Next Episode: Packing, Eating, Uplifting, Playing, Eating, Driving

Up early again—we had to get the van packed up and get checked out, and we needed some breakfast, and to get to church. We found a congregation with a 9 a.m. worship service, which would work out perfect for us, as her last game was going to be at 11. So, I got up and started trying to gently awaken everyone with lots of rattling and beating and falling and screaming and such like. Took my shower, used the blow drier, walked back out and everyone was still sound asleep.

We finally got everyone awakened enough to get on some clothes and I went downstairs to get the cart to load everything back on. All gone. None. And this was at 7 in the morning. The staff and I were the only people fully dressed and walking around. “Do you have any bell carts anywhere?” The guy called someone, and said they were all in use. Hmm.

I resigned myself to being a pack mule and turned to go back upstairs. I rounded the corner and saw a bellman with a cart—Great! I was going to ask him for it, but then saw he had it loaded down with five copies of the Huntsville Times. Them Sunday papers is real big, you know. I thought about asking for the cart, but just figured I would let him go. He seemed old enough to be part of the furniture, and it was obvious that if I actually made him carry his papers he might forget the routine and mess everything up, and I just couldn’t have that on my conscience. Although it still seems that one of those beverage carts would be a bit easier to manage.

Back to the room and loaded up with all the massive amount of impedimenta that always travels with us, back down to the van, back up for more, including the family this time. Back down, stuff in back, then back to the hotel to get some of their famous breakfast. Which wasn’t being served yet. ::sigh::

Off to somewhere else with a groaning table full of cholesterol, Shoney’s. Shoveled down the food and tried to figure out where this church was that we were going to. It was on the north part of Memorial Parkway, but the waitress didn’t know, so she asked her manager, and she didn’t know, and we heard the question travel all around the back. “It’s north of here a ways, but we’re not real sure how far.”

Obviously, it’s up yonder. (A piece, to be precise.)

Paid up, loaded up, and started up the parkway. Probably about two miles or so, there on the left, big as day. Got there with 30 minutes to spare, which I believe to be some sort of record. Lots of folks, around 350, with a good range of ages, and I think all of them came by to say hey. And we got some old ladies’ seats. I figured we would—we sat toward the back on an end, and those are hot real estate. A sweet little lady came by and looked at us quizzically before offering her hand, “Good morning, ma’am--did we by chance get your seat?”

“Yes. Another lady and I always sit there.”

“Well, I am SO sorry—I know how it is where we go, everyone has their favorite seat!” There were five rows of empty seats in front of us, by the way.

“Yes, but it’s alright, I suppose, it’s not like we have our names on there.”

“Well, thank you for letting us sit here!” She sat down in front of us, but I could tell she was a little put out by the whole affair. Probably trying to figure out a way to get a name plate or something. I started to tell her that visitors are God’s way of making members sit closer to the front, but I figured there was no use pressing my luck.

The lady she sat with came in and greeted us and didn’t even bat an eye that we had taken her seat, but I apologized anyway. She just laughed.

Good sermon, then it was time to head back out. Rebecca had her shorts on under her dress, so changing was a relatively easy chore, even while under way. To the park, wait around for an hour, then playtime. Their last game was for 5th place in the tournament, and they were playing a group of girls that practice down at Sports Blast in Hoover. It was a very hard fought game, and our girls finally looked like they were clicking. Sure enough, we managed not to lose this time! We didn’t win, either. A tie, 0-0. But it was still a very exciting game.

And then, to home. But no trip is complete without…A TRIP TO WAL-MART! Even if only to get gas. There was a new Supercenter right where you turn, so we ducked in and filled up on some nice fresh 87 octane. I thought $1.389 was a pretty good price until we got back toward Madison and it was $1.319 at Cowboys. Not that much of a difference—less than a buck, but the very idea irked me that I had not sniffed out the lowest price. Stopped and got some food, then headed back down south.

Again, another beautiful day to drive, and a little too handy for napping. I finally had to pull off at the Shell station in Corner to take a break, which prompted others in the van to also feel the need to go in. Never a good idea. Thus emptied, they turned around and wanted to buy more stuff to make them go the restroom. Oh well. Almost home anyway.

Forty-five minutes later we pulled up at the Possumplace and proceeded to unload and such like. Bec took a quick bath, and then we were off again for evening worship. Like sleeping in your own bed is better than a hotel, so is going to church. Although sleeping is probably not the thing you’re supposed to do in church. I’m just glad nobody got our seats.

Finish our much needed churching-up, then on for some more vittles—we stopped by the old standby Ruby Tuesday up the road (HEY! DID YOU KNOW THEY HAVE THOSE IN HUNTSVILLE!!?) and found out that Jennifer the Perfect Waitress is no more…she has now moved on up to Jennifer the Perfect Kitchen Manager, so hooray for her!

Off once more, finally home for a while, baths, beds, sleep, then up again and back at it for another week.

I could use a nap.
posted by Terry at 3:36:00 PM