It’s Sunday night, and tomorrow it’s back to work, after one and half weeks of vacation. I say “vacation,” as if there was only one vacation, but in actuality, it’s felt more like FOUR vacations. Here’s how it went:
VACATION #1: CHRISTMAS EVE
Our last day of work was December 23, and we actually both got off a bit early! Which was great, because we needed the little bit of extra time to get ready for Christmas Eve at Russ’ dad’s house. We had food to prepare, and presents to wrap. Then we went over, and there was family, and gift-giving, and eating, and more eating. Oh…and did I happen to mention, there was a lot of EATING??
VACATION #2: FLORIDA
On Christmas Day, we traveled to Gainesville, and stayed overnight in a hotel. We weren’t certain how many gas stations and restaurants we would find open along the way on Christmas Day, so Russ mapped out where the truck stops were, and we stopped often for gas, never going below half a tank. In Gainesville, there was a Steak and Shake open just down the road from our hotel. We don’t have one in Tuscaloosa, so it’s always a pleasure to eat somewhere we can’t usually get to. We watched some football, and in the morning, set out again for South Florida.
Arriving in the middle of the afternoon, we spent the rest of that day with Mary and Ken, going out to eat with them. The next day we visited with Mom and Dad and James—a lot of good family time, and did I happen to mention, more EATING of all kinds of delicious foods?
But that was nothing in comparison to the next day, when we visited again, and this time John and his family were there as well, and Terry, and Joey also showed up! We played Apples to Apples, and there was more eating, and lots of good times.
The next morning we got back on the road, stopping overnight in Dothan, where we watched more football, before heading out again in the morning, arriving back home slightly after noon.
All in all, it was a great vacation, getting to see everyone, and I also brought home a bunch of stuff Mom was getting rid of, that she doesn’t want anymore, but is going to work out great in our house! Also, on the trip down and back we got to listen to the entire Serial podcast, which was extremely compelling!
Also, we got to stay at Mary and Ken’s house (while they went to visit her dad), and found that we both really appreciated the comfort level of their Spa Sensation Foam Mattress. This will be our next big purchase!
VACATION #3: NEW YEAR’S DAY
On New Year’s Eve day, we steam cleaned the carpet as we always do in preparation for our New Year’s Day party, which includes football, and you guessed it…lots and lots of delicious FOOD!! The food and the day were great, but the football was not as good as it could have been, since Alabama did not win against Ohio State.
But on the plus side, I’ve discovered that I’m becoming less of a “sore loser” than I used to be. I started following Alabama football at the same time that Nick Saban started coaching, and as a result, I’ve followed the team through many, many more wins than losses. Up till now, whenever we lose, I take it badly, usually swearing “That’s it! I’m done with football!” But this time, I was much more philosophical about it. We were #1 for several weeks, and we also won the SEC Championship. We got to play in the first college football playoff. Not a bad resume’. And now I’m just about ready for next year’s football season.
VACATION #4: THE LONG WEEKEND
New Year’s Day was on a Thursday, leaving a long three day weekend for getting caught up on all kinds of things around the house. I’ve puttered around, putting away the Christmas stuff, filling boxes for Goodwill, cleaning, fixing, and just generally enjoying my own house. I finished my Cat Who book and have moved on to the next in the series. We moved the treadmill to a new location, and set it up with a TV and DVD player, to make exercising more enjoyable. Today I made a delicious pea soup from the New Year’s Day hambone, and we also discovered a great new TV show, Downton Abbey!
Tomorrow it’s back to work but after so much varied vacation activity, I think I’m ready to get back in a routine. And by “routine” I mean a schedule that includes a lot more exercise, and a lot less EATING!!!
