Day 2

3:50 am - The alarm went off and I staggered out of bed to the shower.  This is the second night in a row I am feeling sleep deprived.  After a quick shower and dressing, I jump in the car for the 2 hour drive back down to Baltimore. 
 
4:15 am - Saturday morning, how wonderful it was to drive through the countryside of Pennsylvania.  Just me and the truckers...if only the rental car had a CB...10-4 good buddy... (that's my extent of CB lingo).  I arrived on time to find my brother and nephew waiting by the baggage carousel. 
 
7:15 am - On the road again, like a band of gypsies we go down the highway.....Now my brother has been up since 7:00 am yesterday.  He worked 1/2 day and then drove 2 hours and caught a flight from Seattle to San Francisco and then from San Francisco he flew all night to Baltimore.  He was a little punch drunk.  My nephew on the other hand was ready to curl up and take a nap...and boy did he!
 
8:50 am - stopped at McDonald's for breakfast...checked my nephew's pulse..ate breakfast while the nephew slept.  Realized that we were supposed to be back in Lancaster for the formal family pictures at 9:00.  My brother insisted on taking a shower first.  So we left McDonald's in flash and away we went.
 
9:10 am - arrived back at the hotel.  Mom had left a note with the information on where we were to meet (10 minutes ago).  It told the exit to take and nothing else.  While the guys showered I changed clothes and got ready. 
 
9:40 am - we left to find the photographer.  Mother's instructions were to exit and cross back over the freeway.  We did that.  Now we looked for what was a park.  I saw a sign on the right for an industrial park (with a fountain) but thought surely that's not it.  About 3 miles later we come to a dead end.  There is an Amish family working in the yard.  I'm starting to become agitated but I pull a U-turn in the middle of the road and head back.  I turn on the street where I saw the fountain.  I'm now in a trailer park!!!  I'm tired!!  I'm lost!! I've forgotten there is a 9 year old child in the car and that I'm supposed to be a lady.  I get back on the road and take the street on the otherside of the fountain.  There ahead is the 1972 yellow VW Beetle that my mother drives.  Everyone is walking back to the cars.  We missed the pictures.
 
10:30 am - we now must go meet at some restaurant that I apparently passed on my way in.  I'm thinking about going to the Amish house for lunch. 
 
11:00 am - we all arrive for lunch (imagine that).  We are seated at various tables and are told to help ourselves to the buffet (it was very good!).  After lunch my 5 cousins get up and share stories and give thanks for their parents.   Some of the stories were funny, some sad, but all in all it was a very touching 50th anniversary celebration for my Aunt and Uncle.
 
4:00 pm - we head back to the hotel.  I'm taking a NAP!!  Ohhhh to the contrary my friend...There is a daytime wedding reception going on.  This one happened to be a much smaller reception.  The cake was a store bought cake and the music was from a jam-box.  I'm beginning to dislike Brick House and Celebrate.
 
7:00 pm - we go to dinner (I must say I hardly ever skipped a meal).  I tell my cousins that I want to be in bed by 9:00 pm.  I know that tomorrow we are supposed to get up and go to church with my Aunt and Uncle.  The church is recognizing their accomplishment to the congregation and we will have cake and punch afterwards.
 
9:00 pm - I hear music as I walk down the hallway to my room.  I open the door and find another freaking note.  It's another RECEPTION....I'm thinking is this the ONLY hotel in Lancaster PA where people have receptions???   I pray to hear anything but Brick House. Mom tries to cover her head with the pillow.  Actually this DJ is much more subdued than the one last night.  He's actually playing some Frank Sinatra.  
 
11:00 pm - the music stops.  I'm out as soon as I turn the TV off.