I begged this magazine to not use my picture on the cover...It's summer.
Time for vacation.
Time for...beaches...sun...swimming...sunburns.
It's all I've heard anyone talk about this past week. Everyone, and I mean everyone I know, has some fabulous getaway planned.
We, on the other hand, do not. We didn't plan anything...and truthfully, I'm not complaining. Sometimes getting ready for a trip, and even the actual trip, aren't worth all the hassles you run into when travelling.
Who needs rest and relaxation...the tropics...balmy beaches...palm trees swaying...some silly blue drink with an umbrella in it.
Not me.
I'm all for smog, humidity, the smell of dead skunk.
Why, who wants to stop: answering phones, opening bills, scooping dog poop, and cleaning toilets?
Not me.
Who needs snorkeling, sailboating, shrimp cocktails, and a Swedish massage with Sven?
Not me.
Don't get me wrong, we've had plenty of great vacations. Although many years ago, we did venture out on a cruise from hell.
The very first day, poor Mr. Cruisin took ill. He couldn't get off the damn ship, joining us for dinners only.
The second day, both of my children took ill, acquiring a new symptom each day thereafter.
What started as a simple cold, quickly turned into sinus infections. From there, a brutal cough developed for both my offspring. On to double ear infections, and ending with a rousing case of conjunctivitis, better known as a lovely shade of "pink" eye, for my youngest.
The bulk of the vacation was spent in the cabin watching a John Travolta movie called Phenomenon...not once, not twice, but close to 20 times. You see, when you're rocking back and forth on a ship in the big, big ocean...you have but two choices:
To watch the movie they run over and over and over again, or watch a video tape of the festivities taking place on your ship from the prior evening. Tough choice.
So much for cruising (you'd think with my name, it would have been a perfect fit). That was the first and last time we tried that.
But, we've had some wonderful vacations through the years, that hopefully left a lasting positive impression on my children.
Alas, this won't be the year for a vacation.
I'll have to settle for a brown drink (diet coke, of course) in my backyard, watching the rose bush sway in the sticky summer eve...
...while Mr. Cruisin takes the place of Sven.
16 comments:
So, tell me again Cruisin Mom, where do you live again? Could it be where all those palm trees are that in the tourist brochures? Where one can get a tan almost anytime of the year? Where the beautiful beaches and fantastic surfing exists? Where there is Hollywood movie lots and celebrity sightseeing? Homes of the Stars and Disney Land?
Could it be Southern California, where, perhaps, almost universally, everyone want to visit, to live or to be seen?
Hmmm?
I agree with you about cruises- I'm more of a land lubber meself!
(CM wherever YOU are your family will have a blast!)
I, too, find it funny that people want/need to take a vacation when they live in a vacation hotspot! (as Sweettooth implied)
And I love that compliment Kasamba threw your way; maybe you can recycle it for each one of your fan commenters...?
Actually, why not "play tourist" throughout the summer in your neck of the woods and areas nearby? Find some off-the-beaten path places to go or tours to take. Hit little local diners and cafes that get great ratings from the natives.
Just look at and live your world with new eyes over the summer. I guarantee you'll have something to write about.
Pearl, speaking of sightseeing/ vacationing locally, my sister and I were just talking about that, well specifically, camping locally.
I told her a story about when my husband and I went camping one time in West Virginia. The campground was completely booked by the folks who lived in the small town adjacent to it. It was this huge party for them, with generators, tvs, fridges, and of course the police coming to breakup the catfights of women over a man or two.
Anyhow, my sister, mentioned that when she lived in Hawaii, she thought it was funny and strange how the Hawaiians would go away for a mini-vacation by camping on the other side of the island. I on the other hand can totally see it, since the islands are so diverse, but I do get her point. At least when I saw them camping, it was without the elecric caravan.
Yeah, no offense, but it's not like you're living in 95+ heat with 95+% humidity (ugh!). Enjoy LA, CM :)
Well, little did I know you'd all turn against me!!! Okay, OKAY...I'll appreciate where I am, and where I live, and everything around me.
But you all have to do the same...because all of you have great history, and sightseeing as well.
This poses an interesting idea...how would it be to vacation in your own backyard, as a tourist would? Maybe we'd all appreciate where we live just a little bit more.
Randi, when I was dating my now-husband, I made a pretty lengthy list of all the sights I wanted to see in Toronto, all the things I normally wouldn't go to see, all the little pockets of culture in our city that I wanted to explore: Little Italy, Little Portugal, Little India, etc.
Wanna know something? I've still got that list to work through...and if you come to Toronto, we can explore these neighborhoods together!
Today is the last day of my vacation. Aaarrggh. Just wanted to say 'hi'. Rhea
The Boomer Chronicles
T.P.: someday, would love to come to Toronto.
Scribe: Nothin' sucks like the last day of vacation :(
Thanks for stopping by!
I never run out of things to do here. Really, I always have things that interest me.
The biggest problem is lack of time to do them.
We take trips 'in our own backyard' all the time - our area is great for that sort of thing. My parents called them "one-tank-trips", as in one tank of gas.
HOH: well, you just had a wonderful vacation, I'm happy for you.
Jack: it's true...L.A. is great...but it's nice to go other places and away from your own city.
E.K.: yep, with young kids...it's the easiest.
Call my social director. You all can spend an evening in our back yard. We can grill some cow, have diet cokes and watch the kids play. (Perhaps we could invite the Ralphie family as well.)
Doc Bean: you had me at "grill some cow".
Hey Crusin Mom, if you come to London I could grill you some 'mad cow'!
kasamba: sounds like an offer I can't refuse!
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