We wrapped up a week of Colin being home with a family trip to haul his butt back to school. Instead of being sad and missing him and all that motherly stuff, we decided to make it an adventure. So, we left early Sunday morning to make the 3 hour pilgrimage to Springfield--Home of Abe Lincoln.....and Colin.
It's never boring when you are with us, unless Joe is driving and he makes us listen to football on the radio, then we all pretty much grab our blankies and pass the miles snoring. Joe is thrilled to pieces, but the rest of us stuff our headphones in our ears to block out the play-by-plays. It's pretty much hell on earth. But, we tolerate it for Joe--we just make him turn the speakers off in the rest of the car, the only one on is by him. And he is happy. We....are sleeping.
When we finally made it to Springfield, we went out for lunch, took this snappy photo, and then hiked over to Scheels--the biggest sporting goods store EVER. They have a ferris wheel in the center of the place--that is how large it is.
We aren't big sporting folks, but it is interesting to see what is available for every sport imaginable. Honestly, after going there, I'm thinking of purchasing snow shoes--they had lavender ones. I was in love the minute I saw those, but I'm thinking eskimos don't pick out their snow shoes because of the color. And that is why I am not an eskimo. But I would make a damn cute one if I was.
Anywho, we eeked outta Scheels with some purchases (no snow shoes, though--bummer) and headed over to the dorms to drop off Col. I'm always sad when we do that, but I didn't cry--I think that just makes the whole saying "goodbye" stuff worse. And then we headed for home---3 more hours of scenic Illinois ahead of us. Yea.
After 3 earlier hours of Joe's driving, I took the helm for the ride home. And as I gunned it down the on-ramp, I directed Joe to find the Christmas tunes on the radio. I figure if we are gonna be stuck in the car for 3 hours, it is gonna be fun, dammit. And fun it was--well, I think so anyway.
Nothing like belting out lame-o Christmas tunes for 3 non-stop hours. Well, unless you count when we stopped for the potty break. But then it continued--through road construction, holiday traffic and a 5-mile stop-and-go traffic jam. Em and I sang songs we knew and the ones we didn't--Joe did not. He sat there just enjoying the madness and trash-talking all the really bad Christmas songs like "Dominic the Donkey" and "The Red Shoes".
And before we knew it, we were home. The end.
You know, it really was buckets of fun.
24 comments:
Awwwwwwwww that sounds great. Except for you leaving lavender snow shoes behind.
Saturday at Chalet as I was showing my son their awesome natural pet food dept, all of a sudden Alex begins out of nowhere to belt out SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWN! Imagine the word town at the top of his lungs high pitched kiddie voice. Yep the middle of Chalet-over and over. When the mood strikes the boy there just ain't no stopping him. When I told him the correct words to the rest of the song he said NO Gwamma that's not it! Be thankful you just have Joe-it could be worse! :-)
We listen to audio book on those long drives. But what would your clan enjoy?
Good for you. I find certain Christmas songs I just can't get into no matter how much I want to have fun. E.g., the one with the chorus that starts "Grandma..."
Now, stick that in your head and have fun!
I am just NOT in the mood for Xmas music yet, but I do have to say it had to be better than that lame-ass football game from Minnesota!
Aww... no purple snow shoes!Sounds like a fun trip anyhow! I hate that red shoes song...blech!
Leave it to you to make a boring old road trip a fun event Lin! Falalalala-lala-lala! ;)
xo Catherine
Of course it was fun! You know I would have sang along with you in that car!
I sent Evan back to college too.
I blubbered. Really. But not too much in front of him.
What a fun photo! Y'all are happily crazy...I may not be much of a Christmas person but I sure do love the music. My husband and I made the greatest Christmas music cd's - one a year for a total of 5 - then we kinda ran out of music! We gave sent them each year in lieu of cards - then we gifted entire sets. Sooo - what's your favorite - country, classic, gospel, pop? I'll send you one.
we LOVE LOVE Dominic the Donkey....:) Miss ya girl! Hugs to all!
Love the photo! Sounds like you had a fun trip...lame Christmas songs and all! You Know... you could have bought those snowshoes and used them when you come up here and visit me in the winter! I have snow shoes...not lavender ones...but we could go out trekking in the forest together!
You're my kind of car riding companion! I love your silliness, and I'm so glad you had buckets of fun!
If Eskimos picked their snow shoes based upon color, they would be much more fashionable (just sayin'). I am not sporty at all but I love sporting goods stores.
Awh, glad to hear you guys had so much fun together!!
My husband has snow shoes. Real life honest to god, working, old fashioned, tennis racket looking like show shoes. And then I bought him a modern pair that weigh like 20lbs less....
Glad you had a good trip.
Lavender, huh? Did they have pink too? That might have turned me
Your road trips always sound like fun! A ferris wheel in the store huh? That's pretty big!
That does sound like bucket-loads of fun (all that and a side of biscuits!)
the next time I have to take a long car trip I want you along for the ride :)
Shoot! Why didn't I think of that? I was trapped in my car with the kids most of the afternoon/night Saturday. I was ready to shoot myself after the first 15 minutes. My son thinks any time in the car is a great opportunity to do a monologue about nothing...or making up childhood stories. Yes...making them up. My gf thinks it's funny. Me...not so much anymore.
Helene--I LOVE that kid! I think he and I would make a great team. :)
Chuck--But...you can't sing along with books on tape, Chuck. :(
Vanilla--Oh, there are some really insipid songs out there. Ask Joe. You know, when you really listen, there are too many that just keep repeating the same words. Dumb.
Diana--I don't have it on at home yet--I think it was just the ride. It's still too early, isn't it?
Melodie--Oh, that Red Shoes song is soooo SAPPY! Ugh. (I'm going back for those snow shoes...)
Catherine--Here's my motto: When in doubt, sing loud. :)
Betty--Betty, I think you and I need a sing-along! Wouldn't that be fun? :) I'm sorry you cried. Man, there is too much loss there these days for you. I'm sure he felt it too. Well, at least you made it through, right? I'm proud of you, pally.
Grace--Pop and classic, Grace. Hey, I will make one for you too--okay? I can do that when I'm recuperating from my toe surgery--it will give me something to do!
Tracy--Do you??! Don't tell Joe--he doesn't like that song.
Hot Rocks--I would LOVE snow shoes! I would have bought them except I'm gonna be out of commission this winter with my stupid toe. :( Maybe next year....THEN I'll come visit you! :)
Violet--Oh, the songs were fun, especially when we got stuck in traffic. Ugh. But laughing sure beat being mad about it. (Gees, I sound like Pollyanna)
Anne--I'll bet Eskimos are more fashionista than we give them credit for--don't you think? I'll bet they would chose lavender snow shoes if given half a chance.
Nancy--We try. If we aren't laughing, we are killing each other, so this is the good option!
Pricilla--Oh, they were COOL! I think you would like them. Look at Scheels. com--I'll bet you can find them there!
Beaded Tail--It IS! This store is HUGE! And fun! Well, except for all of the dead animals stuffed everywhere. Blech. That's kind of a bummer.
Daisy--Hee! Hee! Daisy, I think you would fit right in with my family!
Ann--OH yeah! And we'll SING...LOUD! :D
Lola--Well, I kinda think that is funny too. But what would be worse--lame-o Christmas songs sung LOUD or made-up stories???? Hmmmm....
The red shoes is the curse of the Christmas season. To this day, that sound came out years ago, as soon as it starts up... I tear up.
Please someone help that boy find some red shoes so his mother can go to heaven. This has been going on long enough.
I think you should have bought those snow shoes. When the snow here was about 8" deep and I had to trudge my way across a soccer field on my way home from the bus stop, I seriously considered buying some. The next winter though, my bus stop changed and I didn't have to cross that soccer field any more.
Highway--There is a new version called "The Lavender Snowshoes" and it was written for me and my upcoming toe surgery. "Sir, I wanna buy these snowshoes....for my mama, please....."
Karen--I would think snowshoes would come in handy, although folks might look at us real strange. People don't get cool stuff like that in everyday life. I can see you and me trudging into the office, unlacing the snowshoes....our co-workers mouth agape....
I'm thinkin' Christmas songs sung really loud and off key would be more fun than his stories. At least there would be some variety and I don't have to keep telling whoever we are with that he is makin' that shyt up! And of course he has to deny that he's makin' it up. Sheesh!
So glad you had buckets of fun, Lin.
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