Lyons, Indiana

I know the road like the back of my hand… passing dilapidated wood barns, buffalo, horses, fields of corn and soy beans, Amish buggies and women in bonnets, unattended produce stands where you take what you want and leave what you can.

My Dad grew up in a small town called Lyons, Indiana.  I've always joked there were more churches and cows than people there.  There isn't a whole lot… the school my Dad attended from K-12 is still an elementary school.  The American Legion where my Grandpa drank his Miller High Life is there.  The church, funeral home, and cemetery where I said farewell to my Grandpa are there.  The land my Dad grew up on, my Uncle Mike's house with the lake, my grandparents' old house that had the pool we all learned to swim in… these are all Lyons to me, permanently in my memory.

Now, the nursing home is a part of that memory.  I'm home for a visit, to spend some time with my Grandma.  I've written about the lung cancer that has plagued her this year, but now she has had a small stroke that causes her to lose some of her lucidity and mobility… she needs help getting to and from the bathroom, getting dressed/showered, getting in and out of bed and her recliner.

I have never been a natural caretaker, but I have learned this week that if you love someone enough, you will do anything you can to take care of that person.  My Grandma has always been the matriarch, the one who cooked the best and took care of her five kids and her many grandkids.  She was at our sporting events and family gatherings and anything she could be at.  My Grandma has loved and cared for me since I was born… I will love and care for her until she leaves this world.

I don't get to see anyone here that often, being so far away.  That's the hardest part.  I know that my family that lives nearby see her often.  They are amazing and have done so much.  I'm so thankful.

Sunset in Lyons

I can't believe how quickly my time here in Indiana is passing… I need more time.  I always need more time.

4th Street in Bloomington

4th Street

Yesterday was my first full day in Indiana, and it was a good day.  I slept in a little bit, then went to the 4th Street Festival of the Arts & Crafts in downtown Bloomington with my Mom.  The place was PACKED!  I remember this festival, since I used to work at Monroe County Public Library on Kirkwood... but I don't ever remember it being so crowded.  The festival has been around since 1977, and it's an awesome place to check out jewelry, pottery, leatherworks, paintings, and more.  4th Street itself is awesome, our own little locally-owned 'restaurant row', with some of the most diverse restaurants in old homes along the street.  Even though Indiana isn't necessarily celebrated for its diversity, in Bloomington you can find Thai, Afghan, Mediterranean, Turkish, Korean, Cajun, Italian, Tibetan, Ethiopian, Japanese, Mexican, and American restaurants.

Downtown Bloomington has changed SO much since I was growing up in Btown.  The gentrification of the downtown area is just astounding.  There are so many apartments where formerly dilapidated homes used to stand.  There are chain restaurants I couldn't have imagined moving in downtown.  There are so many places I haven't been, which makes me feel conflicted... I'm glad the downtown is so revitalized, and that the 30,000 IU students who recently descended upon town are interested in the area.  But at the same time, I kind of miss the Kirkwood/downtown from when I was growing up... the quiet, quirky place that I used to love.  But I still love Downtown, and maintain that it's my favorite part of Bloomington, hands down.  It's a townie conflict; should we celebrate the changes or reminisce about the way Btown used to be.

I think I'll choose to continue to love it, because it's the only home I've ever known, and downtown is its heartbeat.  I'm meeting my friends for lunch at Uptown Cafe later, so I'll be enjoying downtown again today!

Packing List

I'm home for a week in Indiana, on a last-minute trip... so what's a girl to pack?

If there's one thing the Army has taught me, it's that you should only pack what you can carry.  My Mom was shocked to see me walk out with just a carry-on suitcase and large purse, since my sister usually packs a large suitcase just for a weekend trip.  (Last time, she apparently traveled with no less than FOUR pairs of boots!)  But my opinion is, if you can't lift your own bag into the overhead compartment, you shouldn't pack it.  You need to be able to maneuver/handle everything on your own.  (*Note: if you are a Mommy and have to handle carseat/baby/baby's stuff, that is different.  I'm talking solo trips!)

I packed my beloved Burton Wheelie Flight Deck for the trip.  As I've said before, it's the Mary Poppins carpet bag of luggage.  (I have the larger suitcase, the Double Deck, but didn't need it just for a week.

What's in my bags?
In my Coach tote:
-wallet     -iPhone/charger     -sunglasses     -eyeglasses
-iPod     -MacBook Pro/charger      -magazines (Forbes, Real Simple, Cooking Light)
-Kindle      -FiberOne bars      -chapstick      -ticket holder

In my carry-on:
-Erin Condren life planner      -3 x dresses
-3 x workout outfits (wore my running shoes)     -pair of wedges      -pair of flats
-skinny jeans      -jean shorts      -1 x tank top      -2 x black tops     -1 x polo
-1 x nude cami      -2 x bras (include nude, strapless)
-underwear (always pack tons!)     -toiletries (in a rolling bag with makeup/shower stuff)
-vitamins      -Chi flat iron      -blow dryer
-2 x purses (black Longchamp tote, small black Coach shoulder bag)      -silver jewelry
-camera/charger      -hairbrush      -pajamas    -dirty clothes bag

When I'm going to be living out of a small bag for a while, I tend to pick one color palette...  one that works with either black or brown accessories, so I don't end up with too many shoes.  This trip, I chose black... so all of my dresses coordinate with my black flats or wedges, my tops are predominantly black/white, and my purses are both black.  I chose silver jewelry, and that rounded out my planning.   I tend to wear my 'biggest' pair of shoes on the plane, i.e. the bulkiest ones that would take space in my bag.  So if I'm taking boots or running shoes, I wear those.  I roll my clothes in my suitcase to prevent wrinkles and conserve space.  ALWAYS save enough space to bring something back with you on your trip!

I packed enough outfits that I can mix/match to last an entire week's stay.  I've got options to dress an outfit up or down too.  So that's what I look for in packing for a week in a carry-on bag.  The Army has changed the way I travel!  And since so many airlines are charging for checked baggage, it's actually a good skill to have.