Hi my MIP friends......we're back!!!

For those wondering, the vacation was lovely!  It wa SO nice to be able to relax and let someone else drive (it's been 20 years) and to spend time with my wonderful family doing exactly what we wanted, for as long as we wanted, and to be able to relax and do nothing if we wanted!

We started with the LONG drive first and then slept overnight.  Luray caverns was very enjoyable (despite the steps from h**l...lol).  I didn't think I was going to make it up the last 10-20, but hubby and dear daughter were right there with me...slowly and steadily helping (along with my trusty cane) and we made it just fine.  The park has changed quite a bit, so I didn't get the same experience I had hoped for, but it was still lovely.  My daughter LOVED the amethysts crystals so we were able to bring her one home for a souveni.  We also enjoyed the photo ops and the old car museum, along with the "gem mining" there.

After a relaxing swim in the pool (we did that alot to help relieve sore muscle), we enjoyed Pigeon Forge, and then Gatlinburg....especially the Ripley's aquarium and taking that old time photos.  We also went to Cherokee (which has suffered a great deal over the years) and on to some other small tourist destinations and then spent our last day "mining" for gems in a really lovely area (where you could dig your own or choose from salted or unsalted buckets of pre-dug dirt).  We did a little of both and collected quite a few specifies that I am going to use to make a lovely "display" table with.  I have an antique (but not valuable) table with a removable glass top that is going to be perfect for the project.

Overall, I think this was one of the best trips I can remember....mostly because I didn't set my expectations too high and kept it real.  We  fought food to keep costs down and only had to pay for one hotel night (because we used a reward program), so that helped too.  AH did seem to struggle at times with (wanting a drink), but he never mentioned it and tried very hard to stay in the moment,  we only had a brief period of "dry drunk" behavio, so I am very thankful for that.  

i also had to remind myself several times to stay on my side of the street and to keep in the moment and to stop projecting...but the Serenity Prayer was a great way for me to redirect my thinking.  

He met with his sponsor yesterday and attended a meeting, so I'm proud to say things went very well (all things considered...especially the fact that we are very used to a large amount of alone time at home and were staying in the same car and same room together for a solid 8 days/nights, without a break.  I think that is an achievement for any family!!!  Lol

Thank you to all who wished us well and especially to those who gave suggestions on staying on the moment and using my tools.  Without them, I don't think this would have been the same experience.....and it most certainly would not have been a positive one.  

Now if I can ever just catch up on the clothes, the cleaning, and the paperwork....lol