Plan B

Have you ever planned a trip that from the get-go just doesn't seem to be working out and lining up with your timetable?  For me -- it was the Georgia Hillbilly Thanksgiving trip that began TODAY...much later than originally intended...and much more unpredictable...

First - our departure time got bumped...  This delay allowed for an extra errand or two.  Woodman's to get chocolate chips for a Southern friend...and Starbucks for the girl with curly hair.  Starbucks was a must because early this week, said girl with curls ran out of coffee creamer.  And let's just be honest -- a roadtrip without coffee is like peanut butter without jelly.  Like Yogi Bear without BooBoo.  Like cinnamon without sugar.  It is just unthinkable. 

I was thrilled to embrace the extra 60 minutes.  I used the hour to sit and people watch.  At the coffeeshop, there were three delightful characters...

First - I noticed a boy sitting across from a girl.  The boy was trying to woo said girl and being overly impressive.  I wanted to say -- look, just be yourself.  If she doesn't realize what a great guy you are...then you are just wasting your time, my friend.  'Tis true. 

Second - a girl grading school papers.  She had a read pen in hand and a stapler on the ledge next to her piles o'paper.  It reminded me of my teaching days.  Most of the time, I would grade papers at the apartment or Barnes & Noble (the former location before they got all snobby and moved to the mall). 

Third - there was a girl with curly hair who spent nearly an hour people-watching...and then she fiddled around with her cellphone...perhaps she was replying to a text or an email.  Either way, she seemed to enjoy conversating with someone via her cellphone device.

After people-watching, a phone call was received which informed me that the time of departure was imminent.  To-go coffee cup in hand (and it was one of those red Christmasy cups with a cute ice-skating snowman & snowgirl.  The cup said something resembling When we're together, I won't let you fall.  Well, let me just say -- it's been my experience when ice skating that if I am about to fall down, the other person is going to let go of my hand as if I all of the sudden have the plague.  SERIOUSLY -- BE WILLING TO FALL WITH ME.  It's all I'm asking...not much.  Just be willing to take a chance at falling.)...I sauntered to Rosie and headed to the interstate.

The majority of the journey to Indianapolis (first leg of the trip) was uneventful...actually it WAS uneventful -- except for this cute pair of pink flamingoes.  It seems that these birds have taken over Indiana!!!  They were everywhere.  Faux flamingoes...at the gas station, in a churchyard, at other places of business, homes, etc. 

Once Bry and I met up in New Whiteland, Indiana, we purchased supper at Panera.  Soup and salad for me.  Bry had soup and a sandwich.

For dessert, we ordered coffee...and we both forgot to say "decaf"!  True story!  We realized the error and then laughed about it.  This picture (below) cracks me up!  Bry was sooo excited to have coffee and too finally be together that he threw up his arms and shouted!!! 

We decided to travel and use the Garmen to guide us on our merry way.  Little did we realize that it was set for "Shortest distance" -- and it took us down some winding road that kind of creeped me out.  (Me, being the driver and author of this blog.)  Bry spent a good portion of the time on the phone with our dad trying to explain that we really didn't have a clue where we were...we were blindly trusting a computer.  The straw that broke the camel's back was the jaunt (and I mean that lovingly) down a one lane (NARROW LANE) dirt road.  It resembled a camel's hump and THAT WAS IT!!!!!  We voted and decided to stay in Cookesville, Tennessee at the Red Roof Inn.  The cost of the room was irrelevant -- our sanity was a small exchange for Room 122. 

Tomorrow we have 2 hours to go to our destination.  I, for one, am thrilled to be at a warm hotel...snuggly in my jammies...happily blogging (in hopes of de-stressing from the day's travels)...listening to Bry's contended snoring...

This trip has by no-means gone according to MY timetable...but I know that the Lord has orchestrated every single step...and tonight, I am going to rest in that notion.

Hugs from the South!!!

~ Angie

P.S. It is 63 degrees outside...with highs in the 70's tomorrow.  :)