I woke up super early in the morning in the ozarks in Arkansas on my last day of visiting my aunt and heading back to the Hoosier state. It is the start of another insalubrious day for me, but better than the day before. I think I might have the flu or another stomach irritating virus and the nausea is disconcerting. I am so glad I’m less achy and hope that it doesn’t get any worse to the point of throwing up again. I grow a little impatient waiting for all the family member’s riding back with me to get in the van to take off for our 10-hour drive, but I remain in a positive loving attitude. I expected to drive the whole way, but my uncle decided he wanted to, so I sat in the back with my cousin and with my daughter in her car seat in the middle of the van. My other family members continuously attempt to feed my daughter junk food and I have to keep stopping them. I fear she might join the vast majority of Midwesterners with metabolic syndrome as it stands out more to me being originally from south Florida where people are much more health conscious. It makes me feel a little uncomfortable having to keep explaining to my daughter why she is not supposed to eat terrible food in front of my family, but she keeps asking me and I don’t want to sugar coat anything in more ways than one. It seems to offend people every once in a while.
The drive was much better than I expected though. I was so glad I wasn’t driving. I wasn’t sure if it was my uncle feeling bad for me for being sick, his super alpha mentality or a combination of the two. I offered to drive at every stop. Sitting in the back of the car was nice because I had a lot of room and was able to talk to my favorite cousin. She is highly intelligent. We always challenge each other’s opposing opinions in the most open-minded ways and typically have great conversations. The views on the drive were of beautiful cotton fields, rivers and some mountains. It was a nice change of scenery from the corn and beans. My cousin’s daughter was in the middle of the van across from my girl. They are about the same age and often play together. They continuously trade tablets back and forth when they get board of the games while I keep having to help them trade since their arms aren’t long enough to reach. I mostly sit back listening to educational and little political videos on YouTube making me excited to learn new things and frustrated with some proposed policies in the federal government. I finally get home and my daughter’s mother comes to pick her up.? I’m a little sad that she said she wants our daughter for the week of Thanksgiving. I can’t complain because I have her 5 days a week and most holidays so I agree in a very catering way even though my mother intended to see her and rarely gets to since she lives in Miami, but I want to keep the best coparenting relationship that I can. She came to my house as I was feeding her dinner to pick her up. I gave her a few more bites and sent her on her way. I always get sad seeing her leave. I’m so used to taking care of her that I feel a bit empty when she’s gone. I still feel a little sick, but I’m glad it’s not any worse. Night time and time to unwind with a hot bubble bath with salts and oils. I’m sure tomorrow will be a better day.?