Left Wednesday evening at around 8pm. AG spent all day moving stuff out of the loft in preparation for handing the keys over. He finished at 3pm, just in time for a 45 minute rest and then to Big-O-Tires to find chains just in case we run into snow and sleet. Got home and began the arduous task of final packing hell.
But we got out. I drove most of the way and the pups were so great. They whined a bit when we stopped for gas but like AG, slept the entire time. If it wasn't for the hydroplaning which required astute attention span and rigid hands on the wheel, which locked up some muscle tension in my back... I could have driven the entire way. But as it was, by 5am, my body couldn't take it anymore and AG took over for the last 30 minutes of the trip. His parents were up by the time we got there at 6am. I could barely keep my eyes open - took a shower when I got there, to give me enough energy to have a 15 minute conversation with the parents before I passed out.
Slept a lot Thursday, we were both tired and a little bit grumpy with the pups.. who were excited about new smells and such and wanted to go outside to play. Spent much of Thursday and Friday catching up on sleep, hanging out with folks, and making rounds to the nearest mall in preparation for Xmas. By Saturday we started to feel normal again. AG's mom flew in then and helped out with the pups. I think both Sienna and Lila really like being outdoor dogs in the Northwest - not in the city. They loved their daily walks with Grandma - it was nice watching them all fight over walking duties, of which I was more than happy to relinquish....heehee, I'm such a good mom.
We left Monday morning and headed to Seattle. Met up with Krissy & Chen, Noy and Ashley. Brought me back to high school days and I went back into character; boisterous, loud, demanding bully. Well sort of. I've changed quite a bit since then, but somehow when you are back with the people you grew up with, it brings back certain behaviors and habits. Was interesting to see that about myself.
Stopped over in Mt. Lake Terrace to drop off the little ones at Vannessa's. What a crazy household. George (aka Monster) is still huge (if not even bigger) and quite lovable. Daisy (aka Lucy), the middle child, is such a sweetheart. And then there is princess Ganema (sp?) - Vannessa's favored child. It was a frantic household with everyone trying to smell Sienna and Lila, particularly Gabrielle. After an hour of relentless barking, butt smelling, tail-wagging and frantic weiner bodies running all over the place - everyone started to settle a little bit. AG and I snuck out.
Dinner at our household was much different than at the Gluck's. Where soft voices and respectful requests were in stark contrast to high pitched demands and noisy confusion and chatter. All the kids were at home with their significant others, excluding Hung. It was entertaining that my mom noted how sweet her daughter's partners were and how sorry for them she felt meeting us girls. As if she didn't have a hand in the development of our personalities; and that her relationship with Mr. T mirrors all of ours. Blind blind blind.
I don't have a problem with that. We're strong women, we grew up with an even stronger presence. I love that about my mom. My strength is my own, as I believe that each person's character is more nature than nurture - but her influence is powerful. Kinda reminds me of our puppies' characters. George, Ganema and Daisy are all hearty - each with their own strengths. But Vannessa's approach to raising them as unpampered pets has made my two dogs look like wimps. Being with their siblings will toughen them a bit and they are already showing blossoming signs innate toughness that's been dormant. Scares me a little. I don't want pampered children - how to find that balance of giving them roots as well as wings, harumph!
Tonight we'll meet up with Sashily for dinner and drinks and tomorrow night to see Krissy & Chen's new home. And then Thursday morning, back to Portland to spend one last evening with the Glucks before we make our way home.
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