Saying Goodbye

How is it possible to say goodbye to someone who has taught you so much?  This Sunday we received the phone call we had been dreading for a while now.  Our beloved "Gram" had passed away.  We know that she is in a better place now where there is no suffering or pain, but we still miss her terribly. How do you say goodbye to someone who in a large part has made you the person you are today?  Gram has taught so many people so many things there is not enough room here to list them all.  Gram was a strong woman with deep religious and family values that she has passed on to all who love her.  She was a small woman with a giant spirit and an even bigger heart.  It is an honor to have been made a part of her family.  These last several months as her illness progressed she never once complained and always relished in the time spent with family and friends.  So how do you say goodbye to someone who has meant so much to so many, you don't.  You say until we see you again.  You are always in our hearts.  We love you and miss you Gram.

Day 2

Here we are again.  I finally got my computer back from Bandit.  Every time I want to type a post, he has my computer and is typing away.  He amazes me at how talented he is.  So I had a talk with the little guy and he said that since he is so much more talented at writing these blogs that I am, that he will take over posting about our trip on his site for now.  So for further road trip updates feel free to link onto Bandit's blog from this page if you don't already have his site book marked. 

and we are off

3:36 am and we are on our way.

I'm finally on vacation

As of 4:01pm I am officially on vacation.  Tomorrow is the run around and get last minute things done day, and VERY early on friday we will be on the road. YEAH!!!

The Only Child

To all the other "only " children out there.

Eleven Days and Counting

So in eleven days we will be in the car on a family trip, probably of a lifetime.  That statement can be taken in many ways.  Trip of a lifetime because I have never really been on a road trip before ( that I can remember,anyway).  Then "trip of a lifetime" because when this is over I may never want to do this again.  Don't get me wrong.  I love Danny and Bandit a lot, but closed quarters for that long could just drive me nuts.  Hence the reason I insisted Danny get me a tent.  I refuse to Prius camp for 18,yes that's right, 18 days.  So now i get a four person tent all to myself and Danny and Bandit get to Prius camp.  The packing thing is out of control.  We gave up on the idea of sharing a duffle bag, but my bag seems to have a lot of misc. stuff in it along with my clothes.  I get all the toiletries and medicines.  I have the large map, Bandit's vet information about his shots.  Suntan lotions and handi-wipes, along with flashlights,extra batteries and matches.  Why doesn't Danny get to carry some of this?  After all, he is packing less clothes.  He should have more available space.  I have to take out a few of my t-shirts because I forgot to pack towels for our showers.  We'll see how all this stuff will fit in the car. 

A New Blogger in Town

Just thought people might like to know there is a new blogger in the family.  Bandit Hamilton has decided to join the ranks of bloggers.  For a nine year old he seems pretty good at it.  Why not check it out.  

The Walrus and The Carpenter

There are things from your childhood that stick in your brain no matter how old you get.  This is one of mine.  The Walrus and The Carpenter from Through the Looking- Glass and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll 1872.  I'm not really sure where I got the book but I believe it was a collection of children's stories.  For some reason part of this story has been ingrained in my brain.  So for your entertainment and mine, here is the whole poem.

The Walrus and The Carpenter

The sun was shining on the sea,

Shining with all his might:

He did his very best to make

The billows smooth and bright--

And this was odd, because it was

The middle of the night.

The moon was shining sulkily,

Because she thought the sun

Had got no business to be there

After the day was done--

"It's very rude of him", she said,

"To come and spoil the fun!"

The sea was wet as wet could be,

The sands were dry as dry.

You could not see a cloud, because

No cloud was in the sky:

No birds were flying overhead--

There were no birds to fly.

The walrus and The Carpenter

Were walking close at hand;

They wept like anything to see

Such quantities of sand:

"If this were only cleared away,"

They said,  "it would be grand!"

"If seven maids with seven mops

Swept it for half a year.

"Do you suppose," the Walrus said,

"That they could get it clear?"

"I doubt it," said the Carpenter,

And shed a bitter tear.

"O Oysters, come and walk with us!"

The Walrus did beseech .

"A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,

Along the briny beach:

We cannot do with more than four,

To give a hand to each."

 The eldest Oyster looked at him,

But never a word he said:

The eldest Oyster winked his eye,

And shook his heavy head--

Meaning to say he did not choose

To leave the oyster bed.

But four young Oysters hurried up,

All eager for the treat:

Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,

Their shoes were clean and neat--

And this was odd, because, you know,

They hadn't any feet.

Four other Oysters followed them,

And yet another four;

And thick and fast they came at last,

And more, and more, and more--

All hopping through the frothy waves,

And scrambling to the shore.

The Walrus and the Carpenter

Walked on a mile or so,

And then they rested on a rock

Conveniently low:

And all the little Oysters stood

And waited in a row.

"The time has come," the Walrus said,

"To talk of many things:

Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--

Of cabbages--and kings--

And why the sea is boiling hot--

And whether pigs have wings."

"But wait a bit," the Oysters cried,

"Before we have our chat;

For some of us are out of breath,

And all of us are fat!"

"No hurry," said the Carpenter.

They thanked him much for that.

"A loaf of bread, the Walrus said,

"Is what we chiefly need:

Pepper and vinegar besides

Are very good indeed--

Now if you're ready, Oysters dear,

We can begin to feed."

"But not on us!" the Oysters cried,

Turning a little blue.

"After such kindness, that would be

A dismal thing to do!"

"The night is fine," the Walrus said.

"Do you admire the view?

"It was so kind of you to come!

And you are very nice!"

The Carpenter said nothing but

"Cut us another slice:

I wish you were not quite so deaf--

I've had to ask you twice!"

"It seems such a shame," the Walrus said,

"To play them such a trick,

After we've brought them out so far,

And made them trot so quick!"

The Carpenter said nothing but

"The butter's spread too thick!"

"I weep for you," the walrus said:

"I deeply sympathize."

With sobs and tears he sorted out

Those of the largest size,

Holding his pocket-handkerchief

Before his streaming eyes.

"O Oysters," said the Carpenter,

"You've had a pleasant run!

Shall we be trotting home again?"

But answer came there none--

And this was scarcely odd, because

They'd eaten every one.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Those poor oysters... anyone hungry for some seafood?

Can I Start Packing Yet?!

Well the time has come, the walrus said, to talk of many things, of shoes and ships and ceiling (oops) sealing-wax, of cabbages and...what did you think I was going to recite ( ok, type) the whole thing? It's time to talk about one of my favorite things, VACATION! I'm not sure which part of this whole thing I like more, the planning or the actual vacation. I like planning vacations so much that I have even helped a few friends plans their family vacations that I can't even go on. Could I do this to make a living you may ask? No Way!!! First that would require I go back to school and I didn't like it that much the first time. Then there would be all the pressure of planning the perfect trip for everyone. Not gonna happen. I'll help out when asked but other than that I'll stick to the elaborate planning methods for even the simplest of my trips.

This is how it usually starts, Danny says where do you want to go on vacation? That's all it takes and the wheels start to turn. Usually the answer is : A Cruise. This time Danny said we could take a longer vacation and take Bandit with us if we took a road trip. A road trip, that could be interesting. Where would we go? Danny said he always wanted to take me out west since I have never seen the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone. That was it. The destination had been set. Let the planning begin.

The internet is my best friend. Danny gave me a list of every state we would be passing through on our trip and I let my fingers do the walking to find all the places I wanted to see While we were traveling. Now I know it will be impossible to do everything I want but wishful thinking never hurt. So with my list in hand I started putting together a notebook of all the information I had found. Now while we are on the road we just look at my little book and we kind find all kinds of things to do.

As most of the family knows, as vacations get closer, I get the urge to start packing. That is usually no big deal since we go to warm places when it is cold here. I don't need the clothes I am taking on vacation while we are at home so who cares if I start packing three months ahead of time. This time we are going in the summer, or at least while it is still hot outside and we are going where at times it will be 90 and other times in the mountains it can get pretty cold. Did I mention that we are taking the Prius. That's right, 18 days, Danny, Bandit and me with all of our stuff in the Prius. Danny's brilliant idea is that he and I will share a duffle bag for the trip. Hello, did he forget I'm a girl. I need my stuff. Maybe we can share one duffle bag and I can have another one all to myself. Sounds like a plan to me. He wants to us (meaning me ) to do laundry on the trip. Isn't this called a vacation? Laundry, I don't think so.

So slowly but surely I have been putting things aside in a corner in my room of what I want to bring with. I now have a small mountain by the side of my dresser and that doesn't include the essentials like underwear. I was thinking maybe I could bring the duffle bag upstairs and start arranging things in it to see how they will fit. That isn't necessarily packing yet, is it? I have less then a month. Why not pack now? You can never pack too early is my motto.

I guess I'd better get start.

Catching up

Just a quick update until Danny posts his full recap of the race.  They finished the race even with the extremely bad weather and some very wet crew members.  Danny was happy as could be, and limped away with only water-logged hands and feet and a broken toe.

Marley & Me

To all those lab ( be they yellow, black or chocolate) lovers out there, I just found out some interesting news. The book Marley & Me is coming to theaters near you Christmas 2008. Thanks Aunt Trisha for introducing me to this heartfelt tale.

Mac Race 2008

Just a little update for all those interested.  As you may or may not know Danny was on a sailing team (Cyclone) that sailed the 2008 Chicago to Mac 100th anniversary race this weekend.  I will let him post all the details in his blog.  The important part is they finished the race in the original alloted time. The official finishing time was extended later.  Danny said it was all of the following:  fun, boring, fun, exciting, fun, scary, and did I mention FUN!!!!!!!  He had a blast, and though when I talked to him after the race he hadn't slept in over 25 hours he was wired for a few more hours at least.  So here's to Cyclone and her crew for finishing the 100th running of the Chicago to Mac race.  I for one, am very proud of you. 

Genius IQ or Common Sense,

Some of you may know that I have occationally mentioned that because Danny has a genius IQ, he sometimes seems to lack common sense.  This weekend on my way downtown (one of my favorite places...NOT) to meet a friend who was in town for work, I had a blowout after just getting onto 55 where there is no shoulder to pull unto.  I managed to get far enough over to not have the left side of my SUV smashed by cars coming behind me.  Now I have had this Kia for 5 years now and have never had any problems ( like a flat tire) before.  I wasn't exactly sure where my spare tire was but I figured somewhere in the back underneath the mat would be a good place to look, not like I knew how to change the tire even if I found the spare in the first place.  Did I mention that Danny was in the middle of a sailing race and didn't even know this was happening.  To make a really long story short I wound up getting my Kia towed to a dealer where I was very rudely informed that on my driver's side window there is a sticker with a phone number that I can call for FREE roadside assistence.  I guess you can say that even though I don't have a genius IQ, living with a person who does has sucked away some of my common sense.  Why did I never notice that little sticker with the phone number on it?  It would have saved me about $80.00 (the cost for a tow to the dealer)  and a couple of hours worth of wasted time.    

Excerpts from dog & cat diary

Excerpts from a Dog's Diary:

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Excerpts from a Cat's Diary:

Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contept for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Jerks!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinment for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies". I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try thia again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.

The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously stupid. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe, for now....

2008 Chicago Auto Show

So I had another weekend off, and decided to go with Danny to the auto show. Now I'm not a big crowd person, as the family knows, so what was I thinking? Let's just say I gritted my teeth and plowed through. Before we left the house I made Danny promise we would not spend all day in the Toyota section so he could to talk to everyone and their brother about the Prius. As we all know Danny is a little obsessed with that car. He agreed, but with a dimple-ridden grin from ear to ear which usually means he's lying. So we get to the auto show and wind up having to walk about a mile from our car to the entrance because I am stubborn and say, "I don't need to take the free shuttle they offer." Once inside we have to walk, gosh knows how far, to the coat check. So I grab a seat while Danny foes and drops off our coats. He comes back what seems like almost fifteen minutes later saying he had to go all the way to the other end of the main hall and down two levels. Did I mention I was already tired and we haven't even bought our tickets yet? I am so out of shape, but being the stubborn person I am I trudged on. Now the auto show is split into an east and west side and lucky for me the side we went to first did not have the Toyota section in it. Yipee!! So I had a few hours of walking before losing Danny to Prius land. Now that Danny has a newer car it was my day to dream about what I may want as my next vehicle. I was looking more towards a pickup truck

or a Sport Utility Vehicle,

but I have to admit a few little sports cars caught my eye.

Let's just say there is definitely something for everyone represented at the auto show. The vehicles range from something that looks like a glorified golf cart

to a Bently that costs more than I paid for my house at a whopping $340,000!

For a car? Are they serious? What does the paint have diamond dust in it? Is it bulletproof? Does it drive itself? You just have to put in the destination and the auto pilot inflates (like in the "Airplane" movie) and it takes you where you want to go? Maybe you don't even have to program in your destination, the car can read your mind. For $340,000 it better do something amazing or else I can't imagine why anyone would spend that much on a car unless it is for no other reason besides "they can, so they do". Ahh, to have that much money and be let loose in the auto show. How many other cars could I buy for the price of one Bently? Lisa, wake up, this is reality. You can't afford any cars right now, we are just looking for possible future purchases. We did actually find one vehicle that would come in handy for taking all our neices and nephews out at one time, although we would need drop down steps to get into the thing.

Can anyone say family road trip?

So we wander around and take pictures of various SUV's and pickup truck as well as concept cars and others that just catch my eye. We finnaly make it over to the other side and the first thing we see is the Toyota section. Danny's face lights up, his eyes glass over and he starts to drool as he body is magnetically pulled to the Prius on display. I know I have now lost him. He tries to feign interest in what I want to see, but I know if I lose him while walking around, I just have to make my way back to the Powder Blue Prius, and there he will be standing. He had told me before, if it was up to him, he would spend the entire day at the Prius section answering peoples questions, because he knows all when it comes to his latest obsession. Well he didnt' get to stand there all day, but he did mention that he set at least one person straight on something they were wrong about. I'm sure it was done in his usual "I hate to disagree, but. . . ." style.

So some four hours or so later we take a shuttle (I won't repeat my morning mistake) back to the car and bring our sore muscles home with a few ideas of what I might want to own next. We may be tires and sore but all in all it was a fun time had by all.

Another Day Another Party

With a large extended family, there are many occasions for us to celebrate and, because of my ever-changing work schedule, I am happy when I get to attend these events. This time it was Eli's first birthday party at his Nana and Papa's house. Now the first thing you need to know about Eli's Nana, better known as Aunt Trish, to most of the rest of us (well Danny, his siblings, and all their significant others) is that Aunt Trish likes her house cold. It must be because she is so warm blooded because she has such a big heart. Knowing this I wore a T-Shirt under a sweatshirt thinking that would be enough. WRONG. Now the fact that I was freezing could have been because I was tired, who knows. I immediately sat on a couch and wrapped up in a blanket. Maybe when more people get here I'll get warmer.

So as I mentioned before we were all together for Eli's first birthday party. Danny and I had just started our diets again so we didn't want to eat anything. We managed to suffer through with me eating only some pretzels and fruit and both of us staying away from the meatball sandwiches as well as the cake and ice cream. Now after cake a one year old is usually a mess of cake and frosting mush from head to toe. Not our Eli, just some messy hands (who uses a fork to eat cake) and a little frosting cake mush on his face. Next it was time for presents, "What could be so exciting about presents for a one year old?", you ask. Let me tell you. I have never seen such vibrant colors and so many flashing lights with bells and whistles in my life. Why don't they make flashy things like that for adults? Oh yea, they do. Ours are just a lot more expensive. . . . Cars, boats, motorcycles, computers, Xbox 360s, and Wiis. Ah to be a kid again and to be impressed and excited by just flashing lights.

Possible Job Change?

No way!

So I always wondered what it would be like to have a job doing what I really love. That, of course, would be photography and travel. My first thought was a photographer for National Geographic. Then reality hit me. I am way too critical of my own work. Then to require the approval of an editor who would critique anything I submitted, I don't think my fragile ego could handle it. So, my next thought was travel agent. I love to travel. I love to plan trips. Why couldn't I plan trips for other people? Here-in lies the problem. The trips would be for other people, not for me. I thought I would give it a try though when someone I know at work asked me if I had ever been to Disney World. Me? Been to Disney World? Heck, I lived in Florida for about 6 years. I told her I would be happy to look up a bunch of information to help her family plan their upcoming trip. So, to the Internet I went. I gathered all kinds of information from rooms and airfare to full Disney Vacation Packages. Besides becoming completely overwhelmed, this also caused me to have a serious desire to now travel back to Disney World myself. Two nights ago we were talking with some family friends about things to do in Hawaii, and now I want to go back there as well. So no, becoming a travel agent is not a good idea for me. I could never plan trips for other people and not want to go myself.

Here We Go Again

As some of you may know, in January of 2005 Danny and I embarked on a 2 year journey that took us through many changes both emotionally and physically. It was at that time we started Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating plan. For two whole years (with occasional time off for good behavior) we stayed strictly to this program. First the 2000 Calorie meals for about the first 6 months and the remaining year and a half the 1200 Calorie meal plan. Danny reached his goal weight and I lost 100 pounds. In 2007 we decided to take a break because we realized we weren't doing a very good job of staying on the diet so we thought we would try to eat healthy on our own. That lasted for a while but then that too stopped. Danny found himself gaining most of his weight back and I gained about 15 pounds back. Neither one of us are very happy. So needless to say, we know what works. For probably the next 2 years (with time off again for good behavior) we are going to be on the Seattle Sutton plan once again. This time I will fight to reach my dream goal weight of 145 lbs, which the doctor actually thinks is a little under-weight for me but I have never been under-weight in my life so I want to see what it feels like if only for a little while. Of course, nothing that will be detrimental to my health. For just once in my life I want someone to say to me, "Gee, you look a little thin. Maybe you should gain a few pounds." Now that would be a totally new experience. I have no doubt Danny will reach his goal weight again. I just wish I could lose it as fast as he does. I wonder what it will be like to actually have my clothes be smaller than his for a change, and what will it be like to shop at regular stores and not plus-sized stores anymore.

So for those of you who know me personally I want to say "I'm sorry" up-front for how crabby I may possibly be for the next five weeks while my system gets used to this food all over again. Who wants to go shopping when my clothes get too big again?

Before:

355 lbs. September 2004



300 lbs. October 2005


Now:

262 lbs December 2007
228 lbs December 2007 (Danny)

After:

????

A "Blue" New Year

I (being the spoiled only child that I am) was treated to an amazing birthday this year. Danny made reservations at Benihana for dinner. The food was amazing, hopefully that will be my birthday dinner for years to come. Next we headed downtown to see Blue Man Group. We had front row seats. It was an unbelievable show that unfortunately really can't be described in words that would do it justice. The main show finished 15 minutes before midnight and the staff passed out champagne and noise-makers to the whole audience. At midnight the performers came back on the stage and played "Auld Lang Syne" on their unique instruments and shot confetti into the audience while streamers fell from the ceiling. We weren't allowed to take pictures during the show, but I did get a cool shirt that I can show you. Wow what a great birthday. I also got a nice dinner at Gram's house that Danny's mom made and the kids were there to help me blow out my candles.

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to

We were all invited over to Jeff and Ginette's house for Emily's second birthday party. Now recently Emily had been showing signs of turning two. Some temper tantrums and just general non-happiness. The night of the party would prove to be no different. Danny and I walked into the house and the first thing we heard was the birthday girl repeatedly crying. "Mom, mom, mom. . . ." and Ginette trying very patiently to figure out what this little darling wanted, all to no avail. There were several bouts of just rolling around on the floor crying. Then the pizza came and this seemed to appease the little princess, or so we thought. Shortly into her second piece of pizza the birthday girl threw her fork and then her plate of pizza onto the floor and then cried to get get out of her chair.

Oh, I forgot to mention that earlier during one of the crying spells the little princess' Uncle Danny made a beautiful sign that read: I'm turning 2. (Can you tell?)" and pretending to console his temperamental niece, placed the sign on her back for all to see.

So after the pizza hit the floor it was now Aunt Cuckoo's turn to step in and entertain our princess. It seems all she needed all along was some good stretching exercises, because once Cuckoo had her stretching to this side and the "uder side" the smiles returned and we made it through the rest of the party.

A few new members to the Family

For a couple of years now we have been going downtown to the American Girl store for my niece Zoe's birthday. This year we also celebrated my niece Emily's birthday as well. This is the year Emily got to get her first American Girl Doll, her very own Bitty Baby. While most of the rest of the group went off to look at their own things, I got to go along with Ginette, Katelyn, and Emily to find Emily's new baby. We made our way to the Bitty Baby section and it was like the dolls were calling Emily's name. She trudged through all the other shoppers and right into one of the sections that had the baby-dolls. These areas are the perfect height for a two year old and she reached right in and pulled out a box that was almost as big as she was.

She tried to carry it, but kept dropping it and saying "too heavy", but she wouldn't let anyone carry it for her.

Finally "Grandma" came to the rescue by saying she would bring the baby to the lady who could take her out of the box. That made our little princess Emily happy and we were able to get the doll paid for. Now the other girls (also my nieces) had their dolls with, and my sister-in-law Colleen decided she wanted one of her own and not to be left out so did I. We both got "Just like you" dolls. You pick the doll with the same color skin, hair, and eyes as you yourself have. Now anyone who knows Colleen knows she is a princess through and through, loving it when she has a good excuse to wear a tiara. So of course her doll had to have a fancy dress and ,you guessed it, a tiara. My doll was having a problem picking a dress mainly because I was letting my nieces Zoe and Shannon pick the outfit. They went from two different ballerina outfits to an Irish Dancer's dress to finally a fancy creamy-gold dress with long gloves (her holiday dress). So now we have three more girls (dolls) in the family.

Girls and their dolls, what a wonderful thing.

Prius Camping?!!!

This is way overdue.

We had decided to take a trial run for our trip out west in the Prius with Bandit. This time we only stayed overnight one night just to see how the car would get packed up, what it would be like to sleep in the car, etc. Yes, I said sleep in the car. We wanted to see if the three of us would fit in the car for the night because most campsites allow dogs, and it can be difficult to find a hotel that allows an 85 lb. dog. This will make it easier to keep our schedule flexible for our long trip in August. No hotels, just campsites. So we packed up the car, 2 pillows, 2 sleeping bags, 3 small blankets, a twin sized air mattress (deflated), a pump for the afore-mentioned air mattress, dog food, bottled water, a small cooler, dog bowls, dog treats, 2 large rawhide bones, a stuffed dog toy, a duffel bag with a change of clothes for both Danny and me, and finally my camera bag, because we all know I go nowhere without my camera. So did I remember to mention we were in a Prius? Not a big car by any means, but loaded with lots of little places to hide things.

So we got on the road around 8:30 am (about an hour later than I wanted to start) on our trip to nowhere in particular. We had a tentative goal for Mississippi, but who knew where we would actually end up. We set a new rule early on that on any trip through the Midwest we would each only do the "Look, a bunch of cows. . . ." joke once a day, or it would get very old, very quickly, and wouldn't be fun anymore. We also found this works for goats, sheep, and horses. Try it. Replace "cows" with these other animals (which were all frequently seen on this trip), and you will see I am right.

Several hours into the trip we stopped at a rest stop for all of us to stretch our legs and to go potty. I of course had to take some pictures of the surrounding area and of Bandit. At one point I was sitting/kneeling on the curb and Danny gave me the leash while he went to go do something, I don't remember what. Now before giving me the leash Danny reminded me there were other dogs around and to make sure I had a good hold, because if Bandit saw another dog he would take off running and I needed to stop him. I assured him I was fine and he went to do whatever it was. Within seconds Bandit saw another dog and tried to run over and introduce himself. I was on my knees at the time trying to take Bandit's picture and when he took off, so did I, pretty much a face plant into the grass. I managed to hold onto the leash, only because I had wound it around my hand several times (can you say nylon leash burn?). Ouch! While protecting my camera from hitting the ground I smashed a few of my acrylic nails into the dirt and broke them off painfully low. Double Ouch! The camera was fine. Thanks for asking. Danny heard all of the commotion and came to see what happened with an "I told you to hold onto the leash, because he would run." Thanks Hon, I think I got it. After that we got back in the car and continued on.

After a full 12 hours in the car, we found a KOA and pitched our tent. Oh wait, we don't have a tent. We're sleeping in the car. We had brought along a sheet to cover up the back window, and some bath towels for the side windows, and we used the sun shade in the front. OK, now no-one can see in. Could you just imagine waking up to some stranger staring in your windows trying to figure out why you're sleeping in your car in a campground? Now both front seats are pushed all the way forward, and the back seats are flipped down. The three blankets are layered in the front passenger seat like a little nest for Bandit. The air mattress is blown up and the two sleeping bags are put on that facing head to toe. Those of you who know Danny know you don't want his head right next to your head when you're sleeping, especially in a little car. Did I fail to mention I wore ear plugs? Danny laid head toward the front of the car (poor Bandit), and I laid with my head toward the back of the car, kind of tucked a little into one of the cubbyhole areas. Now because this is a Prius we could have the car on with the heat running all night and use only about 1/4 gallon of gas.

What did we learn from this little experiment? 1) Pack a tent, just as another option for sleeping arrangements. 2) Stop before it gets dark, setting all this up at night tends to attract the unwanted attention of all the mosquitoes in the area. Which leads me to 3) BRING AND USE BUG SPRAY! Even in late fall the bugs are nasty.

I have to admit it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but I'll let you judge for yourself from the following pictures.