Come and join our hurricane

Years ago I learned a cheesy sounding sing-along song called "Come and join our hayride." With today's bizarre weather (Hurricane Ida. . . in November) I've had my own version going through my head today. As I type, it is cool, raining, and windy. Matt built us a nice hot fire (yes, there are other kinds. There is Mississippi hot and there's Missouri hot. Ours is the latter. And then there is the not-so-nice, cool fire that Rose builds because she's not a Master Fire Builder.) so I have the window by the computer open.
I had to go to Walmart tonight (2nd time today) for something for Matt, and as a treat for myself bought the most wonderful icecream I think I've ever tried: Ben and Jerry's Apple Pie Ice cream. It was on sale and I've been eyeing it for several days. (Can you tell I've been getting ready for a major trip? Walmart sucks me into its vacuum nearly daily lately, and after tossing me around and around the store in search of things that are not where they used to be (or never have been nor ever will be) for an hour or so, finally takes all my money and spits me out the front door.) I dished some up for Matt and me and took it upstairs where he was studying. As I handed it to him I said, "It's a flavor you've never had before." He looked at it then said, "Just by looking at it, and without even smelling it, I'll guess that it's. . . . apple pie icecream." WHAT? ! ! ! How did he do that? He said my hint about his never having had it helped, but to him, with the cinnamon swirl in it, it just looked like an apple pie . He's been smug ever since. :) It's a good thing it came in only pint size, and that I got only one. It's so good.

We plan to leave Thursday for Missouri, spend a few days there with Matt's family, then drive to WI on Sunday for our week-long vacation. The kids are even more excited than they've been for the last few months. I have a countdown calendar that we're supposed to mark off each day. I usually forget so we mark of 2-3 days at the time (feels like we're getting more accomplished that way). Tonight I marked off Friday thru Monday and was amazed that only 2 more days are left. Maybe some of my amazement is that I have only 48 more hours to pack while maintaining daily house chores, kids, diapers, LAUNDRY (ugh), meals, sanity. And some of that will have to be for sleeping. Right now should be for that, but I did get the rest of my stuff packed, minus a few dirty items I'll have to get washed tomorrow. Now Matt's is the only one to finish up, besides odd-and-end things for the kids. Of course, there's things like toiletries, pillows, travel toys, food for cooler. . . hmm. sounds like I need to go to bed. The problem is that I lay there and mentally pack, going over what needs to be gathered, who needs to be called tomorrow, etc. (I think that apple pie icecream had given me a sugar high.)
I have the idea I might post some pictures while we're in WI, but that's probably not going to end up happening. So until then or whenever I get back on here, tootle loo.
Rose