At the risk of becoming a rabid blogger as my niece so eloquently put it, I’ve decided a break from the blogging world could do this girl a world of good.
And what perfect timing. Hubs has planned a trip away to Washington, as in the state. I’ve been dragging my feet committing for multiple reasons. Mostly because what started as a boy’s fishing trip for him and a buddy has somehow become a family excursion. When approached with this insane notion I instantly said no. “You go have a swankin fun time with your friend.”
He wanted ME- moi- this little chicky who prefers hotels over motels anyday, wears lipstick and eyeliner boating, and can only camp 2 days max before going mad, to go on a fishing charter for 8 hours straight for half the week? Um, love ya and all, but that sounds a bit like hell on earth. Seriously? And he just wouldn’t let up. For the life of me I couldn’t figure out why he would ever want me to go along on a guy fishing trip.
Not to even mention the 35 hour drive one way tucked in the back between the kiddos because this trip is not exactly in the budget and tickets out of Iowa are outrageous. Long car trips and I, well… Have I ever mentioned that my oil glands go into super hyperdrive in the car? Nothing makes a girl feel skankier than having so much oil on her face that frying an egg becomes a possibility. After 6+ blotting sheets a girl feels a bit like a McDonald’s fry cook, at the very least. And please don't tell me it will keep me young... I've heard it all. It just down right sucks.
His folks live that way and he wanted adequate bonding moments for the children. So, of course, he wants me to go to mind them. Perhaps he’s worried their dynamic personalities might send Gram’s over the edge.
I could go on, but I think I’ve painted a lovely enough image here. After many sleepless nights, therapy, and month+ of hemming and hawing over this painful decision that seemed to be a no win/win I’m sucking it up and going to paint on my happy face and make the most of it and have a fab time doing it dang it.
I am doing it mostly for the kidlets. Of all the weeks in the entire year, he HAD to pick the ONE week that not one, but both kids have a b-day. Yes, that’s right. Little Man and Pokey have a b-day one day apart the first week of August. And this did not happen by choice, trust me. Little Man came 2 weeks late while Pokey was induced 5 days early on Little Man’s b-day.
It’s not like two different sexed children have anything in common and could possibly share a birthday party. Heck no. For the sake of my sanity we only have birthday parties every other year. On the opposite year we do trips.
I just found out today that the trip is in 4 days, as in 4 days from this very moment. But hubs always fills me in on all the details and there is no way that I could have possibly been misled about what day we were leaving.
And as of now the children STILL have no idea we are going. They asked me today if they could go to a waterpark for their birthdays. If you remember back to the start of our South Dakota Adventures, I was pretty clear about my feelings regarding kids and trips. "If there was ever an unspoken kid rule that should be in the mysterious master manual it would read: Never tell children anything unless you are 100% sure it will happen. If you have even the slightest hesitation, for your own sanity and the love of goodness and harmony do NOT under ANY circumstances share this information with your children. They will hold it over your head eternally and you will never cease to regret it." I will stand by this til I am old and gray and buried 6 feet under.
I know that they will have many more birthdays to come, but are they old enough to understand why I wasn’t with them on their 9th and 11th b-days? Probably not.
So, you may not see me around for a little while. I’ve scheduled some posts for your viewing pleasure and I’ll do my best to catch up with your lives when I return. Don’t miss me too much.
Picture me on a lovely road trip with a smile on my face loving every. single. minute. of. it! 100% unplugged! Heaven help me.
So long...