Family Camping Trip? Yes, please.

I have been so busy with work that I haven't been able to barely get any sleep, so being able to blog? Not even enough time. It doesn't help that I was reading a really good book the other day and stayed up till dawn (four in the morning) to finish it. Wow, that is lame. Most of my friends stay up till that time, but not because they're reading a book. It seems my nerdy side has turned me nocturnal, not my social rebellion part. Rebellion? What is that funny word?

Not only that, but I have been trying to pack for the camping trip that my family has planned. I will be going with my sister and her husband after work tomorrow up to the campsite. This is the first and probably last time that my whole family will be camping together all at once. I mean, it isn't just my immediate family, but two other families. Technically they aren't really family by blood, but when you grow up with all of them and they are always there for you, I must say that they are family. "Well, duh, we're family" is a phrase that I hear very often from these people.  Who is to tell me any different? I would deny the fact that they aren't.

This is a long weekend trip, and I am so excited to go! Today, I went into the bank to take care of some personal matters and saw both C and W. When I went up to the window, I was amazingly surprised to find out that he (C) was as excited as I was about the trip. He just kept telling me that I would be needing a LOT of bug spray. It made me laugh for him to think that I couldn't handle putting on bug spray. I mean seriously, we have been going on these camping trips together for four years now. And before that we had been getting in trouble together with campfires and being outside. Maybe since the few months I have been away from home and at college, he has forgotten how much time we used to spend together outside.

This camping trip will remedy that. I will make sure of it. If he thinks that I am no longer a pyro and can't handle the outdoors anymore, he has another thing coming. This trip will be great fun! I just know it!

Princesses, Work, and Approved Road Trips!

So, today is my day off. Yesterday was my day off too. What is happening? Two days off in a row! This hasn't happened since, well, never. I mean I have had days off in a row before but I had to ask them off. These two day were given to me free! There has to be a catch, right? So far, I haven't seen one, but then it's still Monday.

Yesterday, Lissy and I got the approval to go on our road trip. Her mom was iffy about the trip when we said we wanted to go to Vancouver, and in the end said no to it if my sister wasn't going to come with us. Since my sister wasn't going, Vancouver ended up in the dust. I understand her thoughts about Vancouver because the roads are mountainous and dangerous. My mom was even protesting Vancouver. But then with the time frame that we were going to do it in, I can completely understand. It was going to be a 30 hour drive there and back in six days. Which is kind of outrageous, but a girl can dream, right?

I must admit that we are adults and have been for quite some time, but we're still the babies in our families. My mom can't say no to me about this road trip because she and my aunt took one to Seattle when they were our age. My dad hates that I am going and keeps telling me no about it, but my mom and I remind him that I am an adult and that she did it without a cellphone when she was my age. It's just that my dad has a really hard time with me doing anything grown up or independent though. It's not that he's overbearing or anything, it's just that he still thinks of me as his little 7 year old tomboy who tagged along with him to work. I can't help that I am still his little princess.

Speaking of princesses, I was working Saturday night, and I was waiting on this great table who had this little boy (he was probably 3 or so) and I guess he asked his parents and grandparents if I was a princess. Then they tried to get him to ask me if I was a princess like he asked them. He was so cute and sweet, and it made me realized that even though I have bad days and even bad weeks, that this is why I keep my job, well that and the tips are really nice. It's funny how you can have rude customers or not so nice people you wait on, then you get that one great table, and BOOM! your day is just a little bit more brighter. My response? "To my dad I am a princess, so, I guess, close enough."

So, back to the point. Where is this approved road trip taking Lissy and I? To Toronto and Mackinaw Island! This road trip is only 18 hours (compared to the 30 hr. drive) one way and there are no mountains between here and there. Well, there shouldn't be and if there is, then we're screwed. And then there would be the discussion of "let's not tell our moms about this".

 I am so excited about this trip and can't keep from talking about it. I really think that my sisters are sick of it and get annoyed anytime that I mention the words "road trip, Canada," or "Toronto".  But I really haven't done anything exciting this summer, and this would be the big bang before school starts this year.   My plans are actually coming together! Agh! I am soooo excited! Really. I bet no one can tell.

Goodbye Grandpa

My Grandpa died on July 10th, very early Sunday morning. He wasn't in pain at the time (from all the painkillers) and he was surrounded by family when he passed. My grandpa and my uncles who were with him were never very religious; however, right before my grandpa died, he sat up in his bed (after not being able to even talk that whole day). My uncle found him mumbling to himself and looking at something. When my uncle tried to get him to lay back down, he wouldn't listen, but when he asked what my grandpa was looking at,  he replied "the light". I guess that he mumbled a little more before he said "I gotta go" in brisk way he always did, and passed away.

Its good that he is gone, because now he isn't in any pain and he is with my grandma. He missed her so much and had been ready to die for a long time. The thing that keeps me going is knowing that he is a better place with the woman that he loves.

On Tuesday, (yesterday) we held a tiny service and a celebration, because that is what he wanted. We had to celebrate his life, but I mean I guess I would want the same if I was 82 years old. The service was brisk with my cousin reading the obituary, the talking I did about him, and the military salute for him. I say, the hardest part was when those shots rang. They make everything so final, and sad, which is the point, but it just makes me sob when I hear them. After that was the celebration, and somehow the ones that usually need to be left alone are the ones who are most sought after. Everyone knew that I was his granddaughter because I spoke about him, so I never had a moment to cry.

This is what I said at the service:

My grandpa was a stubborn, ornery, old man, but he was also a funny, kind, and social person. He was one of the strongest people I know. Each time I would go visit him he would say "what do you want?" in that gruff tone of his. But at the end he would always say "well, come visit me again ... I love you. Goodbye." It started to be our thing so that last time we spoke he said "you better come visit me again, I love you." It broke my heart to promise him that not knowing if I would be able to make it but I did.

 I know that he loved me and my family a great deal, but his way of showing it was different. He had this huge garden, and boy did he love it. But the reason, I believe, why he loved it so much is because he knew he would be feeding his children and grandchildren with the food he grew. He grew up in a time where people didn't really show affection, yet he found a way. That's how much he loved us all.

You know, people say that you can't choose your family and that you're stuck with them no matter what, but if I had a choice, I would still choose him.

The Beach, Lissy, and Plans

Okay, so on July 3rd, I was able to hang out with my family on the beach before I had to work at five. One could really tell that this was the day before the 4th because everyone was out here, most of all the locals, and some vacationers. Well maybe that was exaggerated. But there was a lot of people.

My parents let me take the jet ski so that I could get to work on time. I haven't been on it since last year so it was REALLY nice to be able to do that. My dad was worried for me to be on it alone but he forgets that I am well past the age to drive it myself. I think it is because I am his baby, and he just doesn't want to let go.

The lake and weather was so beautiful that I had to make sure that I put enough sunscreen on and stay out of the sun after awhile.

The fourth of July ended up being very busy and kept me going fast enough that I couldn't get tired. Not only that, but the people I served (at both jobs) were so happy and carefree that it made my day amazing.

Then on July 5th, I was able to have my day off. It was blessedly wonderful. I decided to not do really anything productive except go to Bemidji with a wonderful friend that I have dearly missed. Since I cannot use her real name I will call her Lissy.

During the day, I had a relaxing day in my town. I dressed up and went out to a coffeeshop (that I usually never go to anymore) and ate while reading a book. I specifically went there because I really didn't want to be interrupted by people I know, or have the huge bussle of the tourists around me. 

Afterwards I went home and watched a start of a show called The Nine Lives of Chloe King while reading until it was time to pick up my mom from work and Lissy so we could go to Bemidji.

Lissy and I went to Target to get the junk that I absolutely cannot live without (a.k.a. deoderant, makeup and such). Afterwards we realized that we both were starving. Not really knowing what we wanted to eat the target clerk talked about places to eat (that we already knew about but had forgotten) and decided to eat at the Chinese Buffet, but on our way there we went passed one of our favorite restaurants named TuTu Benne ( I think that is how it is spelt). 

Anyways when we got there, there were four girls maybe a little younger that us asking about sitting outside. They weren't able to, and Lissy and I decided that we didn't really care where we sat, so we weren't worried. When we got up to the host, he simply said "if you wouldn't mind waiting for a bit, there is an outside table that you could sit at that just needs to be cleared". So to our enjoyment, we agreed and decided to wait. The table that we were able to sit at had four chairs. Lady Luck was on our side. 

Lissy and I spent so much time catching up, and talking about what we wanted to do in life. We were talking about road trips during spring break and how it was sad that during the school year we weren't in the same part of the country to do such things together because we agreed that we would have a blast. It was then that she said "I want to take a road trip during the summer, not just during spring break." I must admit I was hoping and waiting for her to say that, because ever since my sister planted the thought of a road trip to Vancouver. So how did I ask her to come with me? I simply said "Come to Vancouver with me. Let's go on a road trip to Vancouver." After that, things and plans quickly fell into place. We would be going around the end of August.

4th of July, Ireland, and My Grandpa

Lately, life has been hectic. I am now scheduled for six days at the swanky restaurant and one of them is a double. This does not include my schedule from my other job. The sad thing is that I am scheduled to work at both places on July 4th, so no 4th of July celebrating for me. But I knew that this was going to happen. I knew that once it hit July that my life would be my work. Don't get me wrong, I love my work and knowing that I am getting closer to paying off school. I am also planning a vacation for spring break, and money doesn't really grow on trees.

My family and I were watching the travel channel and the show about favorite travel spots was on. It was talking about Ireland and where one should go. I looked at my sister and said "we're going to go there. I want to go there." We discussed it, and I believe that she thought that I wasn't quite serious, but I am. We decided next fall because summer was our busy time. Not this fall, but the following fall so that I had more time to save up. This will not just be a dream, but a reality. I am going to Ireland... soon.

Speaking of family, my grandpa isn't doing well at all. In fact, the proper phrase to describe him at this moment is that he is dying. Slowly and painfully. I mean I have lost many people in my life, but not one do I remember watching them suffer. I know that they did; however, I was too young to understand or really see that they were. Watching him go through so much has a been really hard on me and my family. There is a point where one stops praying for a loved one to get better and starts praying for the pain to go away and that it will go fast. That point was reached a while ago. I just want his pain and suffering to go away, but it pains me at the same time to know that to make that happen I lose him forever. Why does it have to be so hard?

One of my best friends is home from work for the week. She works at a camp for pre-teens and teenagers. And what I have heard so far is that she loves it there. She is having a blast. I am really glad to hear it and to know that I get to see her one of these days, but she is only home for the week, so I have to make haste to see her. I do miss her every much, but I'll be seeing her soon. I think that will be my 4th of July celebration even if it isn't on the 4th.

Happy fourth of July!! May the fireworks you watch wow you. I know that I can't wait to see them!