I used to think that if you were in a relationship where you lived under the same roof that you’d be in sync enough that you wouldn’t need to negotiate anything.  Things would just happen as they should and the important stuff would just be understood.  Wow eh?  What fantastical mythological rock did I crawl out from under?

I mean, “under the same roof” definitely requires negotiation - travel, money, who’s doing what to the dishes.  Bring a kid into it and a certificate in international diplomacy would not go unused.

Thankfully I’ve gotten better at it, because I wasn’t a decent negotiator period.  I was the num-num who actually went to a market in Mexico and just handed over money for something based on the first price that came out of the seller’s mouth.  I think their mouth was open in shock and awe while we completed the entire transaction.

So I’m going to Kripalu next month (Aside - I’ve heard that they don’t serve coffee at Kripalu, can someone comment on that if you know?  I’ll want to add “caffeine detox” to my to-do list if that’s the case). 

Since Kripalu is a mere 12 hour drive and I’ve been wanting to do a road trip so I thought I’d drive it.  I’m chatting this through with HoneyBunny (Another Aside - He hates being called that, I do it to amuse myself.  You think the joys of being written about against your will come for free bucko?! ;-) ). 

He says he’s not comfortable with the driving part.

My first thought is “What, he doesn’t think I’m the kind of strong independent woman who can get my tukus to Kripalu?”  And I don’t even bother because I know he’d say a) He’s usually on the *business end* of my strong independent womanhood, he knows all too well, and b) it’s my 10 year old car that may not get my tukus to Kripalu.  Point well taken.

So he makes me a deal - we’ll do a road trip vacation thing sometime this spring or summer if I fly to Kripalu.  Done. 

And here’s the weird thing, you know how we talk about “being in the flow” or “going with the flow” and sometimes you’re not even sure if you’re in or out of the river? 

I *always* book a spring trip.  By the time February comes I usually have a travel itch that just has to be scratched.  So I plan something in advance for my mental health and the mental health of those around me.  This year I didn’t. 

I had meandered around on some travel sites and nothing was right.  And I had actually let it go.  And no itch.  And then last weekend I remembered there were interesting Kripalu programs coming up.  I did the research and negotiated with HB on Monday.  Found decent prices and had it all booked on Tuesday.  Done and done.  I guess I was in the river after all.