Country Cow, City Cow

We went to Blairsville for Thanksgiving this year.  Loaded up the car with all the necessities, the dog, the toddler, took off and didn’t look back. I don’t mind the drive up when we take the “easy” route up 575/515. This time we went through Dawsonville – yeah, decided to hit the outlets for a little early shopping  – which means we have to go over Blood Mountain to get to my parents. I tend to get a bit woozy going over the mountain and so does Sean. Actually, he gets a lot woozy so we find the easy route better for everyone because it doesn’t result in him puking all over the back seat. Nice.  Plus the easy route means there are lots of little towns to stop in if we need a bite to eat, a bathroom break or have a stinky diaper to change.

The ride over the mountain does, however, give us the opportunity to enjoy more of the “country” scenery.  Think abandoned double wides, yard art* , tractors with Christmas lights*, barns, horses and cows. Yep, lots and lots of cows.

Sean finds cows particularly interesting. I don’t know if it’s because he loves the Chick-Fil-A cows, if he likes to say “moo” or if it’s just because he’s a toddler and right now cows strike his fancy.  Or maybe it’s because he likes it when I roll the windows down and we yell “moo” at the cows.  Whatever sparks his imagination is fine with me.

As we were making our way through extreme rural White County, Michael spotted a pasture with many cows. He told Sean it was a cow party, which we explained was not to be confused with a cow patty. hehehe.  Every time from then on Sean calls a herd of cows a cow party. It’s quite adorable.

We all had a bit of cabin fever on Friday so we went looking for trouble. First we went to the new Dollar General***, then we had lunch at the new deli, Steve’s ****, followed by a quick trip to the TrackRock Stables to look at horses where one horse seemed particularly eager to eat Sean, then to Alexander’s General Store. Alexander’s is in all sense of the word a general store. They sell men and women’s wear,  appliances, furniture and guns. They have some candy and other random things too. I’ve only been there a handful of times and it’s a fun diversion for a bit. The clientele is unique and often backwards.  I don’t think I’ve ever been in such a small space with as many interesting mountain folk. Ever. And I’ve spent more than my fair share of time in the North Georgia and North Carolina mountains.

We walked out of Alexander’s and Sean stopped DEAD in his tracks. Across the street was a cow party. He proceeded to yell “COWS!” at the top of his lungs, followed by “MOO” at the top of his lungs. We found it tremendously entertaining and once all the local flavor realized what he was yelling at they chuckled as well. Yep, we’re not from around here, folks!  The closest thing Sean has been to a cow is the Chick-Fil-A cow and even then he hasn’t been all that close. But he likes them.

* old, rusty cars that have died in someones front yard

** usually out year round though I am not certain why. Really, are you that busy?

*** yep. we know how to party. We did find Sean some mittens and the joy of purchasing them at the Dollar General is that I won’t care when he loses them.

**** great place for sandwiches and my reuben was outstanding! It’s new in town and all the meats are from Amish Country in Ohio. yum!

Peek-a-boo…where are you?

Or more to the point….where have I been? December and January were busy for us. December was full of birthdays, Christmas, then ringing in the New Year, which we happily did at home after whirlwind trips to Blairsville and Pigeon Forge.

I love Christmas with my parents. It’s filled with traditions from my childhood. Every Christmas Eve. Mom, Laura and I would make a pull apart cake for Christmas morning then we’d sit down for a nice dinner. After dinner we’d all get ready for Midnight Mass then we each got to open one present. Usually we’d hang out for a bit, then drive around to look at Christmas lights, eventually ending at church so we could get a seat and enjoy the candlelight caroling.  I loved church on Christmas Eve.  The overhead lights were off and the church had a perfect amber glow from the candles.  Everyone was always smiling, and singing. I love Christmas carols – Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful…they’re beautiful and I often get teary singing them. I’m such a sucker!

Christmas morning when I was a child often came at 5 am. Way to early. My grandparents thought it was cute. My parents did not. Eventually my sister and I started to sleep in, and for a few years, our parents actually had to wake us!

We’d go downstairs, put the breakfast casserole we’d made the day before in the oven, eat cake and drink coffee. Oh yeah, and somewhere in there we opened gifts!

This year we we visited my parents for Christmas. My parents gave Sean an Elmo Live for Christmas. It was a hit with him right from the start.

We’re big Elmo fans at the Murphy household, but from time to time,  Elmo can be a bit much. He stays in Sean’s room. We like that. A lot.

Sean was inundated with new toys. Too many, in fact, but it’s alright for grandparents to spoil him.

One of his other favorite games over the holidays was to chase the ball with Uncle Jeremy.

It was really cute watching the two of them run around the house chasing that red ball!  Sean thought it was the greatest game ever, and Uncle Jeremy seemed to get a kick out of it too!

After a few busy days in Blairsvegas, the three of us packed up and headed to Pigeon Forge. We went through National Forest the majority of the way there, and it was beautiful.

Sean slept, well mostly, and I even got to see an old haunt – Cherokee, NC. I spent a good bit of time there while attending camp in Cullowhee, NC. It hadn’t changed much. Brought back memories, like seeing Unto These Hills THREE times.

Our trip to Pigeon Forge was to celebrate Claire’s 60th birthday!  We stayed in a beautiful house way up on a mountain in Wear’s Valley. It was large enough to accommodate all ten of us. We celebrated Christmas with the Murphy’s and took a trip to Dollywood, as well. No trip to Pigeon Forge is complete without it! I’d never been to Pigeon Forge. It is Tennessee’s response to Daytona Beach. Loud. Bright. Neon. It was wild and not at all what I expected.

Dollywood was what I expected. Sean had a blast!  He wasn’t quite big enough to go on a lot of the rides. He did enjoy the carousel and the train was a BIG hit! Pure joy on the train!

A tank of gas to Pigeon Forge: $30

A ticket to Dollywood: $50

Taking Sean for his first ride on a train: Priceless

If at first you don’t succeed….

Try, try again, right?

Sean wasn’t so sure about Blairsville at the beginning of the summer. I figured he’d eventually get used to it then I realized that I needed someone to watch him while Michael and I went out of town one weekend. Crap! Where to go?!!!  Certainly my parents will watch him. Right? Right. But he isn’t so fond of Blairsville. Yet. Strange dogs. Big house.  It was too much for him.  He’d get overtired then scream instead of sleep. Not such fun. For anyone. Even doting grandparents. And, come to think of it, I think the dogs hid outside. hmmm.

Now, generally speaking, one can handle that every so often. Parents build up an immunity to screaming children, and grandparents say they can block it out as well. Lucky for my Dad, he’s partially deaf and can’t hear baby screams. Not sure if that’s good or bad. Oh well, at least Mom is there.

But, back to what I was saying…. when the “ones” handling it are your parents, and they are doing it solo, Mama gets concerned.  Can my parents really tolerate a toddler alone for a weekend? I know they raised two children, but Laura and I haven’t been toddlers for a long time.  Will they remember to close the door to the basement?  Are all the cabinets childproofed?  Electrical outlets covered??? Does Mom know what Sean likes to eat? And, what about his bedtime routine?

Soooo, I’ve been taking Sean up to Blairsville rather frequently this summer to get him used to new surroundings and make sure the house is up to snuff. Childproof locks on doors? Check. Locks on the kitchen cabinets. Check. Electrical outlets covered. Check.

I think Sean is finally used to Mom and Dad’s place. Thank goodness! It’s nice to know that our frequent trips up have been successful! And Mom and Dad swear that they love having us – and I think they love it when we leave too!

Mom has Sean food and all sorts of other “goodies” for him. New bath toys. New books. Lots of things for him to entertain himself, so I think we’re all set. Dad doesn’t even mind when Sean gets into his things.

Doesn’t Sean look cute?

Hopefully the weekend won’t be too overwhelming for Mom and Dad. I’m happy that they are willing to help. And scared that they won’t do it again!  Yikes!