The Best Trip That Ever Wasn't

One of the things that I was so looking forward to this year was celebrating my mom's 80th birthday. Nobody deserves a celebration more than Mom. She's overcome West Nile virus this past summer, watched my brother as he flirted with death for a few days last May and a couple of years ago waited in desperation for word of her family in Japan, who were at the epicenter of the earthquake and tsunami. We discussed having a big blow out but ended up planning a family cruise for all of us. FUN! That's got to be easier than planning a party, right? Let's start with coordinating vacation schedules for 8 adults. Mom's was the easiest, since she doesn't work, but Kenny is restricted by the number of folks who have already scheduled off, B just started a new job, so couldn't ask for days he didn't yet have, and Eddie's is the most difficult. He had to ask for days the summer before and THAT'S IT. No more days, and they can't be moved, period. Luckily, Meg had him take the week before Mom's bday off. Now the trick was finding a cruise everyone could afford, close by, during that time frame. We came up with one option...Carnival Triumph ( insert foreboding music here). There was also the little problem of my brother insisting that he would never, ever get on a ship. Too scary! We assured him that they were safe and we were going where there were no icebergs or reefs to run into. He reluctantly agreed, just for Mom.
Clouds love to talk about the greatness of trips, past and future. Every time we were together, it was " We are going to have sooooo much fun!" Even Reid was in on it, "I'm gonna ride in a big, big, big, big boat and sleep with Mamie and eat CAKE! They will bring sam'iches to my room and I will play in the sand!!! Every time. We blew this thing UP. Matching outfits for the kids, cute cover ups for the girls...SO MUCH FUN!!!
I don't have to tell you how it ends, right? We tried to reschedule the same week out of New Orleans but the boat was completely full for the 5 day. They offered us a 7 day for even less money than we had paid but the wheels had already fallen off. Dad wasn't sure he could swing the days, Eddie had to be back at work Monday morning and the ship didn't get back until Sunday, making it a litle too close. Oh, and my brother, the one who was assured nothing would go wrong on a cruise? He refused to even CONSIDER it.
The good news is we got all our money back (of course) and now get to plan a party...with about 2 1/2 weeks notice. Also, I have one sailor-y outfit made for Reid and Helena's is already started. Following my matching plan, I also have one cut out for Girl Bonus. My neighbor wanted to know why Boy Bonus isn't in on the matching, so I made something for a boy, too. Now, no matter what Bonus is, I get at least one picture of the 3 dressed alike.

If you ask us, this trip was the best ever. Skies were always blue, the water was warm and the food was wonderful. Kids were well behaved and we all lost weight during it. The real trip could only have been a letdown after the great pre-trip we had!

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