Mrs. Practicality

I do not delight in being the practical one.

Between my husband and I, I am always the person looking at the practicality of things.

In my mind, I believe that it is typically husband's who are more frugal and practical in purchases and spending; while wives are slightly more impulsive and carefree in their spending. Please correct me if I am wrong.

This role, of Mrs. Practicality, has just become painfully clear to me this weekend.

Let me begin by stating that from the beginning of November until the beginning of January, our family is inundated with special events and holidays this year: two 20th year class reunions, eight birthdays (including my my son's 7th and my mom's 60th), Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.

Now, we have known about these events all year. And as a one-income family, we have had to monitor our spending all year in preparation for these special events and holidays.

So, last week when my husband's best friend called to say he was getting married, we were excited.

Until he told us it was in Disney World. In Florida. At the end of October.

Taking a trip to Disney, with a family of four, is not a cheap trip. It is a financial event which, even in a dual-income family, typically must be planned well in advance and saved for. We are a single-income family, and we have not planned for a trip to Disney.

Plus, I am not in favor of telling Drewby his birthday will now be celebrated by the four of us in Disney. For an entire year, he has been asking for a birthday party with his friends. He will be seven and has only ever had one birthday party with a few friends. We have told him since last year, "You can have a party when you turn 7". That is this November.

I am also not in favor of telling my children that Santa (yes, Miss M still wants to believe) will be leaving less presents if we go to Disney. And, unfortunately, that is the cold, hard truth.

I have run the numbers many different ways. Flying, driving, staying in the park, staying out of the park, doing five days in Florida, doing only three days in Florida: I just do not see an economically feasible way for us to add another financial commitment into the mix at that time of year.

Hubby really wants to go to his friends wedding. I understand that. I have told my husband he can go to the wedding alone, but he will need to figure a way to tell the children why he is going and we are not. I am not trying to make him out to be the bad guy, but get him to see that we cannot always afford to do what we want.

Mrs. Practicality. That's me. Again.

Hubby knows, deep down, we cannot do this trip. And I know in my heart, he will decide the right thing.

Til next time, I'll still be....

Being Brenda

Mini-cation

We are blessed to have a beach "house" available to us whenever we want to use it. I place the "house" in quotes as it is really a 30' travel trailer with a permanent addition. It is located is a great little, gated campground located 10 minutes from two popular beach towns. It is about a 2 1/2 hour drive from our home.

Earlier this summer, I spent an entire day preparing from me and the two kids to head to the beach house for a month. My hubby works nights, and gets a lot of overtime in the summer, so it is easier for me and him for me and the kids to be at the beach house. Plus, he is not really a beach or campground person.

So today, I once again spent an entire day getting ready to head to the beach, this time all four of us, plus my mom (she owns the place). The only difference, we are only going for three days.

I have to ask myself: is it really worth this effort for three days?

I have to get the laundry done, all 5 loads - so I don't come home to it. (But it has been there all week)

With the kids home all day, breakfast, lunch and dinner had to be made. And all the dishes cleaned up. (I cannot believe the amount of dishes a family of four makes dirty in one day). I would use paper plates if my children were not so environmentally aware!

And now here I still am trying to gather clothing, shoes, bathing suits and towels for out trip.

I am not trying to be unappreciative or ungrateful for what we have, it just seems like a lot for three days.

And now my daughter has informed me that she will go the the beach if she has to, but she will not go in the ocean. (See Fact of the Day from earlier post for her reason why!)

I know we will have a great time once we get there. Having my mom in the van on the way down will definitely make the trip somewhat easier. She will help keep the kids from the constant nagging: "She's looking at me", "He's touching my seat", etc, etc, etc. However, having mom in the car adds at least one stop midway to the beach for a bathroom break. She claims the kids need to stop as well. (Funny, they never need to stop when it's just me with them)

My son will be in heaven since daddy will be along this time. When I had the two kids at the beach alone, by son told me he wanted daddy to be there because "He's the funner parent". This simply meant he would take my son out into deeper water. I couldn't do that since my daughter wanted to stay in the sand.

Additionally, the kids get a certain freedom at the campground they don't have here at home. With it being a small, gated community, I allow them to ride their bikes to the playground (walkie-talkie and cell phone in tow). They have made friends from different areas of the state, and have no responsibilities like at home - no making beds, emptying the dishwasher, or running the vacuum. We will have a campfire, make s'mores and have some old-fashioned family fun.

This will also be our last chance for a weekend get-away before back to school and football and cheerleading start.

So, I will answer my own question: yes, all today's work is worth it for a three day mini-cation. I get to relax and spend quality time with my family. And that's what summer is all about!

Fact of the Day:

I read somewhere (can't remember where) the word "ALMOST" is the longest word in the English language that has all it's letters in alphabetical order.

Til next time, I'll still be

Being Brenda