February 2020: An Exploded Family Trip to FL: Day 2

Day 2: Sunday February 23, 2020

I was asleep prior to 8 on Saturday night, and a certain little dog that shall remain nameless has been getting me up VERY early lately, so I was awake about 4 am. What does one do when they’re awake at that hour in Orlando? Finish the other half of that social media-able treat from the night before, shower, and watch the news.

Finally it was late enough to get rolling. My first stop? Krispy Kreme. Although people say there are some opening in NH, google doesn’t seem to agree, so, with a Krispy Kreme half a mile from the condo, it was time to experience a non-airport (and non-thawed out on a cruise ship) based Krispy Kreme for the first time ever. Yeah, we’re a bit isolated in NH.

So I got myself a glazed raspberry filled doughnut to go, and continued to my next stop...Publix. My sister had given me a grocery list, and I wanted to get my chores over with early in vacation.

Publix opens at 7. I was there at 7:02, and out by 7:20. Thankfully it was a short grocery list, and I was back to vacationing quickly. And by that I really mean I was back at the condo to enjoy this beauty. 

Since it was still quite early, I watched the news for a bit longer, read a bit more, and then eventually got ready and got in the car to The Villages.

Today’s drive was uneventful, despite not being able to find music on the radio. WHY is there so much talk on radios in the morning?! Music stations are for MUSIC!

I pulled in to my grandparents’ driveway just as my stepdad emerged...with Windex and paper towels? That’s when I noticed that not only was the rental car already in the driveway not an SUV like T had mentioned renting when he was bragging about his rental deal, but it was FILTHY.

I hopped out of my car, and T proceeded to tell me about the hour plus wait for a rental car the night before (so THAT explains the 10:30 pm phone call when they landed at 8:30!) and about being downgraded and receiving a car with a filthy exterior. Under all the grime, the vehicle was white, but it was NOT white when I arrived.

I left T to clean his car, and went inside where Grammy was just finishing breakfast and mom was getting ready for the day. I visited with everyone and mom very quickly asked me how I “skip the lines”, knowing that it has been at least 5 years since we’ve had to wait in a rental car line, so that let me know exactly how she was feeling about the rental car events of last night.

Shortly after I arrived, mom and T set out for the Marion Market. I haven’t actually been to the Marion Market; I always find excuses to not go. This trip was no different. As best as I can tell, it is a farmers’ market combined with a flea market, all on steroids. I stayed back and spent the rest of the morning visiting with Grammy and Grampa.

Mom and T got back in time for lunch, so we had sandwiches and ice cream with Grammy and Grampa. Then mom and I decided to take a walk, and T crashed that party, trying to convince us that his walking loop that he had established that morning is better than the route we’ve been walking there for years. He’s wrong, obviously. Majority rules, so we walked the ladies’ route. T was pleasant enough, and somehow persuaded mom and I to go to the pool after our walk. It was in the mid 70s, and windy today.

When we got back from our walk, we established the plans for dinner, and then quickly changed and headed for the pool. The Villages has dozens of pools, and now that I’m over 30 I can use most of them. But oddly enough mom and my favorite is still a family pool. It just happens to be a really quiet pool. And this day, with it being not exceptionally warm, we were essentially the only people at the pool. 

Our pool trip was relatively brief, but we did get at least partly in the pool. When we got back to Grammy and Grampa’s, we changed, and set out for dinner at a favorite: Little Joey’s. Grammy and Grampa discovered Little Joey’s a few years back, and it’s been a pretty consistent favorite since then. Little Joey’s is delicious Italian food, and is inexpensive. It’s a serious win!

The drive over to Little Joey’s was quick, despite the fact that I was stuffed in the backseat of Grampa’s Buick with both mom and T. We were seated within a few minutes of arrival. Dinner was fantastic, as always. Being a lover of their spaghetti and meatballs (but mostly the meatballs), but knowing I wouldn’t have a ton of time on my hands for eating leftovers, I got a meatball sub. This consisted of their amazing meatballs, in their equally amazing dinner roll loaf, smothered in mozzarella. For a whopping $6.99. WIN! Grammy and Grampa had spaghetti and meatballs, mom had lasagna, and T had the Chicken ala Joey I think. All were very happy with their meals.

Once we got back to Grammy and Grampa’s, I visited for a few minutes longer and then got on the road back to Orlando. It was after 7 and I had been awake since 4. And I had big plans for the next day!! The drive back was easy enough, and as I drove down 429 I could see the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom. It was pretty awesome, even if I did have to remind myself to keep my eyes on the road and not on the fireworks. I went to sleep pretty soon after getting back to the condo, ready for the next day!