what a vacation!

[petey]

Marvin and I have just come home from a five-day "vacation" to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.   My sister's youngest son (now a senior in high school) wanted to spend Easter break with a few of his friends at my sister and her husband's cottage at Myrtle Beach.  Well, my sister (strict mother that she is) wouldn't let Tyler and the "boys" stay at the beach house without a chaperone (it's a couple hours' drive from her house -- but only an hour from mine).  My sister (who is a teacher and also had spring break this past week) told Tyler she'd stay for a few days -- but not the whole week (as she wanted some "vacation" time of her own).

So, Tyler called me and asked if Marvin and I could chaperone the last part of the week.  "Sure," I said.  "We'd love to."  My sister said I should tell him "No" and that I didn't know what I was getting in for.  But, I can never say no to my sister's boys.

We had seven guys (all 17 or 18 years old).  My sister stayed from last Saturday until Wednesday night, and Marvin and I went down Wednesday night and stayed until this afternoon.  Since Marvin and I don't have children, we weren't really sure what to expect.  Do you know what seven high school senior boys like to do all day?  Well, I'll tell you.  They sleep until 11 a.m., and then they get up and go down to the beach to swim, surf, play football on the beach (though Marvin said they were probably checking out the "chicks," too).  Then, they come back to the house and eat.  Then, they shower, get dressed, and head out on the town (where, Marvin declares, they were out looking for more "chicks").  Curfew was at 1 a.m., and they got home each night about one minute before curfew.  We actually didn't see them much at all!  Marvin and I spent our days sitting on the big porch, rocking in the chairs, napping, walking on the beach in the late afternoons, and riding the golf cart all around.  It was so relaxing and so fun!  I read three novels that I've been putting off reading because I didn't have time.

We took Marvin's NxStage machine and did his treatments right there at the cottage.  Hop-Sing (my dog) went with us and had a glorious time, too.

Tyler and his friends are all very, very nice guys.  They had such good manners and always said "Yes ma'am" to me and "Yes sir" to Marvin.  They thanked us over and over and over again for going down there so they could stay all week.  They weren't a minute's trouble!  I cooked supper for them each night, and they acted like I was the best cook in the world -- and then they cleaned up the dishes.   Even when it was time this morning to clean up and get all the sheets and towels washed, they jumped right in and did everything I asked.  They even unloaded Marvin's NxStage machine when we got there and re-loaded it this morning when we were leaving (that bugger is HEAVY).  They carried in all his dialysis supplies and all my luggage!  It's so nice to have young men say, "Don't pick that up.  I'll get it for you!"  It was a wonderful vacation...but, I have to go back to school tomorrow.  Oh, for it to be the beginning of Spring Break again.

[willowtreewren]

Petey,
Isn't it wonderful to have the freedom to travel with NxStage? We took ours to Massachusetts over the holidays to visit our daughter and her family there. The drain line didn't reach to the bathroom so my granddaughter helped me empty a bucket into the sink every 1/2 hour.

Your holiday sounds glorious. I am all about getting to the beach whenever I can. Our Spring Break was in March and we camped in Florida for a week. But we didn't have a bunch of teenage boys to help us out. 

I'm glad you are back.
Aleta

[monrein]

That sounds like a fantastic time Petey...for everyone involved.  Teens so often get a bad rap and it's obviously not fair.  I love hearing stories about all ages getting along with each other in a spirit of mutual respect.

[willieandwinnie]

Oh petey, I am so jealous. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. I use to love it when Billy and all his buddies hung out at our house except for feeding them. Lord, those boys could eat. I'm so happy that you and Marvin had a good time and glad you made it back safely. Sorry about returning to school tomorrow. 

[petey]

willowtreewren,
Marvin and I are becoming quite adept at "...have NxStage, will travel."  We've been to the mountains a couple of times and to the beach a couple of times with his machine.  As for the drain line not reaching...Marvin takes 3-4 drain lines and connects them together.  Ta Da!  The now looooooong drain line will reach as far as you need it to.

... willieandwinnie, you're not kidding about how much teen-age boys can eat!  Man, oh, man -- they can put away some food!  Marvin said they ate like "field hands."  Since I was not raised in the country (like Marvin was), he had to explain that one to me.

...and just a few minutes ago, Tyler called me to thank me again for being his chaperone.  Then, he told me something that made me feel so good.  On the way home, his friends told him that "Bear" (Tyler's nickname for Marvin) and I were "really cool."  Coming from a group of 17- and 18-year-olds, I think that's the ultimate compliment.

[David13]

Sounds like everyone had a great time.  I am especially jealous that you got to read 3 books.  Sounds like paradise! 

Can I come next time?   

[petey]

Sounds like everyone had a great time.  I am especially jealous that you got to read 3 books.  Sounds like paradise! 

Can I come next time?  

David13, you have a standing invitation.  I'll even share my books with you -- or you can go out on the beach without a shirt, flex your biceps, and check out the "chicks" with the young guys!  (This is really what Marvin wanted to do, but he didn't want to "show up" the teen-age guys with his body! )

[kitkatz]

Awesome for you guys!

[rose1999]

That sounds fantastic, wish I could have been there    I'm so glad you and Marvin had a good time, you guys deserve it after the time you've had lately.  "Really cool" IS the ultimate compliment and you so deserve it xx

[cherpep]

Wow, sounds like you guys had a great time, and they sound like wonderful young men.  Your sister has obviously done something right and should be proud.  This is evidenced in his good behavior when his parents stepped away, and in his choices of friends.  Bravo!!

[Romona]

I am glad you had a get-a-way. It probably meant the world to the boys!

[G-Ma]

Sounds like you and the boys had a wonderful time.