Drug Sniffing Dogs

So, I've officially started my journey back home. This trip has, so far, been more comfortable than the first and I'm not entirely sure why.

Perhaps that the power/wifi have been working without a hitch, perhaps that I rearranged my bags so my backpack doesn't weigh as much as it did. More likely than not, it's because I now know what to expect and came into this trip with realistic expectations. Between that and the fact that the busses I've been on so far have made less frequent stops, I've been able to snag a few hours of sleep at a time as opposed to little snippets.

We are currently somewhere between Louisville, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio. Bus is fairly full but, lucky for me, I don't have a seatmate.

I wanted to get some thoughts down about something I'd never had reason to give much thought to. When I left Maine, I was blown away by two things: no one asked to see my ID and there was no luggage screening process. I finally did get asked for ID when I was leaving Buffalo, NY and most stops thereafter. In Memphis, on the trip down, we all boarded up to leave and suddenly on the bus is this Hulk Hogan looking policeman/DEA guy and his partner who reminded me a lot of Kip Dynamite. They were a funny pair to look at. They came through the bus, talking to all the passengers, looking at IDs and tickets, asking where we were coming from, where we were headed, why and for how long. They also did a quick search of cabin bags. In the end, they pulled someone off the bus, grabbed his bags from below, cuffed him and we drove away. Fascinating.

Just now in Louisville, there were two police dogs who ran the inside of the bus and the underside where all the checked bags are. They alerted a few times and those bags were pulled out, their owners found and taken away to be searched. In the end, all three people who were questioned/searched ended up back on the bus so obviously nothing was found. I got to thinking how much of a regular thing this must be for the bus stations. One of the station workers said that last year the dogs in Louisville sniffed out forty five pounds of cocaine. Whoa. That's a stinking lot of drugs. I also wondered if the police request passenger rosters of at least the larger cities to run against their warrant lists. It would make sense and, honestly, would make me feel better about this whole thing.

I'm certainly not a paranoid person but I do firmly believe that the security processes in place at airports are there for a reason and I have no problem complying. If I am traveling, I don't see these stops as a delay or an annoyance, I  recognize that these are in place to keep me as safe as possible and I appreciate that. I really do.

These dogs today found nothing but I take comfort in that they alerted and their alerts were taken seriously. Had there been something shady going down, I have no doubt that it would have been addressed and dealt with. That is nice to know.

So, a quick little thanks that y'all will probably never see to all of the folks who do security. Not just in the realm of travel but everyone. I sincerely appreciate all that you do, putting yourselves in potentially dangerous situations to keep me safe. I personally say it every chance I get but should any one actually stumble upon this silly little blog of mine: thank you. Your job is hard and one that I surely wouldn't want and I am so appreciative that you are willing to step up and fill that spot in the name of living a peaceable life.

Good morning from the natural state

I woke up in Arkansas this morning!
The trip down was interesting to say the least. It wasn't BAD but it was long and exhausting​. I thought I'd be more up to posting from the road but nope. I just wanted to pass the time as easily and quickly as possible.

My bestest has the most comfortable chair I've ever sat in and that's where I slept. I slept so well. Don't even think I woke up once!

So, I got in yesterday. We came back to the apartment and hung out for awhile. Then we brought her husband to work, went to Sonic (seriously, the limeade!) and then she had a doctor's appointment. After that, we came back here and chatted and napped until it was time to go pick her hubs up from work.

Today, I'm not sure what's going on. I know we need to do groceries. And there's a lot of things she'd like to hang on the walls to decorate. Time will tell.

What I love most about her is that we don't need to be doing anything amazing to have a great time. We just genuinely enjoy eachother and that's enough.

The sun is starting to throw some light. The birds are singing outside. I can already tell that, no matter what today brings, it's going to be a great one. I hope you can say the same!

Today's the day!

I start my trip to Arkansas today! Bus leaves here about 2p and I get to North Little Rock on Friday morning. I'm excited. I'm nervous about leaving my husband, kiddos and dog. I know that's​ ridiculous but that's the way this brain works!

Why am I going? That's where my best friend lives. Her Daddy just passed away and I need to go give her a hug.

Why am I bussing? The cost was $700 less than flying. Easy decision.

How am I going to sleep? Um... Hmm. I'm basically not. Haha! Tomorrow morning is my first long bus ride so I'll be able to snooze on that one but sleep isn't in the cards for tonight!

I'm thinking I'll probably do a longer travel post but we'll see. I'll have a lot of time to pass, that's for sure!

Smells like Saturday to me!

On the surface, it seems almost a little silly for a stay at home mom to look forward to the weekend. I mean, my days are all basically the same. But weekends, beautiful weekends, my husband is home when we all wake up instead of already being at work. We all lounge in our beds until our bladders make us move. Downstairs, the girls usually cozy up with their tablets and a blanket while he and i get the coffee flowing. The dog curls up with whichever kid is the warmest. Saturdays are Chris's unofficial day to make breakfast.

I'm not sure exactly how it happened but I think it was pancakes. I'm a pretty good cook. I experiment with recipes and usually get a good result. Pancakes, though? I can't make a good pancake to save my life! Chris is the king of pancakes. Perfectly golden, thick and fluffy, round and uniform. Every time. So, if the girls request pancakes for breakfast, the job goes to daddy. If he's working, I offer up french toast or, my favorite, waffles. If I recall correctly, the kids were on a pancake kick and kept asking for them. I tried and failed- seriously, why can't I do it?!- but the job waited for him for Saturday. And then again the next Saturday. And the next. So, the following week, he got up all prepared to make pancakes and they didn't want them so I got to choose. Omelette. Love me a good omelette! The trend of him cooking Saturday morning breakfast has just continued on from there.  Sometimes he takes requests, sometimes he freestyles it but it is always delicious. Always.

Today, he made omelettes for me and the little one. He made himself a sausage, egg and cheese sandwich. And the big kid declined his breakfast offerings and got herself some cereal.

We all have full bellies, the sun is shining, the coffee is flowing, the girls are getting along beautifully (subject to change at any moment, trust me!) and the dog has chosen me as the warmest to snuggle up to. The house smells delicious, I can see snow melting outside.... The Saturday-ness is palpable.

Whatever you do today, do it greatly. Be present. Focus on the people you're with instead of what's next, your phone or the growing to do list. Until next time!

Oh, hello!

You know how sometimes, when you have an idea, it's all you can think about? And, so, you bring it to fruition, you do the thing, you create the blog. And, once it's done, the mind goes just as blank as the page you are staring at.

That ever happen to you? No?
Just me?
Hmm.

I had the idea to create a blog. I don't have any real direction for it. Perhaps that will come with time, perhaps it will remain a place to let my mind roam free. Whatever it becomes, it's mine for me to do as I please. Ramble. Rant. Explore. Review. Discover. All welcome here.

So, here's a little about me just in case anyone actually does happen upon this.
*I'm a 32 year old wife and mother in the Northeast.
*My husband and I are approaching our 8 year anniversary.
*We have two daughters, ages seven and nearly six, and a crazy, big eared dog.
*I homeschool our children, toying with unschooling concepts which seem to work better for our day to day.
*We own our home (perhaps I'll write about projects?) and recently bought a chunk of undeveloped land upstate that we plan on turning into our family camp and, potentially, a retirement property when the time comes.
*I'm fairly addicted to coffee. Seems like I can never get enough.
*I often feel craftier than I am.
*This one you may have guessed: I absolutely LOVE Gilmore Girls.

Remember when Jess got 'beaked' by a swan? Season 3, episode 13. That's where this blog gets its name. Watch out for the swans. Just random enough to keep expectations at bay but also pays homage to my favorite show. I originally wanted to call it monkey, monkey underpants (and did, subsequently, tie it in above) but a quick Google told me that title was already in use by multiple folks so.... I also considered CopperBoom but it just didn't have the ring to it that I was looking for.

Anyway. Welcome to my random blog. Kick your shoes off, grab a cup of coffee and a cozy blankie. Make yourself comfortable and stick around for awhile!