A Much Anticipated Visit
I know…I know…3 posts in 1 day! That’s what we all get when I neglect my duties! Sorry!
So, aside from participating in the “30 Hour Famine” much of the rest of my time over the past couple weeks was taken up with visiting The Ol Man (Daddy)! And what a glorious vacation it was, too!
As we wait for our CJ with the anticipation and hope that we will bring her home this year, BH is saving up all the vacation he can. In his absence it was such an honor and pleasure for my best friend (Sie) and her son (LM) to accompany me on this trip (I will also have the honor of joining them on a visit to her folk’s house later in the summer)! Since I did not grow up in Winston Salem we were able to spend most of our visit just resting and relaxing around the house rather than trying to sight-see.
Now, to address the concept of waiting right off the bat…I had waited nearly 6 months to see Daddy. The last time we saw each other was at the OBX in November. I missed him dearly and needed this trip more than anything! It was very good for my heart and soul to spend a week with him, and it meant the world to me that he used a week of vacation just so he could spend time with Sie, LM, and me! So, what did we do you might ask? Well, what every good traveller does! We ATE!!!
We ate at Out West Steak House and Saddle Room, Biscuitville (yup…just what it says…a fast food place specializing in biscuit sandwiches of all sorts), Sonic (several times), Speedy’s (famous Lexington BBQ), C&H Cafeteria (again…several times), Friedland Moravian Church’s BBQ Dinner, Capt’N Pete’s and, did I mention Sonic?! OK…we did cook in a couple times also! We had grilled chicken and corn and we had Daddy’s FAMOUS French Onion Soup! Mmmmmm! We also celebrated Daddy’s birthday with his favorite…chocolate cake with chocolate icing! We sure did eat! This was definitely not a good vacation for those looking to watch their waistline!
Also while in Winston Salem we visited the Richard Childress Racing Museum (just the gift shop), Old Salem, and Hane’s Mall. We also had a couple unexpected treats. We stopped at a small (ok…tiny) Mexican bakery where Sie found and introduced me to Conchas.(See http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewa/144753703/ for pictures). Ooooh…so yummy! Sie also found The Great American Cookie Company while walking through the mall! She was quite thrilled since all the stores here in PA seem to be closing and she really likes their cookies and brownies! When not out on the town we were playing at the church’s playground with LM or trying desparately to beat Daddy at Scrabble. My own personal Scrabble experience would have been quite disappointing had I not finally won the last game we played on Monday afternoon! Time and time again both Daddy and Sie whooped my behind! As I have found is usually the case it was only with the luck of the letters that I won this final match. My first 7 tiles produced the word “morning” which I was nicely able to attach to the first word played giving me a 50 point bonus for using all my tiles as well as 23 additional points, all together totaling 73 points. For me that was awesome! I had never used all my tiles before and thought it quite about time, after all my years of Scrabble playing (once again, a theme of waiting…waiting to beat Daddy and Sie, waiting to finally have a word that would allow me to use all my tiles, waiting for my turn when I think I have a great play only to see someone before me use my space. Waiting, waiting, waiting…I think the game’s name should be changed from Scrabble to Waiting for My Turn)!
Anyway…
As if we could have fit anything else into our busy schedule of eating and playing Scrabble, Daddy and I took off by ourselves one day to visit some family and friends. We had a wonderful time and I truly enjoyed my chance to see Daddy’s Aunt (AP) and his friend (MD). I had been waiting for quite some time to meet MD and when I did truly was in awe of her character. Very kind, hospitable, funny, and talented. I had the opportunity to see a few original paintings and found myself almost speechless by her ability! She has quite a gift for painting as well as for gardening. It was such an honor to meet her and share a little bit about myself with her. It was also quite nice to see AP. I had probably waited for a year and a half to see AP (I’m not quite sure how long it had been since we last saw her but I believe it was November of 2005 at the OBX). I was very happy to see her and to catch up with all she has been doing. On the way from MD’s to AP’s Daddy also had the chance to show me one of the first apartments he and Mommy lived in after being married. That was so cool. I had heard plenty of stories about that place but never had the chance to see it. It’s so nice to now have a picture to go with the stories. And for those of you worried about how Sie was making out at Daddy’s house by herself for the day…have no fear. Daddy was able to find a way to keep her busy and LM entertained for the afternoon (feel free to ask Daddy or Sie for more details…it’s not my business to share:) )!
So, after all my waiting to see Daddy I finally had my chance. Of course, as is always the case, the week flew by much too quickly and I am already missing Daddy. All I can do now is think of this most recent visit and all the things we did and talked about. Perhaps one of our most exciting conversations was when Daddy shared his desire to join BH and me on our trip to Guatemala to pick up CJ, when the time comes. It just brings tears to my eyes to think about that trip. How wonderful it will be to know that after waiting so long I will be on my way to pick up my baby girl with the 2 most wonderful men in my life by my side! Who could ask for anything better?
(Oh, BTW…thank you Daddy for welcoming us into your home for the week and many, many thanks to Sie and LM for joining me on this very important visit. I love you guys!)
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