Phase one: Planning
This time it’s not like a pre-planned trip to Disney World or a cruise where everything is set-up far in advance. This one is a spur of the moment thing.
Candy, my daughter, has a birthday coming up Saturday. (I don’t know which one, and don’t really care to know; seems every time she adds a year, I add two. ) So, we decide it would be good to take her to the beach to celebrate. Now the hardest part of this is to decide to do it. Can we afford it … hmm … that’s never stopped us before.
We discussed a day trip to Gulf Shores, catch the ferry to Dauphin Island and circle back through Mobile in one day. Could have been fun considering the stay-at-home edict would have allowed for sleep the next day. But we got to thinking … and would rather stay a few nights. Then there are reservation rules. No less than three nights. So I calculate in my head … well, ok. That would be good. I discuss this thought with my wife and she, being the practical one, asks whether we can afford it. I then recalculate in my head, three nights at roughly a figure plus gas and food (never a good thing) and say “Yea, I think we’ll be ok.”
We then discuss it with Candy and while a little reluctant, she’s good to go.
Decision made, now … can we get reservations. After all it’s this coming weekend.
Now reservations are my wife, Barbara’s, responsibly. So, she and Candy make the necessary calls and then announce we have reservations for four nights; one more than I had thought, but ok. That’s good.
Now the next step. I had not mentioned to anyone yet but in the back of my mind was the question, “Would my son and his family be able to join us” — he’s a minister and getting away for a weekend on short notice is not so easy. A quick text, then his request for details, a phone call, discussion and “Let me see what I can work out.“
Hope springs eternal.
In that case, we need another room. More calls and we’ve got two rooms, four nights reserved, with the possibility of canceling up to a point if he is unable to make it happen.
Then the next day another text … “Ok, we’re in. I had to work out some stuff for this weekend, so I think we are good.”
Plans made — now what’s next?
Then, the often heard phrase every husband dreads in such cases … ”I don’t have anything to wear.”
This then calls for a trip to Belk, her favorite place to shop. And while I have an appropriately manly distaste for “shopping,” I agree to go with her. After all, I’m the mule that follows behind holding everything she likes/needs and most assuredly liking whatever she selects. (Truthfully, she is getting things she needs — trip or not, as she is very frugal this way.)
Now at the checkout, I close my eyes, and most especially my mouth as the register continues to ring. After all, it’s 50-60% off today. (She is quite good at this.)
Now there are just a few more items we need to take with us and I get the “list” to handle this. Suitcases down, now to pack; thankfully not my “duty”. Just throw in some underwear, shorts and T-shirts, and I’m ready.
Call Chris to coordinate a trip meeting place. Load the car tonight, finish up in the morning, and away we go …
Happy Birthday Dolly!!
Phase Two to come.
Just pondering…
