Last year about this time I was still at home with Helena and savoring the sweet smell of a College Night victory from my cozy home. With Helena only 6 weeks old there was no way I was going to make the trip.
This year, however, I decided I needed to make the trip. Helena was over a year old. And if I can handle raising her by myself on weekend a month, two weeks a year, so could Omar. So I made my reservations and got ready to go.
Almost immediately I noticed how this trip would be different from my previous pilgramiges to Montevallo. First off, I wasn't satisfied with any of the Purple clothes I had in my closet. Nothing was cute or sassy anymore. It was all business or mommy-ish. What happened to all my v-neck tops - oh yeah, Helena helped Heather into H's and they don't fit anymore. Same thing for all my Purple dresses and/or tops. So I packed what I could and told Jenny I would be raiding her closet.
Leaving Friday morning to go to work was the worst. I almost didn't leave because I wanted to hold her more. I was surprised how emotional I was even though this was going to be the first time I was away from her for the weekend. Of course I held it together and went to work. It was a good and busy day so that helped too.
Then came the airport adventure. Even though I had just flown to and from Alabama for the holidays I forgot simple things - like having a valid Driver's Lisence. Yeah, I got there and my driver's liscene was expired. Thank goodness I had my military ID. Then I was hit with Mommy Brain as I went to go through the metal detector and heard "take off your shoes, Ma'm." It was at the point I almost turned around, instead I took off my shoes and headed straight to the airport bar (Don't worry I remembered to put the shoes back on).
Little back story - I HATE flying. I've always hated to fly. Now without Omar or Helena with me I had to face it alone. So I enlisted the help of my friend Bloody Mary. And thus set the theme for my weekend.
So, I settled into my seat, listened to some Podcasts I downloaded, wrote some poems and stared out the window. Somewhat relaxed. Made an impluse purchase at the Atlanta airport. Didn't miss the connection and was greeted in Birmingham by Jennifer Kelley holding a PV! sign just for me. Things were looking up.
My sister Jenny joined us at the hotel - way too late for us Mommies, but we proceeded to stay up and talk until 2:00 am or so. Got up at 8:00 feeling good. I thought I can do this no sleep thing this weekend and be fine!
Got through our itenerary of things to do (yes, I made a to-do list for my visit). Made it to the Music Department to see Dr. Wright and Dr. Williams, saw my Vintage Purples at the Brunch. This year's leader - cute girl - remembered me from The Pulp Vendetta - my last show and the first College Night show she saw. Made me both happy and feel old. Then we started tailgating...at around noon.
Fast-forward. Purple Show - great, funny, clever show with lots of energy. Yella Show - kids had the energy, but lacked any simblance of a coherent show. Purples announced as the winners at 11:15ish - and Mommy is POOPED! I hated that I didn't even have the energy to circle up with Jenny in her last Purple side song as a student. I guess I now must "pass and be forgotten with the rest."
Getting ready for the party, it's way past our bedtime and we are all tired , and Jennifer, Dad and I start talking politics and it woke us all up - oh how times have changed!
So we stayed at the victory party until 2:00 am - with Dad and Jenny staying longer - and head to the hotel room by way of McDonald's. There we talk and finally drift to sleep.
Same time, Next year? I might need a year to recover.
