Trip 1 - 27 March-22 April
So much happened while we were home, but I'll try to remember the "highlights". *LOL*
Arrived in Knoxville and went to the rental car desk to pick up our car. First annoyance...don't use Thrifty. We never will again.
I had secured an online deal through Expedia -- it was called the Standard Special. The deal stated that we would receive the "standard" size car or larger at compact prices. Since I was looking at the standard size, this was a good deal...and $300 cheaper. So, I booked it.
What we received was a Ford Fiesta ?!?!!? with an option to upgrade to a standard size for $200. ?!?!?!?!
When I stated that wasn't what I booked through Expedia, the only thing the guy said was "They've been misrepresenting our company" and refused to honour the deal. Being tired and still having a 2 hour drive ahead of us, I expressed my displeasure and took the keys. We got everything in the car (thanks to El and her AMAZING packing skills!) and left.
I ended up emailing Thrifty about it, but because their "dealerships" are franchises, they couldn't do anything. I made a HUGE mental note to NEVER use them again. Because seriously...not good business guys.
Anyway...got to Mom's house and promptly lost our son for a few hours. *LOL*
The next day, we went and picked Grandma up and went to the mall to get Easter Bunny pics. Grandma gave us some money...JC Penney was having a sale...Nio got about 6 new outfits. ;) One of which we used for the Easter pic.
This is a picture of a picture...because I haven't uploaded the original file yet. But, Nio did MUCH better with his first experience with a 6 foot tall bunny than I did. He giggled his little head off...I screamed mine off. *LOL*
Afterwards, we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's and spent some quality time. And in the process, we got this amazing picture of my Grandpa and Nio. Seriously, I smile every single time I look at it.
I'm not going to bore you with every single detail, but we met up with a few of my friends...which was nice. Met up with my father, who I hadn't seen in about 15 years...and remembered very quickly why I hadn't seen him in about 15 years.
Don't get me wrong...I love my father, because he's my father. But there's a LOT of history there...and sometimes the water floods over the bridge instead of flowing underneath. He's the kind of guy that is either 1000% in your face or just not there. There's no in between...so a little of my father goes a VERY long way.
We met him for lunch on a Wednesday. He asked if we were doing anything on the Friday because he had organized to have family pictures made.
Um...what?!?
No good way to say no and I was kinda shoved between a rock and a hard place. Pictures were taken, I was VERY uncomfortable -- to the point that I can't even LOOK at the pictures (except for the ones of Nio, of course). I mean, seriously...why would I want to have "family" pictures taken with a man I hadn't seen in 15 years and his wife (who he wasn't even married to the last time I saw him)? It was all very awkward and weird and not a pleasant experience at all.
But, good stuff the next day. It was Nio's half birthday party at Grandma and Grandpa's house!
That's a gluten-free white chocolate and raspberry cake that El made...with his .5 on top. *LOL* AWESOME cake!
More visiting and quality time with the family. And of course, no visit is complete if there are no tears at some point. My tears of frustration and anger happened the night before we left. Because my father just wouldn't take no for an answer.
He wanted to see us on the Friday morning. I said that wasn't possible because we were spending the morning with my Grandparents before leaving for Knoxville at 12:30. He said "What about 7 tonight?" because his wife was going to be home from a trip then. I said no that wasn't possible because Nio would be getting ready for dinner/bed then. Then he said "Shirley will be back at 5, we'll jump straight in the car and meet you in the parking lot at KMart." To which I promptly lost my shit. Because he wasn't listening to me. I kept saying no...kept giving him valid reasons...he wouldn't listen.
In the end (after he sent another message which was obviously him still not listening and going ahead and making plans), I replied with "Fine."
Fine, for me, is code for "you've pissed me off, shut up, you've got your way so you'll leave me the fuck alone". He knows what "Fine" means. Mom uses "Fine" as well...and it means the same thing for her.
So, we went...I was annoyed, he was annoying me more. Finally it was over, we went to pick dinner up, and went back to Mom's place. Over and done. Finally.
Saying goodbye was horrible and sad. I hate those goodbyes where you look in the rearview mirror and see your Mom, Grandma, and Grandpa standing on the porch and waving. :(
Uneventful drive to Knoxville...planes back to LA via Dallas. FYI, the airport in Dallas is HEAPS better than Houston! Get to LA, call the hotel (same one), they send the shuttle. Get to the hotel and check in...don't bother with the cot this time, because we know he won't sleep in it. Get some sleep...and ready for a full day in LA the following day.
Went back to Manhattan Beach because we had more time. Did some wandering around, got some ice cream, enjoyed the scenery and each other's company...it was a very "couple-y" day. And I loved it so very much.
^ That is Nio at Manhattan Beach the first time, end of March.
This is Nio at Manhattan Beach the second time, nearing the end of April.
And then...dinner and back to the hotel to get ready for the shuttle to the airport that night.
Our US trip was over. :*(
Well then...that was heaps longer than I was expecting. *LOL* Thank you for taking the time to read along! xx
This entry was originally posted at http://froxyn.dreamwidth.org/345518.html. However, you can comment here or there...I'm still around! :)