Portugal

Portugal, originally uploaded by ckindsfather.

Portugal is a beautiful country. It is full of winding roads, brick walkways, huge old trees. There are miles and miles of vineyards and farms and pastures. There are countless hills and churches and castles at every turn. The people are quiet, friendly, and purposeful. They cling to family, religion, tradition tighter than anyone I have yet to meet. It is a wonderful place and I feel like more of a person having been there – if only for a week.

My Trip

I am at the airport in the bar. It is 9:30am and my flight is not until 11:45. Can you say “bit of a wait”? Horrible talk shows on the bar TV, alcoholics signing up for their first drink of the day, and grumpy travelers are everywhere.

I have been lucky on this trip. I accomplished what I came here for and had a nice time with my employees, many of whom I now consider friends. I like feeling like the travel was worth it – especially after a night like last night. Last night. Oh, last night. I am not proud of myself. In fact, I have no idea what really happened. I was sitting on the sofa in the hotel room watching TV (switching between American Idol and Friday Night Lights – FNL won out…it is WAY more interesting) working a little, spacing a little…really doing nothing when it hit me. I was an emotional basket case. I would see kids on TV and get all teary eyed because, oh holy hell I missed my kids. Then I would see a marital fight or someone make up and I would start getting misty because, I missed my husband. Then I started feeling like an idiot for being such a wreck and that made me feel worse. It ended in full-swing crying for no known reason. I have to blame the damn prednisone, because there is no other explanation. Have you heard the saying “the dog food commercial made her cry”. Hello. I cried at a dog food commercial. Because…I missed my dogs.

Luckily the whole teenage crying drama thing ended quickly. I took a shower and watched basketball (UT and A&M – go Horns!). There wasn’t really any reason to cry during the ball game – except of course when they went into the SECOND overtime and I was so tired from the crying and the working that I almost cried again. I ended up falling asleep before the game ended – which is probably for the best.

Here’s to travel and prednisone.

Things we learned during our two week vacation:

1. Kids think it is fun to lick every f-ing window they come into contact with.
2. Travel anywhere with little kids is going to be a beating.
3. New York city RIGHT BEFORE NEW YEAR’S Eve is a nightmare…especially with two teenagers and two toddlers. Yes we are insane. Nice to meet you.
4. If you make a reservation at a really nice restaurant in New York, thinking your kids will behave – because they have been such good babies so far – they will laugh in your face and misbehave so badly that you will not get one bite of the very, very expensive lamb that you ordered. You will take it back to the hotel with you thinking you will eat it later, however by the time you get Satan’s minions to bed you will want to do nothing but pass out.
5. If you let your kid lick nasty windows, chances are good that they will contract the Death Virus. They will bring this virus home, and it will rear it’s ugly head one hour after landing…while in the restaurant – with plenty of witnesses.
6. The Death Virus will then attack every family member and visitor rendering them useless vomiting lumps for three days. Welcome to our lovely home! Puke much?
7. New Year’s Eve with a house full of sick people is not very much fun.
8. After puking for days your immune system will be weak and you will get the cold to end all colds.
9. Toddler noses NEVER STOP RUNNING.
10. The Christmas presents that you are certain will be a HUGE hit will be completely ignored by your children.