The squares are lovely at night.

The next morning we had a delightful breakfast and made our way to Charleston, SC, where Garth’s new car was waiting. It was exciting to see it for the first time, and to see that Garth looked like a giant next to it. He bought a 1964 Austin Mini. It’s baby blue with a British flag on top. It’s also a right hand drive. It is so cute from behind!

We drove for an hour or so when Garth noticed a loss of power, and I noticed smoke. We pulled over and worried our little heads about what to do, neither of us knowing much about cars to begin with, much less vintage foreign cars. Luckily, the garage that we’d just purchased it from was very helpful, and a nice and very strange man pulled over to help us. We were able to “jerry rig” a hose, fill up some fluids, and let it cool down, before we drove (slowly!) back to Savannah.

We took the car to the only place open on Saturday in Savannah, only to have them tell us that they don’t do this kind of work. They were nice enough to let us leave it there though- and they’d transfer it to someone who might be able to help on Monday. We spent the rest of the day (the very small amount of day that was left) wandering around Savannah some more (and enjoying the lighted Christmas parade).

Sunday I drove Garth to the Jacksonville airport where he rented a car to drive back to Pensacola. I drove to Orlando to spend a few days with my sister who was attending a pharmacy conference.

Oh Orlando! The weather was heavenly after the stuff-your-nose cold of Savannah. I even wore shorts. We had many adventures including, but not limited to: sneaking me into the pharmacy expo (and pretending to be a pharmacy student) so that we could pocket all of the cool freebies, a day at Universal Orlando, and an open bar party at Hard Rock Live (which Julia and I ducked out of in favor of a movie about 15 minutes after arrival). I really couldn’t ride the rides at Universal (the two or three that I did I had to hide the belly because it was still against the rules), but it was nice to just BE there. Last time I went it was a dash to see everything and I felt rushed and it was hot- so it was nice this time to just get some ice cream and chill on the elaborately decorated sidewalk. In the sun. Delicious. I also got to catch the Macy’s parade at Universal, and Whoville, and I met the Grinch! It was fabulous. Pictures follow.

Christmas is so soon! I have much to do folks.
Oh! And…turns out, no one in Savannah wants to deal with a 1964 Austin Mini that’s smoking, so we had it towed here this week. It is sitting safely behind out house next to Blue, who looks rather large in comparison.

Loves to you. And you.

elle