So much time, so little to do

By Mir
August 8, 2005

On the one hand, I’m leaving in a few days, and I have a lot to do before I go. On the other hand, with the kids gone, it does feel a little bit like I have an unlimited amount of time to do… whatever.

(Fortunately, I’m super-good at doing whatever. Especially when “whatever” means “not getting out of my pajamas all day on Sunday but eating ice cream for breakfast and watching a bunch of movies.”)

After my scintillating day, yesterday, I figured I’d better get back into the groove, today. Lots of things to do in the name of Trip Prep! Also it tends to keep the voices in my head to a dull roar.

I’m thinking about packing. Sometime soon. Really. Because I should definitely take stuff with me. Like… clothes. And… stuff. I’m sure of it.

This afternoon I managed to cross a whole bunch of stuff off of my pre-trip list. Nothing gives me a warm fuzzy feeling like replacing the panic over a bunch of must-dos with the uncertainty of suspecting I’ve forgotten some other stuff that probably also needs to be done.

I noticed that although I pay zero attention to my yard and it hasn’t rained for a while, the grass is still growing. The crabgrass, anyway. So I mowed. And mowing turned my toes green. (Friend of mine said: Mowing barefoot sounds dangerous! I was not barefoot. Grass gets in my sandals.) So I finished mowing and came inside and scrubbed my feet, and they were still green.

So I got out all my various and assorted chi-chi foot products–including the dreaded pumice stone–and did a complete pedicure. I started with removing the grass stains and ended with blue nail polish. I am such a rebel. The entire process doubled my estrogen levels. And that thought reminded me that I needed to go pick up my hormone patches at the pharmacy.

Off to Target! Can’t be going on a trip without hormones, y’know. There’s nothing worse than hot flashes away from home. The ice machine could be broken, or something. Went to the pharmacy and got my patches. Made a circuit around the store and was greatly saddened by the paucity of deals today. Nothing is sadder than leaving Target with only what I’ve gone there to get. So I stopped at the bins of teeny-sized things and bought some itty bitty travel-sized products. Because nothing says “bon voyage” like miniature deodorant.

Home again, I started some laundry and washed some dishes. Okay, FINE. I waxed my upper lip and plucked my eyebrows. Happy? Then I also did some laundry and washed some dishes. And took out the trash. It was pretty exciting. I do believe it was my blue toenails that ramped up the danger factor.

As of tonight, I have packed… absolutely nothing. But see how much STUFF I’ve done to get ready! Feel free to admire my freshly groomed and not-overly-hairy face!

Meanwhile, I received a message of STARTLING IMPORT from my soon-to-be hostess… informing me that she was headed out shopping and needed to know what I like to drink. I missed her call, so I guess it’s nothing but water for me. No, no. I jest! I called her back, listened to her explain to her children that CARS drive in the ROAD and therefore they should perhaps stay OUT of the road, and then told her that I’m easy, I’ll drink whatever, no preference, really.

Her response: You know, I hear you, and I suspect your mouth is moving, but it’s just not making any sense. Try again?

A small tear sprang to my eye. I feel that I shall be stroked and petted and told I’m pretty and kept exceedingly well-hydrated during my stay. Either that, or I shall be quite drunk. And really, either option sounds pretty damn good right about now.

Tomorrow I am definitely going to pack.

13 Comments

  1. justdawn

    My toenails are bright green. But unfortunetley we arent going anywhere to get petted, stroked or hydrated. Have FUN!!!!!!
    and have some double fun for me and ym green toes too!!!!!

  2. danelle

    I might have missed a memo but did you ever tell us where you finally decided to go?

  3. Busy Mom

    Just bought mini deoderant from the travel bins at Target, myself!

  4. buffi

    I am a champion at “whatever.” I am very best at it when laundry needs to be done. You know, laundry or whatever…

    I am very good at whatever. Laundry, not so much.

  5. Cindi

    Have a wonderful time!

  6. Fraulein N

    Sounds like you truly got a lot of very important things done. I am very impressed.

  7. ben

    I can just see your packing list:

    Stuff
    Stuff
    stuff
    other stuff
    some more stuff
    stuff, just in case
    funny stuff
    toenail polish

    Have a great trip! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.

  8. Dawn

    Oh, I’m all about the whatever! Especially if there’s laundry waiting.

    Have lots and lots of fun. It would be hard to find things I wouldn’t do (unless there’s bungee jumping and sky-diving). Do all the things I wish I could do…and then tell us all about it in details.

  9. bob

    Your impending trip, think of it this way….

    Pack up all your cares and woes
    Here you go singing low,
    Bye bye blackbird.

    Where someone waits for you
    Sugars sweet and so is she,
    Bye bye blackbird.

    No one back there can love and understand you,
    Oh what hard luck stories they all hand you.

    Make your bed and light the light
    you’ll arrive late tonight,
    Bye bye blackbird

    — just think, you’re heading for the land of….

    Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
    My, oh my, what a wonderful day
    Plenty of sunshine headin’ my way
    Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

    Mister Bluebird’s on my shoulder
    It’s the truth, it’s actual
    Ev’rything is satisfactual
    Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
    Wonderful feeling, wonderful day, yes sir!

    Enjoy yourself. Drink just enough to get silly but not too much to get hung over. I know you’ll be told you’re pretty sooooo many times, maybe you’ll believe it! We’re known for our hospitality and genteel manners and SWEET TEA! You may not want to go home.

  10. cmhl

    I seriously enjoy target. I can get in a trance-state while in the rubbbermaid aisle. my dh totally doesn’t get me.

  11. Jenn

    Packing? You mean like in advance? As in not the late night before you leave or first thing in the morning? Nah! That’s for wimps. Traveling without adequate preparation is the “whatever” way to go. Think of it as an eXtreme Sport!

  12. Lizzie

    The better part of my life is spent at Target…sniff…not sure if I’m crying out of nostalgia or self-pity.

    Have a fantastic time…wherever it is you’ll be going, I mean.

  13. Kestralyn

    I knew it! I know where you’re going!!! Have a wonderful time and make sure to tell your hostess that she needs to come out to OK for a rhymes-with-look tour soon!

    Enjoy your trip and let yourself be pampered. She’ll pet your hair and tell you you’re pretty as much as you let her… let her! Then maybe you’ll believe it like we do ;-)

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