Smells like Country.

So this week began with a 14(ish) hour car trip from Massachusetts to North Carolina. Between two cars we had 3 adults and 5 small children. We managed, with as much grace as possible, all the pooping and peeing accidents, the rainy weather, the faulty gps directions, the endless request for treats or something different to listen to. And we made it to our first break in the trip--a quick few hours of sleep at my brother's apartment just outside of DC. The first day was so draining, it actually became comical after a few hours of sleep.

Day two started much better. The skies were blue, there were no complicated roads to navigate. We were doing well. My favorite (read: funny and unnerving at the same time)  moment of the entire trip came when we stopped for gas a few hours into the second leg. I was coming out of the bathroom at the gas station all by myself and had to walk through a group of people talking at the counter. As I started to try and sneak by without bothering anyone, a big black woman stepped directly in front of me, blocking my path, and in a too-sugary-to-be-sweet voice said, "well, heeeeeeeeeyyyy!" I wanted to think she was being kind, so I smiled back and said hello. Then she looked around at her friends and straight back at me, finishing her sentence with a menacing, "Little House on the Prairie." I actually was laughing about it as I quickly pushed my way through the group and made it back outside. It only occurred to me a little while later that it actually was a little scary! I kind of wish I had engaged the comment and told her about our recent addition of a pony at the farm and what vegetables are coming up in the garden. Apparently I exude country more than I thought. Must have been the home haircut and corduroy pants that gave me away:)

But now we are safe and sound in North Carolina. The days of summer sun and swimming, fresh fruit and vegetables out our ears, late bedtimes, and extra treats has begun. And we love it.