Going on Vacation, part 1

Our typical vacation is a trip to visit grandparents. This time around we went to visit my mom in North Carolina, which took us 12 hours.

The kids do a lot of snoozing on the drive:



This is the view I got to enjoy for the day. Oooh lala...


Normally we try to only make one big stop, which is traditionally dinner at Cracker Barrel. This time my husband threw caution to the wind and decided to stop at the Fireworks Superstore in Tennessee!

Not only can you buy lots and lots of different types of fireworks there (which we did, because we have friends coming to celebrate the 4th of July with us)


but you can also enjoy a wide range of tacky kitsch the likes of which I have not seen in a long time. Behold the kitsch:




One of my kids thought that this God Loves You and So Do I item was really lovely. Oy vey!
Anybody need some lavender fairies for their bedroom?? Me neither.


My 9 year old thought his life depended on getting one of these poorly made "treasure boxes" for $23.95. Needless to say, we decided to take our chances and leave without it.

I'm not sure if this statue was for sale or just for good looks, but my kids know a photo opp when they see it.


Not only can you buy clutter and tacky home decor at the Fireworks Superstore, but you can also choose from a fine selection of overpriced and cheaply made hats:

For some reason, my husband allowed our 5 year old to buy this one:


It was destroyed before we made it to our destination.
(Also, I swear, the child did not suffer a stroke while driving all day. He doesn't always look like this....)

Also, the store had a wide variety of "Life is Crap" t-shirts, including this fine choice:


There were two redeeming qualities in this store (other than a generally clean bathroom, which as you know is a blessing while traveling). One was the cool gumball machine. Put in a quarter, and watch a gumball move through a series of roller coasters, lifts, drops, and so on:



Who says money can't buy happiness?

The other redeeming item in the store? Fudge.
Nothing says thank you to your hostess like a pound and a half of fudge. :)

Now, lest you think that the inside of the Fireworks Superstore is the end the tackiness, think again.










Perty special, eh? If you're riding down into TN on 75 South, be sure to stop at the Fireworks Superstore--it's the one with the rusted ferris wheel and giant fake animals. Woot!