30 Oct 2007

The Power Of A Comment

I now know that bloggers lie! Or, at the very least, stretch the truth. Because our pumpkins were not *that* amazing. Not 32 comments worth of amazing (that's right 32! Woo-hoo)!

Whatever.

I'm not giving any of my precious comments back, but I might print and hand them out to trick-or-treaters tomorrow. As proof that our pumpkins are certifiably fabulous, if, for some confounded reason, people don't swoon right away.

The truth is, your generous compliments may have saved a life, because what I neglected to mention about the weekend was that it rained and rained and rained some more.

It was the coldest and wettest weekend yet, and the fog lay as an impenetrably thick and damp blanket over the entire neighbourhood. It was m.i.s.e.r.a.b.l.e. Which is why, apart from the now fabled garage pumpkin carving session, the kids were inside the house.

The. Whole. Weekend.

And getting more antsy, irritable, whiny and difficult by the hour.

[I seem to recall a wise blogger who once suggested mandatory schooling on rainy weekends. Did I miss sign-up?]

My patience was wearing razor-thin, and I don't dare think what might have happened if I hadn't had the blogosphere to escape into every now and then.

Monday morning, relieved to know that we'd made it through almost unscathed, I even considered bringing out the flag to wave my children to school: "So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye."

With the boys finally out of the house, Mike and I are back to doing what we do best [get your mind out of the gutter, please!] , which is fantasize about exotic locales we might be able to squeeze into our European tour. Some decidedly un-European destinations have been thrown into the mix, including Cape Verde, Morocco and even Thailand. All currently offering gloriously warm temperatures, sandy beaches and lots of sunshine.

It's really wishful thinking, spurred on by the miserably damp weekend and the realization that we may have a long, cold and wet winter ahead of us (global warming be damned! We want snow, not rain!).

So far, we've decided to take a mini-cruise to Kiel in Germany some time in November.

- Yes, it's a two-day event.
- Yes, in a confined space with two boys. And it's sure to be cold and wet outside in November.

Why do you ask?

32 comments:

Cindy D. said...

So I had to be sure to scroll down to see your pumpkins - very nice. I'm being oh-so-lame-o about pumpkins this year and trying to not feel guilty about it.

Candy said...

I think that, just as we forget the pain of childbirth, we forget just how miserable it can be to be cooped up with our kids. So we make these plans to do fun things with them, only to be forced to listen to them whine about how hot, cold, tired, hungry, thirsty, bored they are. And we swear never again. And then do it all again next time, because we forgot just how miserable it can be to be cooped up with our kids.

Badness Jones said...

Sometimes just the change of scenery helps things....a rainy day on vacation when there is someone else to make supper,and do the dishes, and we don't have to clean the house, etc., etc., etc., means that you're playing together IN the rain, not sitting in the house cursing it. Have fun!

Mrs. G. said...

A mini-cruise with your two boys...take as extra duffle to hold your potential min-nervous breakdown. Just kidding. I'm envying your and your family's fast feet from way over here in Washington. Your trip sounds fab.

Lisa said...

I didn't realize they had Halloween in Norway.

What are the boys dressing up as?

Kellan said...

I'm so jealous. I used to live in Germany year ago - I still think of it often. Sounds like a great two day trip planned. You are so lucky to be in Europe - able to travel to so many wonderful places. See ya.

the dragonfly said...

We're planning trips too! On the must-visit list are Italy, Greece, England, Ireland, and Switzerland. We're actually thinking of Christmas in Switzerland. Fun times!

OhTheJoys said...

If only it would rain here!

TheOneTrueSue said...

Yeah, I'm planning exotic trips too. This year we may visit Boise. And perhaps Wyoming.

Yours sounds better.

Heidi said...

Congrats on the awards!
Flag-very funny idea.
Warm and beachy locals, I am sooo jealous. Winter hasn't even started here in Vermont yet. I am not ready for it.

BeachMama said...

I would take snow over rain anytime during the winter months. At least with the snow you don't usually get soaked to the bone.

Karen MEG said...

Sorry about the rain ... the boys in the house all weekend?! But so many comments are amazing... your blog is so NOT craptacular!

You guys are so good at making the most of your time there... it sounds like such fun, and everything is so close! Somewhere warm would probably be nice. I hear Thailand is amazing. Morocco also very exotic, although Ian and I were in Tangiers for a day long ago - I'd skip that and go to Marrakesh or Casa Blanca, hear it's much nicer....
Oh, I'm so jealous!

Julie Pippert said...

What? Those were some good pumpkins!

I feel for you all cooped up, and GL on the cruise!

Julie
Using My Words

thirtysomething said...

Great pumpkins!
Kudos on surviving the w.e.t. weekend with the kiddies. We had one of those weekends here not too long ago, and Monday DID NOT come soon enough. My two oldest - boys found it incredibly amusing to harass my two youngest -- girls and it furthered their amusement when I became annoyed. Hilarious.

But anyway, a cruise sounds just divine. And, Kiel, I almost went there as an exchange student, but went to the eastern part of germany instead. Have fun! Take pictures!

Kat said...

Listen, compared to my sad little pumpkins your pumpkins ARE amazing. I don't even know if I should posts pictures of mine anymore. hmmm. Maybe I'll post them just to get a good laugh.

S said...

Yep. Nothing like a weekend stuck inside. Except a three-day weekend stuck inside.

But they were carved so deftly!

Suzanne said...

Every now and then I welcome a day in the house with the kids -- till about 2:00, when I'm ready to go anywhere, even the (shudder) mall.

Cathy, Amy and Kristina said...

Rainy weekends -- ick.

Our house is in shambles, torn apart by bored, confined children by the time such weekends end.

And the whining ... the incessant whining...

Cathy, Amy and Kristina said...

p.s. in all honesty, i probably whine more than they do

familymclean said...

I second what beachmama said!
still think the pumpkins are awsome, we are carving ours tonight, wish me luck!

Jennifer said...

Christmas in Switzerland! *swoon*

And, oh yes, your pumpkins were that good. Don't make me post pictures of mine as proof. Hint: the 7 year old carved his himself, with a very, very dull knife. ;)

Jennifer (Jen on the Edge) said...

I suspect you'll be sampling a lot of German beer while you're on your mini-getaway.

The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch: said...

I don't think I could get thru winters in Michigan without having planned a tropical getaway. MMM Mexico...

Gina said...

That sounds fabulous! A mini-cruise. I am jealous even if it is with two boys.

theotherbear said...

The idea of getting a flag and a brass band to wave your kids off to school? Priceless. (OK, I know you didn't say a brass band too, but I bet you would have if you'd thought of it!)

Aliki2006 said...

I still think the pumpkins are wonderful, and I wasn't just saying it...!

A mini-cruise sounds lovely, kids and all!

Valarie said...

Normally I would envy your travel plans, but we are planning an exciting excursion as well. We are headed to......wait for it...wait for it..... Tallahassee!!....we may even venture all the way up into Georgia if we decide to get a little crazy! I know, I know. Don't hate me because of my exotic travel adventures!!

Stomper Girl said...

Boys need to get out of the house. Fact of life, really. But a boat might keep them occupied....

hellomelissa said...

i love me some comments, too.

Ice Cream said...

Cold rain and kids don't belong on the same planet. We have to deal with that a lot. The mandatory school, or deep cleaning chores really are some of the best things you can do. Then, when you suggest something fun, they are glad to participate instead of whiney.

Victoria said...

Rainy weekends are rotten! But your escape (even with the kids!) has me interested! Can't wait to hear (read!) more!

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