As a teacher in the district I work in I was very, very, very grateful for the week-long Spring Break this year. It couldn't have come at a better time and with my Grandmother struggling with Alzheimer's it was a good chance to go back East and visit some family. I hadn't been back East since 2002, so it was about time I took a trip.
Monday night of Spring Break I had a college class. When I went in the wind was blowing and it was still somewhat warm, when I came out of class it was a white-out, blizzard-like storm. I was driving home, on the freeway, going 20 miles an hour, IN APRIL! I left the following morning and it was 30 degrees at home, with 8-10 inches of snow on the ground.
I landed in Atlanta and could immediately tell the difference in temperature. It was 90 degrees and I was in jeans and a sweatshirt! I went straight to the bathroom to put on a pair of shorts.
Haley, Emma, and Me at the Braves Game
I decided to spend the first part of my trip in Atlanta visiting my cousin and her family. She has a 4 year old daughter and twin 2 year old boys. It had been a while since I had seen her, at least 2 years because I had never met her boys. We just stayed around the house, ran errands, and did a lot of visiting. The second evening we took a girl's trip to the Braves Game. For those of you that know me you know that I have been an Atlanta Braves fan for 20 years. (For those of you that are lost, the Braves are a professional baseball team.:)) It was fun to get out to the ballpark, eat my once a year hotdog, and just enjoy an evening watching a game.
The next day I left for Tennessee to visit my mom's parents and her siblings. All of her siblings and her parents live within 1 hour of each other, except for us a few thousand miles away. My grandparents live on a 55 acre wooded lot with trails throughout the property. One of the things I wanted to do while I was there was get on the tractor and just drive around their farm. This city girl sure does enjoy trips out to the farm! My grandfather built their house and my grandmother has always loved her flower bed out front!
While there we also took a trip to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. It is always fun to spend time with my grandparents.
My Uncle Ken (we always called him Uncle Buh)
My Grandparents (my mom's parents)
My Uncle John and Aunt Ruth (She is a police officer)
On Saturday my Aunt Ruth asked me if I wanted to go out on patrol with her for the day. I had never been out on patrol, so I of course took her up on the offer. It was a pretty slow day, but it was good to spend the day with her. I always love getting to spend time with Ruth.
Saturday night I drove back to Atlanta to stay at Haley's house and go to Church with her family Sunday morning. It was a wonderful day and I am so grateful for her hospitality. I definitely need to get back to visit sooner rather than later.
Now the countdown is on to the end of the school year!!!
