Written last week when I was on vacation and didn't have internet.
Friday, August 10
The rest of this week passed in a wonderful fog of reading, swimming, sunning, boating, and family fun. Part two of the annual rummy tournament was last night. Despite all of the name-calling and trash-talking on the part of other players, I was the one who came out on top. So hah! (I don't trash-talk. Or name-call. I am a very sweet winner. I promise.) My brother Marc came up for the last couple days, so tonight we had a game of Outburst instead: girls vs. guys. The girls came out on top the first game, but the second half-game, the men triumphed, as we completely stalled on a few categories (Southern food? Famous doctors? Famous 90's basketball players -- talk about my worst possible sport!). I know people think I'm odd for this, but despite a few personality conflicts, I really do have an absolute blast with my family.
Tomorrow's our last day of vacation. Holly and Karl have to leave on Saturday evening, rather than Sunday morning, so I will be leaving as well. I don't see any reason to stick around just to sleep (which is mainly what I'd be doing), and I'd have to get up early to do laundry on Sunday -- ugh. So tomorrow is it for us. Last day to pack everything in that we hadn't really gotten to do enough of before -- boating, fishing, ice cream store trips, family tennis matches.
Saturday, 8/11
Well, our wonderful trip has come to an end. Our last day was probably the best, or perhaps I could just appreciate it all the more knowing the trip I'd looked forward to for months was almost over. This morning, we went to Manny's for a short order breakfast; Manny is a certifiable wonder at the grill, and their omelets are the best I've ever had (don't ever order more than a two-egg omelet, trust me on this. Their three-egg omelets are platter-size.) When we returned, Karl's mom Claudia and dad David had come up to join us for the day, so we all went out for a marvelous boat ride. Due to high water (lots of rain early in the week), we had to drive the boat really slowly so as to avoid a wake, but it was almost more fun that way. We could simply enjoy the fresh air, the wonderful breeze, the sunlight glinting off the lake, and treasure it all the more because it was spent with family.
After lunch, the "men" (my brother Marc, brother-in-law Karl, and father Don) took the "boys" (Nicklas, 6, and Thomas 3almost4) out to play tennis. A bit later, I followed them in my official role as family photographer, and got some wonderful photos of my brother with the kids. On the way back, I stopped at the grocery store for one last run. It's amazing to me that the grocery store, typically my most-avoided household chore, became a pleasure while on vacation. Perhaps it's because it allowed me a trip out by myself -- time spent on my own, listening to my music, even for a short drive, and that's something I needed when surrounded by people all day. People I love, but still people -- the loner in me kicks in and I need "me" time. The grocery store trips gave me that. Plus I got to check out cute guys. :)
After the boys returned, we jumped into the lake for one last swim. I know people who are phobic about swimming in the lake ("oh, uh, yuck, fish. Plants. Rocks! Yuck." Sissies) but I grew up swimming in lakes and generally enjoy them more than pools (chlorine taste - ick) and oceans (salt - ick). The lake water was particularly warm and welcoming today, and we all had a great time in the water. Swimming was always the only sport I was any good at, and I love the feeling of being in the water.
Then came dinnertime. We capped off the week with a typical BBQ of brats and burgers, with potato salad, macaroni salad, and green salad. All with lemonade. Yum.
Unfortunately, then came the hustle bustle of getting ready to go. All of the cleaning up, the packing, the laundry I had to finish up (washing all of the towels and sheets we'd used during the week). When I said goodbye to Holly and the kids, I felt so sad that I started crying. I know it sounds corny, but it was such a wonderful week with family. We enjoyed ourselves so much, and I adore spending time with them so much. It was so hard to say goodbye knowing that I will not see them again until October, in all probability. That seems so far away still!
I am now back at my dad's house. I'll stay here tonight, then set out for Pittsburgh in the morning. Unfortunately, my return home comes with both good and bad. There's no place like home, really, and Dorothy said. I'll be happy to sleep in my own bed (a queen-sized, after a week in a twin -- heaven!) and we all know the return to an internet connection will be a bliss. I'll also be glad to see my furries, although of course there will be kitty-related messes to clean up. Unfortunately, bad flooding hit Pittsburgh this week, and I got water in my basement that got into my boxes of books and games and soaked my area rugs and carpets. There will be some necessary cleanup, which will not be fun after a long trip home. ah, well, the joys of home ownership, right?
Goodbye for 2007, family vacation. I look forward to next year.
