This blog is in transition and currently has no point to it whatsoever. If you are looking for the Self-Help T-Shirt Catalog, I moved it to WordPress. So you should click here. If someone is trying to make you leave your house to go on a road trip and you don't want to stop what you are doing, then keep reading.
This past week was Thanksgiving, and we were visiting my husband's family. It was that awkward day after Thanksgiving when the large dinner is sitting in the refrigerator, and guests are sitting around the house. We had just had breakfast, and my sister-in-law's boyfriend's mom said that they were going to drive over to her brother's or cousin's house for a visit. Somehow, like a row of dominoes crashing one into the other, this turned into the opportunity for a road trip.
Looking back on that moment, as we were poised on the edge of a road trip to go sit in someone’s house, I realize that my family can be very difficult to move when we are not motivated. I really don’t want to go sit in someone’s house. Sitting in someone’s house is the most boring thing in the world. Especially when it is mid-morning after breakfast. There will be no food, and it is way too early for drinks. That means there will literally be nothing to do but sit. I felt incredibility unmotivated to sit but had already vowed to be pleasant during the holiday, so I gathered some things I thought my son and I would require.
Steps to ready for a road trip I don’t want to take are extremely detailed. First, there will be a long discussion about where we are driving, in what direction, and details on how long the trip will take. Then, we will have another discussion about what entertainment devices should be packed. Please be aware that all devices (iPad, iPod, NintendoDS, Kindle and laptop) will be packed regardless of the discussion outcome. Also finding all the devices scattered around the house will take longer than usual, as I will be checking Twitter or my blog comments instead of looking for them. We will need to pack a cooler of drinks to avoid possible dehydration. Once we are finally in the van, I will need to dash out of it at least twice for last minute items such as sunglasses or chargers for all the devices.
Steps to get ready for a trip we do want to take are a little simpler. After my mother-in-law announced that we did NOT have to go to shopping at the River Walk, but could instead take a trip to Natural Bridge Caverns, my son and I made it to the van in thirty seconds flat. Then, we looked at each other... wondering what was taking everyone so long.
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Invaluable advice! There IS a big difference in going on trips you like to the ones you don't like. To be fair, I'm not really much for organised trips. Or unorganised ones.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong, I like remembering having been on trips, just not actually making them. If I could get hold of memories digitally somehow, that would be ideal!
I just fall down and say I've all ready taken a trip! :)
ReplyDeleteFunny how that works; isn't it? It's kinda like when I am getting ready to go shopping (fun shopping, not boring shopping) I'm out the door in no time flat. But on a Monday morning? Heading to work? Well, it's a miracle I ever make it there at all.
ReplyDeleteWhat is this you say?: "too early for drinks..."
ReplyDeleteGirl, it is *never* too early...especially during the holidays...with family...Oy!
Mimosa's, Bloody Mary's, Screwdriver's (orange juice...it's not just for breakfast anymore!) champagne...gin..vodka...
My plan on efficient preparation for a road trip is to go by myself. Other people just screw everything up!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you all heartily, the best plan is to already have had done something, and that it is never too early for drinks. So, areyoukiddingme, yes, you should go by yourself. We will be here having drinks. Have a good trip.
ReplyDeleteYour MIL sounds like my mother. Mom lives with this mentality that if there is a relative within 200 miles we are obligated (failure means being struck down by God himself) to visit them. She may not want to, but "THEY EXPECT US TO". When we get there, without fail, the relative says "I had no idea you were even here!" Yeah, they expected us all right. Where's my iPod?
ReplyDeleteHa! I would've ran to get in the car, too! We were at Natural Bridge Caverns this summer. My 7 y/o loved it. I so know what you mean about it not being fun just SITTING in a house. Boring!
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ReplyDeleteMy earliest memories of my extended family are of just such trips to someone's very pristine living room, where we'd sit around making small talk and avoiding anything resembling decent conversation.
ReplyDeleteI like this non-tshirt blog of yours. See why having an overflow outlet is so nice?
Good stuff here...as always.
lahikmajoe: Yes! I remember that EXACT living room. It was sooo boring. Did they give a hard candy, and make you sit on a couch covered in plastic for hours?
ReplyDeleteI am going to boycott social convention.
You can never have too many devices. That's my motto!
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