I've said it before and I'll say it again. I hate Florida. However, it's where Grandma lives and so a few times a year we go down to Boca to see her. These visits never fail to depress me. Florida feels to me like it has just given up. It's too hot, too air conditioned, too fenced in, with too many overweight people who drive badly, blah blah blah. I thought this most recent visit would be a little different though as we were bringing Mamie to see Grandma. I so wanted my perception to change. Pre-trip was tough though as Doug and I weren't feeling so well. As usual, Mamie was in a great mood and I took extra care to pack her bag. That's the thing with babies. Everyone tells you it's easy to travel with them, it's just all the gear you have to bring with you. Let's just say that Doug and I shared one small bag and Mamie had the big bag packed with her clothes, blankets, toys, formula, etc. Then there was on the on-flight bag filled with more formula and bottles and changes of clothes and diapers (did I really need 20? YES.), etc. So by the time we arrived at West Palm Airport Mamie had eaten a bunch and I had pulled all the muscles in my shoulders from carrying stuff. But we were there and I felt accomplished.
When we arrived at the hotel, it was another story. Outside it was 90 degrees and humid, inside it was 60 degrees and frigid. Isn't there a happy medium? I had Mamie in a hat and lots of layers, too bad I forgot to pack a sweater for myself. We checked in and headed over to Century Village to see Grandma. Maybe at one time living in a gated community in Florida with all your friends sounded like a good idea. But what happens when your friends all die? I'm cheery, I know. But it's Florida and that's what I think about when I'm there. DEATH.
But the visit was fine and somewhat uneventful. No, Doug and I didn't sleep much because as soon as we got there, Mamie caught a cold. I'm in bed right now sick with that same cold. But we're home and happy (and jazzed up on Sudafed). And as much as I'd like to complain even more about Florida, I'm gonna stop because I feel lucky, so lucky not to live there.
When we arrived at the hotel, it was another story. Outside it was 90 degrees and humid, inside it was 60 degrees and frigid. Isn't there a happy medium? I had Mamie in a hat and lots of layers, too bad I forgot to pack a sweater for myself. We checked in and headed over to Century Village to see Grandma. Maybe at one time living in a gated community in Florida with all your friends sounded like a good idea. But what happens when your friends all die? I'm cheery, I know. But it's Florida and that's what I think about when I'm there. DEATH.
But the visit was fine and somewhat uneventful. No, Doug and I didn't sleep much because as soon as we got there, Mamie caught a cold. I'm in bed right now sick with that same cold. But we're home and happy (and jazzed up on Sudafed). And as much as I'd like to complain even more about Florida, I'm gonna stop because I feel lucky, so lucky not to live there.