Tragedy and Comedy (or Vacation, Part II)

In Florida, we stayed at the condo owned by my aunt's boyfriend. He lives a few doors away, with my aunt. My parents, who generously footed the bill for the trip (giving credit where credit is due here, since I'm about to look the proverbial gift horse in the mouth), stayed in the same condo with my family. Tight quarters. Especially if your parents are -- and whose aren't? -- crazy.

Quotes of the week:

Mother (when the rest of us returned from a day trip to a nature preserve and she'd stayed home): "I just had the best morning! I got the whole condo cleaned and two loads of laundry washed and folded."

Father (on the way to the beach, with the children in the back seat, after days of his deepening depression over environmental degredation and our sinful contribution to it): "Do you think ecology and economics are inherently incompatable?" Friends, let me tell you, this is a question there is no good answer to if you wish to enjoy your time at the beach.

Father (in the on-going debate of whether to use the energy-wasting dishwasher or not, after I pointed out that we were only running it once every two days, compared to heating water for hand-washing after every meal): "Yes, but think of all the dishes you have to have to allow you to build up a full dishwasher. A lot of energy goes in to making those dishes." Margarita anyone?

Mother (at the pool): "I noticed you cleaned yourself up." Tequila shots anyone?