I understand things change and things come up, but you know...I've been planning this trip for 3 years. I got laid off, then got another job and had to wait for the money to be back in the bank and then wait for my sister to make up her mind, so I think I've been patient.
I've been pretty stoked about our trip in the spring, getting things together, checking out tour groups, getting advice from people.
Now, my sister has fucked things up again.
As most of you know, she's been on my back about moving out of mom's house so she can move in ever since I moved here. Like she's afraid I'll forget I'm supposed to get out and give her her turn. It's closer to her job, blah blah blah.
Fine, whatever. So I've never really totally unpacked or made any real investment in the property since I won't be here to enjoy it except to keep the house sound and in working condition. The aesthetics still need to be addressed.
Well, in the last month my sister was up for review at her place of employment.
She did not get the raise and promotion she was expecting. She is through with her current employer. So, of course, she makes the totally logical decision to haul up stakes, put her stuff in storage and move back to her old college town 300 miles away and move in with a friend's college-age son while he goes to school.
She's going to start packing in November.
Makes sense if she's going to stay a while, right? But she's not going to stay a while. She's just going down there until I'm out of the house, then she's moving right back here again.
Stupidity aside, tonight we were talking on the phone because she keeps e-mailing me these "Stay in a Tuscan villa for 11 nights for CHEAP PRICE" advertisements.
Finally I tell her, "I thought we were going on a tour. We can't do this stuff if we're on a tour. What do you want to do, a tour or just take the train from city to city and stay at these places?"
Her reply?
"I'll let you know."
We're less than 5 months from our target trip time. This sounds way too ambiguous for me.
I asked, "I'm planning on finalizing our plans by October, when will you let me know?"
"Oh, well, when I move down, it depends on if I get a permanent job or have to work temp. If I get a temp job, then it doesn't matter, if I get a permanent one..."
I interrupt, "When is this?"
Her reply, "Oh, in January or so."
"Tours fill up fast. We have to make a decision pretty quick. Like in the next month, we can't wait until January and hope to make an April tour."
She starts to speak, but then I just cut her off, "You know, I'm just going to make plans for myself now. If you can make it you make it, if not you don't."
She said OK and hurriedly hung up the phone.
Looks like I'm going to Italy alone.