Ride the rails? H*** NO!!!

I just got a call from my brother in Austin, TX, who was scheduled to reach home via Amtrack last night. They actually got in around 4 AM today. After a 10 hour delay, the train was "terminated" in Dallas, and they got to begin a 3 and 1/2 hour bus ride at 12:30 with 2 tired kids in tow. This was supposed to be the good experience on the return trip after taking an 11 hour bus trip from St Louis to Toledo without stops for meals on the way here.

My parents are great proponents of Amtrack. They take a big train trip about once a year. This year they are going to Fairbanks, Alaska. Of course, they enjoy seeing the country and chatting with other senior citizens riding the train sans children. They also have never had to ride on a bus instead of the train for 11 hours.

We had our first experience as a family on Amtrack last Fall, when we rode from Greensburg to Philly to visit the King Tut exhibit. On the way out, we got lots of dirty looks because the girls were too loud, or kicking the seat backs, or some other kid related offense. On the way back, we were nearly 2 hours late getting in to Greensburg (past bedtime) and both the girls were running fevers...not particularly fun for any sort of travel.

There may be a day, when travelling without children, that I would like to see America. Until that time, I think I'll take to the air and arrive at my destination in a single day.

T

P.S. Or drive...how was your week, N?

A Respite from the Chaos

This dove built her nest on my grandparents' wall hanging...you can see one chick's head!

We have returned from Central PA...rolled up our hill at about 1 AM this morning and carried the sleeping children to their waiting beds. It was a crazy visit. I stayed behind in houses that were not L-proofed, trying to control 2 wild children while Daddy slipped away to doze in mindless conferences most of each day. L broke a different nick-knack in each home we stayed.

I actually did not have as much time alone as I had anticipated. My sister-in-law took half a day off to visit on Thursday. She took us to see the idyllic Camphill Village where she works. We watched the free range chickens and one big turkey, laughed at the antics of the piglets, and admired the woven goods made of recycled jeans and homespun wool from the village's sheep.



One of my dear college friends drove the girls and I to the Hands on House in Lancaster, where my girls and her boys loaded coal on trucks, picked corn to feed the pigs, ran a grocery store, sang on stage and built "thing-a-ma-giggles" in a factory.



My parents and we took dinner to my Grandparents, both in their 90's. J entertained us with a violin concert. My Grandma recited some of the many poems and stories she memorized many years ago. My Grandfather showed us his latest carvings.



We enjoyed singing along to the musical, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" in Reading, and played in the crabapple petals afterward.



We drove home in the dark to piles of laundry and a marathon 3 hour violin recital this afternoon. At last, in a church pew, I was able to relax while the children played incredible music and L napped in the van with Daddy.

So now I feel deflated. Thankfully husband has a couple more days off from work, perhaps I can get caught up with life again. An Elaines meeting would benefit...(here, some night this week?)

T

Moles in the Basement II

I should be packing, given the time of night it is already. I do have J packed (she wanted her own suitcase this time, and helped to pick clothes), and L's things and mine are laid out on the bed. This requires me to actually finish before I can go to bed! We are headed out, early in the morning to Lancaster area in PA. Husband to a thoroughly stimulating Medical Convention, girls and I to his sister's. After a couple of days we will go to my parents', and are planning on seeing "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" with them on Saturday. I hope to visit one of my college friends, and check in on my Grandparents in the Retirement Center. All in all, it should be a nice break from the daily grind here. We are heading back Sat night, in order to be rested up for J's violin recital Sunday afternoon...a whirlwind of a trip!

All this to say, that while gathering suitcases from the basement, I came across another mole. This one was long deceased, and on the 3rd shelf up from the floor in the storage room. Another mystery...can moles climb plastic shelving poles? Perhaps they are coming in through the boarded up window under what is now the Sun Room? This rodent did, however, heed my orders to stay off the new carpet!

A pleasant week end to you all, well wishes to JT...hope he's feeling better. Here's hoping for more sunshine and a meeting of the Elaines next week!

T

Oh, for a vacation!

Yep, right on time! In mid-February, after things have settled down after the Holidays and our string of winter birthdays, the BLAHS hit me. When the outside looks grey and dingy, suddenly everything takes on a worn and dirty feeling, and I don't feel satisfied with much at all. Of course, the recent fevers and lack of sleep may be contributing to this overall disinterest with life in the Burg.

I want to escape! Recently, I've been dreaming of castles in Europe. My friend in Germany, however, tells me that their days are equally grey and non-descript as well. My cousin in Sitges, Spain has a lovely blog filled with gorgeous photos of architecture, olive picking and the sea (check it out: http://www.kingsinspain.blogspot.com/ ), I'm sure they would welcome a winter-sick visitor from the states!

Today, there is sunshine! Ah...shine on great star! We are headed to our property for a hike, and a stop by the township park/playground on the way back. Perhaps the fresh air and sunshine will scrub the windows of my soul, and allow good old Waynesburg to look a bit more sparkly.

A good weekend to you, my friends!

T