Today was day 1. I got up pretty early, as usual, and did as many chores as possible before T woke up. I was able to accomplish my usual morning routine before he got out of bed. I made him his favorite breakfast - sausage biscuits - to kick off the week. Afterwards, we hung out together and just moved slowly in the direction of getting ready.
We decided our first stop today would be the RV lot. Yes, you read that correctly. We have been casually chatting about the possibility of buying an RV for family road trips. We thought that would be a great idea for the kids and for our furry babies as well. The RVs we are interested in are the all-in-one daddies where you can get up and walk around during the road trips. Bathroom, kitchen, shower, bedroom, TV's etc. Now, this isn't an immediate purchase plan but we are doing some research. We figure it is a fun way to see the country with kids in tow. Easier than flying from city to city. And, even though I am not a good road warrior, I would be much more willing to hit the highway if I knew I could get up, walk back to the kitchen, make a snack and hang out with the furry (and skinned) kids.
When we mentioned this idea to Tay, she was so funny. She was very interested at first but then said that she didn't think she would want to use the bathroom. We were confused and asked why she wouldn't want to use the bathroom. She said she didn't want it to back up. This was a direct link to the Robin Williams movie "RV" that we have watched together in the past. We started laughing and told her that we would be sure that wouldn't happen. I think she would totally LOVE the RV and I actually think I will too!
We have been studying the financing of having an RV, the parks that you can go to (even some that are considered "resorts" with pools, golf, etc.) and the idea of taking trips to Louisville (especially around Derby time). It seems more and more appealing! And, since T works from home and can essentially work from any destination, we could take more time vacationing than those who have office jobs. Other than the times he would need to travel for work. And, as for storage, there is a place right down the road from us that stores RVs so that would be perfect.
We looked at several RVs (which have been closed up in the Tucson heat for days, I'm sure) - from the most basic model to the most awesome! It was so damn hot in those things because they were baking in the desert sun without the air conditioning blasting. But they were pretty cool to look at and it definitely peaked our interest even further. We learned a TON about RV'ing from the sales guy. This guy was great. A true desert dude with the spirit of adventure in his blood. He has an RV himself and takes him family on the road frequently. He had great tips and information and wasn't the least bit pushy. We learned so much and now it is just a matter of listing our priorities - what we think would be important features for us.
There is still a new family car in the future for us - probably within the next year. I asked T what kind of timeline he was thinking and he is thinking pretty near future for both. Turns out financing for an RV is over a longer period of time than a car so we could almost do both. He is very serious and, when he is this serious over something...don't be surprised if we pull up to an RV park near you soon!
After melting in the sweltering heat of the RV parking lot, my head was spinning and I was feeling a little weak in the knees. We decided it was time to cool off and find some lunch. We ended up hitting Buffalo Wild Wings where T had a Kiltlifter beer (and, yes, I had a small sip) and I had an iced tea. We both had our usual 4 piece tenders and buffalo chips with yummy sauces. We talked about the RVs, which ones we liked, how often we thought we would use them and, of course, how much the kids (all of them) would like it. Nothin' like dreamin'.
We left lunch and headed up the road towards home. Of course we were all the way across town so we had a ways to go. We made a pit stop at Ross so that I could look for some maternity camis. Ended up not finding camis but did pick out a couple of maternity shirts that didn't look like maternity shirts. Actually a couple of them were regular shirts but just in a large. I was looking for longer sleeves for when the weather turns cooler (which is hard to imagine right now) and for when I go home in October. Since I didn't find any camis there, we went to Target where I ended up getting two maternity camis (black and white) and a cute casual shirt.
I'm pretty excited (and very lucky) that my friend Jill has packed me up some of her maternity clothes to use. She says that she has some cooler weather items which will help me out a ton! I am planning on another visit to see her and her kids next Tuesday. We had such a great time catching up last week, I can't wait to hang out with her again.
We stopped by a plant nursery after Target. We are looking for a plant to replace the one I killed outside the front door. Looking for another victim. There is a great place in center of town called Green Things. Not only do they have a ton of plants, trees, etc, they also have goats and peacocks! Of course, leave it to me to start conversations with the animals. I am sure there are plenty of strangers that have wandered past me and wondered if I had a mental challenge. Well, for their information, I do! I even talked for a balloon that had escaped from a sign and was heading to the sky. I talk for and to everything!
We walked through the first couple of rows at the nursery before the heat beat us out. I think the RV shopping (and sweating) was enough heat for us for one day. We headed back to the car, told the goats goodbye and headed home.
Our timing to get home couldn't have been better. Once we got here, T made us both his famous (and awesome) chocolate shakes (think Wendy's frosties but better) and we stood outside. There was a light rain coming through and the smell of sweet creosote in the air. I now understand the phenomenon I used to make fun of when I first moved out here. I always watched in amusement these people who would peak their heads out at the first sign of rain...like they were seeing rain for the first time. Now that I live in the drought of the desert with one of the weakest monsoons on record, I am doing the same thing. I literally stuck my face in the rain just to remember what it felt like. T and I cracked a window by the red sack in the living room and listened to the rain hit the patio. The rumbles of thunder and the light but warm breeze filtering through felt so great. Especially in the air conditioned house!
So here we are...T is on the Mac researching RV parks and resorts while I sit here and tell you what an awesome day we had together.
I am planning on working on my Halloween party invitations tonight. This will be the first year with kids at the party. Londyn is a given guest since all babysitter options will be here as well. Since that is the case, and since we will have one next year, I figure I need to open it up to anyone who wants to bring their kids. It wouldn't be right not to. So this year there will be a kids area and I will have activities for them to do while the adults are socializing. I am going to have a costume contest for the adults as well as the kids. There will still be beer pong for the older "kids" and I am hoping to utilize the back patio more this year as well. So we will see how this all goes. I hope people will still come even though kids will be here. Maybe even more will come. We are planning on having Tay so I am hoping kids will be here to keep her occupied. Be looking for your invitation soon if you live in the Tucson area!
Tomorrow's plans are up in the air at the moment. The groomer will be here around 9 for Jackson's spa hour. After that, who knows. We may attempt the plant search again along with a couple of other things. Tomorrow night we are having dinner with a couple that we both used to work with at the Westin and their almost 2 year old son. That should be a great time!
Little housekeeping tip for the day. Fresh flowers. Now, I have always been one who never liked receiving cut flowers. It always seemed like, by the time I trimmed the ends and put them in the vase, it was barely a few days before they would be dead and stinky. But, recently I learned that T loves fresh flowers in the house. It is something that makes him feel very good. So, every Thursday grocery trip I pick up a bouquet of flowers (there are nice ones at Walmart for $5) and separate them out in separate cylinder vases. There is a bundle in each bathroom and a few in a vase in the kitchen. Since they are changed out weekly, they never get gross or stinky. And, other than the occasional spill on the floor when the cats are trying to get to them, they actually do add a nice touch to the house.
Now a quick note in the appleseed blog then off to do invitations...
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