First of all, let me say a big “Thank You” to all of you for allowing me to whine relentlessly on Friday about being all uninspired. I’m over it. You were there. Thanky. Moving on…
We just got back from a wonderful weekend in Washington State visiting family and celebrating a very early Christmas before parts of the family hightail it for warmer weather and drier climate. It was a very full, fun weekend but vacations, even mini ones, always end with the requisite clean-up. And here’s where the true purpose of my post comes into play. Allow me to explain…
Picture it -
We’re pulling into the driveway after a long drive home. The kids have gotten a couple of good naps and are already quivering in their seats in anticipation of bursting through the front door to see their dog, Lewis, and to make sure that all their cool stuff is still where they not-so-neatly keep it.
I say, “Now, remember something family. Everyone needs to help put everything away. Okay?”
Family in unison: “Sure! We’ll help.” I’m so lucky to have such a lovely considerate family. Smiles all around like a Norman Rockwell painting come alive in a 2000 Ford Expedition.
Oh, we all packed it inside, alright. But that’s where it all ended. Exit Norman Rockwell, enter my worst frickin’ nightmare. I kneeled down to tie my shoe, just for a nanosecond, and as I stand back up, this is what I see.
It was just like an old Friday the 13th horror movie. You know, where the young, nubile co-ed innocently stops to tie her shoe while hiking with friends and then stands back up only to become aware that everyone has gone missing? And she’s alone, left to contend with the sudden appearance of a stranger in a hockey mask. It was just like that. Except I’m not really a young coed. Or nubile. And, I don’t really hike. And instead of Jason Vorhees to contend with I had a gigantic mess of tangled shopping bags and luggage. (Personally, I think Jason Vorhees would have been easier.)
My family was nowhere to be found. And they left all of their stuff. Right in the middle of the floor. For me.
Oh, and that’s my stuff. You got it. Neatly set upon the couch.
After coping with the realization that my family is selfish and mean I got to thinking about all the stuff. Why in the heck is there so much to put away? We were gone for one night. We have luggage, cows, Care Bears, shopping bags, coats…
…a Spongebob balloon. Hold the phone, people. Why in the heck did we even bring a Spongebob balloon with us?
Well, it took awhile but I was able to get everything put away. Solo mia. All by myself. And I still haven’t located my family. I have this vision of them in the garage hiding underneath the workbench stocked with pringles, mallomars, juice boxes and the portable DVD player.
I’ve learned some valuable lessons from this mini-vacay.
1) I should utilize a little more scrutiny during the packing process. I’m pretty sure the Spongebob balloon was an unnecessary addition to my stress level.
2) I should devise a plan which disables my family from avoiding me like the plague when we are in the midst of unpacking. I’m thinking I should be the one hiding under the workbench with pringles, mallomars, a juice box and the DVD player. Nah. I’d wriggle out from underneath the bench 10 pounds heavier from salt and hydrogenated oils only to find all the crap still sitting there. New plan.
3) I should drink more wine. Lots more.
Mindy
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Brandy
I’ve always thought that vacations are so tough – both the going and the coming home. So much to do on both ends. But they’re so worth it in the middle, don’t you think?
Oh, definitely worth it! Being a “grown up” just makes me appreciate all the work my mom put into our vacations WAY more! =)
Mindy
First off…you seriously expected your husband to help?? Mine doesn’t even pack his own suitcase. He pretty much just shows up. End of story. And the kids, well there’s hope for them. Now that mine are teens they pack themselves and put away their stuff. But sadly, the amount of probably unnessecary stuff we take never seems to dwindle…
Vacations are work. No doubt. But sooooo worth it! Glad you had fun!
♥Spot
So what you’re saying is…it ain’t ever gonna happen? Hmmm…I think you may be on to something there. 10 years of vacations…NEVER helps me. Why do I keep trying? =)
Mindy
I feel ya. Everytime we go to Dallas to visit the grandkids, we have to take the dogs with us. They have just about the same amount of stuff as hubby and I together, if not more. When we get home hubby does help clean out the truck, but then within seconds he is sleeping.
I have to tell my self..think of the grandkids, not the mess!
Yes, you do understand! My hubby even had the gall to say on our way home this weekend, “At least there isn’t much to put away. We were only gone one night.” Hmm. I guess that’s why he didn’t feel the need to help me. =)
Mindy
I would tell you to just leave it where it lands, when they need it they will come to pick it up….but it doesn’t work,,,I’ve tried it numerous times….have you ever seen that “Everybody Loves Raymond” episode with the suitcase on the stairs….yup,,,that’s what happens at my house
Glad to hear you guys had a great time! Love your blog, keep it up!
Wendy
Haha..I have seen that episode and that is EXACTLY what would happen if I left it sitting there. And then I’d have to step over everything all day and I’d be mean and stub my toe and be even more mean. Not worth it. =)
Mindy
Wow, looks like you guys got some shopping in! What mall did you end up going to? It was great seeing everyone – we need to do a girls weekend soon!
We went to Woodburn and they had some AWESOME deals. Thus, all the bags. =) It really was great seeing all of you too and I can’t wait to do a girl’s weekend! =)
Mindy
That is what I’m dreading when we come home from Thanksgiving. We’ll be gone 3 nights, so you can imagine how much crap we’ll have to put up when we get back. I don’t unpack other people’s stuff. Hubby brings it into the living room, and I haul it to the room in which it belongs. Even my 5 year old unpacks his own stuff – or it just sits in his room collecting dust until it’s needed.
Wow…everyone unpacks their OWN stuff? I can’t even imagine that. It’s like you live in some alternate universe of something. Or maybe I’M the one who lives in an alternate universe. =)
Mindy
Yuck,
That’s the only part of going out of town I really hate-packing and unpacking. Who I am kidding? I pretty much hate going out of town now. I traveled a lot in my 20′s and early 30′s. Sick of it now. I have not come across a man yet that will pack/unpack his things. I am sure they are out there just havent seen one. Makes me appreciate my Mother all the more.
Man, what I would give to find the one dude out there who helps with the packing/unpacking. I would pick his brain and find out what makes him different than the general male population. I could probably make millions releasing that secret. =)
Mindy
It’s either bring the spongebob balloon or listen to wailing for hundreds of miles about leaving it behind. It’s a no-win situation. Good job picking up the mess. You deserve some chocolate.:)
Yeah, I made no-bake cookies today and have consumed my fair share…and my hubby’s share…and Avery’s share…pretty sure I had Jack’s share too. Maybe next time they’ll help me unpack! =)
Mindy
I’m just glad to read you weren’t in a corner, sucking your thumb, and rocking back and forth, saying “Susanna”.
Cause that is TOTALLY where I would have been.
Good job, Mindy!
OMG, that’s too funny! In 2002, we drove from PA to FL. 2 adults, 2 kids and 1 toddler in a car seat. PLUS we packed for 2 weeks with no laundry facilities (found out when we got there that there actually were facilities). And if that weren’t bad enough, we packed 2 weeks worth of food (long story). Our Dodge Caravan was packed so tightly, you couldn’t see the kids half the time. Oh, we also had one of those turtle-shell looking car top carriers for all the beach stuff. The ride home was a little better, but imagine putting all THAT stuff away! O_O