June 15th - Party in Pittsburgh with Patty

June 15th
We’re half way….and I still feel like I can make it. I think that’s a really good sign!
When we got up this morning, in Adamstown, the sun was shining. I swear, I couldn’t stop smiling….I think my demeanor is way too related to the amount of sunshine I see. My smile only faded during a long, thirty minute period in which Hunter was missing one shoe. One shoe! It took thirty minutes to find the one shoe, in a 300 sq. ft. room. I kid you not.
Gin & Martha came to see us during breakfast, to say good-bye. Gin said she’d had fun…I’m not sure if I believe her, but hopefully there was some truth to what she said.
So, we were westbound and down, on the Pennsylvania turnpike. Ten minutes into the drive, guess what? Rain. Followed by hours of dark skies. I couldn’t freakin’ believe it. In fact, we would NOT see the sun again all day.
We were stopping in Pittsburg to see my friend Patty. Patty and I waited tables together at Pier 66 when I was in grad school. We dated best friends who were both young, immature, twins (but not of each other) and more than likely - alcoholics. It was fun…for a very short period. We have no idea where these boys are today (and I personally don’t care), but Patty & I have stayed friends. We were married within two months of each other and have seven kids between us (each with a set of identical twins!). However, the last time we actually saw each other was the summer of 2005, in Michigan.
The drive, after yesterday, was painless. It took exactly four hours (with two stops) to get to Pittsburgh. Patty lives in a quaint older neighborhood that really looks like “up north” to me. I love it. The streets are winding and hilly, with big full trees. There’s no entrance with a stone wall labeled “fill-in-the-blank-Ridge" or "St. something". You can smell real grass, which is typically mowed by a teenager who lives in the house. The homes all have their own character or look. A real neighborhood' where people stay for a lifetime, because it’s developed by its residents…not a builder with an in-build-out plan.
Patty’s house is retro cool…a 1960’s brick colonial with its original fixtures and cabinets. It’s filled with bedrooms, kids & toys. We immediately felt at home. So at home, that I finally did laundry…six loads!
We had lunch and took the kids to her pool….which is a swim club kind of deal. The pool was huge and empty, thank God. There was also a diving board, which I haven’t seen in years. Barrett was in heaven jumping off, over and over again. The lifeguards were really on him about their many rules…which made me tense, but he eventually got into an obedient groove.
After swimming we went back for cocktails and dinner. The kids got along so well. Hunter and Payton played like they’d know each other their whole lives. Camden was in heaven with the new toys and Patty’s girls (twins) were about a year and a half younger than Aud, so she enjoyed her leadership role. Bear did get to her neighbors pool (wtf!?!?!?!) before we went into serious lockdown.
Patty and I caught up. She’s happy…I can tell. She’s a good mom – a content mom. All the same worries all moms have, just amplified a bit…that hasn’t changed. Miss Patty has always worried too much. She makes me seem super laid back! She’s having a problem with her brother’s wife (who sounds like a nightmare) and she cried a little about it. Patty tries too hard to please everyone. Life is too short. I seriously think I would tell my sister-in-law to stick it where the sun don’t shine – but that’s just me! Ah….families! And…who the hell am I to give advice, right? Although, I did tell her to kick a little ass.
Her husband Brant got home from work around 9, and we talked till midnight, before bedtime. It was a really nice visit! And we have clean clothes!

Traveled: Adamstown, PA to Pittsburgh, PA 232miles/4 hours
Stayed: AT the Browns in Monroeville, PA
Silly Band Award: Camden
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