In my efforts to distract myself during the deployment, this past weekend was my big travel weekend for July. I was planning on heading home to PA, with stops in Bloomsburg for a baby shower for one of my oldest friends (old as in people I have known the longest- since we were almost 5!), and State College to visit some of our closest friends. I knew it was going to be an exhausting weekend, so I planned to leave work early, so I could be home by dinnertime. I wanted to have at least a little down time at home.
Turns out those pesky deployment gods had other plans for me.
My route home has been the same since I moved to North Carolina 6 years ago. 95 North to 476 to the Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike. I've driven that route a LOT. Never in the last 6 years have I had one problem once I hit the turnpike. This time was different.
While I was on 476, I saw a sign announcing that the NE Ext was CLOSED.
CLOSED?!?!
(Insert complete and utter panic mode/meltdown here)
Anybody want to take bets on who I called?? Oh, you guessed it. Daddy saves the day again!
He, with the help of my mom and 2 of the guys he works with, proceeded to reroute me through Philadelphia so I could make it home. I was slightly less than thrilled that I had to drive through Philly, but the alternative of sitting in traffic and waiting for the Turnpike to reopen was even less appealing.
So off I went.
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| Temple University. My sister went here for a few semesters, so thankfully I was slightly familiar with the area. |
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| We go from city to country in about 20 miles. This was along the Delaware River. |
Needless to say, I arrived home well past dinner. As stressful and as LONG as it was, I was happy to be home in one piece. My usual 4-5 hour trip home took me 8 hours, thanks to 611 north. I did get a phone call from Randy though while I was driving, so that was a welcome distraction, and he definitely had me cracking up and feeling slightly less sorry for myself by the time we hung up.
When I got home, I pretty much walked into the looney bin. My dad was holding a colander and a flashlight, and my mom was equipped with a headlamp and a laser pointer. Apparently a toad had hopped into our garage, and being the animal lovers that we are, none of us could bear to see him perish. So we went on a toad hunt.
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| That bright yellow thing in my dad's hand is the colander. I didn't help much, I mostly just drank my beer and took pictures. It was definitely the laugh I needed after a ridiculous ride home!! |
There is truly never a dull moment with my family.
I crashed early that night, and was up early the next morning for the next leg of my trip- Caroline's baby shower. I am still in shock that she is having a baby- but so excited for her and the entire family! I rode out to Bloomsburg with my sister, which was so nice, because we had a chance to chat and catch up. It also made me realize (again!) how much I miss her!
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| Me, Caroline, and Sara. We have a picture of the 3 of us together from each of our bridal showers, weddings, and now baby showers. These girls are some of my dearest friends, and they are like sisters to me!! |
Straight from the shower I headed out to State College. I am lucky that I still have some very close friends out there, and was happy to have a chance to see them. It was so nice to just sit and relax and catch up on their deck. The only thing missing was Randy- although I'm not sure we would have had a quiet, relaxing evening if he were there... ha! ;)
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| me and Sophia! |
All in all, I traveled just under 800 miles this weekend. But I would do it again in a second.
I had such a great weekend, and got to see so many great friends- who again reminded me what a great support system I have when Randy is away.
Oh! I almost forgot the best part- by the time this weekend was said and done, it was officially AUGUST- which means I can finally say I will see my guy NEXT month!!!
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