Tripping

I have been back a week Monday and I have yet to unpack. Tiger has gotten into my suitcase on many occasion since my return and pulled out all the interesting things to play with. Like my bridesmaids dress, my toiletry kit and everything that is in a plastic bag in it, and my bras. So in a manner he is unpacking for me.

A sadness always overcomes me when I return to a lonely home from visiting my family. It is just different from being around people all the time, to being in a quiet house again.

Well the first event of my time while Donovan is deployed was my visit home and to Carlisle for Brad and Kristi's wedding and festivities.

I flew home early Thursday morning August 27 th. I have gotten used to traveling in a pair, dividing up the responsibilities when we are packing and running out the door that I was running around by myself that morning, trying to make sure I had packed everything I needed, and made sure the plants were watered and the cats had water and food until the sitter came, that when I went to pull the door shut to leave for good, I noticed I only saw Tiger. The whole plane ride I had a bad feeling that I had locked Baer out on the porch while I was watering the plants and was in a hurry and didn't make sure she was inside. The next day I didn't hear from the sitter so I assumed that she was fine and inside, and let it go. The crazy things I worry about...

So I made it to Fort Belvoir, hung out with Mom and Cara, and Sue brought over Keira so I could meet her. She is super cute and a very happy mannered baby :)

That weekend was Kristi's bachelorette party in Atlantic City. I decided to rent a car after Mom mentioning that her Mazda shakes like crazy when you go over 60mph, and is infested with ants, and no air. My dad's car has no air of course, and the transmission is going. So I rented a cute little Toyota Yaris for my 4 hour journey. I have never been to Atlantic City, or to a casino for that matter. We stayed just one night at the Tropicana, and didn't have to leave for anything. There was so many restaurants, a mall area with clothing and food stores, bars and clubs, and of course the casino area. There were so many people there. We had a good time, played some penny slots, which I still don't understand how they work, there are so many buttons to push and betting options, I just pushed random buttons. I played about $30 on the penny slots, and ended up winning it all back at the end and cashed out for $34. That's all I had to spend on gambling and glad I got it back. I think everyone had a good time that weekend.

The roof inside the Tropicana had the image of a bright sunny day, at all times, even at 2 am.

Me and Kristi :)

On Monday Mom, Sue, Keira and I went to see Annie at JMU for the day. We saw Annie's room, met her roommates, walked around campus a bit, and ate at dinning hall. It was a very nice campus and the Harrisonburg area is beautiful with the mountains and the weather was really nice.

Annie and I with James Madison

I left Thursday for Carlisle because I had to be there for the rehearsal and dinner, our nail appointment on Friday and the wedding was on Saturday. I stayed with the Groh's on Thursday night while I was in town. It was great to see Donovan's family, even Tyler and Katherine came home while I was there. But it was sad to be there without him.

It was a beautiful wedding outside at the gazebo on post across from the officers club where the reception was held, and where Donovan and I met. There was even a couple people still working there who we knew, so it was great to see them too. There was perfect weather for the occasion and just about everything went smooth.

Monday morning I flew back to Fort Hood where I came home to some very whiny and attention deprived kitties, so I am still working on making up for the time lost with them.