Shane Goes South (A little early!)

I'm a believer in reading between the lines. Don't just listen to a person's words, but look at the intents, feelings, and everything else that goes into what they're saying.

Today, I had a minor argument with Carrie over how I arrange the food bowls when I do chores. At first, I thought she wasn't understanding what I was saying. Shane tried to butt in a little and I had to push him out, but it was clear he understood me. I didn't think I was that off, so I pulled out some game counters. I had an awesome diagram when I realized Carrie wasn't really complaining about my setup. Yes, she thought it'd be more efficient to lay things her way, but what was really going on was she was frazzled, tired, and frustrated. She seemed upset that she had been upset after the fact.

All of which pointed to "It'd be good to let Shane go see his Grandparents!" I had planned to drive down Tuesday next week and stay with Shane in SC. Megan's family would be there and it would be cousin central! I wanted to hold off, so that Shane could go to goalie practice and I could go, too. I didn't want to be gone from the farm too long when I felt I was helping Carrie keep it all together.

However, Carrie was at her limits and Nana and Pop said they'd love to take Shane early when I asked. Taking Shane on Saturday would save me from making the full trip, put Shane in a family wonderland, and give Carrie one less thing to worry about because she knows how wonderful it is for Shane in SC with my side of the family.

So off we went. We listened to some Ramona Quimby and Shane played some Switch as we made our way south (I believe this was when he started making a giant dog that you could fly in the mouth of and exit through the rear. There was a digestive system you had to skip through with lava as stomach acid....Shane leaves out little detail in his descriptions or designs!).

I still have long hair, but I put on a hat to give Nana a moment of fleeting hope.

As usual, Nana and Pop were excited to see us! Pop's still waiting on a kidney from the deceased donor's list. If they had gotten a call en route, they would have had to turn around and I'd have driven the whole route. Pop had said something like "We've been on the list for over a month and only had one false call, so the odds are it's fine" (Sometimes the topics upset Carrie, but my family has always been frank and willing to talk about worst case scenarios. I was raised it's better to face things, be prepared, and know that God's hand is in it somewhere so just have faith and move forward already!)

As usual, Nana and Pop were generous enough to buy lunch for everyone. I'm 40 years old and my parents still buy my food when I visit (or just meet them somewhere!). 

I drove back knowing Shane was in for the time of his life. Nana and Pop had to take Patti to the airport when they returned (She was visiting Dot), so Shane got to meet her in person. Sunday, Megan and her boys would fly in and need to be picked up. It was going to be kids, kids, and more kids all week!

Carrie did her own therapeutic side trip while I was away. Ellie had recommended she contact Margaret. Margaret, was a long term breeder that Ellie knew who specialized in Fjords. Carrie called Margaret earlier in the week and Margaret offered for her to visit her farm to talk and play with some babies. Margaret's farm was on route to a tack shop Carrie wanted to unload some saddles for sale at in Warrenton, so she made a trip of it. She said it went well!

On the road back, Carrie sent a critical text. "We need to pick up Eowyn tomorrow." She wouldn't say it, but I could read between the lines: Kitsune wasn't coming home.