So, who in their right mind goes to Michigan in January?

Tomorrow or the next day, I must go to the credit union to pull out some travel money. My new credit union. Actually, it is my old credit union with a new name- Ascend. My daughter-in-law Becca pointed out that this is a most unfortunate name for a banking institution- "guess I better pull some money out of my Ascend". If only it were that easy!

Dave is heading for Brisbane by way of San Diego and I am headed up to western Michigan. In January. To the banks of Lake Michigan. Where it gets very cold and there is a lot of snow. Okay, it has been unseasonably warm everywhere this winter, but I guaran-damn-tee you that the minute I step on the plane Saturday, en route to visit my dear old Daddy, the weather will change. A blizzard will come off Lake Michigan to make traveling and visiting a nightmare. Bank on it.

I no longer have really warm winter clothes or coats, having lived in Tennessee for 27 years now, so I will have to pack smart. I will be traveling with a huge craft cart filled to overflowing with scrapbooking paraphernalia, all of which is pretty heavy, and none of which I would bother taking if I wasn't going to be there for at least two weeks. I can't wait to see what the little x-ray dudes at the airport think of my dozen pair of scissors and various other pointy stuff. I am checking that bag, of course- I know pinking shears are the weapons of choice of most terrorists, and I am sure both the flight from Nashville to Cincinnati and the flight from Cincinnati to South Bend will be chock-a-block with terrorists. They're everywhere. Imagine the impact on the nation if travel between Ohio and Indiana was sabotaged. The mind boggles.

I am looking forward to a break. Christmas is wonderful but exhausting. Mama had a very good Christmas and was very good company, and the glooms and dooms lifted for several weeks, so I have no complaints on that front. Actually, I have no complaints, really- I just find her little eccentricities wearing after awhile. When she found out I was leaving, I expected a daily and escalating wave of self-pity and guilt inducements, and there have been a few, but I strongly suspect she is looking forward to seeing the back of me. I have eccentricities of my own. Maybe she's weary of mine.

I bought a new microwave and it is wonderful. I picked this one out, rather than Techno-Dave, so it is efficient, simple, and easy to use. Even Mama can read the buttons on it- not that she will touch the damn thing after setting fire to the last one. Got a new toaster oven, too, but will bring in the old toaster from the garage for Mama to use while I am gone.
Friday I will fill up the larder.

Stephanie, my housekeeper/Mama-sitter/collaborator/partner-in crime/good buddy, will be coming every single day I am gone, mainly to make sure Mama is all right and well fed. This is a new arrangement for us, and will last at least until June, at which time, I am given to understand, our travel back and forth between home and San Diego every month will probably come to an end.

I have very mixed feelings about that on several fronts. First, I gave up my career to accommodate that bizarre life pattern- a tenured professorship. Granted, I had come to detest my job (except for the teaching) but I loved having some financial independence, a retirement package, a 401-K and my own medical insurance. I was in my 40s when I purchased my first car that was chosen exclusively by me, and financed based on my income. I liked the feeling of contributing, and had been working very hard to get us debt free and expense limited so that if Dave, who has been working since he was 14, ever wanted to just chuck his high-pressure job and retire, we could live on my income. Even though Dave asked me to do it, my giving up my career trapped David in his job for at least another 5 years when he can retire and collect his pension.

And I love San Diego. I have missed it this fall while I was teaching genetics as an adjunct. I love that part of California and I love our apartment there. As difficult as traveling back and forth has been, I really enjoy my space and my time there. I really don't want it to end.

And yes, it is nice to get away from Mama from time to time. And it is wonderful spending time with my daughter when I get out there. We always have a good time together. I will miss that if we stop the monthly travel.

On the other hand, poor Dave lives in airports as it is, has to look at his itinerary to know where the hell he is, and is exhausted most of the time. All the traveling is taking a toll on him. If dropping the monthly two-week stint in San Diego makes his life easier, who am I to argue?

I bought a wireless card for my new laptop- thanks, adjunct pay- so I should be able to stay in touch while in the mitten state. Speaking of mittens....