The morning we left for our Blue Angels camping trip I was in a great mood. The sun was shining, the weather was perfect for both a weekend of camping and an air show, we were going to be spending time with my sister and her family and I was just downright giddy as we drove across Okaloosa Island on our way out that morning.
The Island King would be coming later in the day so it was just the Island Boys and myself in the van.
And they were both cranky as hornets. Arguing, fighting, and just generally being mean little snots to each other.
Which really started bringing me down. It's hard to maintain giddy when that's going on behind your head.
I knew if I started getting on to them things would escalate and by the time we got to the other side of the Island giddy would be long gone.
So I rolled down my window and turned the CD player up to full volume.
And then because I just couldn't help myself I decided to torture them a little bit for messing with giddy and started singing. At the top of my lungs.
The plan was to completely drown out any sound coming from the backseat and let giddy continue to reign.
Which worked. It was too hard for them to fight over the music so they both slumped back in their seats and glared out the window.
Just as we were coming up to the bridge into Fort Walton, Aretha Franklin came on.
I don't know what it is about that woman but she sends my musical caterwauling to new heights every time I hear her. And this day was no exception.
So as we crossed the bridge I was demanding RESPECT at the top of my lungs and enjoying every minute of it.
Which is why when I stopped for the red light at the foot of the bridge I didn't notice the man in the truck next to me.
The song ended and I glanced to my left and there, not 5 feet from me, was a man in the passenger seat of a pickup with his window rolled down.
Staring at me.
Which was a little on the embarrassing side so I leaned out the window and told him I was torturing my kids.
He nodded his head and said "That ought to do it"
I was laughing so hard I could barely move ahead when the light changed.
About half an hour into the trip the kids had forgotten they were cranky and were signing along with me.
I'm going to be letting giddy reign a lot more often.Labels: Staying