Once upon a time, because all good stories start that way. Problem is, there is so much to tell and too many words to write.
Dancer Daughter was home for Christmas. So, so, so good to have her home. Yet when she went back I had peace. The peace only God can give. No tears, which if you know me is a huge deal. Sad? Yes. Tears? No...but come close and I'll whisper that it was still hard seeing her walk way.
I had to take her back to the airport since hubs could not get off of work. I was so nervous about it. I was having dreams about it a month prior. Yes, it's ok. Shake your head, I am right now. The reason I was nervous? Middle of winter in Ohio and I hate driving on busy highways. Yes, I used the word hate. Oh, and did I mention we had to leave our house between 2 and 2:30 AM? And, of course, I went to bed at 7 that night and what time do you think I fell into a fitful sleep? Yup, almost 10. Then I was naturally awake at 1 AM because "what if the alarm doesn't go off?!" Doesn't that always happen?! So, it was me, Dancer Daughter and Firefighter Son.
And, here are the things I learned that day and it wasn't even 8 AM:
- At 2:30 a.m. you'll rarely get stopped by a red light therefore making better time than what you had planned.
- Semis are not out and about at that time of
nightmorning. Yay for me. Trucks make me nervous. They are big. They tend to sway and get really close to the dotted line especially when being passed. - All highways need to have reflectors IN their roads so you know where the road is going when you aren't friends with the road yet. Yes, Michigan, I'm talking to you.
- If you slow down because you can't figure out where the road it going (see point above) and allow the guy a mile behind you to catch up and zoom around you, you'll have a much better idea where the road is going...unless he goes off the road then you're both in trouble (that didn't happen but it could have...).
- It was discovered road signs are sprayed with a solution so when it does snow the snow/ice doesn't stick to the signs. However, that makes the signs dirty and non-reflective. So, if you do not know where you are going in the middle of the dark morning, so sorry for you.
- Airline check-ins are not open at 3:40 a.m. (see the first point) However, it does make one feel like one is participating in the Amazing Race and all the teams now catch up with one another. ;)
- Firefighter Son and I were obviously not suppose to get cappuccinos at 4 a.m. since the gas station in which we stopped was "still waiting for the parts". Insert angry eyes here.
- Semis begin to grace the highways with their presence at 4 a.m. And, be careful passing said semis that early in the morning because you'll never know what is in the passing lane. Dead animal, I'm talking to you.
- A certain doughnut/coffee place does not have fresh, or any kind, of doughnut available at 5 a.m. And, while we are taking about this, the dining room does not open until 6. Apparently I should have figured that out with the lack of cars in the parking lot. But, according to the sign, the drive-thru is open all night. Employees, what are you doing there all night if not making doughnuts? I needed a sugar high for the rest of the drive home, lady!
- Don't tick off the drive-thru lady (see above) by asking about doughnuts, in which she says you can't have any, and then asking her to wait while you decided on a hot drink. Don't place your order and then say, "Hello?" (so it was three times) because all you heard was deafening silence. Could that be why my hot drink didn't taste good...at all?! Even when I got home and doctored it up...blick.
- And finally, when driving with a teenage son expect to learn all kinds of random information. (loved every part of that!)
Dancer Daughter made it safe and sound to her location. We made it home safe and sound even before hubs had to leave for work leaving him with a nice toasty vehicle to drive (you're welcome hun).
