Merry Christmas........ and happy travels

So, I haven't posted in a while, so I figured it was time. What a Christmas we had!! It wasn't the "usual" Christmas for us. We took off in the family sleigh (it's red, so there's some truth to it) the last day of school for Mark and Jonathan. It was crazy! We drove until we were too tired to drive anymore. We stopped in Roanoke, VA then the next day drove to Lenox, MA spending the Sunday before Christmas at Hope Church. It was very nice seeing some of Morgan's friends and all the folks we have known a long time! We also got to see Jen (we were the first!) just as she arrived in Lenox from Honduras!! It was great seeing her! We then set off for ME and that's when we hit a bit of a snag. I have been driving since I was 17. I am now 41. That's what, 24 years, right? Well, in all 24 years I have gotten a couple of speeding tickets, only had a couple of accidents (that were my fault, the rest were other people's). I hit the mother load this time. In my hurry to get to ME, I was waiting, and waiting, and waiting in line at the toll booth from I 90 to I 495. I saw two lanes on the far left. One was really fast and one was slowwwww. Since they both looked exactly the same I jumped out of line and the kids and Mark were screaming at me........NOOOOO!! It's the E-Z Pass Lane!!!!! OHHH NOOO!! Well, I tried to get back into the other lane, the cars behind me were honking loudly, so I went up to the toll booth and the toll taker in the next lane wouldn't take my toll. I was in the far left lane, so I tried to get over to the right and park, but would have caused an accident. I had to keep going. To say I was in a panic is an understatement. I RAN A TOLL BOOTH!! Oh my goodness. I expected to see a Mass State Patrol coming after me!! I called MA Highway Patrol. I think the guy was laughing at me, and he gave me the number for E-Z Pass. I called and left a message. I am still mortified. Of course, every toll booth we went through the kids and Mark harassed me NON STOP!! "Don't go to the E-Z Pass lane!!!" Well, I guess if you can't laugh at yourself what can you do? So, as it stands now, I still owe the State of Massachusetts $2.10. I hope it doesn't break them. I'm still waiting for my ticket! Well, after all that excitement, off to ME. We had a wonderful time with my mother in law and Mark's family. Morgan and I went to the Christmas Eve service at Blessed Hope in Waterville. We were supposed to go to the Sunday service but as it always goes with visiting folks you haven't seen in a long time, we only had so much time and so many people to see. Sunday morning was occupied. We saw my brother Cliff and his wife Sylvia and their children: Sabrina, Charlie and Samantha. Sabrina also has a little girl Drea. It was great to see them, but as these things always goes, I didn't have enough time to visit everyone I wanted to, but was grateful for the time we spent with family and friends. As far as the New Year celebration, there was only radio shows on our agenda. Mark, Jonathan and I drove from ME-GA on New Year's Eve and Day to get home in time for school to begin. Whew. I am tired just trying to recant all that. I miss being in New England, but I don't miss the weather! I miss the people. I love the hard working ethic that New Englanders are known for. I miss my friends and family. I have to say though, my new friends down here and being able to go out in short sleeves as soon as Feb is pretty fabulous too! : )