Friday, November 28, 2008

Live, from the Springfield Public Library...

It's Nutwood Junction!

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a fun Thanksgiving. Sorry I haven't had a chance to update, but this is the first chance we've had to get online. This library is fabulous, by the way (she said, as she sipped her fruit smoothie in the library cafe).

We had an uneventful trip here, although we did notice that it seemed to be the annual driving outing of Teh Stoopid Institute, and all of them were on the same roads we were taking! What is with people? Our favorite was when someone would be riding our ass, so we'd slow down in order to get in the right lane and let them pass. Then they'd slow down, and we'd be boxed in. There were a couple of times when I thought Ken was going to spontaneously combust, but thankfully, disaster was averted.

I've mentioned before that I lived in Indianapolis for 7 years. It's been several years since I've been back, and that was the route we took--down to Indy, over to St. Louis, and on down to Springfield. I was stunned to see all the growth around Indy. I barely recognized the northwest side, where I lived when I first moved there, and the northern part of the city has sprouted tall office buildings like weeds. I guess it's an up-and-coming city, but I told Ken that I think I moved away at the right time, and I'm glad I did. I loved the city, but I enjoy the rural life a lot more.

We stopped in Terre Haute for lunch at a place called Cheeseburger in Paradise. I think this is a chain of restaurants, but we'd never eaten at one before. It was very good, and our choices were met with approval by Melissa, our "Islander," and holder of the title of World's Most Talkative Server. I'm not kidding, I have never had anyone talk us up as much as she did. The kitchen staff brought our plates, and there was Melissa: "Is everything okay? Can I get you anything else?" We said no, everything looked fine. I took 3 bites of my broccoli, and there was Melissa: "How is everything?" I had a mouthful of broccoli, so I just nodded and made the "okay" hand signage. She was very sweet and very attentive, but at that point, I wanted to say, "Melissa, I've had 3 bites of broccoli, which is indeed delicious. However, I haven't had time to smell my quesadilla, let alone taste it. Perhaps you'd like to let me take a couple of bites before I pronounce judgement on my meal." It was a little too much, know what I mean?

It gets darker much earlier now, so the last hour and a half or so, we drove in darkness. We were happy to get to Ken's mom's place and relax, believe me. (Apparently Teh Stoopid Institute outing was a 24 hour affair.) We had a nice time catching up, and then had a late dinner. Thanksgiving was a low-key day, and Ken's mom made a small turkey for the four of us, with all the usual sides. After a few errands today, Ken and I ended up here at the library, then it will be back home for turkey sammitches!

Guess where one of our errands was? Walmart! Ken's mom had to get a prescription filled, and we picked up a couple of things for weekend dinners. I didn't think I'd get anywhere near a store today, but I actually set foot inside of one! It really didn't seem all that busy, but the parking lot seemed pretty full there and at all the other shopping places around, so Ken and I speculate that Black Friday might not be outstanding this year, but most places will probably end up doing okay.

No pictures for you yet, but I'll get some. One thing I want to get a picture of us the lovely Munger Moss Motel sign. The Munger Moss is in Lebanon, Missouri, and is a Route 66 fixture. It's still operating, and is apparently a pretty decent place to stay. I could see the sign on the way down, and it was dark enough that the neon was lit--what a beautiful sign! So I'll get a little bit of a googie fix on the way back!

I've bonded with Scamper the Rotund, Ken's mom's cat. Scamper is a round mound already, but he also has incredibly long fur, so he looks incredibly fat! He's a good kitty, and he came right over to me when we first got there, so I think he remembered us! I miss Sheeba a lot, but I know his Uncle Shane is taking good care of him! Oh, and Ken's mom cracked me up this morning. She was reading the paper, and there was a picture of Rahm Emanuel in there. She said, "You know, I think that Rahm Emanuel is kind of nice-looking. In a sort of debonair way." So of course, I had to tell her about my Rahm Emanuel poll!

Ken is off at one of the library computers, so I'll finish up here and try to catch up on reading a few of your entries until he finishes up and comes back to collect me. I hope you're all having a lovely, long weekend! If I don't get back here before we leave, we'll be returning Monday evening, so I'll see you all then for sure. I may not get to very many of your blogs, so be patient with me, and I'll be back in normal operating mode before too long.

23 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you're having a nice holiday in Springfield.

    The Munger Moss is more than just pretty decent! It's one of the best mom n' pop motels on Route 66. Ramona Lehmann has owned it for years, and she makes sure the rooms are in tip top shape at all times. I've stayed there a number of times. It's especially great in the summer, when people tend to congretate and party at the pool. (If you stop in Lebanon again on the way home, try the catfish at Dyer's. Yum!

    Ok, carry on with your fun weekend, and have a safe trip home!

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  2. Did you leave talky Melissa 15%? Times are too tough for a serve to leave anything to chance, so she chatted away, eased some of her own worries. She is LUCKY she didn't get me as a guest ... I would have talked her ear off!

    Could care less about the shopping. I don't think they would tell us if the sales were good or not ... making excuses for future shortages and price jumps!

    That is cool when you are remembered by a pet! Would not mind riding cross country on Route 66 ... I will have to get a driver though.

    Enjoy your trip!

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  3. Glad that you two had a safe trip up country. Looking forward to seeing your pictures. Hugs, Helen

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  4. I'm glad that you made it safely. Have a wonderful time & be careful coming back home.

    HUGS:)

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  5. Ah sweet Melissa sounds like she may have been just a touch too much! I hate when I have to give the "hand okay" because I can't talk. They showed the lines of shoppers on the news at our local shopping spots and it looked packed. Sounds like you are having a nice weekend, enjoy!

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  6. Wow, I missed you guys already! Have a safe trip home. Looking forward to seeing your photos.

    Hugs, Rose

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  7. Glad you guys had a safe trip and enjoyed the hoilday.

    Have a good weekend

    Yasmin
    xx

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  8. Hey Chickie, I MISS YOU ! Glad your having a good time. Cant wait to see some pictures.
    Take Care

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  9. Hi Beth,
    Thanks for the update ... enjoy the trip. You know, if you stop back at that Cheeseburger in Paradise place again, why don't you try telling the waitress that you're deathly allergic to Cheeseburgers. That Cheeseburgers=Certain Death. Maybe you could insist that they change the menu and the name of the restaurant to something classier like "The Stuffed Mushroom."
    Best,
    Marty

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  10. Beth tahnks for taking time to keep s up to date with your news. Mis syou each day you are off line . Glad you are having a good thanksgiving
    Love Sybil xx

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  11. Glad to hear you are having a good time and that your Thanksgiving was nice. Enjoy the rest of your time there and have a safe trip home. Linda

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  12. didja hear about the walmart employee being trampled to death (he was a temp among other things which will not bode well for the family who tries to sue the evil empire)?

    i hate shopping although i do need to pop out later and get some chart paper, a pair of shoes and some ink for my printer.

    have a safe trip home.

    xxalainaxx

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  13. glad you made it safe and sound and are enjoying...
    hugs

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  14. Sounds like a great trip Beth. I'm glad you guys are enjoying yourself. My ex's people all live in the Indy area so I know it well. I have a step-son that I am close to that lives in Indy. Over the last 10 years or so I have watched it change rather dramatically.
    Hugs, Joyce

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  15. Glad yall had a safe trip. There are no shortage of idiots on the road are there. We can all have our very own and then a few more. ;) Sounds like a nice time at Kens moms.

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  16. sounded like you had a blast!
    Have a great rest of the weekend!
    natalie

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  17. Glad things are going well! I hope you guys stay safe and get plenty of rest when you get back. Have a great day tomorrow.

    Peace&Love
    Wes

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  18. Hello I am glad you had a great weekend. Did you hear the story about that poor Walmart worker? The crowd actually crushed him to death. How horrible that a human being can step on another human and keep going? I feel so bad for his family.
    Well I hope you have a safe trip home.
    Bye Lynne

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  19. A fruit smoothie and everything? Wow!

    If you don't get back here soon, some of us, no names, are going to plotz. And, believe me, you don't want to see us plotz.

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  20. How thoughtful! Taking time to post
    while your on a trip, just cause you
    knew we'd be missing you two. So
    good to hear you are enjoying it.
    Drive safely, and take care. Pat

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  21. I tend to swear a bit when I'm driving but I smile while I'm swearing. I figure people who drive "stoopid" probably would have no problem with chasing down and beating the crap out of a woman shouting obscenities at them. I'm a coward at heart.

    Glad you had a lovely Thanksgiving!

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  22. I'm glad you checked in. Glad to know you got to Ken's mom's safely (despite the stoopid drivers)and are having a nice time. Stay safe!

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  23. Thanks for a great holiday little travel buddy :o)

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I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you?