Traveling-with-TLC

How a simple request became a journey!

Mom and I went to a Mary Kay Career Conference in March 2025. On the entire drive to the Bay Area, Mom kept reminencing about her former trips to France. She said, more than once, how much she would like to return to see the beautiful country and see Paris again. I made a quick call to Ted for his approval and booked a week at our timeshare in Normandy, France. Only 3 bedroom units were available so I booked one. Mom was so surprised! “What do you mean, we are going to France in September?”. She was incredulous, but soon became excited about the idea. Since we had 3 bedrooms and Mom says “three’s a crowd”, we decided that we needed a 4th person for the trip. After a little deliberation (very little!) We decided mom’s sister, my Aunt Charlotte, would be the perfect addition to our trip. We also added a week in Paris to the itinerary.

Talking Aunt Charlotte into traveling with us was a little complicated as my Uncle Donald is in late stages of Alzheimers. With help of Michael, my aunt’s Bonus Son (doesn’t that sound more appropriate than Step Son? In this case it truly is more appropriate. I’ve never met the man, but I love him because he takes such good care of my aunt.), we convinced A. Char she should join us. Michael made arrangements for A. Char’s flight. Ted, Mom and I booked our flights and an AirBnb in Paris.

Then, Ted and I sold our house. We flew to Kentucky, bought a house, toured the state, and flew back to California. We packed and hired a moving van. Ted, Danny and I caravaned with our trailer, boat, and Danny’s car back to Kentucky. We spent a month unpacking a little, getting oriented to our new state, transferring our Driver’s Licenses and doctors and etc., buying new furniture, setting up a remodel of the house, and otherwise being ridiculously busy. After a month, I flew back to CA. My sister and I drove back to KY with another load of our stuff. Cyndi stayed for a few days doing projects and going to the state fair. We put Cyndi on a plane and then drove back across the country to CA. ( Each trip is about 2500 miles and at least 5 days)

Finally, 3 days before we were set to fly to Paris to begin our trip, Ted and I planned our 5 week journey to France! Aunt Charlotte and Mom will be with us for 2 weeks and Ted and I will spend another 3 weeks in the Loire Valley and Dordogne. Whew!