I was looking at the map… We will be coming back along the 40 through Tennessee and Arkansas Jan 2-5. (I’m not exactly sure of the day to day itinerary yet.) Anybody want to try and meet up anywhere? Perhaps a lunch or dinner gathering? And of course, if some of you who live somewhat close to each other want to consolidate, that would be awesome!! I’d love to meet you!! We can have a drinking contest! Close your mouths, I mean water. 
Who else is going to be traveling for the holidays? Where ya goin’??
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We are traveling down 95 to Florida over Thanksgiving and coming back Dec 1-2. If anybody lives along the way, let me know!
Comment by Jana — November 13, 2006 @ 1:38 pm
oh oh oh oh I am RIGHT OFF OF 40 in Little Rock — Let me know the day and time you will be through — dinner would be better but I will take a half day off for lunch!
Comment by Maria — November 13, 2006 @ 3:40 pm
Well, I am smack dab in the middle of Mizzou-rah and I don’t have any idea where 40 is. Is that like northern Arkin-saw or middle or what? Branson is like 5 hours from here… are you going to be ’round there (trying to think about drive time).
I will need to take a day off work, but I would SO do! When can you get concrete on your itinerary? Don’t toy with me, blest. It is not nice.
Comment by lady laura — November 13, 2006 @ 4:08 pm
I-40 goes right through Nashville … I’m a little further south so I could come and meet you somewhere close to the interstate or something, depending what time of day you are passing through!!!! Woo-hoo! (We should be in town then, as far as I know!)
Comment by stephanie — November 13, 2006 @ 4:21 pm
I’m 2 hrs. east of Nashville right on I-40. I’d be willing to make the trek to Nashville though and maybe we can have a meeting with Stephanie!!
Comment by Tami — November 13, 2006 @ 4:43 pm
Lady Laura, I think it’s too far for you. I-40 is still way south of Branson. :sob:
Maria, as soon as I know when we’re coming through Little Rock I’ll let you know.
Tami and Stephanie - Nashville is 6 1/2 hours from our starting point. Can you guys do an early dinner? Like 4:30 -5ish?? I’d love to say that we’ll get out early enough to make it there for a late lunch - but with four kids - well y’know how it is.
Comment by blestwithsons — November 13, 2006 @ 4:48 pm
Thanksgiving we’ll be in the DFW area
Not sure about Christmas yet…
New Years - Arkansas probably
Of course…..this all depends on where we’re livin’ and what changes are on the horizon….can’t say more at this time
Comment by Blair — November 13, 2006 @ 4:53 pm
Blest — LR is about7 hours away from Nashville — you could probably be here around dinner time the next day after Nashville.
And where will you be in AR Blair? I am smack dab in the middle of the state (which is no where near the size of Texas lol) There is a possibility I could meet up with you if you have the time…
Comment by Maria — November 13, 2006 @ 5:24 pm
Hmmm. See, the thing is, we’re probably gonna drive another hour or two after that early dinner. (still planning, of course) Which would mean we’ll probably hit LR closer to a late lunch time. But we’ll keep calculating…
Comment by blestwithsons — November 13, 2006 @ 6:41 pm
that would put you about Jackson so sleep — which would be about 5 hours away from me — barring construction in both Memphis and Little Rock.
Look at me planning your trip —
I have done LR to Nashville many times, can you tell???
Comment by Maria — November 13, 2006 @ 6:48 pm
rats, you’ll be north of me. I’m on the I-20 corridor, not I-40! come through Louisiana next time, y’all!
I’ll be home around then - we’re only going to be gone a short time, as we dash north for Christmas and back again. I really feel like a homebody these days - wishing we could just stay home for Christmas too!
Comment by Tracy — November 13, 2006 @ 8:37 pm
I’m in for dinner! Maybe my hubby can take that day off once you let us know what day for sure. It will be a huge dinner between the 4 of us, the 6 of you and then Steph’s clan too…that is if the family is invited.
Comment by Tami — November 13, 2006 @ 9:10 pm
Tracy, we’re taking the 20 on the way there. We’ll pass through LA on the 20th. But we’re bookin’ it pretty fast to Jackson, MS because I already have plans to meet a blog-friend there. (Bethany of Picturesque Life who will be joining OWOA come January
) But perhaps a quick lunch…?
Comment by blestwithsons — November 13, 2006 @ 10:20 pm
Wow, I’m beginning to think i need to get a huge map of the US to figure out what (or rather where!) you’re going on about. I hope loads of you can meet up and then all blog about it on here so those of us who didn’t get to join in can hear all about it!
Comment by Debs — November 14, 2006 @ 2:01 am
Well of course family can come! We just might need to REALLY plan and tell someplace we’re coming. That or aim for a BK with a playland. Grilled chicken salads all ’round!
Comment by blestwithsons — November 14, 2006 @ 7:07 am
I would think we could do an early dinner … what date are you thinking? Is that nailed down yet? I need to check with DH … he does not jump up and down about me meeting bloggy folks without some warning and info.
Very protective. 
Comment by stephanie — November 14, 2006 @ 8:28 am
Maria - if we are able to go, we’ll be in Russellville but not long - just going for my son’s birthday (31st) and then heading back the same day. I’m sure I’ll be in Arkansas again - hubby’s family is there. We were stationed at LRAFB when the boys were born and we lived in NLR for a bit after we separated from the military.
Comment by Blair — November 14, 2006 @ 8:41 am
Nashville would almost definitely be January 2nd. Please tell your husband that my husband has a high security clearance and is trained to kill. That ought to reassure him somewhat!
I crack myself up.
Comment by blestwithsons — November 14, 2006 @ 9:41 am
Blest, do you get the usual…”If I told ya, I’d have to kill ya” speech. Jeff thinks he’s so funny. He was in the Navy and had special clearance too. He cracks himself up while I roll my eyes!
Comment by Tami — November 14, 2006 @ 2:28 pm
DH has his conceal carry permit … maybe we should get them together!
I’ll mark the 2nd on the calendar. 
Comment by stephanie — November 14, 2006 @ 3:07 pm
Blair — Be sure and let me know when you come back through — I live in North Little Rock (well outside of it)
Blest — that makes Arkansas on the 3rd right? I put in for my off time tomorrow.
Comment by Maria — November 14, 2006 @ 4:40 pm
Tami, we love that phrase
. But are you sure your Navy man wants to go to dinner with a jarhead? 
You know ladies, we’re probably going to be sitting there with our eyes glazing over while all these menfolk discuss weaponry.
Maria, yes - that should be the 3rd barring unforeseen complications.
Comment by blestwithsons — November 14, 2006 @ 5:19 pm
Well if we do lunch — My hubby won’t be around to discuss weaponry — even if it was supper he’d be iffy with his work schedule — I’ll take off at noon that day and we should be good to go.
Comment by Maria — November 14, 2006 @ 7:16 pm