Sometimes the best plans are no plans. I'm a planner. I like to know what's going to happen so that I'm ready. Do I need to shop and pack? Set my alarm? Shave my legs? Despite me being the way I am, I was at 100% peace (deep down inside) with the "It's gonna be great even though I haven't got a clue what to expect," plan.
So Friday night looked like this- I picked mom up after she got off work and the girls and I took her to the mall. Audrey had been saving birthday money (from way back in January!), tooth fariy money (3 in the last week!), and allowance. I let her look around the week before (while I was spending MY birthday money on earings) and she fell in love with a shirt, a vest, and a pair of boots. I didn't have any money for these things, so we left without them.
The following week (this week) I got a coupon in an email from the store where most of these items were. So this is why we ended up at the mall on Friday. She got everything she wanted on sale and had exactly just enough money to buy everything with less than a dollar to spare. I call that girl blessed!
That evening, we just hung out at my parent's house. I have to say it was probably one of the most enjoyable evenings. Eric, my dad, and I sat around the dining room table and just talked. My dad isn't usually a huge talker, but he was that night. It was really good.
Saturday- No plans. We slept in and took it easy. Eric decided that he wanted to go to the garage sale on Highway 61. I think it's called 61 on 61. 61 miles of garage sales from Jackson to Bloomsdale. I had told him earlier in the week that I did NOT want to do this (we did it the previous year). So, outta no where, he decided we were in fact, going to go. I was cool with this. Instead of starting at the closest spot to our house, we went all the way to the end (Jackson) and worked our way up 61 towards Imperial.
Surprisingly, I didn't find a single treasure. I almost bought these cool oversized drill bits that showed some nice wear. I thought about hanging them on my wall along with my other odds and ends. The spirals were so interesting... but in the end, I decided against it. I'm confident I'll be able to find more old drill bits in the future if I go lookin'.
What my family came away with:
Eric- a fishing float tube thingy
Audrey-a necklace, two horse bits, and english riding stirrups.
Ava- a 25 cent teddy bear (she was determined to buy a teddy bear!), some tiny Christmas trinkets that she got for free, and Polynesian barbie (still in the box).
Me-nothing purchased, but a few new Ava-isms.
1. While looking at a tarp covered with items for sale, Ava says to Eric (while gesturing with her hands for effect), "...but Dad, this is nothing but a pile of junk!" The owner of that pile of junk laughed and told Eric that he had a smart daughter.
2. Ava pointed out a very large wine glass and said, "Look at that GI-Normous wine glass! Grandma would love it. You know how she loves her wine."
3. We stopped at a place next to a cow pasture that was quite fragrant. Ava said, "Ewww Mom! The cow patios smell horrible!"
4. To her sister in the backseat, "If you touch my barbie doll, I will kill you." And she meant it.
5. After asking me for a pen and paper she informs me she is going to write her numbers in cursive.
We drove the entire way back home on Highway 61. It was so gorgeous. Later, staying true to our day, we went out on 61 for ice-cream.
Sunday- Another freebie kind of day. We took cots to my parents so they could take them camping. Then we stopped at Eric's parent's house and had a little breakfast. While there, we got maps and binoculars and headed to the Golden Eagle Ferry. My in-law's friend's family own it.
It was really cool. The girls and I had only gone on the ferry for the first time over the summer-this was Eric's first time. I enjoyed his reaction to seeing it. I had had the same exact reaction. It wasn't what either of us expected. The ferry is a simple, small operation. It is actually pretty neat to see how the ferry is driven and parked back-and-forth. Illinois, Missouri, Illinois, Missouri...My in-law's friend was driving the ferry and invited us up in the wheel house while he drove across the Mississippi. It was a pretty view.
We crossed and were now in Calhoun County which is not what the Illinois I know looks like. This Illinois is hills. It is tiny roads surrounded with tall cornfields. It really takes you by surprise. Eric, his parents, and I all had identical reactions-"I could live here. This place is gorgeous. Who knew this existed? Where am I, again?"
A quick stop at the Golden Eagle Country Store for old fashioned sodas and we were on our way to cross the Illinois River to get over to Grafton. While we were waiting for that ferry, an ambulance came screaming through. It was so odd watching it board the ferry (solo), cross the river, and then sirens blaring once again, take off. There is a different way of living over there.
Once in Grafton, we were overwhelmed with Labor Day revelers. There were more motorcycles there than I have ever seen. A party was happening everywhere. It was so much fun. We ended up eating at The Rotten Apple which was a good choice. The owner waited on us and Audrey's dream of a catfish lunch came true.
Monday was super low key. We went to the grocery store to pick up items for a special dinner. I wanted to make a peach cobbler and Eric (in true Eric fashion) argued with me. Let me just say, he should just freakin' appreciate the fact that I bake from scratch. Plus, peaches are his FAVORITE fruit. So logic would say that Eric should be happy. Ha! So what does Eric suggest? Something from a box, of course. He actually put a box of some artificial, preservative filled, brownies with cream cheese into the cart! By the time we were ready to check out, that box was gone and replaced with ripe peaches.
We had a very relaxing and enjoyable day. Late in the day, we grilled steaks and I MADE a peach cobbler with a chilled maple cream sauce. Then Eric groveled, begging for forgiveness. He expressed his major stupidity. I agreed wholeheartedly. Then came the compliments. I got what I deserved and so did he-his favorite fruit prepared by hand in a new dessert. Desserts in a box suck. I don't think I'll ever be able to convince him of that though.
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