The narrative of Lanae's afternoon.....

Our story today takes place at about 4:50PM on a delightful Thursday afternoon. (Delightful at 4PM, although at 7:40AM it wasn't so delightful to walk out and feel the chill of a fall morning and see, yes my friends it's true, the first dew/frost of winter on my car window. Whahaha!Sniffle, Sob.). Ahem, and back to the story...

I was happily minding my own business and trying to clear the piles off my desk before the work day came to a close. As I walked into my Dad's office and started putting away my files I couldn't help but notice him pondering at his computer and then switching his head back to the calendar right before he picked up the phone.

Going on in Lanae's mind: lalala, I'm so glad it's almost five, hmn. Where does this file go anyways? lalala.....

Dad picks up the phone and calls Mom: Hello...bla bla bla... So I got this email from Hawaiian Airlines..bla bla bla..

Going on in Lanae's mind: Oh, Hawaiian Airlines huh? That's pretty cool, Mom has really been wanting to go to Hawaii, she'll be really happy. I wonder if they're taking the kids?

Dad says to Mom: ...November 28 through December 8th......

Going on in Lanae's mind: Hmn. they're going to get back the day after my 19th Birthday, that's pretty cool, hmn. What am I going to do this year? Bleh, I hate planning my own parties, we'll probably do the family thing... Oh, but they're still going to be here for the day after Thanksgiving shopping, I wonder what day after thanksgiving shopping is like in Hawaii....

Dad says to Mom: Well what about such and such dates? If we left on the....

Going on in Lanae's mind: I wonder what Hawaii looks like in December? Now where did I put that file...silly girl. I hope it's nice and warm for them, oh but not too warm, Mason would complain about the heat... Oh to be young again and be able to take off work at such a whim...think savings fund Lanae` think savings fund!!

Dad says to Mom: Oh, you're here, OK I"ll see you up here..

Mom and the kids romp in, Mom goes into Dad's office, Foster goes to see Tori and Gary, Mason and Ashley ramble around the office as I explain to them that they need to sit somewhere and be quiet because people are still here. Der.

I go out to my car to get clothes to change into so that I can clean tonight.

Going on in Lanae's mind: Wow it's nice out here. Now where are my pants anyways? I hope that they get to go, I'm sure Hawaii would be a blast in the middle of winter. I'm sure it's a blast anytime! Oh come on Lanae`, stop that, you are going to go on your Missions trip, remember?! Wow, I really need to vacuum out my car...Don't be suckered into their trip, it won't take too long for you to save up for your trip, and you've been planning this for a while. And don't forget about your other savings accounts, you have plans, and a budget!....

By the time I got back upstairs, 10 minutes later, Dad was clicking all over the place on his computer and Mom was on another computer typing in Car rental sites.

Lanae` says to Mom: So are you guys going?

Mom says to Lanae`: Yes, we are!! Isn't it awesome! Hey, what's that one website address...

Dad and Tori: But School....Great price.....Winter's cold.....Hawaii's warm....

Lanae's says to Tori: Are you going?

Tori replies: Ya, I think so, It's just the right time for Christmas break.... But I wonder if I can afford to do it, with school and all.

Going on in Lanae's mind: Nice. Just go off and leave me in the dead of winter to die! Way to care sis', way to care! Oh, but she would love the sunshine! Well, I like the sun too! Whoa! Hold up there tiger: savings Lanae`, savings! You gotta stay focused.

Tori asks Lanae`: Are you going?

Lanae` replies: No.

Mom says to Lanae`: What? What do you mean? Of course you are, you have to, it will be so much fun!

Lanae` replies: Ya, I know, but I have to work, and I'm going on my missions trip so I shouldn't spend the money, and...bla bla bla.....

Dad says: Well it's not like we go to Hawaii that often....

Lanae`: I know.

Mom: You can afford it!

Lanae`: Well it's not the plain ticket price, it's just that I've already taken off my paid vacation this year so I can't really afford to do it again.

Dad: Ok, so we're going from the 5th to the 18th. Tori, you'll be going from the 12th to the 18th. OH cool, we'll all be able to fly home together.

Lanae`: What? All that for just one week Tori?! I would have to take at least 2 weeks!

Dad: Well you know, there's allways work for you in Hawaii...

Lanae`: What do you mean?

Dad: Well our files are a mess over there and I'm sure that everyone would appreciate if you put together a new filing system... You could work for part of the time....

Going on in Lanae's mind: Wow, did he really just say that? Well Lanae`, you always tease about just wanting to be sent to Hawaii to fix some shipping problem or other. Budget Lanae`!

Lanae`: Whoa, you're right. I could work quite a bit of the time.

Mom: Well, just on the weekdays right? You couldn't work all the time, we have to go to the beach and......

Lanae`: Well, I guess I could, since I wouldn't be losing that much money, I would spend money though. I always do....

Going on in Lanae's mind: Hey there, kill the motor dude! Did I seriously just hear you say that you're going on this trip???!!! What about.....bla bla bla......mind rambles on with logical thinking... bla bla bla....

Tori: Wait, but if you don't go, then I have to pay double in gas to Anc. and what car am I going to drive?

Lanae`: You're not going to drive my car with the way it's been acting!

Dad: Oh with you're disposable money, your car will be in fine shape by then!... You could take my car Tori.

Tori: Oh, ya, that's like better gas mileage than my truck by like double!

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This is the part of the story folks where I seem to have drawn a blank. I know not what I was thinking or what I said, but somehow I was suddenly making plans to go swimming in the ocean, boogie boarding in the waves, spending time in Hilo with the Family and flying inter-Island to work a few days in Kapolei, Mopeding with Tori in Waikiki, going to the water park at least 4 times, getting sunburned, getting crazy tanning lines, shopping at the Aloha Stadium, getting Christmas gifts in Hawaii, Spending my 19th birthday in Hawaii, Need I go on?

I am quite physicked to say the least!!!

So, I'm flying out with Dad, Mom and the kids on the 5th, Tori comes in on the 12th, Tori and I leave and come back on the 18th, and Mom and Dad come back on the 21st. It's going to be marvelous my friends, just marvelous!!!