Looks like ...

someone feels right at home!

Day Two

We woke bright and early today to play some indoor soccer at the church with friends old and new. It was a blast! We played for 2 1/2 glorious hours.

After soccer we returned to Shane and Mauralee's place to shower, ride the zipline, drive around Shane's remote control car, and say our goodbyes. I love this family

After a tasty visit to Sitar (yummy Indian food), we rolled to Rasputin's pad for El Clásico. I never tire of watching Barcelona smoke Real Madrid. 3-1 baby!

After the game we jumped in the car and drove to St. Louis, where we are sleeping tonight. Tomorrow is the longest of our days on the road: St. Louis to Northern Colorado. Tomorrow is also the day we will hit 300,000 miles! We currently sit at 299,950. I realized today that I choked by not bringing some James Brown tunes on the trip . What could be better than "Superbad" or "Get Up Off of That Thing" for celebrating the milestone?

In this pic you can see the 2 beginning to make its move. 300,000 is so close!

Day One

After taking Em and Asha to the airport, returning to our place, and eating as many perishables as possible, Brian and I packed up YTY. Before jumping in the car, however, we decided that we would juggle the soccer ball 60 times (the idea being that we would do this in every city we stop at along the way, totaling 300 altogether). An hour later, and at least four times in the 50s, we finally achieved our goal and got on our way. We began at 299,003.

It's all about "One Love" and "Givin is Livin."
Who could resist putting the Barcelona scarf there as well? Not me

A second before the picture actually took the trunk came crashing down on our heads (doesn't hold up like it used to).

It is a sin to drive past Asheville without dropping by the Chocolate Lounge. With YTY driving as if she had just come off the lot, we had much to celebrate.

Two words: liquid truffle. "What is that?" you say. Only the most divine drink you will ever taste in your life. I scraped my little mug clean. Brian was in heaven, adding a piece of cake, a brownie, and a cookie as well.

It was a great first day. We got into Nashville just after midnight. YTY averaged 36 miles/gallon. Gonna make it. Gonna make it. Gonna make it. . .

One Final Road Trip. . .

At the ripe old age of 20, and after 12 years with me, YTY is ready for her swan song. I bought the car (1991 Honda Civic) for $3,000. It had 122,000 miles at the time. Nearing 300,000 miles, Emily and I had been talking about what road trip we would take to commemorate the milestone. Instead of flying to Utah with Em and Asha, I'll be driving from Raleigh to SLC with my throwback sidekick Brian. We have shared many-a-mile in that car already, although it has been a number of years since we hit the road together. The adventure begins tomorrow. The probable itinerary consists of Raleigh to Nashville to Kansas City to Berthoud to Salt Lake. ETA = Monday night. YTY will reach 300,000 somewhere in Kansas, I'm guessing, at which time a wild rumpus will ensue. We'll be posting pics and stories as we go, and hope you respond with your own YTY memories along the way.

8 months

Measuring this little bug has become quite tricky

now that she likes to sit up, roll, and quasi crawl.

Eight months. Eight grateful months!

The grossest thing ever
happened while I was getting out our Christmas decorations -
which are mostly handmade treasures from little Jonny Lingo.
I found a 20+ year old gingerbread man ornament
that was as soft as if it had been baked yesterday
and covered in mold.
Yuck.

Up waaaaaaay past her bedtime
watching the Christmas devotional -
love those sleepy little eyeballs.
Her new favorite pastime ...

heavenly blissaka sunday afternoon naps