July 2019, Kentucky, HOME, Day 14

Somewhere north of Cave City, Kentucky I resist a stop when a billboard asks me if I’ve ever petted a kangaroo. Why, no. NO, I HAVEN'T AND THE DAY AIN'T OVER!! But, I’ve got my crosshairs set on Marietta and NO stops except for some Jesus chicken outside of Nashville. Since Mr. Bullington had to work from the car, I did the driving. It gave me some time to reflect on the past two weeks. I think this has been my favorite trip. Many folks had warned me that the mid-west is “boring” and that there is “nothing to do”. But, coming from a life where there are constant assaults on your senses and everything is visually “busy”,  I enjoyed the monotony of the seemingly endless farmland. Everything was so lush and green. I loved watching the landscape change. Some changes were subtle changes in color, others were extreme changes from prairie to jagged mountains. What a wonderful country we call home. I encourage you to see her by car when you can. You miss a lot of the “fly over states” when you just fly over. And, what a nice balance to the cities we visited, St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha, Chicago. Each one having their own special vibe and local pride. We loved meeting the selfless and kind people of the mid-west. They are farmers and artists, shop owners, mail carriers and professionals, all just trying to make a life and carve out a niche for themselves. 

We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike- Maya Angelou

After arriving home and taking the annual “Praise God we made it and didn’t kill each other” picture.

40 states under our belts and we keep getting longer!

2013-See the Nation by Graduation, year 1

That would be 73+ hours in the car together.
#togetherness

We capped off the vacation with a trip to La Parilla,  as has become our tradition. Now, that I think of it, we celebrate lots of things at La Parilla, Birthdays, Tuesdays, Fridays.....If you aren’t from Marietta you may not know about the best Mexican restaurant ever. I’m sorry. 

We walked in and spotted the Surbers at the bar. Sidney gets back tomorrow from Vermont and they were enjoying one last date. Chris Baglivio  came over and welcomed us home. She was there celebrating Dawn’s Birthday with Christine Sloane. Happy 50^th, neighbor! Oh look, there is Aunt Lori and Uncle Kent! I know Lily is having a blast in Arkansas with her grandparents!! And, right there in the next booth sits the Isons! May Elizabeth has had a long week at cheer camp! After, I place my order for a GIGANTIC margarita, I spot Jennifer Johnson and Hanna…I needed to tell them that Nana asked about them and I got caught up on Hanna and her horses! Good luck at Nationals, Hanna.

There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home. 

They came back!!

Thanks, Neighbor Becky!

See you in February when we check off Colorado! Only 10 states to go!!

July 2019, Illinois, Kentucky, Day 13

Our family trip to the Art Institute of Chicago was thwarted by Mr. Bullington’s work situation. The “situation” is that Mr. Bullington must work so that we can take fun trips. I know he is disappointed that he doesn’t get the opportunity to curb Thomas’ appetite for climbing on fine art.

Thankfully, It was easy to convince Charlotte that this museum trip was worthwhile. One of her friends, Eleanor Rand,  told her about one of the exhibits. And for those of you who speak thirteen-year-old, only other 13-year-olds have good ideas. All parent ideas are the worst thing ever and can only be countered with extreme eye-rolls.

Tucked away in a corner of the basement (across from the paperweight exhibit, not kidding) Is the most interesting collection of 1-inch scale rooms. I could compare it to rooms in a doll house, but that would doing a disservice to this collection of meticulously curated rooms. The collection features rooms from a variety of cultures, time periods and regions. They are teeny-tiny little works of 3-dimensional art. The kids were absolutely captivated! Thanks for the tip, Eleanor Rand and Brooks!

Hey! We live in Georgia and have double parlors!

All I can say is wow. This museum was definitely a highlight for me. I could’ve stayed all day were it not for those meddling kids. But, in true mom fashion, I put my own desires aside and let them explore. I tried to point out the high points and not force them to read every label beside every painting. Exposure is half the battle, y’all.  I need two days of alone time in this museum. 

No disrespect to the fine art, but I can't even caption this.

We had a Ferris Bueller movie moment

Thomas was over-interested in the "Arms and Armor" exhibit so we indulged him.

Cross-bows and swords are my love language

We had a crazy moment in one gallery when Charlotte hush-whispered, “Mom, that girl has a Chalktoberfest shirt on!” Chalktoberfest is the best chalk art festival on the entire globe and it just so happens that it takes place in my humble little hometown. I march right up to that cute little teen and say, “Are you from Marietta? I see you are wearing a Chalktoberfest shirt!” After the initial stranger danger alarms had stopped sounding, she said, no, but my aunt runs the museum there…I museum squeal and tell her that her Aunt Sally is my friend and that I sit on her board at the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art!!! And then I did what any old lady who wants to connect with a young teen stranger does, I request a “selfie”. She obliged because she is sweet while laughing in her head at my selfie skills. Sally, your niece Sydney says hi!

Now is when I would like to formally introduce you to my twin chins, Winn and Sven. Winn has been around since the mid-2000s, Sven is a new little baby chin, borne of a steady diet of Chicago pizza and weird pickle/tomato hotdogs. Welcome to the world little guy! You look JUST like your brother!

And, I'm just going to leave this right here. I certainly appreciate modern art. But, this piece was on exhibit in the modern art wing... IMO, breast milk is like, the least modern thing ever.

We walked back to the hotel via Millennium park and grabbed some grub.

Bean there, done that.

Sadly, it was time to vacate our room and head South.

Everyone is either tired, feeling sick, hungry, thirsty, or grumpy so I treated everyone to a Podcast on the competing balls of twine. Thanks for the recommendation, Doug Matthews! Give it a listen! They interview my new friend, Erika Nelson!!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/99-invisible/id394775318?i=1000444645546

After about four hours we arrived at our Enchanted Castle for the night, the Springfield Suites in Louisville. The elevator was 85 degrees and smelled faintly of chlorine and Drakkar Noir with a hint of Marlboro Reds and despair. But it’s home, at least for tonight.

This was in the brewery where we ate dinner.
We miss you, Big Chicken!

Mae, dancing through life!