Came from Alabama with a banjo on my knee

Wow! what have I been doing with myself? Well, I went home this past weekend. I brought back a tv, a down comforter, and a banjo. I am telling the truth.
I am going to sign up for banjo classes. I don't know if this is a good way to meet men, but it will take me one step further to my dream of being a banjo-pluckin', tap-dancin fool. That oughta attract the men like flies to molasses.
I did go home. I drove down on Friday, missed seeing my sister Kim by hours, as she was on her way to Melbourne, Australia for work. I stayed in her room. I hung out with Nate, I had dinner with my parents, I talked to Cheryl on the phone (church commitments). It took me over 12 hours to get to Virginia. I drove in the rain and thru Queens, NY.
I drove back on Sunday. It only took 8 1/2 hours. I bypassed NYC by going up the Garden State Parkway and cutting across Connecticut (expensive gas!) The only sad part about that is that you don't get to see the sign when you leave Brooklyn, NY that says, "You are now leaving Brooklyn. FUHGEDDABOUDIT." No, I'm not kidding - your standard federal highway sign.
The whole reason for the trip, by the way, was to see my old store's Grand Re-Opening. The store looks 110% better. Some parts even better than my new store. I didn't tell them that I was coming. I wanted the element of surprise, although I might have planned the trip a little better if I had told them. Everyone was really happy to see me; I felt like a celebrity. It was good to see them too. I felt like we'd been thru war together - war buddies. I'm hoping that Jess and Pam will get to visit Boston, so we'll see. Plus it was nice to vent a little about things in Boston to non-Boston people.
What's in store for me this week? Lots, but I'll tell you after it happens.
P.S. Sorry to Jen and Leanne, since I could have seen you at some point during my trip, as I literally drove past y'alls' houses. But time was tight as it was. For God's sakes, I spent over 20 hours driving!
P.P.S. Have I mentioned my latest obsession with ABC's The Bachelor, Brad Womack? He is so beautiful, he is ALMOST worth giving up my Superman obsession. I am seriously willing to move to Austin, TX to meet this man. But we're going to Memphis for our b-days. Walking in Memphis is going to be my theme song for the next few months.