Home from Trip

We got home from our last trip on Tuesday morning at 6am. The trip started as usual with dog washing and preparing everyone in the rv. Finally left 2 hours late as usual. Around Gastonia we decided that we would need an extra battery for the rv as the kids wanted to plug in all kinds of cell phone chargers, computers, ps2's and so forth. So we stopped at Walmart in Gastonia to but a new battery. We already have 3 but one more wouldn't hurt. As we were leaving we hit a giant boulder in their parking lot. It literally tore out the stairwell in the rv. The security guy got the manager out and I called the police to make a report. The whole thing took several hours and then of course we had to go to home depot to figure out a way to keep the stairs attached to the rv while we were traveling. Then on to advance auto to get a bracket to hold the battery. This took another hour.
So we arrived in Wayne at 10am instead of 6am as planned. Nevertheless, everyone went home, well except Cindy who we left at Wayne. Her Mom decided that she didn't want her at the last minute. We had been holding Cindy for two months for her, in that two months we could have found Cindy 10 homes. She didn't want her because she didn't appear to be pure bred.
The great news was that on a fluke we saw a couple walking up to the shelter with a little brown and tan min pin. It took us all about two seconds to realize that it was Gibson! They didn't know we would be there or even that Gibson had come from us. They had adopted Gibson from the shelter last year after we left him there for adoption! As it ended up they came to adopt another dog and our little Della fit their bill perfectly! So now Della lives with Gibson! Perfect match!
Wendy came and brought Chaos. I couldn't believe how gorgeous he is. He was worried that I would take him back home though and was reluctant to come to me. Sad when that happens but my greatest joy comes from knowing that he is so happy in his home that he didn't want to take any chances of me taking him back! Cindy was there with Pepper and Tiffi and she took Rose home for foster. Of course Lynn was there too but didn't bring Copper and Cole-sad face. Fantastic seeing everyone though, my dearest friends and some of the few humans in this world that understand what we do and why we do it. Missed seeing Alice though, don't know where she was, probably hiding so we didn't send her home with another dog!!! hahhaha...
Sally kept Leyla there until her parents could get there to pick her up. They had to work all day so it was really nice of Sally to babysit.
On to Scuffy's where we left Kiwi, Kosmo and Karo. Then on to Secaucus. Parked there and took the kids into the city. Went directly to Central Park where we met Anna with the wonderful Joplin and Joey and Bryn came in with Truffles. Of course seeing Truffles only made me miserable because I miss my Cheep so much it hurts. I thought after time it would get better but that doesn't seem to be the case. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her all day long. I really should know better than to get attached like that. How can you help it though? It was great to see the babies running all around and playing. Joplin appears to own Central Park! That is HIS yard and he has free roam to play, he knows every single dog that walks there too and was the southern gentleman and introduced Truffle to each one! hehehee...Like Truffles needs introduction because he is quite the outgoing little man himself.
Then we took Chandler to Katz Deli for his (late) birthday dinner. Of course they give you too much food so went home with a doggie bag. Stopped in at MOMA and then to Times Square and I don't know where else, we were everywhere. I think the kids enjoyed the city, Lindsay wants to live there permanently.
Slept in Secaucus and woke up to find out that Scuffy's didn't want to keep Karo because of her recent spay. Ridiculous but we went and got her which made us terribly late getting to Washington. Then when we got to Cherry Hill, our campground, we found that they had no power because of recent storms. YIKES, because of the accident we had no hot water, had to shut down the lp tank because of the damage. So that wouldn't do at all, found a koa who had power and went there. Got there late but they had one space left. The kids got showers, I took a cold one in the rv and went straight to bed. At least we got to plug in and attach to their water. The next morning we drove into Washington and parked, had to take Karo into the city with us so hid her in Chandler's book bag on the metro. Crazy. We stopped at Arlington, which was quite sad really so many lives given for our country. Of course we saw the Kennedy's and the Unknown Soldier. We went directly to the Smithsonian and walked the mall. Got some very expensive hot dogs and then walked to the National Archives. The kids and I went in and Smith sat outside leaning up against a tree. I told him he should have turned his hat upside down and people would throw money at him. He was dressed all funny and nothing matched, he had this little homeless dog with him leaning up against a tree. But after waiting in a line for a short time the kids and I went in. Chandler went to the Public Vaults and Maggie, Lindsay and I went in to see the Declaration, Bill of Rights and Constitution. Really the highlight of my trip. I don't know why but that was really exciting for me. I was just thrilled.
After that Smith met up with a friend of his who works in Washington and is part of fixing the bp spill situation. He walked us to the Spy Museum and the girls and I sat outside while Smith and Chandler went in. After an hour the girls and Karo and I realized there was no reason to just sit there. We caught a cab with a great driver who drove us past the White House and on to the Lincoln Memorial. That was what Lindsay really wanted to see and everyone else got to see what they wanted so I was going to make sure she got there. I let the girls go up all those steps and I walked Karo down by the reflection pool. Karo was truly the hit of Washington, that child did not meet a stranger, she allowed small children to run up to her screaming and allowed every single person who wanted to touch her rub her little head. Not once did she complain or get fussy. I don't think any other dog I know would have put up with all that. She was unbelievably good the entire day.
Then we got back to the rv around 6pm and got on the road. Stopped at a Golden Corral for dinner and got in the rv. I went to sleep for a few hours while Chandler sat with Smith. Then I made Chandler go to bed and I sat up for the rest of the night. We finally got home at 6am which gave the kids 2 hours to rest and get ready for work. Fortunately they had a half day so they came home after lunch and went back to bed. Smith and I took care of everyone, got a eye check on everyone and went right to bed. Yesterday wasn't much better, I was still in my pajama's when the insurance adjuster showed up to take photos of the rv. He said it may be totalled. I sure hope not, but he did tell us that we have options even if they total it.
The only thing I did of use yesterday was wash Tink, Ariel and Uno. All in my media room are filthy for some reason. I expect I will have to wash them again today.
This morning I have a terrible headache but have to get to work. My babies need me. Geez my head is screaming though. Such a long trip, so many unfortunate issues, but I am happy that everyone got to their new homes, I got to see some of my adopted babies and the kids seemed happy to see all they did. Lonnnnnng weekend though....whew. Thank goodness for Auntie Angela and Lois for taking care of my babies here while we were gone though.
Oh and found my cell phone, it was on the back deck during all the storms we had and everything. Will tackle getting a new one sometime.