2.11.2009

Where The Heck Have I Been?

I kind of disappeared on you, didn't I?

Now that you know about my clothing issues, let me tell you about another issue of mine: I don't travel well.

A few months back when my parents suggested the kids and I join them on a train trip to visit family in Utah, I said I'd think about it. When they asked again, I said I'd talk to George. After several weeks I finally talked to George, and he said, "Have fun." Yet still I waited until a week before our trip to buy tickets.

picking up our tickets

Traveling makes me anxious. I've never suffered from wanderlust; there's no gypsy in my blood. I like to stay home. I hate to pack. I sleep best in my own bed. I eat horribly when I go out of town. But when family insists on living hundreds of miles away, travel is sometimes unavoidable; and to tell the truth, once I'm packed and on the way, traveling is not so bad.

observation deck

Especially when my mom packs her DVD player for the kids; thank goodness because the kids had no interest in the bag of books, art supplies and games I packed. They weren't really crazy about the fruits, vegetables and sandwiches I packed for the trip either, and opted for sodas in the observation car.

Highlights of the trip to Utah include but are not limited to:

The Twits

- A trip to the children's theater to see my brother play the role of a Muggle-wump in a production of The Twits. I didn't know my brother was a thespian (though I did know he was a monkey).

snow park

- Playing at the park in the snow. My how I wish we had packed snow boots.

- Going to my grandma's house. I love that her house hasn't changed much in thirty years. I asked about the cactus plants on her kitchen windowsill and was shocked to find out that my grandfather bought the original plant in 1941, which means my grandma has had the cacti longer than she has had children. This fact absolutely amazes me.

- Spending time with my sister-in-law and getting to know her better.

- Meals in the dining car on the train. Eating cheese ravioli on a plastic plate while traveling across the Nevada desert in the dark is a surreal experience.

Two things I didn't do on vacation: go in a dressing room or check my email. Imagine my surprise upon returning home and reading all your comments on my last post. I'm not alone in the dressing room! What a relief! I'm looking forward to trying some of your suggestions, including sewing my own clothes and reading The Pocket Stylist (thank you Melissa!). I think it's time to determine my real body shape and discover the style of clothes that fit best. Thank you all for your kind and supportive comments.

So while I'm home, I'm not quite back yet. George is on vacation this week, there are bags to unpack and groceries to buy, valentines to make, and a tutorial to write. Come back later this week for some winter berries. See you soon!

18 comments:

  1. Loved your account of surreality in NV.

    I have become more and more content to stay put over the past few years.

    Welcome "back"...

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  2. i have always wanted to travel by train. i hope to do it someday. i'm not a great traveller either. the best thing about it is that it always makes me appreciate home. there's no place like it.
    just thinking about you today. so glad you are back!

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  3. I was kind of hoping that was a picture of your family waiting to meet you at the station, but a children's theatre troupe would have been my next guess.

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  4. the cactus plant sentence actually choked me up a bit -

    welcome home and I can't wait for the tutorial

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  5. Missed you!

    I must say, I think it would be awfully cool to cross the Nevada desert on a train. We did it in a 12 passenger van, and I couldn't help but think about what would happen if we had car trouble.

    But that's one place that will DEFINITELY teach you your significance!

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  6. I was starting to get worried... Glad you're home... says your friend the homebody! Traveling by train does sound awfully romantic. I've only done it once, and I was small. Your grandmother's cactus: an entire post could be written about it! wow! Hope you have a nice settling in.

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  7. I've been anxious for pictures :) love the one of Aidan with the scenery flying past.

    Which one is your brother?

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  8. 1. I'm thinking of disappearing for awhile. It's under discussion in my head.

    2. I love that picture of your brother. So cute!

    3. I love to travel, but I understand why you wouldn't. It's kind of a lot of work sometimes.

    4. My husband freaking LOVES the train, and has been trying to convince me to take a trip with him somewhere on the train. I don't have an aversion to it, persay, but I don't have the same level of excitement as he does.

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  9. Glad to have you back! And to know while you were gone you were enjoying yourself- despite having to travel :)

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  10. We are SO glad that you guys decided to come and better yet, stay with us. We had a blast seeing you guys!! The night you guys left we got 8 inches of snow!!!

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  11. Good for you for getting away! I've never traveled by train, maybe one day.

    I have the Pocket Stylist - love it. I have pulled it out as a resource many times. I think it's a great investment.

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  12. I'm glad you decided to come with us! It was a great-short-trip. It was nice getting to spend more than an afternoon at Aunt Jan's with you and the kids. My sock is turned and I'm working on the foot. The train is great for quality time with a project.

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  13. you were missed!

    train travel seems like a great way to go. i really enjoyed traveling by train in scotland and turkey... but you have to get there first!

    are there pics of this cactus? i'll go check flickr. what a great story.

    welcome home.

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  14. Welcome back! I love to travel, but hate to pack and hate to give up my routine.
    Train ride - how fun, and a costumed brother, and a very old cactus - sounds like a good trip!

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  15. Sounds like a refreshing trip! Love all the details. How fun!

    ~karen

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  16. Thanks for the "monkey" comment. I love you to sis.

    I am glad you came. Wish it happened more often.

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  17. Wanted to let you know that I mentioned you in the "Tree of Happiness" award/meme.
    You can find it here.
    Stephanie

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