Delays + Blunders + Reservations = Tantrum

We’re going to MEXICO!!! We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to celebrate Dia de los Muertos in Merida. But we have a few hurdles to jump before we hop on a plane.

That’ll teach me to talk about personal growth and pivoting. Man o’ man, did we practice that over the past few weeks and it wasn’t always pretty. In fact, I wanted to title this blog Well, shit!, but my ‘good girl’ part vetoed it. I assure you, the sentiment stands.

Here are the highlights…

Strike 1 – Closing Delays

Our original closing date has already been delayed by 10 days. Without going into the microdetails — One week before our moving van was scheduled, we find out (through the grapevine!!) that they want to delay another 3 weeks. DJ and I had already resigned, sold our sofas, and changed our address with the post office. Luckily 2 out of 3 of those things could be reversed. You guess which two!? Six months from now, it’s gonna be a funny story.

Well, we pivot (feeling a wee bit less fond of our newfound mantra). We have 3 more weeks of play dates with our friends, and we’ll bank some additional $$ as DJ works longer than originally planned.

Inconvenient? Yes

Game Changer? No

Strike 2- Passport Blunder

Since we’re clearly on top of our game (hear the sarcasm), we applied for passports months ago for the little ladies. Theirs would expire during our time abroad and we didn’t want to navigate getting it renewed on foreign soil. Aren’t we smart cookies? We applied, received them back…perfection. We’re ready to go.

I think the magnitude of this trip is still dawning on us. After counting countries and counting passport pages, we had a problem. To amplify matters, loads of countries required you to have 2 blank pages, one to stamp in and one out. Seriously, you can’t share a page!?! All new learnings to us.

Also breaking news…Did you know passports come in 2 sizes? Yeah, who would!? AND it’s no extra charge to get the big one. Which is awesome IF we hadn’t just shelled out close to $300 to get the regular size.

Well, we pivot (this mantra is really getting old now). Let’s go get the big boy passports for all 4 of us. Plus extra mug shots, oh I mean passport pictures, for future visas.

Strike 3- Failed Reservations

With a destination in mind, I started the search for accommodations and fell in love with one. Which naturally put me on a mission to persuade everyone to book it immediately. (In my defensive, it had a massive private pool, patio with hammocks galore, and 2 King suites. I’m sorry for your suffering… eye roll.)

DJ had a different budget in mind and a battle ensued. I should add we’re all frustrated and exhausted by this point & I just REALLY wanted a win. After much coaxing, DJ agrees pending satisfactory answers from the host about the property. After a quick email with the host all is clarified.

A- They are A holes.

B- The two bedrooms were separated by an outdoor patio. Which would mean the girls would have to traverse that at night, alone, if they needed us.

Therefore

C- My dreams of margaritas by a private pool are now crushing with salt in the wounds.

I’m pretty sure the hosts live ten time zones ahead, so I read their response at 4:30am when I couldn’t sleep. Now heartbroken, I really couldn’t sleep because the world is clearly against me!

Well, we pivot (mantra be damned!) Eventually, I get up to watch the sunrise, do a little emotional processing, and thank AirBNB that they have a full refund policy within the first 48 hrs.

I’m going outside to throw a tantrum, be back in ten.

Dawn

 The morning air still has a chill

Damp clover under my toes

The owl & lark sing a duet

And sweet, warm blueberries grow

There a little self-compassion

rises with the sun

I’m stressed – My house is a wreck

I have a mountain of things to be done

All the effort we’ve put in

Yet our dream still looks like a wisp of smoke

Out of reach

Am I brave or just headed towards broke?

This adventure begs me to be set on nothing

Enjoy what’s right here, right now

A skill that won’t be easily mastered

Can I do it somehow?

Martha Rosado

July 2, 2022