Been Away For a While

Last week I had to go on a business trip. It was kind of last minute so I decided to drive the 5 and a half hours. Since I was driving, Arial decided to come along (bringing Frances of course).

Frances did about as well in the car as can be expected. No major crying fits or anything. Although the first night we got there, we wanted to get some local food. But Frances had been in the car all day and didn't want to be in it any more, even if we were hunting for a good restaurant. So when we saw a large man walking with some KFC (meaning there was one close) we quickly gave up our hope for local cuisine and got some chicken.

It was pretty warm while we were there and the hotel had a pool. So, everyday I took Frances swimming.

Now, you know how sometimes the water is a little cold at first but after you get used to it it is fine? Well it turns out that part of the "getting used to it" is moving and generating your own heat. Curling yourself into a little ball and trying to snuggle close to the large person holding you is not going to get you warm. None of our swimming sessions lasted longer than ten minutes.

The longest time we spent swimming was when I finally figured out (based on something Arial suggested) that when I lifted her out of the water and then put her down (in a fun manner) that she would kick her legs. This got her to the point were she didn't look cold. She also seemed to enjoy it. Unfortunately, that day I was keeping her from her nap and she was tired (and therefore grumpy). That session didn't last that long ether.

One of the guys I was working with gave me a tip on a good, "organic" restaurant. They apparently package their food and sell it in grocery stores (or co-ops, I guess). We thought we would give it a try.

We learned two things:

1. Restaurants that only serve organic food are expensive. Pesticides are used for a reason and part of that is to keep costs down.
2. We don't like "wholesome" food. After our pricey meal where we consumed what looked like a reasonable amount of food, we were still hungry.

So, we went to the grocery store, bought a half gallon of ice cream and since we didn't have a freezer, tried to eat the whole thing by ourselves.

And we very nearly did.

mwz
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