ROADTRIP... A FAMILY PORTRAIT

For those of you who are still paying attention... Yes, I am still talking about my fabulous four week road trip across the US that happened one million years ago!

We last left off in Cleveland at the Gospel Brunch.

Later on in the week, the whole family got together again for a major combo event of an early Thanksgiving dinner, pumpkin carving and a weenie roast. Before the festivities began we took a few minutes to grab some family shots.

From Left: My oldest sister , my other sister , Myself and my big bro.

My sister's boyfriend and my oldest sister (exactly what is she reaching for??), the figure looming behind my oldest sister is my nephew, then my other sister, the son and my mom. The big flamer behind my mom is me, next to my brother is continued with his fiance-to-be and her son.

The only new face in this one is Stuart... Oh and now you can actually see my nephew's face. Something is happening off to the left (or is the right?) but only my sister and I can see it. Must be dead people!

This photo was taken directly facing the sun so that there would not be any shadows... as you can see it so totally worked!!!

CLEVELAND... GOSPEL BRUNCH

The Sunday after we arrived in Cleveland, we all friends and family piled into a car and went to the weekly Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues.

We were suffering from severe sinusitus due to the drastic downward change of weather traveling from Las Vegas to Cleveland, nothing a good southern food buffet and a few mimosas wouldn't cure!

Everyone gorged on cornbread, chicken and waffles, macaroni and cheese and grits.

On stage our hostess brought down the house with her gospel style and loving ways. At one point we had to turn to a neighbour we did not know and say "Neighbour, I love you and there is nothing you can do about it!"

Stuart was hand picked to go up on stage and do a dance. I did not capture any photos of him getting down, but one of my friends did. They are hilarious! Unfortunately I have not been able to get copies of those photos yet.

It also happened to be around the time of my brother's fiance-to-be and her son's birthday, so they even got up on stage and we all (as the House of Blues choir) sang "Happy Birthday" to them and a few other people who really don't matter.

I tried and I tried bu our hostess did not stay in one spot long enough to get a clear shot.



So earlier I mentioned the food. It was actually surprisingly good considering the fact that it was the House of Blues and it was a buffet. However I especially recommend the cornbread. It has reminded me of my love of spoonbread, which I am now dying to make.

So if anyone has a good recipe, please share with the rest of the class!

ROADTRIP... IN THE COUNTRY

Today we did not see any wild turkeys.

The excitement of today was gathering firewood. Why was this so exciting?

It wasn't except for the son because my mom taught him how to drive a tractor!

ROADTRIP... CLEVELAND, WELL ALMOST

After a flight from Las Vegas, we hired a car at the airport and drove an hour to my mother's house in the Ohio countryside.

Before I begin, You will need a short history lesson. My Great-Grandma owned half of this town back in the 1910s/20s. She then divided her property up amongst her kids, who then did the same to their kids.

My immediate family grew up in the city but it has always been my mother's dream to escape the city hustle and bustle and build a home on the land where she grew up. About 10 years ago she finally accomplished this dream and built a quaint house on her inherited parcel of land.

This is my mother's house.



If you turn left on my mother's road, you will find my grandma's house next door. This is also the house that my mom grew up in.




If you turn right on my mom's road:




It will lead you to my Uncle Doug's property, which is next to my Aunt Shirley's property, which is next to my Uncle John and Aunt Jan's house, which is next to my Aunt Judy's house, which is next to my cousin's house.

Confused yet? Well on the other side of my Grandma's house begins my Grandpa's side of the family.

The closest grocery store to my mom is over 25 minutes away, and is mainly frequented by the local amish community. So what is the hottest activity to do at my mom's house?

Sit on the deck and look at her backyard.



Sometimes things get crazy when a group of wild turkeys run by.



If you are lucky you will see two groups. We were lucky.

Dear ______ ,

Dear Joseph,

Thank you! Welcome and stop by often! It is great to see a new face!


Dear Grandma J,

A cow walked into your car? Don't tell me that the farmer then tried to milk you.

I wait with bated breath every week to see which movie you choose. Those are the hard decisions in life. Do you ever choose a movie that you then regret seeing and immediately attend the next session of your second choice?

Also, what is your theatre snack of desire? (I was going to say 'choice' but realised I used that word to end the previous sentence.)


Dear Pumpkin Delight,

I was so devasted to miss seeing New Kids on the Block... and why are they still going by that name? I suggest a change to Old Men Around the Block.

It was Cher's last night performing (until later in the year) and I since I missed her 10 other farewell tours, I was bursting at the seams to see this one... until I got the price of the only tickets available.


Dear Katie,

Taking photos all day long is hard work! I don't know how you do it with such ease! I bow to your talents.


Dear Jason,

It's a deal! Did you go to one of the protests this past weekend?


Sorry to make this so short. I have been running around all day chasing MY NEW PUPPY!!!!

lOVE, Hula Hank

ROADTRIP... VEGAS BY MOONLIGHT

Las Vegas should only be seen at night. This town, whilst oddly placed in the middle of a scorching hot desert, was never meant to be seen in the harsh noon sun.

The lights! The people! The shows! The food!!!

The most famous Las Vegas night time attraction hands down are the fountain outside of the Bellagio. Every 15 minutes the fountain springs to life and dances to music. When you look at these photos, imagine Viva Las Vegas playing in the background.

Speaking of shows, You might be thinking, "Did we see any of the five different Cirque de Soleil shows or Cher or Bette Midler or Elton John or David Copperfield or even New Kids on the Block?"

The answer is No, we went to Vegas and did not gamble drink or see any shows. Just a tip if you are taking kids to Vegas: Vegas is a great place to take kids and Vegas is an even better place for adults, but the two worlds do not meet!

So long story short, if you go to Sin City with kids, be prepared to not partake in any sin.

ROADTRIP... VEGAS BY DAYLIGHT

What is a trip to Vegas without going to Ceasar's Palace hotel?

This immaculately decorated hotel is set up to appear as Ancient Rome. They even have warriors walking around at times. This year Ceasar's Palace's revolving entertainment roster is Cher, Bette Midler and Elton John.

I know what you are thinking? "So what is the decor like Ceaser's Palace?"

Well, the floors are marble and the statues are styrofoam:

The most fabulous of the statues was a giant replica of Michaelangelo's David.



I know what your dirty minds are thinking and I am right there with you: