Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The Great Out-of-Doors....
You either love it or hate it. There is absolutely no in between when it comes to camping. Hubby and I have been camping for over twenty years. We bought our first little, tiny pop-up the summer before daughter no. 1 was born. For those of you who do not know, a pop-up is a camper you pull that folds down in to what looks like a flat shoe box. At your chosen site, you pop it up and slide out the two ends which are beds. We have been through several of these over the years. There was one brief era of insanity when we tent camped. After my experience with the lizard, that ended. About four years ago we upgraded to an 18 foot travel trailer with a bathroom, microwave, cable hookup, refrigerator and lots of storage. About a month ago, we upgraded to a 30 foot trailer with a 12 foot slide. This slide is on the side and goes out about 3 feet making a large sitting area and a large dining area. We love it. And this week-end is our second voyage in the Hornet.
We came to a campground in Swannanoa after hearing about it from a stranger in the Wal-Mart parking lot. He came up to hubby enquiring about his truck and asked him what he pulled with it. After their 45 minute conversation while my ice-cream melted and my frozen veggies thawed, he said this was one of the greatest campgrounds he and his wife had ever been to. (Apparently, they don't get out much.) I mean it's ok but I have definitely been to nicer campgrounds.
This morning I was up at 7:30. I slammed truck doors, camper door, called Tobi, loudly, asked hubby and couple questions from outside. Why did I do this? Simply to get back at the people camping beside us. Yes, they kept me awake till the wee hours. They were slamming truck doors, repeatedly, laughing, playing loud music and talking loud. To me 12:00 is the wee hours and every time I just about dosed off, they would slam their door or go in to some fit of laughter or turn up the music. I'm not really sure I bothered them. They did smile at me at one point this afternoon.
After my act of vindication, I headed out for a nice morning stroll. I headed around our area and then ventured across the two bridges that lead me to a beautiful lake area. Two swans were bathing themselves (or it could have been some type mating ritual, who knows) and ucks and geese that numbered about thirty, played in the shallow area apparently in anticipation of a morning meal. I headed on around the lake as people were beginning to stir and the smell of breakfast being prepared out doors wafted in the air around me only to be interrupted by the smell of stale campfires.
I continued around the lake until I came to a gate that was locked. There appeared to be a small community within it's confines so I rounded the cul-de-sac and came back around. To my right there was a rather large path and so, before I started thinking about lions and tigers and bears, I headed down the path. It reminded me of Frost's The Road Less Traveled. It wasn't until I was a 100 yards or so down the path when I heard a noise to my left down an incline. That's when I began to think of lions and tigers and bears, Oh My....I turned around and high tailed it out of there and headed back toward the two bridges. I'm not sure how far I walked but it was better than nothing. I'm guessing 1.5 miles.
I've done pretty good this week and I'm determined to keep it up and get back to where I was in the fall.
Until next time....
We came to a campground in Swannanoa after hearing about it from a stranger in the Wal-Mart parking lot. He came up to hubby enquiring about his truck and asked him what he pulled with it. After their 45 minute conversation while my ice-cream melted and my frozen veggies thawed, he said this was one of the greatest campgrounds he and his wife had ever been to. (Apparently, they don't get out much.) I mean it's ok but I have definitely been to nicer campgrounds.
This morning I was up at 7:30. I slammed truck doors, camper door, called Tobi, loudly, asked hubby and couple questions from outside. Why did I do this? Simply to get back at the people camping beside us. Yes, they kept me awake till the wee hours. They were slamming truck doors, repeatedly, laughing, playing loud music and talking loud. To me 12:00 is the wee hours and every time I just about dosed off, they would slam their door or go in to some fit of laughter or turn up the music. I'm not really sure I bothered them. They did smile at me at one point this afternoon.
After my act of vindication, I headed out for a nice morning stroll. I headed around our area and then ventured across the two bridges that lead me to a beautiful lake area. Two swans were bathing themselves (or it could have been some type mating ritual, who knows) and ucks and geese that numbered about thirty, played in the shallow area apparently in anticipation of a morning meal. I headed on around the lake as people were beginning to stir and the smell of breakfast being prepared out doors wafted in the air around me only to be interrupted by the smell of stale campfires.
I continued around the lake until I came to a gate that was locked. There appeared to be a small community within it's confines so I rounded the cul-de-sac and came back around. To my right there was a rather large path and so, before I started thinking about lions and tigers and bears, I headed down the path. It reminded me of Frost's The Road Less Traveled. It wasn't until I was a 100 yards or so down the path when I heard a noise to my left down an incline. That's when I began to think of lions and tigers and bears, Oh My....I turned around and high tailed it out of there and headed back toward the two bridges. I'm not sure how far I walked but it was better than nothing. I'm guessing 1.5 miles.
I've done pretty good this week and I'm determined to keep it up and get back to where I was in the fall.
Until next time....
Sunday, May 16, 2010
What to expect when your child is expecting and you weren't expecting it....
This morning, after sitting on the back porch realizing how beautiful the morning was, I decided to walk before getting ready for church. It was so peaceful and so perfect for walking. I really have to get back into my routine and get in shape for a 5K. I am determined to do one by October. Surely I can be ready by then...
Today's walk inspiration came, as usual, from God and His amazing gifts to me. Observing nature always inspires me. How can we look around us at all His creations, and not be awe struck at His power and grace. While I was walking, I began thinking of all God's gifts. Well, I shouldn't say all, because there are entirely too many to ever be able to count. But I was thinking about some of them. The rabbit that ran across my yard, the humming bird at my feeder, the beautiful veggies growing in my garden and the maggots in my paper box where baby birds once were. Yes, there were maggots in my paper box this morning. Apparently, there was a bird nest in there and for some reason maggots got in there after the birds left. Yes, hubby took care of the maggot infestation after church.
I then began thinking of babies. I, of course, have the greatest granddaughter in the history of such, but in the past week, I have heard of so many pregnancies that were not expected. Now, I am no psychologist, doctor, counselor, or pastor but I do have first-hand knowledge of the feelings of the parents of those who are about to bring life into the world and have decided to offer unsolicited advice as follows:
1) Go ahead an cry.
2) Go ahead and ask these questions,
a. What the heck were you thinking?
b. Do you know what birth control is?
c. What happened to the "Until I say I do" card you've carried around since 7th grade?
d. Are you going to marry him/her?
e. Does he/she plan on getting a job to support this child?
f. Where will you live?
g. What about the future I had planned for you?
3) Worry....(because, regardless, you're going to anyway.)
4) Pray (If we really were thinking straight, we would do this first.)
5) Accept that God does have a plan. He will handle everything in His way.
6) Start buying baby things....
7) Be prepared for the experience of a lifetime.
I was talking to two such expectant grandparents just this evening and we have decided that for some reason kids have the timing all wrong. I have noticed that most of these unexpected blessings do usually work out for all interested parties.
I wouldn't change my unexpected blessing for anything in the world and for those of you who this advice is intended for, neither will you. This, my friends, you can bank on......
Today's walk inspiration came, as usual, from God and His amazing gifts to me. Observing nature always inspires me. How can we look around us at all His creations, and not be awe struck at His power and grace. While I was walking, I began thinking of all God's gifts. Well, I shouldn't say all, because there are entirely too many to ever be able to count. But I was thinking about some of them. The rabbit that ran across my yard, the humming bird at my feeder, the beautiful veggies growing in my garden and the maggots in my paper box where baby birds once were. Yes, there were maggots in my paper box this morning. Apparently, there was a bird nest in there and for some reason maggots got in there after the birds left. Yes, hubby took care of the maggot infestation after church.
I then began thinking of babies. I, of course, have the greatest granddaughter in the history of such, but in the past week, I have heard of so many pregnancies that were not expected. Now, I am no psychologist, doctor, counselor, or pastor but I do have first-hand knowledge of the feelings of the parents of those who are about to bring life into the world and have decided to offer unsolicited advice as follows:
1) Go ahead an cry.
2) Go ahead and ask these questions,
a. What the heck were you thinking?
b. Do you know what birth control is?
c. What happened to the "Until I say I do" card you've carried around since 7th grade?
d. Are you going to marry him/her?
e. Does he/she plan on getting a job to support this child?
f. Where will you live?
g. What about the future I had planned for you?
3) Worry....(because, regardless, you're going to anyway.)
4) Pray (If we really were thinking straight, we would do this first.)
5) Accept that God does have a plan. He will handle everything in His way.
6) Start buying baby things....
7) Be prepared for the experience of a lifetime.
I was talking to two such expectant grandparents just this evening and we have decided that for some reason kids have the timing all wrong. I have noticed that most of these unexpected blessings do usually work out for all interested parties.
I wouldn't change my unexpected blessing for anything in the world and for those of you who this advice is intended for, neither will you. This, my friends, you can bank on......
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Crime Doesn't Pay
We live in the best little neighborhood. There are 9 houses on our little street with a cul-de-sac. We are all pretty friendly and we get together on occasion for pot luck suppers and cookouts in the summer. We watch each other's house when we are away and feed each other's dogs. We take food when someone is sick and I even keep popsicles in my fridge in the garage for the neighborhood kids. They just come by when I'm outside and ask for one. We are all so very different, though. Some have kids at home, some don't have kids at all, and some, like us, have grown kids. There are a couple nurses, two engineers, a military recruiter of some kind, a business woman, a city employee, a home inspector, a househusband, and then there's the infamous plumber and his wonderful school teacher wife. (Better known as Bonnie ad Clyde)
Well, today I broke proper neighborhood etiquette. I stole a Papa John's cup from a neighborhood yard. I really tried to justify the crime by reminding hubby that the house was a vacant house and not technically in our neighborhood. I still feel bad, sort of. But he is an accessory to the crime. He drove the getaway car. I made him ride around the neighborhood on our way to eat with Miss Priss until I found one I could easily get. They were all over the place. Apparently they had only been delivered a short time ago. I found the perfect stop for my deed. Hubby stopped the get-away-car/truck and I jumped out and retrieved the object. Thief!!!!
Then came the worst part of the whole incident. Miss Priss asks me, "Gamma, what's in that bag?" My response? "Trash". LIAR!!! I had just lied to my precious granddaughter. What kind of role model have I become? I don't lie to other people, why would I lie to the most precious little girl in the world? Do I want her to grow up in a world where we steal stuff and then lie about it? Do I want to be the one responsible when she can't trust anyone because they lie? How horrible I have become. So after giving it some serious thought and realizing I did not want to introduce my precious baby to a world of crime, I then changed my response to, "Oh this? It's a cup," and immediately changed the subject.
Crime does not pay. After the big heist, things were down hill from then on. Our evening meal sucked. Miss Priss was a terror (probably because her gamma is a thief or because she is a two year old who hadn't had a nap and was hungry because no one had cared to feed her since breakfast). Dear God, I hope Liz doesn't read this. We'll never see her again. She will probably put her in the witness protection program and move her to Siberia or someplace. Anyway, after dinner, Clyde and I decided we had to stop at Walmart to pick up a gift for a birthday party I was taking Miss Priss to. Let me just say that Walmart will never be the same. Miss Priss was certain that a one year old boy needed a bicycle and bracelets for his birthday. I thought I'd never convince her to get the little truck. Clyde finally distracted her with a new toy of her own (that she desperately needed) while I picked out the present. Miss Priss was adamant that she ride in the back of the buggy with my eggs, bread, and other grocery items. Not a good idea. For the eggs anyway. The ride home was no picnic either.. Miss Priss would usually have fallen asleep by this time but with new toy in hand and broken egg gunk on her foot, she was not a happy camper.
So you see???? Crime does not pay. Karma. That's what is. I promise to never steal another Papa John's cup and I promise to eat there sometime in the near future and I promise never to lie to Miss Priss again. I Love You, Papa John's......
Well, today I broke proper neighborhood etiquette. I stole a Papa John's cup from a neighborhood yard. I really tried to justify the crime by reminding hubby that the house was a vacant house and not technically in our neighborhood. I still feel bad, sort of. But he is an accessory to the crime. He drove the getaway car. I made him ride around the neighborhood on our way to eat with Miss Priss until I found one I could easily get. They were all over the place. Apparently they had only been delivered a short time ago. I found the perfect stop for my deed. Hubby stopped the get-away-car/truck and I jumped out and retrieved the object. Thief!!!!
Then came the worst part of the whole incident. Miss Priss asks me, "Gamma, what's in that bag?" My response? "Trash". LIAR!!! I had just lied to my precious granddaughter. What kind of role model have I become? I don't lie to other people, why would I lie to the most precious little girl in the world? Do I want her to grow up in a world where we steal stuff and then lie about it? Do I want to be the one responsible when she can't trust anyone because they lie? How horrible I have become. So after giving it some serious thought and realizing I did not want to introduce my precious baby to a world of crime, I then changed my response to, "Oh this? It's a cup," and immediately changed the subject.
Crime does not pay. After the big heist, things were down hill from then on. Our evening meal sucked. Miss Priss was a terror (probably because her gamma is a thief or because she is a two year old who hadn't had a nap and was hungry because no one had cared to feed her since breakfast). Dear God, I hope Liz doesn't read this. We'll never see her again. She will probably put her in the witness protection program and move her to Siberia or someplace. Anyway, after dinner, Clyde and I decided we had to stop at Walmart to pick up a gift for a birthday party I was taking Miss Priss to. Let me just say that Walmart will never be the same. Miss Priss was certain that a one year old boy needed a bicycle and bracelets for his birthday. I thought I'd never convince her to get the little truck. Clyde finally distracted her with a new toy of her own (that she desperately needed) while I picked out the present. Miss Priss was adamant that she ride in the back of the buggy with my eggs, bread, and other grocery items. Not a good idea. For the eggs anyway. The ride home was no picnic either.. Miss Priss would usually have fallen asleep by this time but with new toy in hand and broken egg gunk on her foot, she was not a happy camper.
So you see???? Crime does not pay. Karma. That's what is. I promise to never steal another Papa John's cup and I promise to eat there sometime in the near future and I promise never to lie to Miss Priss again. I Love You, Papa John's......
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
My Mother
I am sooooo turning into my mother. I think it is something all us girls do or will eventually do. Fortunately, I have a great mom and would consider it an honor to turn into her. However, there are some things I do or have done that mom would ever do. No. 1, my mom would never go to bed with her kitchen dirty. No. two, my mom would never throw a biscuit across the back yard that was hard enough to knock out a yellow finch and my mother would never drop an entire cheese cake down the side of her cabinet and perfectly onto the floor. Never happen...
My mom would never go to the grocery store braless, my mom would never leave her bed unmade for an entire day, my mom would never tell my dad to pick up his dirty socks, and my mom would never, ever, ever sleep past 8:00.
But according to my children, I even sound like my mother these days. Oh, I've noticed it too. I'll say something and then think, 'Gosh, I heard my mom say that', or I'll do something just like my mother would do. Anyway, beware girlfriends, it will happen to you too.
No, I didn't walk today or yesterday. I know, the two most beautiful days of the year and I didn't walk. Yesterday I had Miss Priss all day and today I worked 1/2 a day and hit the couch the other half and it is almost humanly impossible to walk while on the sofa. Hubby and I then decided to go to the yellow stores and shoe shop. Now, I have decided on two definite things: 1) for every pair of shoes we buy from now until Thanksgiving, we will do a shoe box for Samaritan's Purse, and 2) A normal person only needs 4, yes 4, pairs of shoes. One great pair of running shoes, one pair for dressing up, and 2 pair for work, one brown and one black. That's it....4 pair. OK, 5, a pair of Rainbows. But that's it.....no more.
Why do we need shoes that match every outfit we own? Face it people, we don't. My mom tells the story about cutting out cardboard at night to put in the bottom of her worn shoes and they would last and last. I'm trying desperately to convince myself that shoes are not that important. I have been searching for the perfect two pairs of work shoes since November to no avail. I have shopped everywhere and just can't put my hand (or foot) on them. Tonight was no different. Oh, hubby did manage to find a pair of Timberland's on sale but me??? No luck. Ok confession, I did find a pair of cowboy boot looking clogs by accident. They were on the bottom of the clearance rack at some shoe store and I just slipped my foot into them and fell in love with the comfort. Yes, I got them even though they are not really appropriate for work, definitely not dress-up and nope, I can't run in them. I know, I know, not one of the 5 essentials. I guess I'll follow mom's lead and keep using my black permanent marker on my favorite work shoes to cover the scuffs and keep going....
Anyway, weather permitting, I will hit the pavement tomorrow and do better about my commitment. I must......
My mom would never go to the grocery store braless, my mom would never leave her bed unmade for an entire day, my mom would never tell my dad to pick up his dirty socks, and my mom would never, ever, ever sleep past 8:00.
But according to my children, I even sound like my mother these days. Oh, I've noticed it too. I'll say something and then think, 'Gosh, I heard my mom say that', or I'll do something just like my mother would do. Anyway, beware girlfriends, it will happen to you too.
No, I didn't walk today or yesterday. I know, the two most beautiful days of the year and I didn't walk. Yesterday I had Miss Priss all day and today I worked 1/2 a day and hit the couch the other half and it is almost humanly impossible to walk while on the sofa. Hubby and I then decided to go to the yellow stores and shoe shop. Now, I have decided on two definite things: 1) for every pair of shoes we buy from now until Thanksgiving, we will do a shoe box for Samaritan's Purse, and 2) A normal person only needs 4, yes 4, pairs of shoes. One great pair of running shoes, one pair for dressing up, and 2 pair for work, one brown and one black. That's it....4 pair. OK, 5, a pair of Rainbows. But that's it.....no more.
Why do we need shoes that match every outfit we own? Face it people, we don't. My mom tells the story about cutting out cardboard at night to put in the bottom of her worn shoes and they would last and last. I'm trying desperately to convince myself that shoes are not that important. I have been searching for the perfect two pairs of work shoes since November to no avail. I have shopped everywhere and just can't put my hand (or foot) on them. Tonight was no different. Oh, hubby did manage to find a pair of Timberland's on sale but me??? No luck. Ok confession, I did find a pair of cowboy boot looking clogs by accident. They were on the bottom of the clearance rack at some shoe store and I just slipped my foot into them and fell in love with the comfort. Yes, I got them even though they are not really appropriate for work, definitely not dress-up and nope, I can't run in them. I know, I know, not one of the 5 essentials. I guess I'll follow mom's lead and keep using my black permanent marker on my favorite work shoes to cover the scuffs and keep going....
Anyway, weather permitting, I will hit the pavement tomorrow and do better about my commitment. I must......
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday - 4 to 6
I just found out today that someone very dear to me is very sick. His heart is so damaged that it cannot be repaired. He is not a candidate for a transplant and the doctors told him today they he could possibly live 4 to 6 months. I was there....I heard him say it.
That statement has resonated in my mind since I heard it. I thought about it all the way home from the hospital in Spartanburg and still can't get it out of my head. 4 to 6 months. That's May to July!!! Summer time. The time of awakenings and prosperity and life and fun and living. Not dying.
He is only 65 years old. ONLY 65!!! We hang out a lot. We eat together at least twice a month and just enjoy each other. He and hubby are hilarious together. They can tell some amazing stories that would have you in stitches. Never a dull moment together. But today I saw him cry. A first.
The doctors say his heart is just worn out. He has never smoked, never been a drinker and never chased wild women (that he will admit). He had a heart attack about 3 years ago and just did not do what the doctors told him to do. Hine sight is 20/20.. Whatever. Would any of us have followed doctor's orders? Maybe, maybe not. Would the outcome of today's exploration have been any different if he had? Who knows?
4 to 6 months. What would I do if it had been me in that bed today? It very well could have been me. What if it had been me in Haiti this week? Why was it not me? What makes me so fortunate? I guess the one true and final answer is God. He is in control. He makes the decisions. He rules.
That statement has resonated in my mind since I heard it. I thought about it all the way home from the hospital in Spartanburg and still can't get it out of my head. 4 to 6 months. That's May to July!!! Summer time. The time of awakenings and prosperity and life and fun and living. Not dying.
He is only 65 years old. ONLY 65!!! We hang out a lot. We eat together at least twice a month and just enjoy each other. He and hubby are hilarious together. They can tell some amazing stories that would have you in stitches. Never a dull moment together. But today I saw him cry. A first.
The doctors say his heart is just worn out. He has never smoked, never been a drinker and never chased wild women (that he will admit). He had a heart attack about 3 years ago and just did not do what the doctors told him to do. Hine sight is 20/20.. Whatever. Would any of us have followed doctor's orders? Maybe, maybe not. Would the outcome of today's exploration have been any different if he had? Who knows?
4 to 6 months. What would I do if it had been me in that bed today? It very well could have been me. What if it had been me in Haiti this week? Why was it not me? What makes me so fortunate? I guess the one true and final answer is God. He is in control. He makes the decisions. He rules.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Week 3 - Sunday
Today is supposed to be a rest day.. Good thing 'cause I feel like crap. I'm going to try to stay in all day. I need a Wii and that way I can stay inside a do stuff. I have lost some weight, thank goodness, and my thighs are smaller. I didn't really pay that much attention to it until my daughter crashed at our house last week and made some crude comment about my hiney and thighs. And, I have gone down two pants sizes. I found two pairs of my favorite pants hanging in the back of my closet after Christmas that I had put back there a couple years ago when I out grew them, hoping I'd be able to wear them again because I do love them. I tried them on and they fit. Yippee......Then, I had a pair of them on when Catherine was coloring my hair and got hair dye on them...so much for that. I can still wear them if I wear something long over them. My luck....
One thing fun about this time of year, when it's cold and you can't do anything but sit around and wish for warmer weather and springtime, is that we start planning our summer vacation. Last year, like most every year, we went on a family vacation to Myrtle Beach. We camp at Pirateland Campground. We have been doing this for 20 years and have wonderful memories. The past couple years we have taken both our campers so there would be plenty of room for our growing group..Mom and dad came year before last and we had a blast. This past year was horrible. I always make final reservations in February. I got a commitment from the kids and their significant others, and made reservations for the week after we got out of school. Lane and I were to go on Tuesday and the others would be filtering in on Wednesday and Thursday evening. Our self contained camper is perfect for me, hubby and Tobi. That's why we bought it. Our pop-up will sleep about 50 and has plenty of room for the others. We felt certain Miss Priss would be sleeping with us, and that is fine. We can really sleep more in our camper, but are selfish and greedy and want it all to ourselves. We did let mom and dad sleep with us and Ryan and Liz stayed with us once when she was pregnant (A whole different story. Heard of the Exorcist??) Anyway, it turned out that Miss Priss went with us on Tuesday, fine with me, youngest daughter and boyfriend decided to stay in his little vw station wagon and not bring pop-up. (Remember, back in February I had paid for two sites for five nights.) Son-in-law couldn't get off work (forget about that commitment back in February) and Liz decided not to come until Friday and only stayed one night with us in our camper.
We had fun but things just didn't work out the way I had planned. I really thought things would be different. I thought the four kids would all stay, harmoniously, in the pop-up and Tobi would stay nicely in his kennel and not scream and bark and chew up everything he could get his teeth on when we left him alone. WRONG...
I had, back in the planning stages, decided to get doggy valium for Tobi. He is a nervous little creature when riding and when at a different place. He hates everybody. Including Miss Priss and she just loves him. Poor thing. He likes to be at home on his couch or in his/our bed. If I stayed in bed for a week sick, he would stay in there with me. He'd probably never go to the bathroom...Catherine and I had to sneak to drug him because hubby was afraid he would get addicted. He was afraid he'd come home from work one day and there'd be Tobi, sitting up on the couch, drinking a beer, smoking a cigarette and watching MTV with a bandanna wrapped around his head. So we'd give him a whole pill and lie and tell hubby we had only given him the recommended 1/4 of the pill. He was fine, just kinda laid back. It didn't really work, though. He managed to chew up a blanket, a rug and a bath towel by reaching them through the kennel and we could hear him baking on our way back from the beach. We had to go out to eat in shifts so someone could dog sit. But, I do love that dog.....
Sooooo, this year hubby and I have decided, to heck with all of them. Oh, we are still going to the beach and if they want to come, they can. We'll probably take Miss Priss but the rest of them can make their own plans and we are only staying maybe 4 nights and only one site. There!!!! But the fun trip we are planning is to Massachusetts. We are still in the initial stages of planning but we're working on it and will make our final reservations next month. Good thing I didn't make any reservations yet, I was looking at things on the internet last night and realized that the week we had sort of decided on is "Gay Pride Week" in Boston. Hubby is not really in to that and I do want to go to Boston. I want to see the Old North Church and the Charlestowne River and Robert Frost lived there once. Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard are on our list too. Anybody know any good places to eat there? Oh, and who wants to keep my dog????
One thing fun about this time of year, when it's cold and you can't do anything but sit around and wish for warmer weather and springtime, is that we start planning our summer vacation. Last year, like most every year, we went on a family vacation to Myrtle Beach. We camp at Pirateland Campground. We have been doing this for 20 years and have wonderful memories. The past couple years we have taken both our campers so there would be plenty of room for our growing group..Mom and dad came year before last and we had a blast. This past year was horrible. I always make final reservations in February. I got a commitment from the kids and their significant others, and made reservations for the week after we got out of school. Lane and I were to go on Tuesday and the others would be filtering in on Wednesday and Thursday evening. Our self contained camper is perfect for me, hubby and Tobi. That's why we bought it. Our pop-up will sleep about 50 and has plenty of room for the others. We felt certain Miss Priss would be sleeping with us, and that is fine. We can really sleep more in our camper, but are selfish and greedy and want it all to ourselves. We did let mom and dad sleep with us and Ryan and Liz stayed with us once when she was pregnant (A whole different story. Heard of the Exorcist??) Anyway, it turned out that Miss Priss went with us on Tuesday, fine with me, youngest daughter and boyfriend decided to stay in his little vw station wagon and not bring pop-up. (Remember, back in February I had paid for two sites for five nights.) Son-in-law couldn't get off work (forget about that commitment back in February) and Liz decided not to come until Friday and only stayed one night with us in our camper.
We had fun but things just didn't work out the way I had planned. I really thought things would be different. I thought the four kids would all stay, harmoniously, in the pop-up and Tobi would stay nicely in his kennel and not scream and bark and chew up everything he could get his teeth on when we left him alone. WRONG...
I had, back in the planning stages, decided to get doggy valium for Tobi. He is a nervous little creature when riding and when at a different place. He hates everybody. Including Miss Priss and she just loves him. Poor thing. He likes to be at home on his couch or in his/our bed. If I stayed in bed for a week sick, he would stay in there with me. He'd probably never go to the bathroom...Catherine and I had to sneak to drug him because hubby was afraid he would get addicted. He was afraid he'd come home from work one day and there'd be Tobi, sitting up on the couch, drinking a beer, smoking a cigarette and watching MTV with a bandanna wrapped around his head. So we'd give him a whole pill and lie and tell hubby we had only given him the recommended 1/4 of the pill. He was fine, just kinda laid back. It didn't really work, though. He managed to chew up a blanket, a rug and a bath towel by reaching them through the kennel and we could hear him baking on our way back from the beach. We had to go out to eat in shifts so someone could dog sit. But, I do love that dog.....
Sooooo, this year hubby and I have decided, to heck with all of them. Oh, we are still going to the beach and if they want to come, they can. We'll probably take Miss Priss but the rest of them can make their own plans and we are only staying maybe 4 nights and only one site. There!!!! But the fun trip we are planning is to Massachusetts. We are still in the initial stages of planning but we're working on it and will make our final reservations next month. Good thing I didn't make any reservations yet, I was looking at things on the internet last night and realized that the week we had sort of decided on is "Gay Pride Week" in Boston. Hubby is not really in to that and I do want to go to Boston. I want to see the Old North Church and the Charlestowne River and Robert Frost lived there once. Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard are on our list too. Anybody know any good places to eat there? Oh, and who wants to keep my dog????
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