We are off at the butt crack of dawn this morning to Denver where we will be til Sunday when we get home. I’m not really very enthusiastic about this trip even though we will be visiting friends we haven’t seen in about 6 years for part of the time. I don’t really want to go and if I could have gotten out of it gracefully, I would have. This is a family celebration around my soon to be 13 year old niece’s Bat Mitzvah. These affairs are usually fun but this family has been through some very stressful changes lately (divorce, remarriage, power plays, you get the idea) and I expect there to be a lot of drama held forcefully beneath the surface, but as we all know, stuff like that cannot always be silenced. My plan is to stay as close to the wine as possible.
Really, though, the main reason I am not enthusiastic about this trip is that I am just plain tired of traveling. This will be the 9th time we have traveled in the last 12 months.
We are going to take advantage of the trip and drive down to Colorado Springs and glad hand the architect that gave us a great job last year, maybe even get to see the house itself. And we will get to spend two nights with friends who live in Nederland and maybe even hike in the mountains and I will really enjoy that, but I will be glad to get home.
I know, I know, you’ll have to do without me for five whole days. So do your best and I’ll look forward to catching up with everyone when I get back.
Yikes, family gatherings like this wear me out. I hope your expectations will not be met, and that you will actually be energized. As much as I love a road trip, that does sound like a lot. Be safe.
ReplyDeleteOh families..there are always problems..grin and bear it and stick by the wine.
ReplyDeleteHave a good and safe trip xx
hey ellen - i love that "my plan is to stay as close to the wine as possible." i've done that long ago under somewhat similar circumstances! the social niceties of events sometimes rescue you from the subcurrents you describe but there's such a price to pay in adhering to those niceties isn't there?! the balance - because there's always balance - is in the people from europe, the chance to see your stunning artwork in situ, and of course hiking. lucky you!!! have a sweet ride. steven
ReplyDeleteGah! No Ellen? Where do I mail my complaint??? ;-)
ReplyDeleteHey, I'm hoping you will enjoy the trip more than you think. Godspeed and hurry back to the bloggyhood. ~x
ReplyDeleteHope you have a Grand time ..
ReplyDeleteJust sit with your wine & watch the family drama from afar ...
Sometimes it's rather funny
Ellen, you crack me up. I thought I was the only person on earth that used the phrase "butt crack of dawn." We are truly one in the same.
ReplyDeleteYou might be interested to read "Home Alone" on Reasons to be Cheerful 1, 2, 3 - a POTD nomination on David McMahon's blog today. Here's the
URL:http://joanne-helpinghands.blogspot.com/2009/08/home-alone.html
It kind of speaks to your dilemma.
And yes, by all means sistah, stay close to that wine. It's a strategy that works well for me and I can wholeheartedly vouch for it.
Fun times!
Hope you have a great time! We'll miss you!
ReplyDeleteYou will be missed here in blogosphere! I hope you have a better time than you anticipate!
ReplyDeleteKeeping my fingers crossed for you that you get a better experience that you're anticipating. Family events can indeed be stressful. I usually end up never leaving the kitchen and keep the vodka no further away than my elbow!
ReplyDeleteAt least there's nice scenery to look at as you tool around the state and the weather ought to be quite nice there now. Be safe, try to have a good time and we'll "talk" to you when you return.
At least it will be cooler than Houston.
ReplyDeleteGood plan, Ellen. Step slowly away from the drama, and towards the bar! Hope you have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy yourself in any way that you can. Bring back photos!
ReplyDeleteSometimes you just want to be home. I know the feeling.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed the stories of life on the river and waiting for overheated vans.
Catch you when you get back, Ellen. Hope things went better than feared! At least you get some mountain time.
ReplyDeleteYour wine plan sounds perfect to me. Do your best to enjoy. I'm sure you will. And be safe. :)
ReplyDelete