Home again....

Well, here we are....home again. We had such a great time visiting with my aunt. She is one of those people that just sparkle. There's no other way of putting it. She is just a pleasure to be with....and I wish we could be together all the time! From the time I was a child, I have loved being with her. I can remember waiting by the front door for her to come and pick me up. Back in those days she was my "model" for what every woman should be. Beautiful, fun loving, and oh-so-cool. She always had the newest clothes, the hottest cork-wedge high heels, jeans with the widest flares and the perfect hair that never moved....thanks to Aqua Net. She looked just like Jennifer from WKRP in Cincinnati. Blonde, buxom and beautiful. I tried to emulate her in every way. She bought me my first pair of panty hose, and my first pair of high heels. I remember them. They were orange with rainbow wedges. Man I loved those. I used to beg my mother to let me stay with her on the weekends. We would go shopping together and she would tell people I was her daughter....she would let me try on her makeup and clothes....I learned all of my makeup skills from her. Of course, I would watch my mother put on her makeup too....but oh how boring was the blue eyeshadow and pink lipstick to a 12 year old....I wanted to watch my aunt with her glitter and lip gloss!

Over the years many things have changed, but one thing remains constant. She is still the most loving and giving person (besides my mother) that I have ever known. And now, my kids feel the same way about her. When aunt Connie comes, I am shoved aside (literally!) as my girls run to her. One time as they were running from me, I noticed my mother looking at me with a wry smile. I asked her just exactly what she was thinking and she said, "I knew someday there would come a time when you knew how I felt...." LOLOL....I am truly blessed with such a wonderful person in my life. She has gone through things that no one should have to....yet comes out stronger. Her love of life and people and family is one that is unmatched in anyone I know. So, I suppose you could say that the draw to NC for me is not only the scenery and the climate, but also a very special person whom I, and my family, love so much....

We got in today around 4:30. You wouldn't believe the traffic as we got closer to Jacksonville. All of the rest areas were PACKED with cars....most of whom had Pennsylvania or New York liscense plates. I suppose the superbowl crowd has begun their descent. I have a feeling the restaurants and hotels are going to be overflowing this week.

After unpacking wee one and I ran to the grocery store....as I had no bread or milk, and got dinner as well. Betsy is feeling better....thank you all for the well wishes!....her acheyness is gone, as is her fever. She still has a sore throat though. I started her on antibiotics and she has gotten a day and a half of them so far. Thank goodness I had them!

So now, we are all relaxing and getting ready to get back into the groove of things. I got my last piece of tax info just before we left....so I will be doing that this week. THank you to everyone who wished us a safe trip home....((((hugs))))....it's good to be back!