Abrupt change of plans

So tomorrow is the big day. Elizabeth and I are all set to head down to Houston and College Station on our weekend getaway. Then one call brought those plans to a temporary halt.

Sweet T (that would be Misti H. Walker, who is the wife of one of my best friends, Alan) is sick. Alan called me tonight and dejectedly gave me the news -- he and Misti were not gonna be able to come with us to College Station Saturday to go the Tech-Texas A&M football game. The Walkers spent most of Thursday in the ER, trying to figure out what was causing the pain in Misti's side. Well, it's 9 p.m. Thursday night, and after a myriad of tests, they still don't know what's wrong.

Alan assures me Misti is feeling better. She just doesn't want to chance traveling and the pain returning. So now my trip is in need of an audible.

Elizabeth and I will still leave at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow after she gets off work. I'm picking her up, we're hitting the road and headed to Houston to stay with Alan and Misti. What happens Saturday morning is anybody's guess. One thing is certain -- I'm going to College Station. Who's joining me is another question. I have a verbal commitment to sell 2 of the 4 tickets to the game, so that leaves one open spot in the vehicle with me.

The initial plan was Elizabeth and I would go to College Station, return to Houston after the game and then hang out with Misti and Alan on Sunday, culminating with an Astros game at Minute Maid Park. That's cool. I wish Alan and Misti could join us, but I understand. But then, Elizabeth comes up with another potential solution. Alan and I could go to the football game, while she stays with Misti -- if Misti's up for it. That possibility still lingers. As of now, we're playing it by ear. If Misti is feeling well, the boys will head on a mini-road trip. If she's not, her loyal husband will tend to her every need.

Initially, I was very dejected. I have looked forward to this trip for quite sometime. Elizabeth and I just simply haven't had a chance to spend much time with Alan and Misti in a long time. But the chance is still available. We will spend two nights at their apartment, where we will surely have time to catch up with one another, and then all day Sunday. Alan and I can chill and watch some NFL games. Misti and Elizabeth can catch up on recipes, shopping tips and all those things that wives do and guys just don't understand.

I am torn about who's coming to the game with me. On one hand, Elizabeth is my life partner. There's so much I want to experience with her. I've been to A&M before. Kyle Field is amazing, and it's something I'd like her to see. She's not a huge football fan, but she likes road-trippin'. On the other hand, Alan is my boy, and this is something we haven't done in quite sometime. As sophomores in college, the two of us journeyed -- and boy was it a journey! -- 12 hours one-way to Manhattan, Kansas, where we watched our beloved Bulldogs get absolutely massacred. Then we hopped in the car and headed back another 12 hours home. The only sleep we had was about an hour in K-State's library and then alternating catnaps in the car. Boy those were the days! Oh, to be young and stupid -- err, brave -- again!

Nevertheless, I've committed to have a blast on my vacation. I'll have a four-day weekend and get away for a change. There's nothing like me on the open road. I have this adventuresome travel bug that came from somewhere (thanks Dad!), and I'm going to have a blast this weekend. Just keep Misti in your prayers that hopefully the worst is over.