My mother had mentioned several times over the last year that she'd like to come stay with us. Of course, I said, "Sure! Just let me know when you want to come!"
She was living in her own home, however her living situation was less than desirable as my brother & his girlfriend had moved in with her several years previously, and... well, let's just leave it at that.
Finally, the proverbial straw-that-broke-the-camel's-back fell and we went to pick her up the last weekend in October, 2010. We left Michigan on Thursday in rented a van with fold-down back seats, arriving ~1:00 a.m. On Friday, we loaded up what she wanted to bring, including her Lazy Boy recliner, had a nice dinner and visit with my son & his family, and left to return on Saturday morning. Although Mema said she could hold Puddy on her lap, unfortunately we had to leave her 21-year-old cat with my brother because we were afraid she might not survive the trip.
From Mema's house in Columbia, SC, to ours in mid-Michigan is 870 miles, or a 14-hour, hard, fast drive. With a Mema, it's 2 full days! We took the scenic route - I-26 North to Asheville, I-40 over to Knoxville, then I-75 to Michigan, with stops at least every 2 hours for breaks and/or food. We stopped at the 1/2 way point, Lexington, Kentucky, for the night.
We got a great room at a Marriott property for only $50 a night (regular $125 - I LOVE Priceline.com!) I left Ali & Mema in the room, and went to Cracker Barrel to fetch some dinner - fried shrimp and baked potatoes all around! A wine cooler for Mema, and Becks' beers for me & Ali, and we all fell asleep promptly afterwards!
Have been trying to post a comment since yesterday--went to my other computer and it works! I know it was a tough weekend going to get her, but your piece of mind is so much better now , right?
ReplyDeleteA LOT better, Ann!!! It's hard to manage stuff from 900 miles away!
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