the downside is that the luggage Nazis at Jacksonville International Airport could still make me check whatever carry on I take when I get to the plane

Yeah, but gate check doesn't count. So just make sure there's nothing SUPER vital (laptop, prescriptions, things you're going to read on the flight) in the rolly bag.

So you can baggage check one. Go through security with ginormo-"purse" and another rolly. And then they may or may not make you gate check the other rolly because it's a commuter flight. But that doesn't count as a checked bag.

You know, I think that next year, I'm going to drive to D.C., especially since I plan on making it part of Nate's birthday trip and I'm definitely driving to Nashville the year after.

It's just easier, especially since I like driving.

My mother always leaves the door open to the bathroom (except when there is company) and tries to talk to me or stepdad from their or on the phone. I can't seem to break her of the habit.

There are men at work who will go the the bathroom and keep talking on their cell phones the whole time.

It's really wrong.

Women do it, too. (*I* don't; but I certainly am aware of it when use the bathroom at work.)

Next year is D.C., Barb? I could get to that one! I had a great time in D.C. last time, although it was about a zillion degrees.

Yep, Amy-- order for the next several years is D.C., Nashvegas, NYC, San Diego, Atlanta.

You'll note: No Texas for the next several years. I think people threatened to bomb headquarters or something.

well, when you come to DC, you'll have to give a shout.

Generally, my family will leave me alone in the bathroom, which is why I spend so much time in the bathroom when I'm visiting.

After my mom's mastectomy, I kind of bullied my way into her first post-op bra buying trip, on the grounds that she needed shopping help.

In retrospect, I could have used someone to snark at the creepy prosthetics lady.

DC is definitely going to be an extended trip since that'll be Nate's *gulp* THIRTEENTH birthday. He's been pouting that Abby's had special trips with me (been to NYC twice) so I promised him DC next year and we could go be museum geeks. So a shout out is definitely on the schedule.

I love my kids, I really do. They're cool little people.

I was cleaning the restroom at work one day when a woman walked in and said, "What a mess!"

I ignored her and kept cleaning as she went into a stall and said, "I just can't believe it!"

I was about to say, "Hey lady: I'm cleaning it right now!" when she said, "so what are you going to do?" and I realized she was talking on the phone. while peeing.