Wednesday

I awoke to a storm.
A real honest to goodness thunder storm.
It was glorious.
I laid there for ages just listening to it.
I opened the blinds so I could see as much of the forest storm as possible.
And got to see a squirell running up a tree for my trouble.
Did I mention I saw a turtle yesterday? There was a turtle just chillin' in the woods.
Anyway, I finally got up and dragged Emma with me.
I was trying to wait for the rain to let up before I went in, but realized I'd be waiting forever.
So in we went, and Emma handled the rain quite admirably.
It looked as though it was going to be a lazy morning in the rain.
And it pretty much was.
We worked on his broken car, he fiddled and I looked for tech guides. I found them and downloaded them to his computer.
He fiddled some more, and then a delivery arrived.
After a while, he gave up on his and came to see mine.
We took it out to the porch to drive it around because it was so small.
The sucker's fast.
It does all kinds of silly things. And the batteries last forever.
My dad really liked it; Emma really hated it.
We took a break for a while and took the mule around.
Up at the field, we looked for the missing fallen RC parts. As we searched and tried not to get eaten by mud, Emma ran around like a gazelle hopping through the wet forest. It was hilarious.
And of course, another trip to the mailbox. Emma also really likes riding in the mule. Guess she likes the wind in her hair.
But all that wet caught up to her and I had to stick her under blankets to get her warm again.
I was just thoroughly pleased it was finally cool outside.
It even rained more later.
But it was mostly cars and the mule. Not that I mind taking it easy.
Just wish I could have taken more naps.

Thursday
Right after I got to the trailer, it started to rain. And rained for a while.
Got everything packed and ready to go.
In the morning, Emma had to be pulled out of bed.
And I was so ready to be home.
He actually talked to Janet in a way that made me ashamed. Nobody should be talking to their wife like that. Yuck.
Long morning. Long drive. Long wait.
Then security and I was away.
With a severely delayed flight. Well crap.
And I just remembered I said I would film on Saturday.
I just want to sleep.
And I REALLY hope the plane isn't hot....

Tuesday

No Stinky.
But somehow more low key.
Cheerios for breakfast instead of French toast.
The leaves are literally turning as each day gos on.
What was barely Autumn on Friday, seems full on today.
We went up to race cars again; this time Dad brought his new fuel car so Janet and I could race the electric ones.
Hers didn't work.
He was having a hard time with his.
Instead of looking at any of it practically, he just turned into a five year old. One I have met many times before, and I must say I don't like. When I was little, everyone ran and hid. But now, Janet just laughed at him and I just felt sorry that he was wasting so much time grumbling and making himself miserable for no reason.
She went back down to change over the laundry and I went with her. It was funny chatting on the way. She tried to warn me about his mood, I assured her I already knew. I said I envied her that she could just laugh at it, as that would have landed us in a heap of trouble back then. Scurrying away as quickly and quietly as possible was always the best policy. I so do not want to waste my life full of anger and hatred. It's kinda weird to see how much I am like him. How I could easily slip into what he is. But I choose differently.
We went back and he was still on the ground grumbling.
After a while, Janet went back to the house. I ran the other electric car and ignored him, focusing instead on getting better at turns and general control of the device. He always beats me at this stuff. It's time I started giving him a run for his money.
He got his car going. Got it run in, then pieces seemed to start falling off. All of which are inexpensively replaced mind you. Thankfully, my battery ran out after a while.
Then it was my turn to learn how to drive the Mule. We went to the mailbox and then came back for the tractor.
I followed up the hill and literally ate his dust. :P
And then I learned to drive a tractor and how to move all the gizmos on it and move dirt around and such. It's interesting and boring at the same time.
Then we came back and made another mail run.
Now before you wonder why on earth I'm mentioning mail, it's because he has a super long driveway that winds and curves and dips and climbs. It's a hell of a ride in that little Mule. Full tilt, trees all around, sound of the forest critters, hairpin turns, super steep drops... See? That's why.
Then I literally had to scrub the dirt off and have a lie down. Ha ha I even brushed my teeth to get all the dirt.
So far it looks like I have two bug bites, but luckily Emma has none. She is not sure how she feels about this place, but she's fine as long as I'm around.
And I've discovered she quite likes tomatoes...?
I got the confirmation that my car shipped and will be here tomorrow. I hope it really will. But I also hope his car is working or the surprise will be much less fun. Well maybe. My point was that he teach me how to do it before I go.
I think he's having a hard time with where the world is heading not matching up with where he's staying. I have had more internet and network conversations than I have in a week at work. Where I want to go find a tech guide for the cars, he would rather sit in the dirt and grumble.
But that's the way his world has always been.
When I uploaded my photos into my iPad, he looked like he might faint.
Baby steps, I'm trying to just do baby steps with him. He keeps saying his head hurts.
We also wandered a bit through the woods looking for leaves for Gypsy's collection. Shes my dad's granddaughter, but she's not my niece. He seems to adore her, so, whatever.
There were mushrooms and acorns and ground thick with decaying and decayed leaves. A tiny two inch lizard. A woodpecker making a tree shake. Hawks calling to one another and soaring through the air. And the ever-present sound of thousands of frogs (with a few crickets mixed in).
My dad remarked on how quiet it is out here. I was puzzled and said it was much quieter at my house. Then I came to realize that neither of them can hear the never-ending frogs. Peaceful I can agree with. But this place isn't quiet. Not by a long way.
Although evidently I slept through howling coyotes in the middle of the night, which they both did hear. Huh. I would have liked to have heard that. But I doubt they'll be back out soon enough for me to hear.
Went to the neighbor's place cause my dad's gonna feed the cows for a few days. They have few trees and more grass.
And a wiener dog that thought Emma was hot and started chasing her around. It was like live action Pepe Le Peu. She was horrified and couldn't get away fast enough. He was totally smitten. Finally she turned and started playing with him, and that was equally as funny.
She has some fancy flipping through the air and spinning moves that I'd never seen before.
And oddly enough, the cows were not smelly up close. They were kinda cute.
More RC car learning followed dinner. Had to make sure I would be prepared. Little does he know...
And Emma was fast asleep on my arm. I guess she wore herself out running from Pepe...

Monday

Well, poo, we overslept. My fault. Must not have set the alarm right.
I'm sure being up half the night didn't help.
But up and ready we got, and even had time to go down to the grotto to take pictures. It's currently dry, so it has all these funky little natural crevices and such.
But then it was off to the airport.
Luckily their security isn't as nuts, so we actually got to stay with Stinky and have lunch before she got on the plane. It was hard to say goodbye to her- even Emma didn't want her to go. But nobody did. Janet wanted to wait until she made it through security.
Then we went to a place called Hobby Lobby and wandered around there for about a year. They have loads of crafty things. I mean loads. It's the perfect place to waste money- so kinda the last place I need to be.
Then more driving.
Then a Wal Mart trip for groceries.
They did not have any Paula Deen ooey gooey butter cake. I wanted them to try it.
Then loads more driving.
Stinky got home before we got back to the mountain.
On the upside, I had mobile phone signal for a little while. Found out my alarm has been setting off. My neighbors must love me. O_o
That was my day.
Dinner was baked potato, so that's yummy.
And after dinner Dad taught me how to clean a revolver so I will know how when I get one. So now I have to get one ha ha.
Thank goodness for the iPad. When you're in the middle of nowhere, and the fun has been shut down due to darkness, anything I could want to do is right there.
And Emma seems to be fitting in more. That pleases me greatly. I know she isn't a human child, but she is my baby. And man, I've never felt so guilty for not having children. Don't know what to make of that.
But by the time the night was over, I had asked a million questions and done research on RC cars, and I was hooked. Dad was showing me YouTube videos of EC racing and telling me all about his favorite kind and what I should get. I ordered it as a surprise. It should be here Wednesday.
I finally got to stay up late because there was no Stinky going to bed early. Still missed her though. But I played games and read, and it turned into a nice, relaxing evening on my own in the trailer. Emma was out like a light. Eventually I was too.

Sunday

Well we slept way too late. I guess we're both just really tired. With all the moving and all the working, I suppose it makes sense.
But we still got French toast for breakfast, so I guess we were forgiven.
Then Dad took Stinky for a ride on the motorcycle. She had somehow managed to go all this time without ever riding one. So now
She has. She also learned how to drive the Mule.
After they got back we went up to the RC track and raced the cars around until their batteries ran out. I got some pretty good jumps in. Stinky got stuck a lot. It was pretty funny. We were all being quite silly. And then the smell from the cows in a pasture off yonder blew on in, and that just stunk like someone had never bathed ever. I do like cows, but phew, that was atrocious.
Next it was time to go to the shooting range. Yup, he has one of those too. Stinky drove the Mule down and back. She was much better than me with the rifle and the .38, but I owned her on the .22. It was an old west gun, so just felt totslly normal to me and I shot quite well. I was surprised.
More of Stinky driving the Mule. She did a much better job with that than she did with the RC cars ha ha.
Grilled cheese sandwiches- the real ones- and potato soup for dinner. Great after a day of adventure out in the wilderness.
Got Stinky to stay up a little later; we all sat around watching brain teaser games and talking and such.
What a silly night we had.
Can I just say how funny it is to shower in a trailer shower? Things fall, movement is dangerous, nothing fits. It's like some kind of comedy skit writing itself. If you're not the one in, all the noises from the one that is have you chuckling in no time.
Stinky had to pack for her flight the next day and we just got a case of the sillies. We just couldn't stop giggling. And we slept horribly. But we kept laughing at that too.
Stinky fell clean out of the bed with a giant thump. I couldn't stop laughing. When she tried to get settled again, she whacked her head. Much more giggling ensued.
I bet if dogs could laugh, Emma would have laughed at both of us for being such silly goobers.

Saturday

We slept and slept. And it just wasn't enough. Getting no sleep before and changing time zones kicked our asses.
But we didn't want Dad waiting for us, so we pried ourselves out of bed.
English muffins with apple butter awaited us. Yum.
Then we drove down to the mill nearby that was the main focus of the photos I had used to make my dad an Aperture book.
They were having an old Ozarck days festival as well. Some civil war re-enactors too.
We walked around the water, took pictures, went around to all the tents of people doing things the old way and had a funnel cake. That may not be old, but it's yummy.
The weird part was how hot it was. We brought clothes for what it was supposed to be, and so we had rolled up pants and the like to attempt to adjust to the weather. But we aren't used to humidity, so I had a large bead of sweat roll down my cheek from under my sunglasses for the first time. (I didn't see that coming...)
Have I mentioned that my dad has a really "bad" sense of humor? So I apologize now for any of it that may leak through me. I can't help it in close proximity...
Man they eat a lot here.
I'm glad we're running around in the woods, or I'd be in trouble ha ha.
My dad made us meatless tacos and even tried one himself. I thought that was really nice. He certainly didn't have to.
Emma has been great. And they're finally getting used to her. She was funny at the mill today. She wanted to be carried a lot so Stinky kept picking her up. And when she did run around, people seemed to think she was an awfully cute chihuahua. O_o
She was happiest when a big sheep dog came over to say hello to her. I guess it was a very nice dog. She seems to like the wilderness.
It's weird how much fun it is bringing this little dog with me is. She just changes the perspective. Everything is so much fun when she's there. And the plane ride is SO much better.
They've said she can't be on the furniture, so my dad put an afghan on the ottoman for her. She seems to have realized that's for her and is curled up on it while we watch old family favorites on VHS. 'Foul Play' and 'What's Up Doc?' are tonight's agenda.
And out roll the contextual jokes. Dad says he was thinking of putting tile all around the house to keep the snakes away. Means absolutely nothing when you haven't seen the film. Pretty damn funny when you've seen it hundreds of times...

Friday

Stinky and I arrived at the airport at 4 am. After a terrible cab ride where the idiot driver missed the turn and took us the long way. And as we arrived, Ayrian called wanting to take us. Well crap.
The airport is curiously peaceful that early in the morning. None of that obnoxiousness has been turned on yet.
We're in D, we're always in D, and Cinnabon has the same enchanting draw as usual. And I walk past as usual.
We shared an egg burrito at a diner instead. Emma just sat happily in her carrier.the plane was oddly spacious, and we were so tired, we both slept through the take-off. Emma was perfect, just as before.
Getting off the plane it seemed warm. Assumed it was the tunnel.
Turning the corner, there was Papa waiting for us, and Janet too.
They seemed so happy to see us.
And they didn't know what to make of Emma.
It was decided we go to Applebee's for lunch, as far as anyone knew, Emma was a purse.
The waitress immediately offered sweet tea. Blech. That stuff was gross in Atlanta, I doubt it's different here.
On the drive to the homestead, Stinky and I fell asleep again.
Missed over an hour of road. Damn. O_o
We woke up at the road to the house. What a road. Windy and tree lined and uppy and downy.
And then the cabin itself.
We were exhausted, but Papa was so excited to show us everything.
We put our stuff in the guest house- their super cute trailer.
Then we went for a ride on the mule. That is some sort of 4 wheel drive golf cart. And he drives it like a demon. I was sat on the outside, with stinky in the middle, and I kept thinking how there was no way our mom would let us do that. What a funny thought.
But we sped along all sorts of terrain at rather a quick pace, and I felt compelled to ask if that thing could tip. It really felt like it would. We also discussed the quality of our medical insurance...
We saw the grotto. An honest to god real grotto. It was beautiful.
And the waterfall. So sweet. So relaxing.
And the field where things are actually planted that you can actually eat.
And right behind that, a homemade race track for remote control cars.
I have really fond memories of being his RC pit crew when I was 10.
And as he takes us around, he tells us about all the plants and trees that we see. Just like he always has. And it's great to hear. And to realize that when he does that, it's his way of communicating. He just falls into fascinating scientist mode.
We saw a beautiful big black snake on the road during our tour. Had to shoo him along. He was so pretty. I could have watched him for ages.
Eventually we reach the screened patio that he built himself. It's really lovely out there. Just trees as far as you can see. And he grilled us veggie burgers. :)
We tried so hard to stay up and watch movies with him, but we just couldn't. It was about 7 pm to us, and we were ready for bed. I hadn't even slept the night before in getting ready, so I was really wiped out. Yet Stinky ended up being even more tired than I was.
On the way out to the guest house, we were asked if we needed a firearm; we politely declined.
I did ask what that noise was though.
It was frogs. Like a million frogs. You know that frog sound on the white noise machines/apps? Well I had never heard that sound in person. It is loud. And froggy.
I turned on my rain sound to drown it out. And read from my kindle on my phone.
Cause that's about all my phone is good for out here. There really and truly is no signal. But there's wifi in the house.
Which turned out to be good, because I couldn't get ahold of Ayrian to go over feeding the dogs. Thank goodness for email. I got ahold of my mom who got ahold of him. But then he still couldn't reach me.
Sounds like the alarm was set off and he got instructions from my mom on how to get in and out. He did know. He did not remember. (Lest you think I ran off with my Fraggles unattended.)
But all in all, a good day. A good beginning to a vacation. :)