This past Thursday (meaning Sept 6th, which was the applicable title when I started this post. Oi.) was a busy day - up early for work, a fiasco at the Post Office, voice lesson, cleaning the entire apartment, packing, and then a well deserved, farewell drink with the roomie. I was up and off to JFK at 5.30am Friday morning.
I was picked up by my cousin (on my mom's side), Wild Bill - quite a character of a fellow, and it was absolutely lovely getting to see him. I used to see all that side of my family every two years at the family reunion, but for various reasons that's rather dissipated the past few years - I hope it doesn't die out all together, though I'm not sure this new generation has the discipline or complete desire to keep it going. We chatted the afternoon away, met up with his daughter, Heather, and saw her swanky place. She and her rm may be dis-satisfied with it, but it was seriously one of the coolest places I've ever seen - a 4 story townhouse with a spectacular view of the city. It didn't hurt that two little Chihuahua mixes were all over me with lots of love and affection :) We went and ate at a nice little Italian restaurant, then headed back to Heather's for a few hours. It was nice, though I'm sorry I was probably rather a bore - I was still pretty tired from the long day, short night, and the flight.
Anyway, I got on and settled in for the almost hour ride. I expected to buy a ticket on the train, since there was no machine at the platform, but no one ever came around - so I totally got to ride for free. Score!
I was met at the platform by my wonderful mom, looking trimmer than ever. I hadn't seen her since Christmas, and it was a very nice little reunion :) Wish I could've taken a picture before she saw me, but again, no iphone. We picked my dad up from the Trinity library and headed to Monroe to meet one of my dearest friends, who was visiting his grandma and family for Cheese Days. Only in Wisconsin. Lol.
We got there in time for a quick dinner of pizza, then my parents were off with Garrett's dad back to Appleton. I was staying the night with Garrett in his grandma's place with his mom and another friend. He had aunts and cousins there, as well. We went down to the little town square in the evening for more festivities. I tried 1 deep fried cheese curd - and thanked God I didn't like it. I actually found it pretty revolting - sacrilege, I know. But, my heart and kidneys thank me :) I can't fathom how most people had multiple orders of them each day!! I did have a massive ice cream cookie sandwich, which was way bigger than I thought it would be. We listened to a band for a bit, then headed back for some shut eye. We ended up staying up talking for several hours, of course. I don't remember the last time I had a "sleep over" - years ago, for sure. But it was fun bringing to life old memories and things we'd done together. And I envy his ability to drop right to sleep.
Sunday we went to the Cheese Days Parade. I'm not really one for parades, but it was nice to sit around with cool people. But 1 1/2hrs in with no end in sight and we called it quits and headed back to the main square - Garrett and his mom for more fried cheese curds (cue me vomiting a little in my mouth), and me for a brat. We got there just in time, too. They got in the cheese curds line and I headed for the top of the square where the 1 (ONE!!) brat stand was - and got the very last brat they had! Julia for the win. Again. Oh yeah :) Unfortunately, it was a pretty small brat (though completely delicious - in true Wisconsin fashion), so on my way back to the others I grabbed a Dr. Pepper and pulled pork sandwich. Sated all around, we walked back to his grandma's. We saw a woodchuck on the way. I don't understand people who make fun of me for getting excited about seeing something cool like a hawk or a deer - I never get tired of nature.
We hung out/napped for a few hours, ate some caramel apples, then headed to dinner. Then it was time to say goodbye - I was headed back to Appleton with Garrett's mom and he was headed down to Chicago to catch a flight the next morning back to FL for school. I'm so glad we were able to meet up again.
Lots more to tell, seeing as how I've been home almost a week, but I think that's good for now. I'll leave you with the lovely sight I was greeted with when I hauled my bag up the stairs to my bedroom.