Three strikes, but I'm still in there...

Last week, Pam and I had the opportunity to go to NY to take care of Quinn for three days.  The NY schools had something like a mid-winter ski week vacation, so all the schools were closed.  With Doug and Danika still having to work, they asked us if "we would mind coming over to be with Quinn for a few days."  I don't even think Grandma had logged off the computer before she had the kennel on the line to check for openings. 

They have another week off in April sometime, and Grandpa Randy and Grandma Margret will get to be with him.  Probably not much hesitation on their part either!!

Anyway, that's not the story line.  Let me tell you of the trials leading up to getting out of our driveway and then I'll relate some Quinn moments.

I had somehow contracted a pretty good sinus cold (Strike One) just a couple of days before going.  I thought it would go away pretty quickly because these sorts of things do with me.  I was sniffling pretty good, but that wasn't going to stop me.  So out to the garage with the last piece of luggage and the dog's things for the kennel.  I then brought out Bailey, lifted her up into the back of the Jeep and began to pull down the back door.  All of a sudden, "WHACK!#*%!!" -- the leading edge of the tailgate came crashing down across the bridge of my nose (Strike Two).  I saw a few stars and felt my knees get a bit weaker, but I didn't go down.  I did have a handful of blood though. 

So now, I had a nose full of sinus junk and yuck from the aforementioned karate chop from the tailgate.  Fortunately, my nose wasn't broken, but I figured I would need an orange wide load triangle to hang around my neck.  After a few choice words, we were off, complete with cold cloth on my nose.

The drive was pretty uneventful and we made it in just under 10 hours, door to door.  I guess I was owed one because there was a parking place right in front of their apartment that opened up just as we drove up.

The best part of the day, however was the greeting I got from Quinn when we walked in the house.  He came running across the room yelling "Grandpa, Grandpa" and jumped up for me to catch him.

 I wasn't much count the first day there, but got better after that.  We visited the NY Aquarium (I drove straight to it -- piece of cake).  We read some books, played with most of his toys, and went to the "water-fish park" (but didn't stay too long because it was very windy and cold).

 We also baked cookies, and Pam and he made stick toys and other things with his art supplies. Unfortunately with all my sinus issues, Pam got saddled with most of the morning time, but she wasn't complaining.

 

This is called "The Happy Cookie Dance."

The trip back was fine -- a little snow in the PA mountains, but nothing stuck to the roads where we were.  The Jeep got a little over 25 m.p.g. on the way over, but only about 19.7 on the way back (20-30 m.p.h. head winds all day long).

So now, it's almost a week later, and the sinus infection is getting better, and the nose didn't swell up too much.  No black and blue.  I do have one word of caution however, if you want to try one of those breathe-right strips, just beware that if you put it on tightly you may peel off skin when you take it off (Strike Three).  For the last two days, it looks like I had been in some sort of fist fight.

Oh, and one other thing -- I would caution you against trying to shave  while sniffling.  I got a pretty good shaving cut (Strike Four ?) doing that.

Given the ups and downs, the ups (being with D,D&Q and Pam in NY) far outweighed the downs.  I'll take a visit with them any time!!

Grandparents, like heroes, are as necessary to a child's growth as vitamins. (Joyce Allston)
 
Hooah