Turkey Day Weekend 2007

Wednesday

 I left work at 2pm.  The clockwatchers were the only 2 people left in the office, and I cheerfully wished them a Happy Holiday on my way out.  They looked at me sourly and said “Enjoy your afternoon.”  I smiled, saying “Enjoy your martyrdom” under my breath, and sailed out.  Dude, the boss left at noon, that means it’s time to LEAVE.  At home, we baked, packed, cleaned, emptied trash, brushed the dog, ate pizza for dinner (mmmmmmm), and hit the road at 8 pm, a genius plan that helped us avoid the traffic.  Four hours later we were in Clemson, in bed, asleep, cozy.

Thursday

We woke up at 6:30 to the sound of a 1 year old girl squawking, and were up for the day.  We lounged.  We drank Bloody Marys.  We talked to the Grandparents from Arizona, and the Cousins from Florida, and chased and tickled the Children of the Cousins, who were 1 and 3.  Dinner for 10 was laid out on a groaning dining table (kids relegated to watching a movie in the living room), and we did it up fine.  Turkey, wild rice, green bean casserole, spoonbread, crescent rolls, cranberry salad – it was a feast.  I had one little finger of red wine in the bottom of my glass.  After dinner, we took a long walk out along the levee, letting the dogs (and kids) off the leash.  There was much screaming and racing up and down hills and many pictures taken.  After we got back, we watched some football, and then snoozed to The Incredibles on tv.

Friday

7 am wake up call, the babies again.  This suddenly chilly morning we headed off to Greenville, SC to walk around the lovely downtown.  We had a great lunch in a restaurant in a little house near the Reedy River, then left to tour the Brother/Sister in Laws’ home, which the Grandparents from Arizona had never seen.  Patrick had his first Diaper Changing Experience in their guest room (it went well, he was coached by an expert), and then went back for more lounging, eating, and football in front of the fire in the Clemson house.  Dinner this night was an absolute dream of an enchilada, which gave me an absolute nightmare case of heartburn, my first of this pregnancy.  It took the Cousins from Florida almost 3 hours to make this dinner, which included homemade guacamole and Spanish rice, and for the second night in a row I nearly exploded.  After dinner, Patrick and I headed to a bonfire at some friends’ place.  After a chilly and wonderfully newsy couple of hours, we headed home, stopping on the way to have a baby moment with a 4 week old.  Patrick had his first Newborn Holding Experience (or one of the first, anyway), and I laughed over how eager the whole world is to train my husband for fatherhood.  It’s very sweet, actually – these are all dads handing their kids over, and giving him some daddy perspective.  I know Patrick is as excited and nervous as me, so I think he enjoys the encouragement.

Saturday

Another early morning, and we resigned ourselves to No Sleeping In Around Here, Folks.  It’s ok, it’s not like we were working hard.  Saturday, we – guess what?  Yeah, watched more football, in front of the fire.  Took the dogs on a long walk.  Ate.  There was a blessed lack of variety and initiative on this vacation, and I loved it.  In the afternoon, Patrick and I went to another couple’s home to play football in the backyard, and let Virge the Scourge run off some of his energy with a couple of doggy playmates.  I tossed the football around excitedly for about ten minutes, all ready to play (touch football, mind!), and then my Round Ligaments, aka The Bitches, decided to tweak and poke me unmercifully in the belly.  So I sat out and took photos with a friend’s expensive camera, and played with yet another baby boy – it let his mom and dad get a chance to both play with the grown ups for once, and let me rest my weary and complaining uterus.  Yeah, yeah, I know, my athleticism has taken a temporary hiatus, I re-freaking-member you stupid reproductive organ.  Quit bossing me around.  After the game, we went back for pizza and beer/ginger ale in front of the fire and THE football game.  USC v. Clemson, it was a nailbiter but we won, by God, we WON, with 4 seconds to spare!  Every member of the family was wearing orange, even the two dogs.  I think that helped our Tigers pull through.

Sunday

I never slept super well on this trip – and Saturday night was the worst.  Stabby stabby boob and tummy pains, peeing every twenty minutes (I thought this was supposed to let up in trimester two), and too much husband all up in my side of the bed.  So Sunday, the Day of Leaving, the Last Day of Vacation, was especially difficult to bear.  Waaah.  We had lunch with some friends right before leaving, and then headed home, and it took forever to get home what with all the traffic.  Upon our arrival, we dumped everything in the house, and sat down to watch Seinfeld.  Unpacking could wait til later.

Monday

Now I’m at work, and as annoyed as ever.  Blech.  At least Christmas is coming – and after that – Maternity Leave!  Huzzah!  Happy Monday, I guess.  Boo hoo.