Rock, paper ... water

Apparently, what really doesn't survive a waterlogging is not the electronics, but the
paper products. While both my CPAP and TV are working - and while we're praying that the problem with the Playstation is about the power supply instead of the game box - my paper-based goods that sat in the water are mostly kaput.

Yesterday's photo showed the sad state of my books; here's today's photo of my now-in-the-trash games:

The damager report: Rook, Taboo and a deck of cards

The Taboo cards may look normal, but they're pretty firmly stuck together in groups of 7-30+ cards. I gave a good try at separating them, and then decided that was way too much work for a game that I could replace for about $15. At the right of the picture is the last remaining piece of the Taboo box:

The rest of the Taboo box went to the trash yesterday, in a soggy disintegrated mess that we neglected to film.

The other card games initially seem more salvageable; for instance, the Rook cards separated much more easily:


But they're still pretty soggy, slightly transparent, and covered in some sort of blue ink (the source of which I have yet to identify; it's on all the other cards too, mostly on the edges).

So it looks like I'll be making a visit to a local game store - or Amazon.com - for some replacement games in the next couple of weeks. That's alright though; I'm happy to have an excuse to go shopping!

In other news, most of my clothes are clean, and my bags are nearly repacked for the return journey to MA. I'm kind of sad, because every mile closer to my house equals a mile closer to the end of my vacation. Everyone should take multi-week vacations every once in a while; they are very awesome! But going back to work on Tuesday is going to be ... interesting, to say the least.

In recovery

Brandy's Top Ten Totally Random Things from the Trip:

10. Mr. Wigglesworth
9. Trampoline Dodgeball
8. "Poopy!"
7. Lake KOA
6. Smokin' the firewood
5. Flash Pass Gold
4. Carbon
3. 6-Hour Power
2. Supermodel Kwame
1. E-Z Pass Go!

As Becky noted, we are done with camping and resting at her home in Northern Virginia. We're taking it slow with getting back into the normal swing of things; yesterday we sat around, slept and watched movies, and today we had to call Michelle (who is back at work - sucker! Just kidding, I love you Shelly) to confirm that it was, in fact, Wednesday. Which marks the first day that I've definitively known what day it is since I started vacation.

After our day of total rest today, we did get down to some work here at the Sterling house - the exciting work of cleaning out/rinsing out/washing out everything from the trip. Apparently, the Army teaches Becky to do this every time she comes back from being in the field, so she's got the whole thing down to a science. Me, I'm lucky if I unpack within the week after I get home. But in the spirit of not bringing home clothes and luggage that smell slightly like moldy eggs, I eagerly joined in the fun, represented by this short clip:

We scrubbed out all the bags, tents, mattresses, chairs and sporting equipment we felt could stand up to it, and put the rest in the laundry. I think we're somewhere on load 3 or 4 ... I lost count a while ago. But I am pleased to say that my pink luggage is back to being more pink than brown, and that a number of potentially damaged items have been salvaged - including my CPAP! While I might have to replace the mask and tubing because I seem to have lost some of the little connector bits, that is the far less expensive and much easier to obtain section of my medical machinery. On the sad side, I still have books that look like this:

My poor babies! Mommy loves you, and she's sorry.

We're done with the trip, but there's still so much to post! I don't think we're going to be done blogging for another week at least, so check back for more material. To tantalize you, here are a few trip highlights from my camera (Michelle's camcorder is holding the rest - blog, Michelle, blog!):

A young blogger in training?

A mummy in our tent!! Kwame's mummy, that is. ;-)

Michelle chugs the 5-Hour Energy, shortly to be followed by a Rockstar energy drink.
(Seriously, it's a wonder none of us had a heart attack drinking that stuff.)

All of these things smelled SO MUCH BETTER after their morning wash

Do you have your GPS On?

So at the beginning of this trip we made a list of several things that we needed for the trip. The GPS made the alternate/nice to have but not required. A decision that came in question several times on the trip so far.

I can remember when we were kids seeing mom and dad use old school AAA maps to figure out how to get anywhere. The arguments, frustration, multiple U turns...oh to be a kid again.

So we decided to go old school. I'm sure this decision was made in haste or when extremely tired cuz I wish we had a GPS.

Chicago weather was not good on Thursday night so instead of camping we stayed at Michelle's friend's (Katie and Bruce) house. Which after the last couple of days was a welcome change. A roof with four walls that doesn't bend with the wind, ah what luxury!

I am not from Chicago so its easy to get lost. Especially when driving in the rain at night.

We had to stop by Target first so we told Katie we were making a stop. Katie said we were close so we asked for the address and said we'd be there in 20 mins. What you should know though is that Bartlett Illinois apparently has a Target store on every corner like starbucks or McDonald's.
On our way to Katie and Bruce's we keep going in circles. After an hour went by, Katie called us to see if we were okay. We were driving from the Target to try and find her house but we kept taking lefts where we needed to take rights. Anyway, Katie wanted to know if we were okay and we explained what was going on. Confused, Katie asked "do you have your GPS on?"

I wish!

Next time the GPS is a must have. Although it was fun trying to read a map.

Two Weeks is a long time to take off from work

Or so I thought when I was planning this vacation with my sisters. I had install just finish before I left and a big project that is ongoing. How could I possibly take off right now?

We we all need a break sometimes. I really love my job. It is extremely rewarding and at many times a lot of fun. But work is still work and I needed some time to chill our and do something...or maybe even nothing.

This trip has been amazing spending all this quality time with my son Kwame, older sister Brandy, and twin sister Michelle. We had a whirl wind camping experience and way too much fun just being in the moment. Ontario, Niagara Falls, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, KOA, Six Flags, great lakes...ohh so much stuff to remember. Stories I'm sure we will keep telling for years! All of us have agreed that we need to do this again next year...I can't wait....might pack my bag now:)

I am incredibly happy that we have arrived in Virginia safely with no major events related to the car or persons. Thank God for giving us safe passage to all of our destinations.

I have many moments that I want to share on the blog but I realize it is 2AM and maybe I need sleep:) ***Too many cappuccinos and 5-hour energy keeping me awake***

So I will try again later....good night!