Going to Carolina in My Mind

Once again, too long has passed since I last put my musings down on paper; if we can call a computer web log paper!
I'm sure the headline of this post will alert most people to the topic to be discussed. North Carolina, where my parents can now call home. A month has passed since I took the trip to the enemy place. I was so against liking NC. Not because I want my parents unhappy but for so long Maryland has been the place I call home and I have yet to disassociate home from my parents or sisters. The 8 hour trip through Hurricane "whatever it was" lent to reassuring promises that I would hate NC. However I found out that I love it. My parents are so content-being close to family, the ammenities provided to them through their community. Its all lovely.
After leaving late Thursday evening, traveling into the eye of the hurricane; we arrived at my parents Friday mid-morning. Friday was spent chatting and then we drove to Myrtle Beach to see my Aunt Barb and Uncle Jim. I was not dissappointed. Mind you that I am an Italian girl and a feast was laid before me, Megan, and Cindy of which the likes I haven't seen since my grandmother passed away. It's weird to have the flood of memories come back just by the sense of smell. There is something about the smell of homemade spaghetti sauce like my grandma used to make that conjurs up images of that house in Springfield and sitting around the table for Easter or some such holiday. Gnocchi, eggplant parmesan, fusili, pork chops, sausage, homemade meatballs....while for some is food, for me there are memories. No one makes it as good as the Stolba's!
Saturday took us back to Myrtle Beach for Broadway on the Beach. Fantastic time was had at Ripley's Aquarium. There the fish, sharks, and sea turtle swim in a huge enclosure with a tunnel built through it for patrons to go through. Its amazing to fish and sharks swimming overhead. If you time it just right and look the right way it appears if the glass is gone and you could reach out and touch the animal. I have pictures, I'll post them! After the aquarium we went to my Uncle Bruce's and Aunt Margareta's house. Again, a huge meal and much libations were had by all. Poor Cindy...at one point she said "this is like Thanksgiving." To which the reply is "just Italian cooking!"
The trip to my Uncle's was important because for the last two years it has been the focus of my parents' ideal house to build for retirement. In fact, they are using the same plans. Both my sisters had seen the house but due to the unfortunate circumstance of Graduate School I was never able to travel down to see it myself. Since this was my first experience in the house I took it all in and must say I am impressed. Megan, on the other hand, was all about the design!
Sunday sent us packing and home we were. It's funny-about a week after I got home, my co-worker asked how my trip was and I guess the expression on my face said it all. Before I could reply he asked "how long before you move there?" Let just say "I'm going to Carolina in my mind!"