Oh joy of joys.
Next year both my parents will be 70.
My dad has decided he wants to have a party to celebrate his.
A couple of weeks ago, when I spoke to my mom, she was up for going to NYC for her birthday (New Year’s Eve), and hanging around in Times Square to see the new year in. This I wasn’t too keen on - they really have no idea how cold it can get there, and it’s not all street parties. However, I could live with it - hang around with them until they go to bed, then head off to the favourite bar to hang out with my friends.
So. Just been speaking to my mom. “Did I tell you what we’re all doing for my birthday next year?” “Yes, we’re going to New York.” “Oh no, I’ve changed my mind now. We’re going to Florida, see the fireworks at Disney.”
Oh god.
Not again.
I have been on family holidays twice now to Florida. The first time was pretty good - although my mom couldn’t get her head around the fact I *waited* until 6 months before we went to book our flights, because obviously flights from the UK to Florida will be completely fully booked 12 months in advance. I only booked it so early because I got fed up of being asked twice a week if I had booked the flights yet.
It’s also a nightmare because my sister is a control freak. She has everything planned down to the last minute, and there is never any discussion about what we do, we all do it her way. My mom loves this - she wants everything planned down to the last detail, but can’t be bothered to do it herself.
Me? When I am on holiday, I want to do what I feel like, when I feel like it. If I think one day “You know what? I know I thought about going to X, but I think I will do Y instead because I feel like it.” My family can’t cope with this. They even objected to me and X having our own hire car when they had organised a 7 seater to take us all in. No way. No way in hell.
This time I won’t even have X as emotional support when dealing with the family. I wonder if LELI fancies a trip to the States…. now that would put the cat among the pigeons!