Vacation, pt. 1

I drove from Tacoma all the way to Phoenix, AZ in the range of 3 days.  While there were good times to be had, day 2 had to be the sickest trip ever.  Well, we went through OR, ID, UT and a bit into NV and then into AZ.  My sisters decided that, after Mom died, that there was really nothing left in WA for them.  They decided to move to Surprise, AZ.  They made the move in about 3 months.  So the final steps were to drive their cars down with the last luggage and the dogs.

Once we got down there we had to sleep on blow up mattresses because we didn't know when the furniture would arrive.  That night we took Vickie's friend, Lisa, to the airport as she had to go home.  We came back to the house and laid on the mattresses and kind of started playing a game but Vickie stopped responding so Anita and I decided to sleep, as well.

The next day I was excited to go lie by the pool and realized that my sisters were now going to spend everyday setting up their home and not have pool time with me.  So I laid out for a few hours and then went in to shower.  After the shower I realized I had a 3rd degree burn on my right shin.  However, nothing else got color??? 

 While I was there we saw Now You See Me and The Heat.  I really liked the first movie and the latter was OK.  I had popcorn both nights.  When I went to bed the 2nd night I awoke at 3 in the morning and my stomach was churning. I raced to the bathroom only to realize I was going to hurl.  And boy did I ever!  The next day I didn't move out of bed.  I finally woke up around 5pm only to find blisters on my right shin.  I got the Neosporin on it and knew the pool was out for a few days.

 We spent that weekend shopping.  And driving.  We never knew exactly where we were at. Someone told us that if we saw mountains, that direction was W.   So what are we to think when we see mountains in every direction?  I am sure some were hills but when none of them have snow on them, how does a Washingtonian tell the difference?  I have never felt so lost in all of my life as I did during those 2 weeks in Surprise.

 After our weekend of shopping I realized that a blister appeared on my big, right toe.  And it had popped and bled.  Last time this happened, 3 years ago at Disneyworld Parks, on my left, big toe, the hole started to eat itself inward and I had emergency surgery and remained in a boot for 11 weeks.  It hasn't healed.   That's neat.

 When the moving crew finally came the movers were Mexican and made some racist comments yet gave us their homemade tamales.  They could have killed us, the tamales, not the Mexicans, but we ate them anyhow.  Never seen a Long girl turn down a tamale.  Once all the furniture was in the next week was full of emptying boxes, washing, drying, cleaning things, moving things around...etc.  At night we always went out to dinner.  The best meal had to be at Pedro's in Glendale.  The most authentic Mexican dinner I have had, since I was IN Mexico.  Weird part was the cook was Asian and the servers were older (over 55) and white.  Everyone else...Mexican.  I really didn't think of it again once I started eating.  We also ate at Texas Roadhouse.  Chili, Cesar Salad, 6oz sirloin, baker with everything and 4 yeast rolls with cinnamon-honey butter.  Two of the best meals I had.  YUM.

 As the days dwindled down towards my departure more things got in place and it started feeling like home.  The 4th of July was pool time for us all and then we bbq'd.  After dinner we swam some more then came in and watched The Call with Halle Berry (so fricken good!!) and Identity Theft with Jason Bateman and Mellissa McCarthy which was...eh?   We also had Banana Splits!!  Good ending.

 The next a.m. I had to get up and pack because it was time to leave. I was sad to know I had to leave my sisters and fly away.  The good part was I was flying to San Diego, CA to see my BFF, Rocky.  I've known Rocky since I was 10.  She is one person that knows EVERYTHING about me and my life and has been there for me, although she has lived in UT or CA longer than she's lived in WA.  But our friendship only grows stronger every day.  I am not sure I could live without her.  As my sisters drove me to the airport things were fine.  When I got out of the car, however, I knew I had to turn and say goodbye.  No more could I just get in the car and drive over to see them.  I know there is phones and texts but to not have my sisters by me, and to know Mom is no longer here, makes my heart hurt badly.  I know I am headed back to WA, and to be alone.  I hugged them goodbye but tears silenced my words as they told me how much they loved me and would miss me.  All I could do is shake my head for them to understand that I felt the same, I just couldn't get the words out.  I went into the airport and found a corner and completely broke down.  Once I could breathe, even just a bit I checked in and went through security and got to my gate.  I called my husband and broke down.  He did a good job talking me out of my tears.  It was time to board and before I knew it we were up in the air, had a drink and we were landing 15 minutes early!  I got out to the curb and there was Rocky and her girls!  I broke down immediately and within 10 minutes we became the true idiots we always are and the laughter began...

 I have 10 days here in San Diego and we will start off by heading to Palm Springs, then it's Riley (Rocky's eldest) bday and then we'll go to Knott's Berry Farm for a day of roller coastering and THEN I still have 5 days left to do.....????  But I know there will be lots of love, laughter and FOOD.  The only thing missing will be my sisters.

 Until next time, all my love,

Teri C