to deal with snow! She barely got out of there and her flight was an hour and change late. But we are all safe and sound in our rooms now after some dinner and a trip to Wal-Mart. What is travel without a Wally World run?

4/28/2013 **Just rereading this post and realized spellcheck on the phone made this a little nonsensical! Updated!

I feel...

There is a travel itch that I feel the need to scratch. I at least need to be planning something and nothing seems to be able to come to fruition at this point.

I am probably feeling this way because we have lost 3 relatives on my Dad's side of the family this summer... In 4 months! We really need to appreciate and get the most out of our time together. I need to see my family more often - there are less of us every time we turn around.

Here are the potential activities...
- a family cruise for 2013
- a New England trip to get more states in with R
- a family trip to Kansas and Texas for visits ---> have I mentioned I don't like driving in or through Texas??? But I love my family - so....!
- a normal FL trip with R to my favorite relaxing place - Indialantic
Or
- a family trip to FL to do Disney for the July birthdays - this one might be pretty expensive from what my Disney Club friends tell me

I think that's it...decisions decisions...and money and more money! I did get paid this weekend from my teaching job and it was more than I expected so I think I will bank some dough for itch relief!!!

Happy Seven Nine!

Happy 79th birthday to my mother! Technically her birthday is over but since she was born on midnight of the 27/28, we might just be starting it over again!

We travelled to Belterra Casino Resort on Thursday (because it's cheaper to stay during the week) and she has been a night owl in the casino both nights. She is still there after being there since about noon off and on. I am in the bar listening to a live band ( insert name here...). They are pretty good...people are enjoying them so they aren't stopping! I was actually headed back upstairs and stopped to enjoy. It's not really often I get to hear a live band.

I just have to say how thankful I am for my mom. She is an amazing person! She is my rock and all I wanted for this weekend was for her to enjoy herself and I think it was a success. She got to be carefree with her spending and has been winning enough to keep playing! So thanks Belterra for picking up the slack where my money ran out!