We had planned to leave the sunny state of Florida a week ago. Change of plans. We’re still here.
We are camped at Lazydays RV Resort in Seffner, Florida. I wrote about Lazydays in this post. While we have been camped here, Other Half spent a week in Orlando with his golf buddies. During that week, Rigby and I were landlocked without a car. When you’re landlocked and surrounded by lots and lots of shiny new, air-conditioned, motorhomes, it’s fun to take your walks amongst the big rigs.
Before he left for Orlando, Other Half had set his heart on one of the rigs. That’s the one Rigby and I visited daily. Of course, I didn’t let him know we were doing this.
When it comes to purchases involving wheels Other Half and I have a routine. Our family and friends (and credit union) will recognize this routine, we’ve been at it for over three decades.
It starts like this – He leads with big picture concerns, things like safety and fuel economy. When that gets him nowhere, he moves on to addressing things he thinks matter to me, stuff like comfort, color and ample drink holders. This is my favorite part – suddenly he wants me to think this is all about me. Like every good wife, I milk this step for all it’s worth.
The next step is the cliches are true step. This one is tough. As we’ve gotten older, those darn cliches ARE true. Who knew? I never expected the “You only live once; Life is short; It’s now or never,” cliches to take on meaning. But they have.
The routine winds down with me giving in. He gets whatever car/truck/motorcycle he wants. I pick the color. He promises to be happy forever (or until next time) and life goes on.
This time the routine involved the Big Rig. The scenario went as usual with one major difference. I was onboard — almost from the beginning. I actually had wrapped my head around it while he was on his golf trip. I had run the numbers, projected the tax bite, listed the pro’s and cons and even visualized us living happily in the new rig. I did all this without so much as a peep to him.
When you’ve been married a long time, communication somehow gets telepathic. He got back from his golf trip on Friday and by Monday we were signing the papers. In this kind of stuff, he usually has to push me every step of the way. Not this time. I’m not sure what changed for me, must have been those darn cliches.
The new rig, aka Big Rig 2, is being prepped. We’re excited. Other Half can’t stop smiling. I think he’s in shock.