Day 291 - Cranky Monster

I admit it. I have been a bit on edge the past couple of days. This morning, I was a total cranky monster once again.

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I am trying to plan a few days' vacation in Seattle with the family. Seattle is only an 8-hour drive from here. But money is tight, so I figured maybe we could just camp near Seattle in our tent to save on hotel fees, and then visit a college out there and take the kids to the Space Needle, and maybe the Aquarium, if there was any money left over.

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I spent a bit of time Googling KOA campsites and their fees, reading reviews of State Parks in Washington where we could camp near Puget Sound, and even found a really neat campground just outside of Seattle in the middle of 1,000 acres of beach front and forested area. I got a few days off of work in order to go, even called the nanny and gave her that week off (she gets 2 weeks paid vacation every year...it's in her contract)...and eagerly planned and dreamed about the fun time my kids would have visiting the sights and sounds of Seattle.

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And then reality set in. The cost of gas alone will be near $300 because we have a gas-guzzling SUV. And it still costs to camp. In fact, KOA charges $45/night for a campsite without water or electricity. Can you believe that? Even Washington's State Park is nearly $40/night. For a tent.

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I was so bummed and let down. I mean, it's not like I'm greedy and I am desiring a week-long cruise in the Bahamas. Or a trip up to the Alaskan coast. Or even a trip to North Carolina for a week in a beach-front hotel. Nope, a simple, stupid camping trip is what I'm desiring. And even THAT is out of reach.

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I was really angry, actually, that I am working full-time, my husband is working full-time, and we still can't afford A CAMPING TRIP!!!! I thought, geez, I spend my whole life in an office or a courtroom, and can't afford a stupid camping trip. What's life about, anyway? Certainly NOT what I'm doing now...sigh.

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I AM feeling blue and upset today. And maybe I'm being greedy in the end in desiring this camping trip to Seattle. There are plenty of mothers in third-world countries desiring just a cup full of beans or rice so their starving children can eat and survive one more day.

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Lord, forgive me for my greediness and covetousness this day. I'm sorry.