Wedding Dress Time in Philly and more
September 13-15, 2007
The gray road rolled under us as we drove across the state east to west. Fast trucks whizzed by and still the gray road rolled under us. Light faded with the day, lights of the night came out and still the gray road rolled under us. It was after 11pm when we arrived at Jen’s house. This was Carmine’s first trip out to see her niece; it was Kathy’s second. During our tour of the house Kathy noted the changes. The biggest of which was the demolition of the garage; only three cement block walls remain in its place. Carmine got the guest bedroom; Kathy had the trumble bed in the den. The cats were confined to the master bedroom since their declawment; Kathy went in to visit them. Troy was already asleep. We too, were asleep in a short time.
The next morning Kathy joined Carmine already flipping channels on the surround sound plasma TV. Jen and Troy woke and got ready for work. Carmine and Kathy finished breakfast, got directions to QVC and took off. Just half an hour from Jen’s is the main headquarters for QVC (Quality, Value and Customer service). Carmine is an avid QVC shopper. Inside we looked around the massive lobby, talked about the tours offered (They have two tours. One is $75 and includes lunch. The other takes you behind the scenes to see the studio.), and shopped. Three hours later we had finished shopping through the cosmetics, kitchen items, clothing, household items, and jewelry. It took a push cart and delivery boy to help us to get all our purchases out to the car. We stopped at the QVC mobile unit and the main entrance for pictures. It was a fun morning looking, experimenting and purchasing stuff.
We stopped on our way home at a nursery to admire the Halloween decorations and autumn plants. Jen had turned around on her way to work when she saw the check engine light so had worked from home. We walked in and showed her all our purchases. Shortly after Sueann, Jill and the kids arrived; they drove up from Virginia. The kids were both playing at being shy. Nate, Jill’s hubby, arrived and the kids were so excited to see Dad after all week apart. Nate is working in Philly and Jill is with the kids in Virginia until they can sell their house; know of anyone who wants to move to Glenn Alen, Virginia?
The kids never did warm up to Carmine and Kathy; too many distractions, but we did see how they’ve grown. Silas is walking everywhere and curious about the world around him. Stella is talking sentences; it was fun listening to her tell her Aunt Jen how to put a puzzle together. The kids and Nate were in bed shortly after 8pm and we settled together at the table for salmon, roasted potatos and salad. We had a great conversation remembering days gone by. One story Jen told really had us laughing: We were really young and were downstairs at Granpa’s house by the hospital. Justin was there too. We were laughing and being kids when the door at the top of the steps opened and there at the top of the steps stood granpa holding on to his walker. We all froze. All we really was was his shadow with light billowing around him. His deep voice loud and forceful carried to our ears…go to sleep down there. We all stood gazing up into the light. The figure moved, the door slammed and there was silence…for a moment before we broke up laughing quietly We each shared stories of holding a nail or chisel while Dad swung the hammer back and slammed into it giving our fingers a tingle. Grandma’s work chart that hung in the livingroom closet deligating Saturday’s work routine. Sueann’s parites remembered as Kathy’s…Working, playing and growing up.
The next morning we woke early and took turns using the bathroom; five girls-what fun! Jen made us a yummy breakfast and we took off. Jen was sweet enough to include us on her first day of wedding dress shopping. We had such a good time watching her try on all different styles and going from regular girl to princess. No, I'm not sharing any more about her dress til the wedding next September. (To read Jen's version of the day go to her blog by clicking at the right.)
We stopped at the market in downtown Philly and walked the rows of yummy foods. We each picked a lunch meal and met up at tables in the middle. Kathy went for sushi and meso soup. Funny, Justin had the same thing that day, except in Hawaii instead of Philly! We stopped at a home store and checked out all the interesting stuff from kitchen wares to bed, bath and beyond to nic nacs and paddy wacs. We ended stopping at Trader Joe's and the nursery. A full day of shopping, girl time and fun fun fun.
Troy ordered us pizzas, calazone, wings, and a Jen put together a salad. Kathy and Carmine were in their glory having anchovy on their pizza. We stuffed ourselves and watched Bridge to Terabithia. Troy took breaks from the movie to paint a few stripes of various shades of gold on the diningroom wall. They have new drapes, rich deep red and are picking out a gold for the walls. Slowly they are making the house their home.
Thank you Jen and Troy for putting up with all of us; we sure had a wonderful time and are already looking forward to a return trip. Jill drove back to Virginia and we drove back to Pittsburgh. Three sisters chattering away the drive certainly went fast. We were back in time for the second quarter of the Steeler game. Don picked Sueann up and they left right away; she can't wait to see the new cupboards and walls in her remodeled kitchen. Kathy stayed and watched the game with Carmine, Stevie, Brian and his girlfriend and her son. The Steelers won. Will arrived a short time later and we were lucky not to hit stadium traffic on the way home. Kathy made dinner and showed Will all the treasures she brought back: a neat fold up hanging bar, yummy snacks with no fat, special wax for the roadtrek to name a few. Kathy was ready for bed that night!
The gray road rolled under us as we drove across the state east to west. Fast trucks whizzed by and still the gray road rolled under us. Light faded with the day, lights of the night came out and still the gray road rolled under us. It was after 11pm when we arrived at Jen’s house. This was Carmine’s first trip out to see her niece; it was Kathy’s second. During our tour of the house Kathy noted the changes. The biggest of which was the demolition of the garage; only three cement block walls remain in its place. Carmine got the guest bedroom; Kathy had the trumble bed in the den. The cats were confined to the master bedroom since their declawment; Kathy went in to visit them. Troy was already asleep. We too, were asleep in a short time.The next morning Kathy joined Carmine already flipping channels on the surround sound plasma TV. Jen and Troy woke and got ready for work. Carmine and Kathy finished breakfast, got directions to QVC and took off. Just half an hour from Jen’s is the main headquarters for QVC (Quality, Value and Customer service). Carmine is an avid QVC shopper. Inside we looked around the massive lobby, talked about the tours offered (They have two tours. One is $75 and includes lunch. The other takes you behind the scenes to see the studio.), and shopped. Three hours later we had finished shopping through the cosmetics, kitchen items, clothing, household items, and jewelry. It took a push cart and delivery boy to help us to get all our purchases out to the car. We stopped at the QVC mobile unit and the main entrance for pictures. It was a fun morning looking, experimenting and purchasing stuff.
We stopped on our way home at a nursery to admire the Halloween decorations and autumn plants. Jen had turned around on her way to work when she saw the check engine light so had worked from home. We walked in and showed her all our purchases. Shortly after Sueann, Jill and the kids arrived; they drove up from Virginia. The kids were both playing at being shy. Nate, Jill’s hubby, arrived and the kids were so excited to see Dad after all week apart. Nate is working in Philly and Jill is with the kids in Virginia until they can sell their house; know of anyone who wants to move to Glenn Alen, Virginia?
The kids never did warm up to Carmine and Kathy; too many distractions, but we did see how they’ve grown. Silas is walking everywhere and curious about the world around him. Stella is talking sentences; it was fun listening to her tell her Aunt Jen how to put a puzzle together. The kids and Nate were in bed shortly after 8pm and we settled together at the table for salmon, roasted potatos and salad. We had a great conversation remembering days gone by. One story Jen told really had us laughing: We were really young and were downstairs at Granpa’s house by the hospital. Justin was there too. We were laughing and being kids when the door at the top of the steps opened and there at the top of the steps stood granpa holding on to his walker. We all froze. All we really was was his shadow with light billowing around him. His deep voice loud and forceful carried to our ears…go to sleep down there. We all stood gazing up into the light. The figure moved, the door slammed and there was silence…for a moment before we broke up laughing quietly We each shared stories of holding a nail or chisel while Dad swung the hammer back and slammed into it giving our fingers a tingle. Grandma’s work chart that hung in the livingroom closet deligating Saturday’s work routine. Sueann’s parites remembered as Kathy’s…Working, playing and growing up.
The next morning we woke early and took turns using the bathroom; five girls-what fun! Jen made us a yummy breakfast and we took off. Jen was sweet enough to include us on her first day of wedding dress shopping. We had such a good time watching her try on all different styles and going from regular girl to princess. No, I'm not sharing any more about her dress til the wedding next September. (To read Jen's version of the day go to her blog by clicking at the right.)
We stopped at the market in downtown Philly and walked the rows of yummy foods. We each picked a lunch meal and met up at tables in the middle. Kathy went for sushi and meso soup. Funny, Justin had the same thing that day, except in Hawaii instead of Philly! We stopped at a home store and checked out all the interesting stuff from kitchen wares to bed, bath and beyond to nic nacs and paddy wacs. We ended stopping at Trader Joe's and the nursery. A full day of shopping, girl time and fun fun fun.
Troy ordered us pizzas, calazone, wings, and a Jen put together a salad. Kathy and Carmine were in their glory having anchovy on their pizza. We stuffed ourselves and watched Bridge to Terabithia. Troy took breaks from the movie to paint a few stripes of various shades of gold on the diningroom wall. They have new drapes, rich deep red and are picking out a gold for the walls. Slowly they are making the house their home.
Thank you Jen and Troy for putting up with all of us; we sure had a wonderful time and are already looking forward to a return trip. Jill drove back to Virginia and we drove back to Pittsburgh. Three sisters chattering away the drive certainly went fast. We were back in time for the second quarter of the Steeler game. Don picked Sueann up and they left right away; she can't wait to see the new cupboards and walls in her remodeled kitchen. Kathy stayed and watched the game with Carmine, Stevie, Brian and his girlfriend and her son. The Steelers won. Will arrived a short time later and we were lucky not to hit stadium traffic on the way home. Kathy made dinner and showed Will all the treasures she brought back: a neat fold up hanging bar, yummy snacks with no fat, special wax for the roadtrek to name a few. Kathy was ready for bed that night!
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