I miss it
Laura over at I’m an Organizing Junkie took a technology vacation of sorts. She and her family went to the lake and during that week, she didn’t use her cell phone and didn’t get online.
Her post about how much she enjoyed the slowed pace of life as well as her rediscovery of her love for reading reminded me of my trips to visit my grandparents.
Every couple of years, we would travel to New England to visit my grandma Mac and my Gma and Gpa on my moms side. While visiting my gma and gpa in Cape Code, we spent most of the day driving around the coast, usually spending time at the beach where I would read and occasionally listen to music (when I wasn’t in the ocean swimming). At least once, we’d trip to Hyannis to my fav store…The Christmas Tree Shoppe.
After our trip to the Cape, we’d then travel to Connecticut and visit with my Grandma Mac and my uncles and aunt and cousins. It was in CT where I would read for hours at a time. I’d sit in the back room, curled up with a book and just read. In fact, it was pretty much the only time of year where I would actually finish a book.
In a previous post, I recall writing:
“Retreating to New England every few years while growing up was a nice reprieve for me. Typically, it was the only time I ever read books for pleasure. In the fast paced world that surrounded me as a military child, it was one of the few constants. Several times last week, I thought to myself, “Hubs and I are really going to have to make an effort to continue our trips up here.” I forget how much I enjoy visiting until I make a trip.”
Life moved at such a comfortable pace while visiting my relatives. Having lost of all of my grandparents over the past 3 years, the trips back home were more frequent due to the necessity of attending funerals. And although they were emotional trips, I still got my reading done and enjoyed the peace and quiet. The enjoyment I felt every year for the past 3 years has come to a screeching halt. Although I know that my other relatives (Shennie, Sarah/Doug, Karen/Joan, Kevin, etc) would welcome me with open arms, my visits back East will inevitably be different. Everyone has internet, cell phones, and blogs; I know for sure I’d enjoy my time with them, but it would still be my life, just being lived in a different place.
When I would visit my grandparents, it didn’t feel like my life. It was better 
All of this recollecting just to say that I’ve decided to name my new room in the basement “Grandma’s.” It’s where I’ll spend hours reading and scrapbooking. It’s where I hope to retreat to at the end of a long day where I can cuddle up in my oversized chair with a blanket, a glass of wine and a book and pretend I’m back at Grandmas.
Come this Friday when I finally have the room in order, I’ll call out to Hubs while I’m heading downstairs, “I’m going to grandma’s!” He’ll know where to find me.
My upstairs is a no-tech zone. I’m not even sure there’s a phone up there that works.
I can’t wait to have you and Craig come to visit. There are 2 Christmas Tree Shoppes within 10 miles of my house. They’re sending me “Please bring Jessica” messages.
We even have taffy here in many of the stores AND a wonderful ice cream shop just down the road.
Love you.
Comment by Shennie | July 7, 2008
Once I am done with the madness that is school, you will come visit me in my small mountain town and I’ll hide your cell phone and you’ll see the sky really is blue-er out here!! Coop and Sherlock will show us how to really live
Comment by Polly | July 8, 2008
What a great post. I can’t imagine what it’s like in New England. I’ve always wanted to visit there. And you make it sound like such a treat. I know you are going to enjoy your new room so much!
Comment by crystal | July 9, 2008
I LOVE it! What a perfect name for your new little escape! It brought tears to my eyes to read your memories of your trips here. Just today I looked up the number for Tucker’s groomer in my cell phone under the G’s and saw I still had a listing for Gramma… I couldn’t bring myself to delete it.
I hope Doug and I can come visit you someday so I can once again get excited and say “We’re going to Grandma’s to see our cousins”
Comment by Sarah | July 9, 2008
Oh that sounds so nice….have fun at Grammas! Love it
Comment by Org Junkie | July 11, 2008
My guest room is decorated to reflect my favorite place in the world. My family’s cabin in Northern Minnesota. It is decorated with moose and loons and flannels. It has a key to the cabin hanging on the wall and my Dad’s first fishing pole is in there too.
In our old house I even had the walls painted dark green and beige and I made curtains with fishing lure fabric.
I miss that room.
Comment by Connie | July 13, 2008