R and R: Revisited

Well, I survived my vacation to the great north woods…and managed to get some of the the rest and relaxation that I desperately needed.

However, I was right that my wife and her brother would want to go go go…and try to drag me with them.  “Let’s go swimming,” “Let’s go hiking” “Let’s go to [name of town]” “Let’s do this” “Let’s do that”.   And when I said no, and reiterated that I wanted to relax, I got a snide, “Whatever!”

“Whatever”, indeed!    I should not have to feel guilty about wanting to relax.   I’m 47 years old, I work third shift, and I never get enough sleep.   The last thing I want to do on my vacation is run around like a chicken with it’s head cut off.

So, I didn’t.   I held firm, and got my relaxation, ignoring the angry glances and sarcastic jibes.

What really got to me during this week of vacation was my wife’s countdown to the end.  “Sigh.   Four more days and I have to go back to work,” she said our second day there.   And the countdown updated several times a day—every day!

Finally, the day before we were to leave, she asked me, “Do you want me to reserve the cabin for next year?”

I smiled at her, shrugged, and said, “You do what you want to, dear.   I don’t care, because I’m not coming up here next year.   You’re on your own.”

Hey, if nothing else, while she’s up north with her family, I can spend my vacation doing such exciting things as watching the grass grow and feeling my beard come in.

How can I handle such excitement?   Easy.    All in the name of Relaxation.

And so it goes…