Jet Setter???

My work buddies have been questioning how I’m able to go on all of these trips and stuff.  They seem to think I’m rich.  The funny thing is…I’m NOT!  Some of them, I give the courtesy of an explanation.  The rest of them, I shine on.  

My ex-husband has always been interested in Timeshare.  He’d drag me to every timeshare presentation and try to sell me on it.  I just wasn’t interested.  I couldn’t see spending money for one place to go to at one specific time of the year.  I felt like it locked us into something. 

Then, in 1996, he convinced me to attend yet another Timeshare presentation…this one was WorldMark, then owned by Jeld Wen and managed by Trendwest.  Many things struck me differently with this presentation such as: 

1.      Once we owned it, we could pass it on to our children.  What???  Never heard of that before. 

2.      They also didn’t sell one place, but multiple places that were not locked into any particular week.

3.      Based on a point system so you could reserve something that fits your needs, i.e. Studio, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom etc.

4.      Many of the resorts were driving distance, so we didn’t need to spend money on airfare.

5.      Points were renewable each year, and you could bank up to two years.  If you needed longer, you transfer the rest to the International RCI for an additional 3 years, etc.

Well, it turns out that the person giving the presentation went to High School with my ex and they struck up a conversation.  Some of the things he said were logical to me.  That inflation would always drive up the costs of hotel rooms and vacation resorts and wouldn’t we rather save that money to spend on the actual trip, i.e. excursions, food, etc.?  They were home away from homes with full kitchens, washer/dryers, etc. At the time, I was trying to get pregnant and the thought of always being able to take my children on a vacation really appealed to me.

When I was growing up, we were pretty poor.  I already told you about eating beans for 4 months straight, etc. Going on a vacation was a HUGE deal and something we could not afford.  As a matter of fact, my Grandma paid for our trip to Disneyland. The one trip I can remember that was far away was our trip to Seattle for a religious convention and I’m fairly certain that my Grandma foot the bill for that one too.  My first airplane ride was paid for by my job when I was in my early 20’s.  I wanted to know that our kids would vacation and have fun (while still understanding how fortunate they are to do so).

So my ex’s friend cut us a deal.  We purchased 6,000 credits (which equates to a week in a 2-3 bedroom condo) every other year. We also got access to bonus time (pay cash for a weekend instead of using credits) and a free RCI certificate for a week anywhere we wanted to go.  At the time of purchase we paid $.93 a credit?  Something like that.  Credits now go for almost $3.00 per credit.  We used the certificate to go to Puerto Vallarta Mexico, and after that trip, I was sold.  I loved traveling. We gradually increased the amount of credits we owned.  I set it up so that the payment was made out of my bank account every month. When we joined, WorldMark had maybe 30 different resorts.  Now they have 160. 

When we divorced, we were at the Diamond Elite status (3.5 weeks a year for a 2-3 bedroom), and I wanted the timeshare in the divorce.  While the ex wasn’t happy about that, I used logic that he couldn’t deny.  I had always been the one that planned the vacations, he is a notorious procrastinator, so I knew that the timeshare would sit and rot before he planned something, and I agreed in the divorce decree that if he wanted to use a week every year, he’d just have to pay the maintenance fee.  Being that we’re friends, I told him that if he needed longer, it wasn’t’ going to be an issue.  And, of course, in the event of my death, it would get passed on to the kid(s).

So, after taking ownership, I upped the status (which I’m still paying off) to Platinum Elite (5.5 weeks a year for a 2-3 bedroom).  The reason I did this, is because at this status, I can use my credits, not only for the timeshare itself, but for excursions and airfare, which means no money out of pocket (other than what I’m paying off and maintenance dues).  When I’m retired, I won’t have to worry about being able to travel, etc.  I call it my 501V retirement fund.  Which is why I can travel right now and it looks like I’m rich…..

Fa la la la la....

So the holidays are fast approaching.  I’m really not into Christmas.  2013, I was sicker than a dog, and spent it at home, in bed. 2012, I had broken up with my boyfriend and it was rocky. 2011, I was homeless and living with a friend.  Although I did have fun, it was still a little different. 2010, I had lost Mom (MIL), my marriage was over and I had the worst trip to Cabo with my estranged husband.

Don’t get me wrong.  For an ex-Jehovah’s Witness, I love the pomp and pageantry of Christmas. Yes, I know Christ wasn’t born in December, and I know the Christmas tree is a heathen symbol the Catholics incorporated to rope the non-believers into Christianity.  But I love the Christmas spirit of giving, of helping others. I love seeing the smile on faces surprised by random acts of kindness. 

I love my favorite Christmas movies, and no matter how much I haven’t been “into” the holiday, I always drag them out for a viewing…Holiday Inn (my absolute favorite), White Christmas, Pocket Full of Miracles, Miracle on 34^th Street, The Santa Clause, The Ref (ok, it’s a little off color, but the role is tailor made for Denis Leary, and the line from Kevin Spacey… “You know what Mom? You know what I’m going to get you next Christmas? A big wooden cross…so every time you feel unappreciated for all of your sacrifices, you can climb on up and nail yourself to it!”), Die Hard (Hey…they’re celebrating Christmas in the Nakatomi Plaza) and the usual mushy stuff you find on the Lifetime or Hallmark Channel. 

This year, I’m pretty much giving out gift certificates so I don’t have to deal with the holiday rush, people, traffic, etc.  I decided to run away for the holidays.  I’m headed to Seaside Oregon.  Although it isn’t exactly what I had planned, I decided to not wallow in what I had originally planned, and go for something different.  I’m spending it with members of the 2013 Cabo Crew.  We agreed that we were not exchanging gifts, we are just going to enjoy each other’s company.  I’m only asking the group for one thing…On Christmas Eve, I want a fire on the beach.  I’m hoping it’ll get me back on track toward Christmas.  Something about the sea air, a cold beer, a fire on the beach, good friends…maybe even spotting Santa’s sleigh in the sky…it just seems to fit.

Floored!!!

It was a bittersweet evening.  I went to the hill to say hello to my Nephew.  I met up with 3 of his friends there.  We had a good time reminiscing about the past.  I got to hear some more stories about the fun and trouble that he had with his buddies.

While we were there, the boys asked if I would be insulted if they cracked open a beer at the grave site.  I looked at them and started laughing.  I replied...Wouldn't he expect you to be drinking and toasting him?  They said yes and went and got the beer.  They gave me one and we all toasted him.  It was pretty cool.

Afterward, I headed into Stockton to meet up with his Mother and my sister of the heart "S".  After a glass of wine, we head to the restaurant to meet up with his friends and finish off the evening.  It was so cool.

So what am I floored about?  Well, one of my Nephews friends wanted me to drive him home (he came with a bunch of guys) and on the drive, he told me that he was attracted to me and basically wanted to...well, you know.  I told him that I was too old for him and asked him how old he was.  23??  Uh oh!  He said that age shouldn't matter.  I told him that he was correct.  But that I had some personal rules, and one of them was to not play with any man my Son's age or younger.  He said that he could respect that.  I also made it clear exactly how old I am, but it didn't seem to phase him.

I told him that he was cute, smart, articulate, (I also found out that he's a trust fund baby and had inherited a lot of money) and that he could have any girl he wanted...he needed to get out there and have some fun. But it didn't phase him.  Interesting...

There was some more things said, which I will not divulge, but I was flattered that he asked and told him so.  It was a huge boost to the ego.  I think Dizzy is gonna be ok.

Funk

I've been in a funk.  I'm doing all the right things. I prepped for the pending storm today. Got the ladder out and pounded nails into a tarp to cover the hole in the roof of the shed. I covered my beloved Weber grill. Battened down the hatches. Moved the green waste cans that I filled with leaves over the past few days, so they won't fall over and release all of my hard work.

I'm working hard at work, and the project is coming together. We're in the protest period for the bid, so we should be on track in January to get the ball rolling on the actual project implementation. I almost punched a co-worker in the face today.  This morning she comes up and says "Hey, you want some breakfast?" Picks up the homemade cookies I brought in for everyone and shoves them in my face....literally touching my nose.  My mind is spinning...Do I punch her? She pulls the bag away from my face and is watching for my reaction.  She can literally see the thoughts of hurting her run over my face, but basically I look at her and say "What the fuck do you have up your ass this morning?"  She knows she's avoided a beating and goes through some lengthy explanation. Bitch!

I'm getting ready for my trip and making plans with the Cabo Crew, although one of them is only going to be there three nights out of the seven. Fine. It isn't like I don't already have plans with a couple of other people once I get there.

I just don't know peeps. The things I thought were tangible are no longer.  I feel like I'm not any good at my relationships at the moment.  Not talking just about the opposite sex, but my friendships, family and stuff too.

This Saturday is my Nephew N's birthday.  His Mom has invited me to her home so that we can go together to the restaurant and celebrate with his friends.  I think it's so cool that even though he's no longer with us, his friends still love him enough to celebrate his birthday. I love that she thinks of me and invites me.  I had planned on going to the hill anyway to see him and have a chitchat.

I miss him. I miss the possibilities of him. And it's another reminder of missing the people I've lost over the past few years. Time is short, and I need to make the most of it. Am I just being reflective due to my age? Am I being reflective due to the decisions I've made over the past few weeks? Or is it due to the people I've lost.

I have a new co-worker who reminds me of D...the guy I just said goodbye to on November 7th.  He's as thin and around the same age and has the same mannerisms.  It's kind of painful. I don't know.

Time for bed. I'm teleworking tomorrow due to the storm and have about 5 things I need to complete. Not to mention my necessary walk through the storm.  Perhaps it will kick my ass enough to remove this funk.  We'll see.  G'nite!

Surprise!

Got less than 24 hours notice that my Niece would be performing in her Jr. High Holiday Program.  That's ok...I braved the storm and got there early.  I sat in the front row and watched the performance, got pictures and movies.  It was awesome.

Not sure my Sister was all that happy about it. She was sitting toward the back with our Mother. You'd think they would know the routine by now and understand that if you want the best seats..gotta be there early.   It was so worth it.  My Beanster is growing up so fast.  She's a beauty!

Talked to a male co-worker yesterday...and a different one today. Both are interested (still). Both are off limits.  It's weird how it can be "feast" at work, but "famine" outside of work.  Yes, I still have someone long distance that wants to get together, but I know that I really need to find someone close to home.

That's scary though.  Funny how I could commit to someone far away, but not to someone whom I could see every day.  Guess maybe I do have a fear of commitment.

Still giving a lot of thought to the characteristics of the 'next' man.  I already told you that I'm thinking about a man with a little money (not for me..just to make sure he's' not after anything I have...and it isn't much). Ah well.  In the meantime, it's me and Pooh Bear.  He's a good companion.  Doesn't bitch, always faithful, puts me first, is waiting for me when I get home.  Now if only he'd cook, clean and do laundry..He'd be PERFECT!

Christmas

I gave away the huge 9 ft. Christmas tree today. A woman who lost her job in an injury accident really needed one for her children. The children told her that Santa won't deliver the presents if they didn't have a tree.

The tree I had was a beauty.  I went to the Christmas tree store, the day after Christmas and parked my truck outside the shop at 4 a.m.  I waited till it opened at 8 a.m. and was the first person in the door.  When my eyes lit up on this sweet baby...I knew it was the one.  It had little pine cones on it and looked so real.

This tree was with me through the dream of having children, to having that dream crushed, to having my Nephew (now my Son) celebrate underneath it's sturdy branches.  This tree has held the ornaments that my Mother-In-Law used to put on her tree. It has held the home made ornaments, my Niece's first bootie, the Boy's Harry Potter stuff.

Now that I'm divorced and the boy lives far away...it will never be used as it should be.  This tree cries out for children to dream while staring at it's lights, and anxiously waiting to tear open presents. I knew when I heard this woman's plea that my tree was going home.

I'm not into Christmas this year.  I wasn't going to decorate and made plans to run away for the holiday.  I'm happy to say that this family brought it back for me.  Will I decorate and put up a tree?  Probably not.  But I will be looking for more ways to enjoy the Christmas spirit.

Now...if Santa will only bring me what I want for Christmas....dare to dream.