Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Incoherent Thoughts (Post road-trip edition)

We pulled into our driveway last night around 10:30 pm...I am tremendously glad to be home. I love our family, but I don't love traveling at Christmas.

I wasn't so thrilled to walk in and behold all of our Christmas decorations last night. My family thinks I'm Grinchy because I take down the tree and put everything away the day after Christmas. I would have taken it down before we left if I'd had time and if my family wouldn't have thought me heartless. It's coming down as soon as I can muster up the energy to do it. (I'm still in recovery mode after hours and hours of driving.)

I did have a new toy to play with on the trip. My dad gave me an early Christmas gift when I was in St. Louis for his surgery--a Garmin Nuvii (gps). Very cool. I had a blast watching the elevation changes and thought it was cool to watch the clock change when we crossed time zones. What can I say? I'm easily entertained.

There is nothing like sleeping in your own bed. NOTHING. And for some reason, coffee from our coffeepot tastes better too.

My sister loaned me a book to read in the car yesterday, and I couldn't put it down. After it got dark, I tried reading by the light of my cell phone, but John told me I was going to hurt my eyes and made me stop. (Grinchy, huh? I think he really just got tired of long conversationless hours and wanted me to talk to him.) Anyway, the book was The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. I finished it up a little while ago...what an amazing story. Have you read it?

People always ask me why we don't break such a long drive up into two days. We used to do that when our kids were smaller, but we actually prefer to drive it straight through. It's so disheartening to drive all day, unload the van, reload the van, and realize you have to get up and do it all over again the next day. We decided several years ago that it's just easier (and less expensive) to keep on driving.

I have many things I want to post (and soon) including pics of our trip, my New Year's Goals, an idea I have for the month of January, and more...but first I have to make a grocery run and get the Christmas stuff put away. Wish me luck.

15 comments:

Amber said...

Glad you're back, Mer. We just got home yesterday, too, so I'm in the middle of sifting through all the suitcases and endless bags of presents. Ugh. My Christmas tree will be up for awhile. Can't stand to take it down in a dirty house.

Haven't read the book you mentioned...but I need to...you've intrigued me!!

Happy cleaning!

Betsy said...

Oh my goodness...The Glass Castle is one of my favorite books! Isn't that just an amazing story???

I agree with you that there is NOTHING like being home and in your own bed! That is just a little bit of heaven on earth to me! :) I'm always so thankful for my home, humble as it may be, when I've been gone for a while.

I used to put up our tree the day after Christmas, but I'm leaving it up a little longer this year. It takes so long to put it all up, then I hate to take it down so soon!

Welcome home and good luck with your undecorating!

Unknown said...

Welcome Home!!

I haven't read that book, but I have started my new book {wink} and am having to read it very slowly, so I can grasp it all...which is hard for me...the reading slowly part.

I also got a Garmin for Chrismtas and although I haven't went on a long trip, I have been playing with it around here...pretty kewl!

As for Christmas decorations, don't feel bad...mine came down Saturday...and it felt good to have my house back in order.

Good luck and I can't wait to read your upcoming posts!

Megan L Hutchings said...

Sweet Meredith ~ I am so glad that you and your family made it home safely. I know you are not overly thrilled about all that you have to do, but I hope it goes well.

I thought about you a lot over the holidays. My mom read The Shack and as we started talking about it, I started talking about you and your wonderful family. YOU ARE NOT GRINCHY AT ALL ;)!

Joanne : The Simple Wife said...

Welcome home! And, yes, I've read it. Fascinating read, huh?

Michele said...

Glad you guys made it home safely. I love our GPS - one of the best things we have ever spent money on. I totally agree, there is NOTHING in the world like sleeping in your own bed!!! Can't wait to see pictures and your idea for the month of January. Good luck getting everything put away!!

*carrie* said...

Mer,

We also got home last night, as well--so we just missed you!

Your card was among the many in our giant mail pile, so thanks for that. Eric commented again this year on John's cool letter writing, and the photo was great!

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

Girl, you sound like me and I so understand. I have so many blogs in my feeder and follow box thingy that I probably comment on each blog only once a month or less. Pitiful

Stacy at Exceedingly Mundane said...

So glad you guys had a good trip, but also very glad you're home! I'm always that way too, there's no place like home and no bed like my own :) I would HATE to come in and take down decorations, you have my sympathy. I hope as I type this it is mostly down. It felt really good to get my house back to normal. I missed the tree and lights for a day or two (nights mostly!) but I'm over it now and ready for the new year :)

Happy New Year Meredith!

Gretchen said...

Welcome home, my friend!

I lurved The Glass Castle. As much as you can lurve that book. Very well written, I guess is what I mean to say. I need to take our stuff down, too, but just haven't had it in me yet to push through. Maybe tomorrow. :)

Tiffani said...

girl, I'm tired FOR you...can't wait to hear your thoughts/idea for January...I've never heard of that book but last time you suggested a book--I was completely in love..so, I'm gonna check it out!

Hope you were productive and getting back in to the swing of things!

Becca~CapturingSimpleJoys said...

Glad your home and you had a good trip. Don't you love Garmin! Ours saved us time and again when we were in Texas a few weeks ago.
We're going to take down our tree and decorations today too.
Look forward to the pics!

Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt said...

I was wondering when you'd drive back. Hope you got your house re-set for the new year! I sure haven't!! (oh well)

Unknown said...

Yet another way we are alike!

When we lived in TX and drove the 16 hour drive to southern Arizona, we always did it in one day. And I would pack lunches and snacks so our only stops would be when someone needed a restroom.

For us it just worked better!

Jacquie said...

Catching up on back posts... wish my READER would update you!! ugh!

I actually read "The Glass Castle" this year on Betsy's recommendation. I LOVED it. My little 90 y/o neighbor lady just finished it. I read in a magazine at the doctor's office a while back that they're making a movie out of it.