So Tom and I packed up my mom and we headed out of New Orleans on Sunday morning. We had a 10 hour drive ahead of us and Mom B was not up for that long of a ride. We decided to stop when she pooped out, which was North of Orlando.
Tom thought the ride along the Florida panhandle was boring. We wished we could have had more time to explore Mobile, Alabama and the Naval base as well as the historic ships, but we just could not fit it into our schedule. We were amazed at the damage done to all the trees from the hurricane that went through last year. Crews were still out cutting up trees and loading up piles of debris along the freeway in Florida. We also drove through Central Florida and were amazed by the all the many lakes north of Apopka. Very beautiful area and they are busy building a new freeway across the state in that area.
We stayed overnight and had a 2 hour drive in the morning on our way to Sanford, Florida on the East side of Orlando where we picked up the Auto Train heading home. We had time to pick up some lunch at Subway before boarding the train. It was not as crowded heading North as it was traveling South. We had a very nice female train attendant that brought us our dinner and made up our beds. Unfortunately the train ride was much more jerky, and once again, Mom B did not sleep much. She kept waking up with each bump and trying to climb out of her bunk bed. But we made it back to Maryland and dropped mom off at her apartment in time for lunch. Looks like they replaced the windows in Mom's apartment while we were gone-very convenient except that they had to put the apartment back together.
Meanwhile we headed home to unpack the van and do laundry. Allison had headed back to work but was not feeling well. She came down with a very bad cold and ended up staying home the rest of the week. She missed a volunteer opportunity at a local school that she signed up for through Northrop. Maybe next time. She did manage to make it to our Girl Scout jamboree committee meeting on Sunday. I missed that meeting and a GS choir practice. I was supposed to attend the GS sing along the following Sunday, but bad weather was moving in and they cancelled since our parking lot was not plowed. So they rescheduled for the following weekend.
I spent part of the weekend undecorating my mom's apartment by putting away her Christmas decorations. I am glad I downsized her decorations-I did not need as many trips to the storage unit. However, I have not downsized our Christmas decorations and we have slowly started putting it all away. I was grateful to have Allison help me start putting items back up in the attic.
She was feeling well enough by the end of the week to join her friends while celebrating her college roommate's birthday with a trip to a Cat Cafe in DC. Apparently you have to make reservations ahead of time, pay for the experience and they only accommodate a small number of guests at a time. They don't serve food, just drinks. So the group grabbed some lunch at a nearby bakery before heading in. And apparently you are not really allowed to pick up and hold the cats, except if they are lying in their beds. Then you can place the bed on your lap. Sounds a bit strange, but the cafe is working to adopt out the cats, and apparently is very successful. And Allison really enjoyed the experience. As I mentioned in a previous blog, our cat Pika passed away at 19 years during Christmas vacation. It is a strange feeling being in our house without her. I think I feel her absence the most. We knew she was not doing well, and we really felt bad for her. So we had some time to prepare for the loss. But it is strange not hearing her mew or tripping over her in the kitchen, or having her snuggle up on our legs to stay warm while we lay on the couch watching tv. So I think Allison especially enjoyed having some cat time.
While Allison was out visiting with cats, I was visiting with my mom. I decided to take her to the mall for lunch and a little shopping. I was trying to see if there were any further Christmas deals out there, including a trip to the Hallmark store. I also needed to pick up a specialty picture frame from JCPenny for a family photo for her work desk. And it was on sale! Unfortunately, Mom B cannot walk too far and I really can not manage her scooter very well by myself(loading and unloading). I have her use her rollator, but she really can only walk short distances, so we rest alot. But we enjoyed the day out and lunch at Chick Fil A! And I picked up my picture frame and some Channukah cards(on sale!).
On Sunday, we had our first big snow of 2019. Tom was excited to get out his snowblower. He did a terrific job clearing the driveway and sidewalks. Because of the snow, the Girl Scout Choir event was cancelled however. (Next Sunday).
And Allison was trying to catch up with some of her college friends still in school, but out on winter break. She postponed her visit to the following week.
We'd like to send out a Happy Birthday wish to Mom Seitz who celebrated her big day on January 6th, The Feast of the Epiphany and the official close of the Christmas Season and 12 Days. Happy Birthday Mom!
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