I know I’ve been MIA for awhile.

My sister-in-law Elise passed away.  Elise and I had a complicated relationship; and I only hope she is finally at peace and her suffering is done.

I went to New Jersey to close out Elise’s apartment and commence probate.  I did this because I love my husband and it seemed I was the logical choice to take on this responsibility.  My darling cousin Alice accompanied me. 

First, you have to picture two women in their 70s taking on this task. 

Yeah.

This intrepid duo headed from Michigan to New Jersey, with an overnight stop in Pennsylvania; just about halfway. 

I drove my 2003 Toyota Corolla.  God (TIDBI), I love this car.  Not only is it incredibly tough and reliable; it possesses (is it me or does “possesses” possess an inordinate number of “s”s?) a magical trunk that simply swallows up all manner of luggage and other traveling accoutrement.  (Note: I can’t believe I spelled “accoutrement” right on the first try!)

Two old ladies driving over 700 miles to spend an estimated 14 days in New Jersey requires an alarming amount of stuff.  We’re old. We know about being prepared.  We pack accordingly.

Anyhow …

The whole point of this little interlude on what promises to be way too many posts about this trip, is that, for comfort’s sake, I was wearing what is quaintly referred to as a “lounge dress” – what in the days of my misspent youth, might have been referred to as a housedress.  This particular housedress is a lovely pink plaid, and the front is closed with a bunch-a-bunch of snaps. 

The second day of our trip, we stopped for lunch at a Burger King.  The parking lot was full, but I found a spot not too far from the front door.  Alice headed for the restaurant (okay, she was headed for the bathroom – we’re old, bathrooms are always a goal); and I was following her – trying to squeeze between my car and the car next to me.  I was squeezing through when my “lounge dress” caught on the side mirror of the car next to us. 

Remember all those snaps? 

Every single one of them parted company – leaving me to flash any and everybody looking my way. 

And there is no way to resnap that many snaps in any quick manner.  It takes concentration and focus.  Neither of which I had a firm grasp on in that moment. 

Well, HELLO PENNSYLVANIA!

Don’t know how many people found themselves scarred for life due to my choice in clothing and ill-fated parking; but there you go. 

And this was only the second day of our trip.

Much (much) more to come.