Roadtrip to Florida!

Remember that time, not so long ago, that as a blogger, you went out of town on a journey that seemed like a vacation but really wasn’t? And while on that journey, one in which you were helping a friend of twenty-four years move 20 hours from our hometown, you behaved like an absolute rotten blogger and didn’t snap a single picture with your nice camera {except for when you were overjoyed about visiting a completely gluten free restaurant} so you really only have iphone snap shots as proof of said-journey?
Oh right. That was me. Earlier this week. Pretty positive I will be winning a “Not-So-Shabby Shabby Blogger Award” for the fact that I went to the beautiful, sunny and warm state of Florida, while parts of the country are beginning to experience colder, fall temps, and A. Did not go to the beach, B. I scantily took a picture here or there, or C. I didn’t have one tropical, vacation cocktail. I did however snap numerous selfies with palm trees, so double points for that. Since I have been plopped down in front of my computer for the past 8 hours - how about a super quick photo recap for ya?

Cait and I left Virginia on Saturday morning with her car packed to the rafters. The beagles were literally touching the ceiling of the car for most of the ride. They were great sports though, and perfect travel companions. Would I travel with these two beagles across the country again? Definitely! Would we share a hotel room again? Probably not. We made it through North and South Carolina, and just into Georgia on the first day.

Welcome to America, where we have things like Pedro’s South of the Border. I’m pretty sure you catch diseases just getting off the interstate at this exit. I’ve driven past the South of the Border many, many times but have never been brave enough to risk a stop.

We played our fair share of road games {i.e. We discussed how to play the state game, but didn’t play it. We tried to make truckers beep. We looked up the app for the alphabet game, but didn’t download it. Did you know they have apps for that these days?!} We listened to podcasts of our high school fave, Love Line with Zack Morris as the guest host. We had some dance parties in our seats to NSync and BSB.

All of these car moments were great, but by far, my favorite moment of the roadtrip was when we saw a man toting his goats down I-95. TOTES MAGOTES! It doesn’t take much to make me smile… but a man encompassing the phrase “totes magotes” gets me every single time.

When we finally made it to florida on day two of our trip, it was storming and terrifying. {I hate lightning. Pair it with the road work that is I-95S through Jacksonville? Enough said.} Luckily though, as we rolled into our final destination, Ft. Lauderdale, the sun decided to welcome her to her new home!

It was a joyous occasion when the dogs got to see their daddy for the first time in almost two months and Cait got to see her man! He knows us oh so well: Mark had the wine waiting for us! Unfortunately the Dollar Store wine opener will only open one bottle before self destructing. But we made do!

We spent Monday - Wednesday working on making their new house their new home. I truly have a passion for helping people get organized. Whether it is with their wedding or any other event, their diet, or even their homes. I love it! And I am so glad I was able to help them.

Instead of vacationing, we spent a crap ton of money in ikea. My husband needs to thank his lucky stars that our closest ikea is a 3 hour drive. There is a very slim chance of me walking out of a Target without over spending. All odds are off though when it comes to ikea!

We did do a lot of work, but there was a lot of laughs and fun. It’s crazy to think that I left one of my oldest friends several states away, without knowing when we will get together for dinner and drinks again.

Since I don’t have any pictures of me laying on a beach, catching some rays and drinking a fun cocktail… this airplane selfie will have to do.

On my last day there, we spent some time doing what we do best: watching Law and Order: SVU and drinking wine. I cannot believe I have been friends with this girl since first grade. Sure, we’ve had our ups and downs. What good friendship hasn’t?

I wonder what our first grade teacher would’ve said if someone had told her “You see those two girls you sat together at that table over there? The tom boy and the chubby girly girl? Yeah… them. From this point on, they will become friends for life. They will both decide to play the viola together in 5th grade because they hear you can make more money with that instrument over a violin. They will share a nanny, horseback riding lessons, and fudge cookies after school. They will become arch enemies in a Sticky Buddy war. Caitlin will beat up Susan’s sister in the driveway one day. Susan will try {keyword: try} to learn about football from Caitlin. They will share a secret notebook covered in NSync all throughout high school because they won’t have any classes together. They will go their separate ways for college, but always catch up for Mister Jim’s hot wings when Susan is back in town. After college they will eventually become roommates, help each other through tearful nights when boys hurt their feelings, be there to bail each other out of jail, and binge watch trash television. They will survive beach days, hurricanes and snowstorms together. They will be there to celebrate when each of them finally meet their very own Prince Charmings. They will even be there for each other when life throws a curve ball and one of them suddenly moves across the country. You, Mrs. Stillman are making a wonderful decision by putting Susan and Caitlin at the same first grade table….”

Thanks for a good time, Ft. Lauderdale. You take real good care of my friend. Keep her warm and tan year round. Teach her about what it’s like to leave your hometown of lil ole Great Bridge and live in a real city. Show her what it is like to experience a Christmas with summer temps and palm trees, but still provide her with a legit tree lot so she can buy her annual live Christmas Tree. And when she misses home, remind her that she is there because she is young and in love… and that Virginia is only a flight away.

And for your a couple of chuckles… I bring you this gem:

PS. Wanna know the random odds and ends I have to pack {in a seemingly similar manner to a Mary-Poppins-Bag} when I head out of town as a blogger, wedding planner, and marketing consultant? Read this post.

Comments

Heather West says

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Aww. The end of this post was so sweet. Life long friends are the best!

And the best camera is whichever one you have handy 😉
- Susan @ 2catsandchloe says
  
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  SO true! Thanks for reading, as always heather! 🙂 Let’s catch up soon!
  - Heather West says
    
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    Absolutely! Let me know when is good for you.
J Trogstad says

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I LOVE this post! What a fun time! Such a sweet post about an amazing friendship! loving the whole goat situation. That makes me LOL every time I think about it! xoxo
- Susan @ 2catsandchloe says
  
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  Thanks girl! It was a good time with a wonderful friend! It’s so crazy how all of my best friends are scattered around the world. In one respect it’s a bit sad because there’s no one to immediately call up and say “let’s do wine! I need some girl time!” But then, on the other hand - there are so many places to visit!

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