I should have known…
I mean, it’s not that I’m bitter about it or anything, because honestly I’m not.
BUT, that being said, I should have known.
I’m a planner. It’s what I do. But the funny thing about my best laid plans is that they seldom, (if ever) go the way I plan them. Sometimes, I’m ok with that. Other times, when it’s all said and done, I’m able to look back and realize that things worked out better after all.
I’ll admit it though, there are times when I am just one giant, pouty cry baby about the whole entire thing…
My son Lucas went into the army. The army told him he’d be graduating from his individual training next summer, in Missouri. Awesome! One of my absolute best friends lives in Missouri. Win/Win.
But, if we’ve learned anything about the army, we have learned that what they say and what happens are two entirely different scenarios. Once he transferred from MO, mid training, the new plan was a Florida graduation. Panic set in, about cost and the distance from here to Florida- but in all of our new found wisdom and maturity, I rolled with those punches and an awesomely fantastic new plan emerged. Road Trip!
But, alas, once I (in my stubborn and foolishly planned ways) had the route all laid out and told friends we were headed through their area- the Army mixed it up a bit…
Alabama. MONTHS sooner than we’d anticipated. True panic set in… How would we get there? Which of us would be lucky enough to go? Insistent that we be there, (as if we’d miss it), I set about planning our third journey. Again, connecting with friends and ironing out all of the details. Miraculously, and against all odds, a plan came together in a way that would allow the three of us to go to Alabama…
What happened next? Well… you know. Only this time it wasn’t the Army as much as my son. He would rather have a party/reception when he came home the day after his graduation. After all, he was going to be here for almost a month. It would be awesome… Then, on his birthday, he’d be due to report to a base right next to my sisters home in Colorado. Perfect!
I booked the venue, planned the date, and well, I am sure you can figure out what happened next… (the sum of that part of the story is far less than a month at home and no Colorado…)
Suffice it to say, it’ll all work out, nothing like I planned but I laugh and smile because Lucas will be home (for however long he’ll actually be here-) and it’s all about him, not me…
Feeling head-achy and a bit on the miserable side, I ran around Boise yesterday finalizing everything I could for the big event, because after an insanely busy Friday, we were heading out of town for a weekend at the Winter Festival up in McCall. We’ve been trying to go, for the past three years, and to no avail something has come up every time… (Starting to notice a pattern, yet? *smile*)
Early, early Thursday morning Gen woke us up with shouts and crying, because her tummy hurt…
Just after a miserable breakfast, later, Thursday morning I realized that she was covered with Chicken Pox. To add to the beauty of the kink in our better laid plans- we are BOTH quarantined because my “feeling crummy” could be some how linked to a flair up of the virus in me. Yippee…
We’re trading in beautifully carved ice art, birthday cake (niece) and family fun in the sunshine and great out doors for Caladryl lotion, oatmeal baths, and never ending redbox/Netflix watching…
Nothing like I planned, but I’m ok with that. (or working on getting there anyway) I am pretty sure I’m not alone in my best laid plans winding up as sod for my reality… I am reassuring myself that the cow who was BFF’s with Diddle Diddle, in the nursery rhyme, had only planned to stroll through a pasture when he accidentally jumped over that illustrated moon. I’m no fool, you don’t have to tell me which option makes the better story, so I’ll go with it and continue eating my ice cream for dinner. It doesn’t matter that its night two of being the only thing I can swallow. I mean, hello!?!? It’s ICE CREAM for dinner…
Rainy Day in May... 
I'm sorry your plans are falling through. I know Netflix is a lousy plan B, but ice cream for dinner? That's a good start at making up for what you're missing. Hope you both feel better soon.
Plans are fine… :) I consider it my lesson in flexibility… like yoga for the soul :)
Ice cream for dinner. Yum. I appreciate you attitude. :)
I'm trying to be less of a control freak. Sad I don't get to see you, in a few weeks though!