So my mother calls yesterday. The woman is not known for spontaneity in large measures — though she will spontaneously hop in the car and drive a hundred miles to see a potential rare antique, for example; or will take an eighty mile side trip just to see the spot where some interesting historical person once laid his weary head. She's very good at that kind of spontaneity. But large, spontaneous gestures like hopping on a plane to Europe in less than a week?
Color me gobsmacked. And envious. See, Mom read yesterday's blog post about my crazy week, and my upcoming crazy weeks, and then picked up the phone and said, “Well, I guess you can't go, but I thought I'd ask anyway. M (her friend) and I are thinking of going to Paris next week.”
What?! Paris? Next week? Seriously?
Yeah, seriously. They found cheap flights, they found an inexpensive hotel, they think they'll rent a car for some day tripping, and they've plotted out a week. I'm still in shock. My mother, adventurous though she is, does not drop everything and go to Paris in a week. But am I happy about it? Oh yeah. A little over a year ago, this was the woman who worked at a job that was strangling the life and health from her. When she decided to retire (another spontaneous event, actually), it was the best thing she ever did for herself.
And now she's planning short-notice trips to Paris. I like it. I'm shocked, but I like it. Wish I could go, but I have two problems. One, deadline. Two, I've had “Renew Passport” on my To Do list for months. As soon as I got off the phone with her, I went to the State Dept website and filled out the form. Now it's printed, my old passport is sitting here with it, and all I need are two photos and a check for $75. I'm not getting left out of spontaneous trips to Paris ever again.
Have you ever done a spontaneous trip like this? Just dropped everything and jetted away to somewhere you wanted to go? Or are you a planner, someone who has to book and pay for a trip months (or years) in advance? I admit, when I lived in Europe, it was no big deal to hop in a car and go. I did it quite a lot. But I've never bought a plane ticket at the last minute for a big trip off the cuff.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids, but before I had children, it was not untoward for my husband and I to hop in the car and drive to Mobile for the weekend.
Now, things are a smidge different. A bit more planning is involved if it is going to be overnight, but we do wander a bit and make day trips.
I am a bit wistful about it sometimes. LOL
oooh, glad you reminded me, I have to get my Passport too….
WOW! I like your Mom too. She should do historical tours for people. I remember a great trip with her… (you, Kimberly, me, your mother)… yea, she really knows her history.
As for the rest, I am spontaneous. I like to drive somewhere — anywhere, any weekend if I could. My husband needs some planning involved. 😉
So I am going to talk about going up the Oregon coast this summer… I gotta start talking about it now. Maybe we will spend a few days in his birthplace.
Oh yeah, Cyn, get him ready NOW. Life is too short to not see stuff, right? I think that was the Christmas market tour, wasn’t it? Mom does love her history. 🙂
Yeah, kids would complicate it a bit! Though Mom used to pile us in the car to go 80 miles to see said historical place. And usually without warning. In the days before portable DVD players, etc. LOL!
Okay, y’all, I’m off to prepare for tomorrow’s HOD Readers’ Luncheon (see my appearances on the home page). Will be offline for a day or two, so don’t think I’m ignoring you! I’ll be reading on my phone, but probably unable to respond until I return home.
Have a great weekend!
I hope your mom has fun. I would need to plan, I wouldn’t like to just drop everything and go. I like knowing things a head of time so I can get used to the idea.
Have fun at the luncheon!
Hi, Nicole! I did have fun, but whew, wore me out with all the preparation, etc. 🙂
And Mom is definitely going to Paris. They made arrangements. 🙂
Love’d the article. Your mom really sounds like a lady who’s personality and life-worth really has substance. Cherish her! Before I leave yur site, let me mention my new book, “Beth:Love Along The Way…by B.G.Sanford,” and just released by Eloquent Books. It’s the story of one woman who overcame all odds and two ugly divorces, to find real Love……..Along The Way. It’s both an amazing and entertaining story, you’re sure to enjoy. And if you’re so inclined, it can be ordered off the internet or have your local bookstore order it for you.
Good reading friends,
B.G.Sanford
http://www.eloquentbooks.com/BethLoveAlongTheWay.html
Thanks for stopping by, B.G. Mom definitely has personality. 🙂
*Puts hand up in air and jumps up and down* I’ll go! I’ll go! I’ll go!
I’ve just been catching up on the past week. I love the sound of your bathroom cat lol!
I’m still waiting very impatiently for your book *sigh*. Almost there now…
LOL, Lacey! I know, I’d have gone if I didn’t have a deadline staring me in the face! (And that pesky passport thing….)
Hey, thanks for being impatient to get my book! I’m impatient too! I want to see it and hold it in my hands. 🙂