Another Trip North In The Works
With a trip to visit my side of the family in Texas behind us, we’re now preparing for our annual trip to Minnesota to visit VH’s side of the family. At first glance, it would seem this trip would take less of a toll on our family budget: we’re driving, after all, instead of flying and we’ll be sleeping on the floor of my in-law’s cabin rather than shelling out for a hotel. (And people wonder why I don’t look forward to this visit. Hah.) Also, rather than taking in all of the tourist sights we’ll spend most of our time on the lake fishing, tubing or waterskiing.
But therein lies the hidden cost of these trips. At least once per visit something goes wrong that threatens to leave all 10+ of us sitting around the cabin twiddling our thumbs. A couple of years ago it was the weather. The year after that something went wrong with the boat which prompted a desperate search for a company that would deliver G3 accessories via FedEx overnight. After two days spent listening to the kids grumble we realized that, with the right Yamaha Waverunner accessories we could pull the kids on the tube behind the personal watercraft (PWC), and while they were thrilled at that prospect it quickly became tiresome for the adults.
As I quickly learned a 40-year-old body which jiggles in various places does not deal well with operating a PWC for hours at a time. By the end of the day I felt like someone had taken a bat to all of my wobbly places and that was the end of that for my water-recreation that year.
This year, thanks to the off-season purchase of some discounted Waverunner parts like rear-view mirrors and a lanyard engine cutoff switch, all of the kids except the Big-Eyed Boy can legally tow their cousins on the PWC under the Minnesota water safety laws. As long as they remain within constant visual contact of the adults on the dock we’ll be spared the bone-wrenching task of hauling the kiddies around.
One might think, then, that I’d be looking forward to this little trip since it means spending hours relaxing lakeside while the kids pretty much keep themselves entertained. But if you’re thinking that, then I suggest you re-read that first paragraph: we’re visiting my in-laws, people, which means there’s yet another hidden cost of our trip that VH hasn’t yet calculated into our budget: the huge quantities of vodka I’ll require when we get home.
Well, Happy Kids is good. Vodka is good. Not a total wash? Heh.
Margis last blog post..Music Meme
Make sure and take the Vodka with you, it will make the trip much more enjoyable, to have those martinis there, than waiting to get back home to consume. Don’t forget the olives!
Have Fun!
Tai-Tais last blog post..Malaysia is calling me
Like Tai-Tai, I was going to suggest taking the vodka with you. It could be worse. They could live in the same town you do.
Donna B.s last blog post..Jindal Vetoes Legislators’ Raise
Y’all keep forgetting my MIL is rabidly anti-alcohol. The last time I drank around her she manufactured a supposed alcohol-based situation and tried turning VH against me — a machination which backfired against her — but I’m not about to put any of us through that misery again.
Venomous Kates last blog post..Aspirin Bottles Lie, Too
Ah, Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes and skeeters the size of ultralight aircraft…
Yep, you’re right. I did forget about that post. I also forgot my reply to it — that I wouldn’t drink in HER house.
So much for my advice.
Donna B.s last blog post..Jindal Vetoes Legislators’ Raise
Sounds like the MIL needs to get a life! Sheesh if she has a problem with alcohol that is her problem not yours! You sure you want to stay at the cabin with her? A motel or even a travel trailer sounds like a better idea. I lucked out with in laws and my folks they would want a libation of their choice too. MIL would want a Martini or Manhattan, my Mom would be happy with just about anything and Dad likes his Scotch and his Vodka neat.
Try to have a good time maybe you can make a jug of Long Island Iced tea for you and jug of real iced tea for her… just a thought.
Tai-Tais last blog post..Malaysia is calling me
I traded my Yamaha Wave Raider for a gun. A really big gun. I’m certain that I came out ahead. Since alcohol is out on this trip to MIL land, how ’bout prescription medication? A combination of the diazepam and opiate families should do the trick rather nicely…
I just realized how incredibly cliche it must sound to infer that all encounters with MIL’s require a bit of “adjustment”. Amazing how some cliche’s are true, eh?
Jeffs last blog post..Lama Golf Swing Fix
I hope my sons-in-law don’t feel that way about visiting here. I have wireless for them and try to provide all the beer they want as well as food and other “beverages” and I never ask them to carry out the trash!
What else do I need to do?
Donna B.s last blog post..Jindal Vetoes Legislators’ Raise
Sounds like you’ve got all the bases covered. Of course, I’m assuming your guest room has walls that reach the ceiling and that you don’t throw a fit if they still don’t want to spend the night at your house on their anniversary even if the walls go all the way up.