Time is going by fast again this year. By counting down each week, it makes the year speed by, and I’m not sure I like the idea. Days, weeks, months, and yes, years already go by too fast. Do you ever get the feeling time is running out?
Anyway, we’re back with the Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge.
Week 10: Things only my family would understand.
Answer: I don’t like spur-of-the-minute invitations. I like to know where I’m going, what we’re doing, and who will be there.
This isn’t fun and takes the spontaneity out of life. Often, I get invited to dinner or to an event of some sort. I like to know well in advance so I have time to prepare.
However, when you have kids, you can’t let an issue like this rule your life. You have to be ready to get up and go, and I did in the past.
I do “get up and go” now when I have no choice or when my whimsy feels adventurous.
One New Year’s Day, a few friends and I hopped on a plane and flew to Chicago for the day with barely enough money to get back home. To be truthful, we didn’t have enough money for one of us to get back home. We never left the O’Hare airport once we got there, but back then, it didn’t matter. We were teens, and to us it was like going to the mall. We’d find something to do. Talk about spur-of-the-minute.
DISCLAIMER: I don’t advise teens to go flying off to Chicago or anywhere without having a plan and money.
This trip could’ve turned out bad for us, and it nearly did. All I can say is I’m glad we had a sense of smart. Another time, a friend and I packed a bag, hopped into a car with a couple guys we knew, and moved to Missouri. Huh? I left my mom a note. Every day while there, I had an unplanned event. It wasn’t a good three months. Bad things happened. I shudder to think of those days now. I didn’t mean to digress.
It isn’t so much about getting a call for a spur-of-the-minute activity, but it’s more about the not-knowing-what-to-expect part.
Here’s an example of one of those “not knowing” moments:
My youngest son sprang a surprise on me a few years ago. He and his wife, before they were married, had an outing planned for her mom and I for Mother’s Day. My son understands that I like to know in advance, so he gave me plenty of time, but then the “not knowing” aspect took over. The panic attack kicked in. I stressed over this for weeks because I didn’t know the details. Being Mother’s Day, I assumed I’d need to wear something nice, but my son and daughter-in-law are adventurous. It could’ve been bungee jumping or zip lining. LOL.
About a week before Mother’s Day, he told me we’d be seeing a special Mother’s Day performance from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at Kirk in the Hills, a majestic, gothic-style church patterned after Scotland’s Melrose Abbey. We’d have dinner at an awesome place near there first. Why wouldn’t it turn out to be a fantastic evening? I had a date with my son for Mother’s Day. My crazy inner self had stressed for no reason. As usual.
Since I retired, I’ve become a half-ass recluse. My family understands this, but they don’t like it. I’m always being told I need to get out more. My friends tell me this, too. Yes, I need to get out more, take more breaks away from my computer, and take more vacations. Note to self: Read the Bucket List post again.
This is a blog hop, folks. Are you curious to see how other authors deal with only things their family understands? I am. Let’s visit them by clicking HERE.
Thanks for reading. See you next time.
Photo credits for first two images: Pixabay
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel 
12 thoughts on “Details. Details… Give Me Details! #MFRWauthor”
Teagan R. Geneviene
It sounds like a lovely time, Mary.
People just don’t understand the “getting out” thing… And as my agoraphobia has gotten worse and worse — they really don’t get it. The last time I made myself get out “because it would make me feel better,” I came back shaking like a leaf…
(I realize it’s not quite the same for you, but I’ll still say this–) So please yourself — you’ve earned it. Hugs.
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storimom2
That reminds me of the time when my sister asked if she could drive to McDonald’s. Mom said yes, and then when she didn’t return until nearly 8 hours later, we learned she and a friend had indeed gone to McDs…..in Chicago! (3 hour drive, one way)
I used to stress over whether or not I was properly dressed, but thankfully the dress code ‘rules’ are more relaxed now, so if someone springs the ‘It’s a surprise’, I know to wear a nice top and nicer jeans:)
As for being a near-hermit…..I’ve learned that when I’m ‘in the zone’, I’m perfectly happy only leaving the house for choir practice or karaoke….and meals, if the spouse decides he’s in the mood to go out.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Molly, your sister’s story reminds me of something similar I did with my dad’s car when I started driving. I lost my driving privileges for a while. I agree about the nicer jeans and top. Good old standbys. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
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Cathy Brockman
We are so much alike. I hate short notice and spur of moment. My grandkids are the worse coming home with stuff needing it like yesterday. Great post
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
You get it, Cathy. The more time I spend alone and have fallen into my own way of life, this tends to worsen. For one thing, I’m so busy writing, that I don’t want to be interrupted, but need to be for my own sanity. Last week I had a welcome last minute text from my youngest son, who most of you know moved out of state last summer. He had a spur-of-the-minute flight back here, and he said, “My plane lands at 7:00. I’ll be over to visit. Wanna go to dinner?” ❤ Yes, that was definitely welcomed. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
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Cathy Brockman
I bet that was welcomed. Glad you got to see him
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Sherry Lewis
I’m glad your Mother’s Day event turned out to be something wonderful and that your son was thoughtful enough to give you some advance details.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thanks, Sherry. My son knew better than to let me go somewhere dressed inappropriately. 🙂 It really was a wonderful evening, and one I cherish even more now that both boys have moved out of state. I’m glad you stopped by.
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Ellie Mack
I see the need for being prepared. I also like to know what to pack, what to wear (appropriate outfit), how much cash will I need, etc. However, I tend to be spontaneous much to my husband’s chagrin. Sometimes I just want to take off and drive and see where we end up. Let’s just go. OF course, having said that, my usual attire is very relaxed and comfy. I’ve never been a fashionista, and my go-to outfit is jeans, tennis shoes and a shirt I like. I would go into panic mode if I were expected to dress to the nines for a dinner party, then I’d be so nervous I’d end up spilling my glass all over myself and probably others.
Thanks for sharing – I feel like I should have read y’alls posts before I did mine.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
I used to love getting in the car and going for a drive, especially in the autumn in the Allegheny Mountains, or for a lighthouse tour on the Great Lakes. I was the passenger. We did often, and back then I didn’t mind spontaneity. After all, it was two people sitting in a car with nothing to be concerned with except the fall colors and country roads, or… How many steps to the top of the next lighthouse? It sounds like your go-to outfit is the same as mine, Ellie. Can’t beat comfort. I love the days my whimsy lets me see a little of the old me.
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Helen Henderson
I see nothing wrong with being able to be prepared if only so you don’t show up in high heels and skirt to go bungee jumping. When you’re a caregiver you need to be able to prepare so spontaneity is going for nuggets and fries. Anything else they need to tell me so I can prepare. The dinner and concert sounded lovely glad you had a good time.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Oh, Helen, I get that. I’ve been a caregiver before and you are correct.
Haha, I can see me bungee jumping in high heels. Yeah, right! The night was a lot of fun with wonderful company. Thanks for visiting. 🙂
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