Monday, September 1, 2014

We'll Keep The Lights On For You

As long as the blow dryer is not on at the same time.

After packing and cleaning for a week, Julia, Camille and I left Jackson on August 29 at 7: 00 p.m.  Camille and her next door friend were both crying, breaking Grammy's heart.  After a stop in Winona, we arrived in Hernando at 10:00.  We were exhausted and slept late on Friday.  Nathan arrived on Friday afternoon.

 We had a fun weekend.  We ate hibachi on Friday night.  There was a baby shower on Saturday morning, allowing all of us to see family and friends.  I managed a trip to Dillard's with a friend.  Camille and Julia had friends coming and going all afternoon, with more tearful goodbyes.

I thought our plans were to leave at 6:00 on Sunday morning. Actually, the time was supposed to 5:30.  Not that it really mattered.  Things did not go as planned.

We had 4 people, one 150 pound Great Dane, a cat, tons of luggage, computers, other electronic equipment, a guitar, cat food, dog food, cat litter, pillow, blankets and miscellaneous other stuff to fit in two cars. In the pouring rain, a disposable litter box broke all over Nathan's car and it had to be cleaned up.  We left Hernando at 7:00 a.m. with unceasing rain.  The first three hours of the trip was so tense and stressful.  Once the rain stopped, the trip was much better except when we thought the air conditioner was out on Julia's car.  Fortunately, that was not the case.

Nathan was traveling with one Grammy, one pregnant wife, and one nine year old child, all of whom, need to stop often for the bathroom.  Nathan did an amazing job of keeping us on schedule.  After all, he starts a brand new job tomorrow.


Nathan had made a reservation at the Motel 6 in Harrisonburg, Virginia last night.  We have to stay  where the pets can stay. 

Lady, the Great Dane, will not work on tile or wood floors.  Julia has runners she has to put on the floor for the dog to walk on.  And the dog can't bend over to eat and drink and has to have it elevated, thus the need for carrying a stepladder and runners to all the above mentioned things in the car. 

When we got to Harrisonburg, we only unloaded what was absolutely essential, which was still a lot.  The floors in the motel were wood.  Nathan had to force the dog into the room.  Once she was in, she made herself comfortable on her bed that was also being transported. 

After unloading and grabbing some food from Wendy's, Julia jumped in the shower.  As soon as she finished, Nathan went into the bathroom.  Julia began to blow dry her hair and the light in the bathroom went out.  When Julia turned off the blow dryer, the light came back on.  When she turned it back on, the light went off again.  Poor Nathan.


This morning everything had to be loaded back in the car.  We left Harrisonburg a little after 6:00.  It was a beautiful drive today.  Tonight, we are at La Qunita, a definite step up from last night.  The floors in the hallway are tile,  Nathan tried to force the dog into the hotel.  Finally, he picked her up and carried her.

We are thankful to be in New Hampshire.  Nathan, Julia and Camille begin a new chapter in their lives tomorrow.  I get to be a part of it until Friday.

When you stay at Motel 6, don't use the blow dryer and the bathroom light at the same time.