So the plan was that I was going to surprise Mom with a visit this past weekend. Just to be on the safe side I did alert Diah and Dad. I had no idea that Diah would also tell her kids which would increase the probability that someone would spill the beans. Surprisingly they didn't. But my plan of surprise didn't work out quite the way I wanted. I was supposed to walk in the house as Mom was on the couch so I could see the look on her face of "Who is this walking up in my house??"
The problem was I underestimated how long it would take me to get from Ames to Bloomington. GPS told me 5 hours 29 minutes. It seemed accurate. Especially given the fact that there would have to be at least one stop in there for gas. However, it didn't take into consideration that I tend to drive slightly over the speed limit from time to time. Enough in this instance that even with stopping for gas AND a couple of restroom breaks it only took me 5 hours flat. I pulled up as Mom and Dad were getting back from eating dinner. Mom was still shocked, just not in the venue I was anticipating. Whatever works though.
The last time I visited Bloomington was clear back in Thanksgiving of last year. I quickly grew a greater appreciation for a four and a half day visit. Maybe even took it for granted. This time around I wasn't able to get in town until 9pm at night. It made the next day and a half fly by too quickly. The visit felt incredibly rushed. I still made the most of it anyway as I kept in mind that once I move to Texas, these type of visits will be much more infrequent.
The biggest drawback of a short visit? No time for some effective photos. Y'all know how I like that. I wanted to set up my mobile studio of XL-Images East and get even more updated great shots of Mom. No time for that though. Oh...and the small problem that the remote trigger on my lights has been acting a fool lately. Yes, I know I need to invest in pocket wizards to solve that problem (my fellow photo nerds know what I'm talking about) but a brotha is a little strapped at the moment.
Instead, I had to settle for this not to random shot you see here. I intended for it to be just Mom. But she insisted that Diah join her. Then Jozalyn jumped in. So it would have been a true Mother's Day photo were it not for my niece. It's all good though because these are still three beautiful Fleming women which helped to make the photo turn out amazing.
Some of you may have not have been with this site since the beginning so you weren't privy to my theory on Mother's Day. It's simple. It's the same way I feel about Father's Day and even Valentine's Day. You shouldn't need a special day to let your parent/significant other know they're special. Although let's face it...some folks need that day to remind themselves of that. Not me. I'm proud every day that I have the greatest Mom in the world.
