Let the Vacation Begin

This is for all of you who are envious of me basking in the Palm Springs sunshine. I would like to give you a quick recap of the past 24 hours of my life,  in an effort to make you feel better.I'll  begin at about 11 am yesterday - exactly 90 minutes before we're set to leave home for six weeks. I'm rushing around trying to make sure all the last minute tasks are done. You know, furnace filter changed and humidifier turned way down, thermostat dialed down, water softener set on bypass, coffee pot unplugged, doors locked..... Then I hear a call from upstairs, "Cin. ". "Yes, dear."  "Can you come up and fold some things for me?" In an effort to maintain the peace, I stop what I'm doing, head to the bedroom, and silently fold all the clothes he has yet to pack. Through gritted teeth I respond with all the kindness I can muster, "There you go."  He doesn't look up from what he's doing as he responds, "As soon as Im done here you can put everything in the suitcase for me."  Are you kidding me?   You'll have to imagine where the conversation went from there.

We finally made it to the airport and had an uneventful on time flight to CA. When we landed in the desert it was 50 degrees and pouring rain.   I went to the car rental counter while my loving hubby, who had yet to apologize, waited for our luggage.   Budget did not have the car we reserved so they gave us a lovely tan tank called a Crown Victoria. Did you know they still build a car that can seat  3 passengers in the front seat? I swear that my grandparents, were they still with us, would be embarrassed to drive this car.   On a good note, it has a mammoth trunk, so Lynn and Marie you need not worry too much about my ability to transport you and your luggage when you arrive.    We had a pleasant drive, in the rain, to our condo.   Got everything unpacked and headed off to Ralph's, the local grocery chain.   While we were overloading our cart  with over $400.00 work of stuff  we can't live without, the store lights went out twice. I'm not talking a flicker, but for an extended period.   No problem.   Once we're satisfied that we have more than we can possibly eat we checkout.  I scan my credit card, only to have the cashier announce in his football stadium voice that it is declined. I'm surprised he didn't use the public address system to inform all of Ralph's  shoppers that there's some loser at counter number 12. Okay.  I carry a seldom used Am Ex card for such emergencies, and it was accepted.

So, I head back to the condo and spend nearly an hour discussing my travel usage with the fine folks at Visa.   I thank the fraud prevention attendant for watching over me  and reactivating my card.  It's time for bed.  

Early this morning I waken to some strange and urrecognizable sounds. Maybe a giant woodpecker or a desert animal with which I am unacquainted.  This later proves to be construction workers. They are using our garage to store and cut sheetrock they'reputting  in a condo one floor up and several doors down. I manage to fall back to sleep for a few minutes and then hear that dreaded call again..."Cin"...."I thought you said we have WiFi."   We do."  "Well, it doesn't work."  "It works fine for me. Did you sign into the condo network?"   By the silence, and from past experience, I know that he has no idea what this means.   So I crawl out of bed at the break of day to get him signed on to the Motorola network.   Let me just state that an adult who knows nothing more about his new laptop than how to turn it on and click on 'the big blue e' is nearly as dangerous as a drunk behind the wheel of a car. At this point I have the option of becoming violent or heading out to Target.   I choose the latter.  I dig out my coupons, fill my cart with the last of the essentials required for our stay, and learn that once again my Visa is declined. (In a subsequent phone call they tell me the person I spoke with last night forgot to enter the correct code to reactivate my card and promise it is all okay now  We'll see.) Am Ex to the rescue once again.  By this time I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and decide to treat myself to a latte at Starbucks on the way out of Target.   After waiting in line behind a woman who ordered five vanilla frapacinnos, I am informed by an unapologetic barista that Starbucks doesn't have any coffee this morning because their grinder is broken.   AARGH!   I just had to laugh.

Now I'm back at the condo. Having cleaned and organized to my compulsive satisfaction, I put on some jazz music, make myself a hot cup of coffee with soy milk, and take a seat on the patio/lanai. The sun is coming out, the mountains are majestically snowcapped, the flowers are blooming. Kinda reminiscent of that Camp Granada song.  This is more like it.  Ya, well, the relaxation lasst a good 5 minutes before the landscape workers invaded with a blower so loud it sounds like a  Midwest tornado.   And now they're joined by some backup singers, the street sweepers, who have passed by three times so far.

I tell you all this not to complain, but to have you join in my laughter over how my vacation has begun.  I realize I am extremely fortunate to be here.   I know that it is only the first 24 hours of a long stay and things will settle down.  I will eventually unwind.   (Here comes that GD blower guy again.)  I'm attempting  to just be grateful for the impeccably clean sidewalks and patios,  pool decks, and streets  here.   Better try a little harder cuz' I'm not quite there yet.  And before I can even type one more word the street sweeper is passing by again. 

I assure you I have not exagerated one tiny bit about the past 24 hours.   I am telling you the honest truth.  This is all  too comical.  Mom, I know you wish you were here.  I would love that.  Lynn, Corinne, Marie, Anna, Caitlin, Heather, (street sweeper again) and Tyler, I'm looking forward to your visit.  This truly is a beautiful place.   I'm going to get my kindle and a visor and settle into the chaise lounge.   I vow  to relax if it kills me!

Love to all.