Nearly everyone takes a vacation, nearly every year. Not a news flash by any means. Nor are the good ones, or the bad ones limited to a few of us out there. Mine this year was probably one of the worst vacations I have ever had, but in some ways, one of the best.
First of all, you have to consider that I have a severe hearing problem. I am completely deaf in my left ear, and on bad days, I can barely hear out of the right ear. This makes it next to impossible to understand everything that is going on around me. On top of the hearing loss, which I suspect is made worse by my allergies, I also suffer from tinnitus. For those of you who do not know what this is, it is a constant, high pitched "ringing" or "squealing" in my ears. In recent years, when my hearing loss is made worse by my allergies, I also have a buzzing on top of it all.
Imagine if you will, what the world around you would sound like, if all you could hear of a conversation, was only the vowels. If you can imagine that for just a moment, then you know what it sounds like to me. With the buzzing added in, including the sound of my own voice, you can imagine just how frustrating, and very difficult communication can be with me, and for me.
Now add two teenagers, who don't have a single iota of patience. Add in a troubled teen, who is now on medication (and doing quite well I am glad to say), and a 15 year old diva, who thinks she runs everyone around her (literally, she does indeed think she rules our home.) Now you can understand why I say this was one of the worst, and one of the best.
First we are trapped in the small confines of a Ford Focus (large and roomy for normal people on the inside), for the duration of 12 hours, over two days, getting to our destination in Las Vegas. (Honey, it is fun, but at the same time, it isn't what it's cracked out to be either. Especially with a bored teen boy, and a bossy, nosy, diva 15 year old.)
To make matters worse, my nerves and temper have been on the frayed end, because of the chronic pain I live with (in my back) every day. I had hoped that the trip into the desert would help my allergies, and therefore my hearing, as well as the pain in my back. Well.... it didn't quite work out the way I hoped.
Okay, we finally arrive for the first part of our leg, in Gallup New Mexico. Some of the most beautiful country in the world, and nearly as primitive and rugged as it was 200 years or so ago. With the esception of roads, electricity and cars and such, the area is really pretty much the same as it was way back when. There are just more people there now. I found myself easily imagining what life was like for the cowboys working the range, and bringing in cattle. Oddly, this had quite a calming effect, until..... You guessed it. The first night in the motel!
Fortunately, some of that was made a little easiet by the fact that I insisted my step son bring along his x-box, so he would have something to do. He isn't into the whole nature routine, so he makes life miserable for those around him, because he hates that whole scene. His sister on the other hand, loves all of that stuff, so it is a little easier to keep her busy, aside from the fact that she wants to be parked right under your nose the whoe time you are out there. That wouldn't be so bad, if she didn't think she was top dog!
Ho hum... Well, the first night is winding down, and we are finally getting some rest. Or trying to. My best advice to you? AVOID Travelodge motels at all cost! The beds were hard, and lumpy, the rooms crowded, and the kids cranky, which made me cranky, which made them cranky and so on... (yeah, you guessed it, my back suffered even more for that side stop.) The only redeeming quality of that place was the hot tub in the pool area, blessedly inside. Sure felt good, as long as I was in it. Once I got out, the back just went whammo again. Damn the bad luck, eh?
Stay tuned tomorrow or the next day, depending on how my recovery goes, after the last week! LOL
Hugs y'all! Sure is good to be home, and back online again! |
