ROAD TRIP!!!
My darling son Connor is going to college in a few weeks so he and I took a road trip to Shelburne to look at the residences before he signs the lease.
We left Halifax early to avoid the traffic, highway driving is nice when you are basically alone out there. The trip itself was fairly uneventful, with the exception of one incident...
We were plugging along happily, going the speed limit, enjoying a beautiful day and some good mother-son conversation, when the conversation dropped off for a few moments as a conversation will. When suddenly HHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!
It was that sound you hear in movies when the train is coming and there is a car sitting on the tracks with all the doors stuck, or the sound you hear when the eighteen wheeler's brakes fail and the driver is barely controlling it's descent down a steep hill into a school-yard full of children.
I check my mirrors, my blind spots, I can't see anything!!!
My brain says, "OH MY GOD WE ARE ABOUT TO BE GREASED BY A GIANT VEHICLE AND I CAN'T EVEN SEE IT!!!"
"What was that?" I cried! "Where is it?"
"I yawned, mom...jeez."
I am not sure how I maintained control of my car during the adrenaline dump that followed. You know what I am talking about. First it feels like you've topped the crest, plunging into the descent on a huge roller coaster, leaving your stomach in the upper quadrant of your esophagus. Then every square inch of your skin starts to prickle, sweat literally spurts out of every pore in your body's effort to get rid of the fight or flight chemicals you no longer require in order to survive, or do you?
Highway driving is much easier if you can feel your legs, but now they have been replaced by rubbery, overcooked noodles. Your arms with which you are steering the car (thank God for straight-aways on the 103) suddenly won't listen to your brain. Because they know it is the same brain that thought a yawn was an oncoming death-dealing several-hundred-ton train or maybe a truck.
My driving skills were then further tested by uncontrollable laughter, resulting form the fact that the giant oncoming truck or train I was frightened by was in fact{{{A YAWN!}}}. Luckily I was so dehydrated by the heat of the day that my eyes didn't tear up and spoil my vision.
The rest of the trip went off with out a hitch.
We met the wonderful lady who takes care of the residence. I liked her right off, even before we spoke, because when she pulled up in her little car, she had CAT WOMAN painted on the door! Oh yeah, she's that cool.
Incidentally,to all of my friends who joked about correctional facilities when I told you Connor was going to Shelburne. Guess what? The residence is actually a re-furbished dormitory that was part of the Youth Correctional Facility. So in answer to your many tongue in cheek questions, Yes, I suppose I am sending my son to the Youth Correctional Facility, despite the fact that he's a good kid.
Inside the building has been all re-done and painted, each room comes with a television (with satellite channels) and a desk, super comfy office chair, computer hook up, a phone, a bed (with linen), and an en-suite bathroom. They are just starting out this year so as of now there are only a few of the rooms taken, so even though he is paying for a double occupancy room Connor could end up with the room to himself.
But that's not the best part, this lady who runs the place is awesome! She offered to help Connor find work in the town, invited him to her co-ed fitness boot-camp classes, she even offered her skills as matchmaker. Connor's got a gal but it was still a nice offer. (Don't start singing "here's to you Mrs. Robinson", ok)
I feel so much more relaxed about Connor going there now that I know there will be someone in town he knows and can count on, because his mommy will be so far away.
After the viewing appointment we went out to lunch at the Sea Dog Saloon, down by the water in Shelburne. I had really good fish and sweet potato fries and he had a "Hook,Line and Sinker" sandwich, which was a re-invention of the club sandwich. A grilled chicken breast, crispy slices of bacon, melty swiss cheese, sweet ripe tomato and fresh lettuce on garlic toast with a little honey mustard. Are you drooling yet? I am telling you it was without a doubt the best sandwich I have ever tasted in a restaurant.
On the way home we stopped at our friends Ross and Honey's lake retreat, called Honeywood. We hopped out of the hot car and jumped into Manamkeake lake. I swear you could see the steam rising off us like it does in a cartoon. After my swim, as I sat in the sun to dry off a Dragonfly landed on my shoulder, no doubt drawn by the guilt I was feeling at missing my sister"s big birthday party (She's a dragonfly enthusiast)
Honey made a magnificent supper of what in our family is called "roast giant slug" but you may know it as barbecued pork tenderloin. We had fresh local corn, green beans and homegrown zuccini. Connor and I brought fresh berries and brownies for dessert.
Before I left, Honey took me into her closet and gifted me with two big bags of clothes! She was purging some of her own things as well as unsold merchandise from her former clothing business so I got literally a year's worth of business wear for free.....whoohoo. I had been seriously dreading the idea of getting a job with a dress code because I have so little to wear. I had spent hours doing the math, trying to figure out how long I could go mixing and matching my six pieces of good clothing before folks noticed I had no wardrobe. Her generosity was a god-send.
As we got in the car to go, we found an ambulatory zucchini had migrated to the passenger seat of the car. Guess it needed a ride to Halifax. (Thanks for the squash Ross) Every twenty kilometers or so, instead of yawning, Connor brandished said squash and in his best Star Wars Jawa voice yelled "Zoookeeenie"!
I spent this morning trying those clothes on, wow, my friend Honey has really good taste! And an eye for size! Everything she gave me fit me exactly. I guess I know who to take with me shopping next time. Not that I will need to go anytime soon, I have tons of good clothes now.
Now I just need to get that day job.
Talk soon,
Belinda
We left Halifax early to avoid the traffic, highway driving is nice when you are basically alone out there. The trip itself was fairly uneventful, with the exception of one incident...
We were plugging along happily, going the speed limit, enjoying a beautiful day and some good mother-son conversation, when the conversation dropped off for a few moments as a conversation will. When suddenly HHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!
It was that sound you hear in movies when the train is coming and there is a car sitting on the tracks with all the doors stuck, or the sound you hear when the eighteen wheeler's brakes fail and the driver is barely controlling it's descent down a steep hill into a school-yard full of children.
I check my mirrors, my blind spots, I can't see anything!!!
My brain says, "OH MY GOD WE ARE ABOUT TO BE GREASED BY A GIANT VEHICLE AND I CAN'T EVEN SEE IT!!!"
"What was that?" I cried! "Where is it?"
"I yawned, mom...jeez."
I am not sure how I maintained control of my car during the adrenaline dump that followed. You know what I am talking about. First it feels like you've topped the crest, plunging into the descent on a huge roller coaster, leaving your stomach in the upper quadrant of your esophagus. Then every square inch of your skin starts to prickle, sweat literally spurts out of every pore in your body's effort to get rid of the fight or flight chemicals you no longer require in order to survive, or do you?
Highway driving is much easier if you can feel your legs, but now they have been replaced by rubbery, overcooked noodles. Your arms with which you are steering the car (thank God for straight-aways on the 103) suddenly won't listen to your brain. Because they know it is the same brain that thought a yawn was an oncoming death-dealing several-hundred-ton train or maybe a truck.
My driving skills were then further tested by uncontrollable laughter, resulting form the fact that the giant oncoming truck or train I was frightened by was in fact{{{A YAWN!}}}. Luckily I was so dehydrated by the heat of the day that my eyes didn't tear up and spoil my vision.
The rest of the trip went off with out a hitch.
We met the wonderful lady who takes care of the residence. I liked her right off, even before we spoke, because when she pulled up in her little car, she had CAT WOMAN painted on the door! Oh yeah, she's that cool.
Incidentally,to all of my friends who joked about correctional facilities when I told you Connor was going to Shelburne. Guess what? The residence is actually a re-furbished dormitory that was part of the Youth Correctional Facility. So in answer to your many tongue in cheek questions, Yes, I suppose I am sending my son to the Youth Correctional Facility, despite the fact that he's a good kid.
Inside the building has been all re-done and painted, each room comes with a television (with satellite channels) and a desk, super comfy office chair, computer hook up, a phone, a bed (with linen), and an en-suite bathroom. They are just starting out this year so as of now there are only a few of the rooms taken, so even though he is paying for a double occupancy room Connor could end up with the room to himself.
But that's not the best part, this lady who runs the place is awesome! She offered to help Connor find work in the town, invited him to her co-ed fitness boot-camp classes, she even offered her skills as matchmaker. Connor's got a gal but it was still a nice offer. (Don't start singing "here's to you Mrs. Robinson", ok)
I feel so much more relaxed about Connor going there now that I know there will be someone in town he knows and can count on, because his mommy will be so far away.
After the viewing appointment we went out to lunch at the Sea Dog Saloon, down by the water in Shelburne. I had really good fish and sweet potato fries and he had a "Hook,Line and Sinker" sandwich, which was a re-invention of the club sandwich. A grilled chicken breast, crispy slices of bacon, melty swiss cheese, sweet ripe tomato and fresh lettuce on garlic toast with a little honey mustard. Are you drooling yet? I am telling you it was without a doubt the best sandwich I have ever tasted in a restaurant.
On the way home we stopped at our friends Ross and Honey's lake retreat, called Honeywood. We hopped out of the hot car and jumped into Manamkeake lake. I swear you could see the steam rising off us like it does in a cartoon. After my swim, as I sat in the sun to dry off a Dragonfly landed on my shoulder, no doubt drawn by the guilt I was feeling at missing my sister"s big birthday party (She's a dragonfly enthusiast)
Honey made a magnificent supper of what in our family is called "roast giant slug" but you may know it as barbecued pork tenderloin. We had fresh local corn, green beans and homegrown zuccini. Connor and I brought fresh berries and brownies for dessert.
Before I left, Honey took me into her closet and gifted me with two big bags of clothes! She was purging some of her own things as well as unsold merchandise from her former clothing business so I got literally a year's worth of business wear for free.....whoohoo. I had been seriously dreading the idea of getting a job with a dress code because I have so little to wear. I had spent hours doing the math, trying to figure out how long I could go mixing and matching my six pieces of good clothing before folks noticed I had no wardrobe. Her generosity was a god-send.
As we got in the car to go, we found an ambulatory zucchini had migrated to the passenger seat of the car. Guess it needed a ride to Halifax. (Thanks for the squash Ross) Every twenty kilometers or so, instead of yawning, Connor brandished said squash and in his best Star Wars Jawa voice yelled "Zoookeeenie"!
I spent this morning trying those clothes on, wow, my friend Honey has really good taste! And an eye for size! Everything she gave me fit me exactly. I guess I know who to take with me shopping next time. Not that I will need to go anytime soon, I have tons of good clothes now.
Now I just need to get that day job.
Talk soon,
Belinda