all this driving business is putting a cramp in mrs. g's style
Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 6:21AM Mrs. G. 
"Court of the Patriarchs, Zion National Park," Utah
Mrs. G. left Seattle dedicated to the notion that she was going to post each day before she went to bed and, frankly, it is making her left eye twitch that she is behind schedule. Each day and the amazing people in it are worth many, many words and photos and Mrs. G. isn't going to short them.
But you know if you don't have wi-fi at bedtime or long breaks at coffee shops in the day (she's in a Utah Starbucks now), you just have to force yourself to roll with it or take half a Xanax like Mrs. G. had to last night to quit fretting about it. The same is true when you arrive at meet up with your huge ass, Priceless, Folk Art Cat but forgot your camera in the bookbag at the house in which you are staying many, many miles away.
So here is how Mrs. G. is going to deal with it today (and it's killing her): out of order and in brief, placeholder glimpses. Full posts will appear when they are completed.
Here are the Idaho derfs after an evening of food, drink and laughter. You would not believe the similarities and coincidences that emerged within ten minutes of four women who had never met sitting down together in a booth (more on those similarities and coincidences later). From left to right: Mrs. G, Melanie, Lisa V and Sharon C.
Thank you, lovely ladies, for such a wonderful, raucous but relaxing evening. Sharon, we started eating the taffy the second we got in Melanie's door, so you and your candy choices are loved.
Mrs. G. is nearly done with a movie about her trip to the zoo, zoo, zoo.
Mrs. G. is pulling out of Salt Lake City in a few minutes and she has not one photo to show for it -- except on her phone which is going to require someone with beyond-Amish technological savvy to figure out how to get the photos from her phone to her computer.
What she does have, right now, is great affection for Gail W for putting her up in one of the coolest houses Mrs. G. has ever been in and with such warm and cozy hospitality, Gail's cat, Duchess, who sat on the edge of Mrs. G's bed last night and glared at her until the Xanax kicked in Mrs. G. fell asleep and Stephanie O, the gorgeous, upbeat homeschooling mom of three boys. Mrs. G. had a great dinner with Gail and Stephanie last night, and if Mrs. G. hadn't had to get up and haul ass to Colorado today, she could have sat in that deli half the night shooting the breeze with these two cool women.
A Few Fun Facts
Cups of coffee consumed: 2 triple lattes
Miles driven: 360
Bridges crossed: 2
Tears shed: 0
Serial killers encountered: 0
Number of 911 calls: 1 (More on that later...Mrs. G. thought a plane was trying to attack cars on the freeway)
Things Mrs. G. decided she wanted to do as she was driving: eat more saltwater taffy, add window boxes to her bedroom windows, listen to more music at home -- not just NPR and learn to knit right.
Internet, you are out 'o sight.
I Am A Derfwad/Summer 2012
Reader Comments (40)
YAY! I'm glad you're having such a good time. I cant wait to show you some East Cost Hospitality. Don't fret about the camera. It will get back to you. Don't fret about posting everyday. I think I speak for most of us when I say that we just want to know that you've made it to the next destination. Posts can wait. We'll all look forward to the updates and the round up, when the adventure is over!!!
It sounds like so much fun! Don't fret about getting posts and photos up asap, we *can* wait. I have a vested interest in you not burning out.
At least not before Ithaca.It's so wonderful that you are having this experience, and it's so fun to see it unfolding. I hope my schedule will allow me to be a part of it in Philly!
You know that I mean that I don't want you to burn out at all. So take it as easy as you can. When I was in France last summer, I was going to post every night. And I was staying in one place. Did it happen?? Hell no. Only 3 posts in 2 weeks. But I wrote more about it when I got back.
Yep, I agree, don't fret and just enjoy. We want this to be all about bonding and being in the moment for you. Stay safe and happy trails.
For reals? The butterflies, I mean.
Yep, real butterflies.
I only fret because writing winds me down after such full days. I don't feel pressured by you hussies.
Leaving Starbucks. xoxoxo
Take it easy and write when you can. We are a patient lot. What Regina said. Jessie I hope you can get to Philly!
Don't worry about it Mrs. G! Just kick back and go with it! Isn't that exactly what that sandwich-lovin' pirate of your dreams would want you to do?
As far as photos on your phone, could you email them to your email address as an attachment? Then view/save on your laptop?
i'm with Regina....don't worry about posting so much everyday....just a quick message as to where you are...and those stats/fun facts. we know that when this is all said and done, you'll find the time to fill in the blanks!! (did you get a little recorder to talk to? that would make later posting so much easier!!)
drive safely...please tell Colorado "hello" and that i miss her....
love the butterflies...and the fact that they love your hair AND your stainfree bosom make that shot just perfect!!!
float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.....get on down the road and you can tell us all about in serveral, many post later.
Meanwhile I am following your ever move!
love,love, love seeing more of the family!
I get the urge to write, really I do but maybe you could cut yourself a break and just do notes then turn them into posts when life allows. Whatever works for you sister, whatever works for you.
Love you no matter what. Run, Forrest, run. :D
you must have stopped at the Starbucks in Foothill Village. Did you stop at the drive-thru coffee shop before getting on the freeway?
You might consider having your host-Derfs and party-Derfs put together posts for you.
Maybe a link to their blogs when they post them would be all you'd need to do.
I could feel your anguish last night. I dreamed about the Derf tour!
Love those butterflies, can't wait to see the zoo movie! Hey I think out of order is good, it makes us work a little harder and fires up some of those non-linear brain cells. See you this evening...
Oh and DebK: Colorado misses you too! (she told me so just this morning)
Oh dear perfectionist, you will be stronger for the struggle! You are doing great. Don't hold yourself to impossible standards. Just enjoy the trip and know that we are all enjoying it right along with you even if you are out of order in your briefs... (sorry, I seem to have a courtroom sitcom running in my head this morning)
i really wish that blogger had a *like* button on here....no, make that a *love* button, because i'm lovin' DATdeborah's comment (hugs all over the place when you all meet up a "cheers" for me please) and....
when i first read Gina's comment, i very quickly flashed on mrs. g in a courtroom...in some very stylish boxer shorts.
yep....i'm headed to bed with a smile.
thanks ladies.
"Your Honor, I am a Derfwad.."
It was FUN, FUN, FUN getting together with you in Idaho - too short, though! Looking forward to reading about the rest of your wonderful trip! Blog link in my name.
I really can't wait to hear more about the 911 call. And you are so beautiful standing there with the butterflies on you.
This is nothing short of awesome. To me, the only way it could be more awesome is if I were with you. In my dream, this happens annually and I become the chauffeur....
I fed your son a pot of chilli (made myself, and not bad) and chocolate satin pie. The dog abides.
Stay well, stay safe.
Well, I can't meet up in Colorado when you come through, so a big shout out from Colorado Springs as you pass by north of me! Enjoying the postings. And knitting? For the birds. No forgiveness for mistakes. Crocheting is much kinder. I am taking a road trip and brining a new crochet project with me next week.
9-1-1 call? I immediately thought, "What would Mr. G. think?" and then he posts a comment above. Awesome. (Seriously, "The dog abides" made me choke with laughter.)
I'd already hopped over to Sharon's blog since I read the music post first and figured out it was she who had sent it to you. I love a fellow music lover!
Short posts, a few pictures, and we are satisfied until you can post again. Take notes and rest easy! ENJOY!! You look absolutely radiant, Mrs. G.
Sending love to you. ♥
Ooo, this makes me very excited for Toledo! :-) Happy driving!
Mrs. G, if you have an Android phone, view the picture, hit menu, and look for a selection called Share. press Share, then select email or Facebook and it will send the picture to your chosen destination as an attachment. Hope this helps.
nb
You all look so marvelous!!!
Don't sweat about posting out of order, mrs. g! But I'm dying for the 911 call story!
As Norm says, you can email your photos to yourself (or anywhere) if you want!
Looking forward to you coming to Lincoln, NE tomorrow - and staying over at our little B and B. Lazlo's here we come..... We do have wifi, but don't worry about posts. When I go on a trip I can barely write anything in my trip diary. Safe travels!
Mrs. G - you might have more of an weather adventure in Texas than you bargained for.. You never know!!! Too early to tell but just a Heads Up!
http://blog.chron.com/sciguy/2012/06/gulf-disturbance-grows-now-may-ultimately-track-toward-texas/
Looking forward to seeing you!
Bonnie
Oh no, Bonnie. Oh no! I will have Nick keep an eye on that. That is one story I DON'T want to tell! I hope it magically disappears!
Thanks for the posting and phone advice.
Leaving another coffee shop for the last leg to CO.
So happy the trip is going well (and a little jealous.) Thanks for sharing in your special way and waiting happily for your next post.
That is so interesting about the music. I have turned off NPR completely and do Pandora stations, both while driving and at home. I am way more relaxed.
Mr. G's post made me laugh so hard that my 14 year old daughter came in from the other room to find out what was going on. I'm so glad things are going well on the trip thus far. From the photos of you, it looks like this road-tripping, Derfwad-meeting, crazy-amazing adventure really agrees with you. In the words of the Johnnys' "Tally ho!", Mrs. G.
"The dog abides." I laughed. Out loud and everything.
Your smiles in the photos speak volumes. SO EXCITED for this adventure and so proud of you (can I be proud, as a non-related, blog-and-FB-only acquaintance, etc.) that you not only corralled, wrangled and scheduled this trip but are now getting to taste the fruits? :) Happy-making!
This is so much fun! I almost feel like I'm riding shotgun.
Darla
Weatherdude usually has well-researched info )https://www.facebook.com/wxdudedk) as does Wunderground.com (can you tell I spend waaaay too much time on the internet?). On Wunderground, it looks like Invest 96 is forecast to make a severe right turn across Florida onto the East Coast. Most reports say lots of rain. We on the coast tend to check weather fairly often until this particular season is over. Rain good (perhaps not for driving). By the time you get here, there'll be so many 'maters, we'll be slathering mayo on toast and gobbling them down with just a touch of sea salt.
you look great with butterflies :-)