A Haven for Vee

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Not Such a Great Vacation

Listen to my story about a family from Maine
Who saved their money to fly on a plane
Down to Florida for to have some fun
And that's when this story comes undone...
***
As you may know, I was dog~sitting last week for my grandpuGGy. That's what I call my son and daughter-in-law's pug as he was their first baby. Like so many newlyweds, they had a 
practice puppy. ☺
***
John, Fioré, Bazil and I had a 
pretty good week, though I never 
dared to send this collage, which 
was meant to say all is well. As you can see, all was not exactly well. Bazil 
(rhymes with "frazzle") was 
profoundly homesick.
***

Adam and Michelle and their sons Sam and Jake had gone on a Florida vacation along with the boys' maternal grandmother and their grammie's sister. Within a half hour of arriving, the first child became very ill, then the second, then dad, then mom. (As far as I know Grammie and Auntie escaped the plague.) It was not quite the week they had planned. There were doctor visits and anti-nausea medication. Mid-week, they visited Animal Kingdom and had to leave within an hour. Bummer!


***


They did have one truly marvelous day at Universal Studios. Oh the joy on their faces!



left to right top: Adam, Jake, Michelle
left to right bottom: Michelle's mom, Sam, Michelle's aunt



***


I thought Adam and Jake were particularly stoic. If you'd like to see what caused them the fright, go to the 7 minute mark on the video *here.*


***

Disney World had to be saved for Friday. Sadly, Sam didn't feel up to it for long; Michelle was not up to it at all; Adam and Jakob did get to see the fireworks.


So what began in games and high hopes, had been planned for a very long time and with such anticipation ended ignominiously hugging the porcelain god. Not a pleasant time. Let's not even talk about the expense of such a vacation.

~We are all going to Disney World!~

(ETA: March Treasure Hunt when boys discovered what was planned for May 15—23)


***


John and I felt so bad, but were pleased to learn at our Memorial Day Gathering that their humor was intact. Though Jake had begged his parents to rent a car and drive home on Wednesday, he was soon enough souvenir shopping settling most decidedly on an Ironman costume. He had $60 to spend and the costume was $65. I asked him how he was going to pay his parents the loaned funds. He asked his mom what he needed to do to earn the extra money. She said, "Well, Jakob, you didn't eat very much last week..." Oh dear!



***


Sam spent his souvenir money on four baseballs. He is now in search of a display case.

***


I would have ordinarily taken photos of our BBQ, but the gang was all looking a bit peaked. John told them that they were "survivors." Yes, they are whole and intact and safely home.


***


Bazil was thrilled to see his family again. As we drove nearer and nearer his home, he got more and more anxious until he sounded as if he were hyperventilating. I asked John to let us out lest there be an accident in the car. Bazil pulled me up the street at a full trot and bounded into the house to hugs and kisses and pats. Later, as we sat around the table, I noticed that Bazil was lying on the deck dozing without a care in the world. He was not anxious, he was not whimpering in his sleep. All was well. He was home.




48 comments:

  1. That is terrible that the vacation was ruined by a 'bug' of some sort. Poor puppy missing his family, family spending all that money and could barely do anything. Being home, safe and sound though, is a blessing for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This post had me laughing out loud and then feeling so, so sad for the long anticipated vacation to be nearly ruined. I can only imagine how disappointing that must have been for them. They are to be commended to get on that thrilling ride after such an ordeal. the look on Sam's face is priceless. Off to check out that video now. Oh, and poor Bazil... glad he made it through the week and is home once again.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm so sorry that they were ill. Remembering similar vacations when our kids were small. Everything is expensive nowadays! Priceless picture of the fright expressions. Laughed about the dog. I feel sorry for our dog when we leave him. He's always exhausted when he returns home with us, usually with laryngitis. I'm sure Baxil will do better next time. Fiore must be relieved! Yes, all is well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. OH, that ride was fun! I wish I'd been there.
    I'm sorry to hear everyone was so sick, what a bummer.
    Hopefully the boys will enjoy many hours of play with their special gifts from the trip!
    Good to hear Bazil is happily restored to his family again. I bet he'll appreciate them all the more.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is the kind of vacation they will laugh about later. Much later... 😳 We went to Old Sturbridge Village on our vacation and the heat that day got to all of us, cutting our time there in half. But we figured the photos are worth the admission price!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh how awful....Disney requires alot of stamina....go, go, go....poor babies! Glad everyone is on the mend....I am so in love with Bazil!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh- How awful for everyone!!!! Including you because I know YOU felt half-sick FOR them! Someday they will talk about the 'puking vacation" as in ...remember when we went to Florida and we were all puking the whole time?
    Glad Bazil is home where he belongs and is happy again.
    Glad everyone else is home doing okay. Sometimes things are just beyond our control and we are NOT in charge...this was one of them. xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh NOOOO.......So sorry they were sick! That's just such a bummer after all their planning and anticipation. Glad they did make it for a few things. Your "tune" at the start of this post was hysterical though. I sat here laughing aloud and hubby said, "what's so funny?" So I sang it for him. lol He got a good chuckle too. Glad they are all home safe and sound and that Bazil is back home laying in the sun happy as can be!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ugh, the best laid plans of mice and men, and all that. What a bummer, but they will no doubt laugh in years to come at the memory of the vacation that went awry. Sometimes disaster vacations make the best stories, although nobody loves them enough to actually want one. Hopefully the next time will find them in god health and having loads of fun!

    ReplyDelete
  10. A tragic/comic story told well, Vee. I'm laughing, but also sorry for the family vacation that turned sour. I'm glad Bazil is happy now at home, and the other family members are feeling better.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Well, I'm sorry the family and Bazil had such a tough week but it sure made for good "blog fodder"! Thanks for giving me a chuckle. Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am so sorry about your family's vacation! How awful to end up sick! Glad to hear they are feeling better now. So glad that the pug is happy to be home as well.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh my! How terrible. So glad the family is better though and some sense of humor was kept. You are so good to puppy sit too! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh dear me, what a vacation!! At least Bazil had a happy ending to your story!

    ReplyDelete
  15. What an awful time. But they really are survivors, making the best of a bad situation. Hopefully they can go back sometime when everyone is well!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I grieve with your family over their not very good vacation. I KNOW just how expensive Disney World can be. Animal Kingdom is, I think, the hottest of the Disney Parks at this time of year. So sorry for them! Bazil is happy!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm so sorry they were sick when they got down here. What a terrible ordeal. I hope they feel much better now and come again sometime. How sad!!! Hugs, Diane

    ReplyDelete
  18. Nothing worse than being away from home when you are so sick. I feel terrible that they planned for so long and spent so much money and were not able to enjoy.I can just imagine Bazil's excitement to see the family.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a story. Oh my. I like the ending the best.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh my- stomach bugs are not fun and must have been sheer agony away from home and everyone sick. Sounds like everyone needs a vacation from their vacation!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Ok, here is my 2 cents...since I am from the south (and now a northerner, wink), I will offer my unsolicited advice...one can not take a northerner to FL with the heat and humidity and not expect some sort of
    "bug". One has to spend time in the humidity before just jumping into it. Just saying...unsolicited comment/advice. Take it with a grain of salt. We spent 5 years in the north and then moved back south, and boy, let me tell you...sickness is not the word I want to describe, more like dying. Now, we moved back. F-i-n-e. There is just something about going from different climates...just a thought, wink.

    I am glad they are home and hope they get to feeling better. Poor Bazil...smiling

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh mercy me, I would have been undone for sure. So glad their humor was intact and that Bazil survived the trauma.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Only you, Vee, could describe this unfortunately sickly vaca and keep us entertained all the while....not that any of us were entertained by the fact that they were all so sick...that was really a shame! It's the way you word things :) It was nice that you were able to get together for the holiday and that sweet little Bazil was reunited with his family at last! I would have died on that Jurassic ride thingy.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh no!! That is perfectly dreadful. Reminds me of the poor folks who get on a cruise ship only to become ill. I'm glad they were able to enjoy bits and pieces of the week. And oh, how sweet it must have been to see Bazil so overjoyed to see his family. My Mom's dog, Bear, will get to experience that in a few short hours now when Mom gets home. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh poor Bazil, it sounds as though he was very homesick indeed! I am glad that he is OK now. I hope that everyone else is alright again too! xx

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh my, poor little Bazil suffered separation anxiety. I hope they can get a handle on that before he gets any older. And the poor vacationing family!! Reminds me of the year my sister's family and we drive to Florida, only to come down with that kind of plague you mention about 10 minutes before our arrival. At least these kids got their baseballs and costume. I hope there will be some good memories made after all.

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a disappointing vacation!! I am so sorry for your family, although at least there was a happy ending. Everyone is now well, Bazil is happy, and they have a fantastic story in their repertoire. Actually, you have that story too and you told it so very well!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Oh Vee, I am so, so sorry they all got sick and their trip was messed up. That is just awful! I know how expensive a trip to Disney World is, so I feel so badly for them. I so admire them for retaining their sense of humor about the whole thing. I love the picture of the family on the Jurassic Park ride -- some frightened-looking faces. :) After two go rounds, I told our son I was never getting on Space Mountain again. Whew! Cute little Bazil; they do miss their families when they're away. Mr. Duncan is at summer camp right now and seems to be having a ball. Have a good week, Vee!

    Hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi Vee!

    Oh no, what a way to start a vacation! I'm glad they are feeling better... :0)

    Now, for that ride, I would have been wet on both ends, if you know what I mean...they were almost eaten!! It does look like they had a good time, even if they were under the weather. Iron-man is adorable!

    Poor, poor, Bazil. Puppies do get homesick, just like people, I'm so happy, for both of you, that he is home safe and sound!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Awww Vee - such a bitter/sweet account of "the" vacation - one that all will remember for sure! The collage of Brazil looks so sad but I'm sure he had some great times with you and John too. Glad everyone, including puppy survived.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh me oh my! I watched the video as I had to see what was so frightening. I went on splash mountain in Disney at one time. I literally thought I was going to die. I truly believe that people can be frightened to death. I think I probably looked like Sam does, scared beyond the ability to scream. Oh, I'm so sorry to hear they all were sick, how miserable. Glad Brazil was reunited, with his loved ones. Love the Iron-man costume, I think my grandsons would be a tad jealous. Thanks for sharing their trip, lots of memories.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Awww, so sorry their vacation was less than fabulous. It's certainly no fun at all to be sick when you are away from home, much less when on a fun vacation. How disappointing, especially for the boys. Glad they are home safe, and feeling better. Poor Bazil, I'm sure he's happy they are back home...

    ReplyDelete
  33. Bazil truly did have separation anxiety. Poor pup! Sounds as if his family had their share of feeling bad, too. I hope they get to do it again someday and all feel much better ~ including your grandpuggy (cute!). I watched the video and I know that I would be scared, too. They put those cameras in the best places. How can you resist purchasing a bit of the memory?

    How is your father doing?

    ReplyDelete
  34. Oh, the poem on top is fantasic! Now I'm going to be humming that tune all evening. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Ver, you are a wonderful story teller. I am so dreadfully sorry that their much anticipated vacation turned out the way it did. Sounds like it wasn't a quick bout. Poor things. Glad Bazil is back with his people. Poor boy.

    John is right! They are survivors!

    Deanna

    ReplyDelete
  36. I am so sorry that things did not turn out as anticipated! But all's well that ends well, and I really hope this did end well...It certainly did for Bazil! There is a saying in Hungary that traveling everywhere is great, but the best is coming home again. I think it was really true this time. But I bet you will all have a great summer after this!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Oh my, what a story! Not funny now, but it will become part of the family lore, and probably told with great relish as the years go by!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Oh no, too bad about them all being sick on their vacation. Well, there is always next year. : )
    Glad Bazil was happy to see his family again.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I'm so sorry their much anticipated vacation turned out the way it did. I hope they get to make it up another time. Sweet little Bazil is happy now that they are home, tho.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Your poor family, that would have been an expensive trip. Glad you made it through with the dog, now you and John can relax too.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Oh my goodness...that is not good! It will definitely be a 'most memorable vacation'...but not in a good way. I feel badly for them! I think Bazil had the very best vacation!

    ReplyDelete
  42. So sorry for all of them, hope they are all recovered now. I remember missing my Christmas trip years ago when one of our little ones got the measles on the 23rd of December. I think Bazil's face said it all.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Oh, so sorry they were sick. Vacations aren't meant for sickness... been there...done that....
    Glad the little pug settled down once he was home.

    ReplyDelete
  44. What a shame that they got so sick on their vacation. I have heard of that a lot this year from people here on vacation somewhere down south. I'm glad Bazil is happy to be home. Love the photo of them on the ride!

    ReplyDelete
  45. It's so sad that the family got sick on vacation. You can't undo those kind of reservations. That happened to me once in the Caribbean and it really sucks! No nicer way to put it.
    I feel sorry for the little dog too. How pitiful!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Oh wow, Vee.... that's awful! I'm glad they're better and home now, but I feel so bad for them.

    Poor Bazil. That face really said it all. I'm glad he's back with his family :)

    xo

    ReplyDelete

🕊
If comments disappear, please don't fret. A simple "hi" will do. The platform surely needs some maintenance.