Thursday, September 18, 2008

Good News - Bad News

Bad news first.

Having a middle school-aged child has brought along with it a whole new set of rules to get used to, for all of us - parents and child. Oh, excuse me, the correct term is preteen.

Along with the advanced status of his, well . . .being, comes a whole new set of ideas and ways of thinking. Mainly that I, the parent of the preteen, know nothing about his world.

Oh, child - yes I said child - my memory is not that bad. I remember those days well. Too well.

A few minutes ago, I received a phone call from said middle schooler asking to stay after school and watch the girls softball game.

"Come again?" I said to the voice on the other end of the unknown cellphone which somewhat resembled my sons voice. (I think it is so weird how they are able to change their voices when they are talking in front of their friends but are seemingly unable to stop speaking in a cartoon voice when home, don't you?)

Anyway, yes, here he was calling to see if it was okay with me if he stayed after school to partake in the watching of a GIRLS SOFTBALL game with his friends. After contemplating all the various ways he could be abducted and then realizing that nobody is going to steal a 6th grader surrounded by friends and parents of friends, I agreed to let him stay.

And as much as I wanted to scream: DON'T DO DRUGS!!!! into the phone like that mother in Almost Famous, I restrained myself.

The bad news is that I don't think my heart can take much more of this, and tonight is curriculum night at his school, where I'll be forced to listen to all the ways he is going to betray and defy me in the coming years.

Good news is that I am going to Palm Springs in a few short weeks!

Wa-hooooooo! (Not to be confused with the Washington Mutual slogan - you all know why and if you don't by George, read a newspaper)

My oldest and dearest friend (we've been friends since we were 5 & 6 - she's older but who's counting?) invited me to accompany her on a girls trip to her timeshare.

Our itinerary looks something like this:

Cocktails (you get those on the plane ya know)
Arrival
Shuttle to Palm Springs Tennis Resort (google it, it's gorgeous)
Cocktails
Bonding Girl Time
Cocktails
Morning yoga (my friend is a yoga instructor, I haven't down dogged in 3 months, this should be fun)
Cocktails
Swimming in pool
Cocktails
Sunbathing (with cocktails)
Cocktails
Shopping
Cocktails
Reading
Cocktails
Tennis (she's packing a racket along for me, what a gal!)
Cocktails

I've never been to Palm Springs and frankly, even though it's warm and gorgeous, I wouldn't care if I were spending five days in Fairbanks, Alaska right now - except for the Sarah Palin supporters, that would bug me. I'm just so happy to be going somewhere, anywhere.

So, any tips for the Palm Springs traveler?

16 comments:

Tami said...

How fun, Palm Springs, I guess that is why you will not be going out with us work girls! Lucky you!

Sixth grade is oh so much fun, just gets better ;)

Anonymous said...

Oh, I can't imagine having a middle schooler, it scares the crap out of me.

Have fun in Palm Springs. Drink lots of booze but remember to eat and drink water. I made that mistake a few weeks ago and it put me out of commission for an entire day since I rarely drink.

Michelle said...

You are so lucky!! Palm Springs and cocktails!!!

I think I am jealous!!

Have a fabulous time drinking all those cocktails!

Briya said...

Yes, enjoy your cocktails. I love hanging out in Palm Springs.

Jen said...

Never been to Palm Springs, but that itinerary sounds DIVINE!! Have a great time!

Mojo said...

Actually I think the line was "Don't take drugs!" which ... according to the director's commentary he'd be a stickler for. I love that movie.

As a parent that has survived middle and high school twice now, I can offer you the comfort of knowing that it does, in fact, eventually end. Then they go off to college where they're just as embarrassed by you, but now they know why.

Good luck with it all... and if I'd ever been to Palm Springs, I'd have some tips for you but... (that's in Florida right? Probably a good many Palinphiles there too...)

AEH said...

Sunscreen, sunglasses (as your virginal NW eyes will likely be shocked by the amount of sunshine) and plenty of water. OH, comfortable shoes. Yup. Those are my 2 cents.

Valarie Lea said...

Oh middle school is great isn't it! Just wait till High School when they want to ride around with peopel who just got their drivers license. Now that is precious!

Laural Out Loud said...

With the amount of sass I get from my four year old, I'm in denial that she's going to turn into an even sassier preteen. Heaven help me.

Unknown said...

"And as much as I wanted to scream: DON'T DO DRUGS!!!! into the phone like that mother in Almost Famous, I restrained myself."

I burst out laughing.

Unknown said...

Sounds like fun!!

I am going to Napa with some girlfriends next month and our itinerary looks much the same except replace "Cocktails" with "Wine." : )

p.s. SO not looking forward to the middle school years...

Unknown said...

I'd have tacked on "No pre-marital sex!" to the "Say no to drugs!" freak out. :) I am not looking forward to this tween business!

Sounds like your trip will be fabulous! I might have a cocktail just to show my support.

OHmommy said...

Any tips?

Drink lots of H2O btwn those cocktails you brat! LOL. Have a wonderful time.

And... "DON'T DO DRUGS!!!! into the phone like that mother in Almost Famous, I restrained myself." LMAO!!! Carrie.

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

I think you've got a pretty good agenda lined up....


You had me laughing over your desire to shout at him through the phone.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

Pack a sweater--you'll need it for the freezing a.c. indoors. I'd suggest some ibuprofen for the cocktail aftermath.

Have too much fun!

Julienne said...

Hey Carrie,

I actually live in Palm Springs and you couldn't be coming at a more perfect time. We're still warm (mid to high 90s) but not miserable (the 105-110s we were last week). Yay for you!!

You just HAVE to go have margaritas (or daiquiris) at Las Casuelas on Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs. If you like mexican food, theirs is to die for as well! :-)

If you like sushi - check out Okura Sushi at Tahquitz and Palm Canyon - yummy with a great atmosphere (and you can try the geisha girl martini).

Enjoy!! I know you'll have a blast!!