It was the lazy winter afternoon. Mrs Chitterchatter picked up the newspaper for the second time in the day, as usual, to read the news in detail. (What about the first time? Thats another story! Will tell you tomorrow) As she picked up the paper, a flyer slipped from the pages.

“Aha! Travel bug is about to bite me”, she thought with cheer when she looked carefully at the flyer. It was an advertisement by the local tour operator. Mrs Chitterchatter happily plays the role of the tour planner, manager and leaves the job of tour financier to Mr Balanced. He too gladly signs the cheques, after having traveled with Mrs Chitterchatter for nearly two decades in life.

Till recently, it was Mrs Chitterchatter who would decide the destination and plan the annual tour. However, with kids growing up, she had thought of factoring in their opinions as well.

“Let me open up the topic for discussion post dinner”, she contemplated.

Come evening, all were gathered for the dinner around the table. “Hear ho!Hear ho! There is an important decision we all have to take after the dinner”, she announced with much enthusiasm.

Raised eyebrows and ‘what’s that?’ expressions were met with one straight answer, “Finish the food first”

“Don’t start discussing the topic till I finish and join you”, requested Innocent Baby. Innocent Baby who otherwise finishes her food at snail’s pace, finished it in reasonable time.

Here they were at the living room waiting to know the secret.

“Home Minster, please proceed”, said Mr Balanced.

“Its about our annual trip”, she opened up.

“Hurrah!”, came the instant response from the kids.

“Where are you taking us this time?”, enquired the man

“Not decided yet”, she replied.

“But you said, we are going”, asked the little one in doubt.

“Yes, we will be going. But this time, I want your suggestion for the destination”

“Our suggestion for the destination?”, checked the boy in disbelief.

“You heard it right”, she assured him.

“Aren’t you opening up the Pandora’s box?”, cautioned the man.

“We respect each other’s choices, wont we?”, she reminded him.

“Thought, we should also let the children voice their opinion. They are responsible members of the family”, she said with a broad smile turning to the boy and the girl.

“How about adventure activities”, opined the boy, without wasting the opportunity

“Like?”, checked the Mom

“Paragliding or trekking or kayaking or snorkeling. Anything will do”, he supplied the information.

“But I am scared of most of these. I want to go to beach and build castle with Mom and Dad. I want to splash around the waves”, countered the girl, stating her wish.

“We have done that umpteen times”, rebuked the boy.

“Hang on, children”, she interrupted. “Let me see what your father has to say about his choice”

“Wherever…”, replied the man without much thought.

“Are you sure?”, confirmed the lady

“I mean any place, as long as we return back in 3-4 days”, he added upon giving a thought after the nudge

“Only 3-4 days?”, asked the lady with contempt

“A week long one? That’s very tiring”, he replied

“Holiday and tiring?”, checked the boy getting curious.

“If you stretch the holiday beyond 3-4 days, I start missing home cooked food”, replied the man

“You miss food or miss your work?”, darted the lady.

The air felt little warmer when the lady and the man exchanged the looks.

“That much time will be needed to reach and come back from any place we decide to visit, Dad”, appraised the boy.

“Oh that means we will be travelling by train and not plane. Hurrah!”, chirped the little one; for she loved to travel by train. Journey by plane meant empty, monotonous, never ending blue skies for her.

“How about cruise then?”, checked the boy

“Thought of the boat makes me sea sick. I cant swim”, asserted the lady.

“That means we have no where to go”, voiced the girl.

“Who said that”, checked the man.

It had been more than half an hour that they had started discussing the topic without reaching any conclusion. Every suggestion from one person was countered by some one other.

Growing impatient, Mrs Chitterchatter said, “Why are we quarrelling? Why can’t we settle on something amicably?”

“It’s a quarrel for peace… peace that is elusive now!”, said Mr Balanced clearing the air.

Rest of the three erupted into talk all at once. The hall was filled with statements and counter statements. Quarrel for peace continues even to date, whenever there is mention of the topic!

Conclusion…nutty family is still not decided about the summer vacation.


Special thanks to my friend Prof Dr Annirudhdha Gadhikar for suggesting the title.
This post is part of #BlochatterA2Z and #A2ZChallenge


30 Comments

CRD · April 19, 2018 at 7:06 am

The thought of Summer vacation within india gives me the creeps. The heat is absolutely unbearable. I’d rather spend my sunmers indoors enjoying the AC?

I’m game for a nice winter vacation though!

    Anagha Yatin · April 21, 2018 at 7:41 pm

    Thanks Criss for sharing your thoughts on vacations.

syncwithdeep · April 19, 2018 at 7:17 am

hahhah.. this drama can be seen most houses.. yes, each of us in our house have different likes. finally the destination will be decided after a month. if we dont reach the border of peace, we book our tickets to India and stay with our parents. Q is for Quest for Queen of your own Life.https://syncwithdeep.wordpress.com/2018/04/19/q-quest-for-queen-of-your-own-life-blogchattera2z-atozchallenge-atoz/

    Anagha Yatin · April 21, 2018 at 7:43 pm

    Flying back to parents and to roots is a great idea of vacation Deepa. Thanks for sharing this.

Mayuri Nidigallu · April 19, 2018 at 9:47 am

I hope the family chooses a destination by mutual consent before the holidays are over:)))

    Anagha Yatin · April 21, 2018 at 7:43 pm

    Hahahaha! And if they dont, it will give us another episode of laughter, for sure Mayuri. Thanks for visiting.

Akshata Ram · April 19, 2018 at 10:53 am

I think its best if Mrs Chitterchatter takes the reins in her hands, am sure she is very efficient in planning vacations. This deadlock wont be resolved!

    Anagha Yatin · April 21, 2018 at 7:44 pm

    Ya, it would have been better. I hope she learnt a lesson! Thanks Akshata.

Iain Kelly · April 19, 2018 at 3:03 pm

This is so true to life – I am the Tour Financier in our house 🙂
https://iainkellywriting.com/2018/04/19/q-is-for-quimper-france/

    Anagha Yatin · April 21, 2018 at 7:47 pm

    Isnt that better role Ian

      Iain Kelly · April 21, 2018 at 8:11 pm

      It is probably less stressful! 🙂

        Anagha Yatin · April 21, 2018 at 8:15 pm

        Thats the secret, I suppose!

syncwithdeep · April 19, 2018 at 4:26 pm

You ended the story so touching with brexit. Q is quest for Queen of your life.. This applies to men too:)

    Anagha Yatin · April 21, 2018 at 7:48 pm

    Hehehehe…Brexit! Never thought that way Deep. good you brought it to shore. Thanks dear.

Varsh · April 19, 2018 at 4:32 pm

I’m so glad I don’t have to take any suggestions from kids yet! I decide, plan, pack and execute, A pays and the kids enjoy. Decide something soon, Nutty family. Holidays are almost here.

    Anagha Yatin · April 21, 2018 at 7:49 pm

    Count your blessings Varsh! Thanks dear or visiting and sharing your story.

mammaspeaks · April 19, 2018 at 6:01 pm

Ha ha ha, your family is full of drama, Anagha! Let us know when the peace has reigned and you all decide the place for the summer vacation.

    Anagha Yatin · April 21, 2018 at 7:51 pm

    Its Mrs Chitterchatter’s family. Though they have many things common with my family as well, which I think is common for all of us.
    Thanks dear for visiting and resonating with the Nutty family.

Ramya Abhinand · April 19, 2018 at 6:29 pm

Wait .. isnt this the story in my home? The chaos in choosing a holiday.

    Anagha Yatin · April 21, 2018 at 8:00 pm

    Thanks Ramya for visiting and glad you found your family’s reflection here.

sukrisblog · April 19, 2018 at 8:08 pm

i hope the family decides on a vacation before the holidays end. Though it is the same story this year in our family too

    Anagha Yatin · April 21, 2018 at 8:02 pm

    Thanks Sudha.

Sachin Baikar · April 19, 2018 at 9:27 pm

Nice story with apt title ?
Thanks for sharing ?

    Anagha Yatin · April 21, 2018 at 7:27 pm

    Thanks Sachin.

Deepa · April 19, 2018 at 11:02 pm

I can relate to this post Anagha as every year we discuss several places before finalising one. We are going for our annual vacation next week and kids are already very excited.

    Anagha Yatin · April 21, 2018 at 7:24 pm

    Happy journey to you and your family Deepa. Enjoy your vacations!

Archana (@yenforblue) · April 20, 2018 at 10:50 am

This could have been happening in our home too… and still does… I wonder where this family will eventually head out to!!

    Anagha Yatin · April 21, 2018 at 6:51 pm

    Hahaha…if nothing works out then I will get another story to share with you all! Thanks Archana.

mahekg · April 26, 2018 at 1:05 pm

I hope all the family decides soon and have a super fun summer vacation.

Leave a Reply to Deepa Cancel reply

%d bloggers like this: