All Packed - May 16

I spent the entire day getting ready for my departure tomorrow.  I had an insanely long errand list for all the stores and places I needed to go to wrap up last-minute details: buy a Spanish translation book (to lessen the facial contortions), get a hair cut (so I don't look like Shaggy of Scooby Doo fame), buy anti-sea sickness stuff (to prevent a profoundly unhappy Kathy), and print boarding passes (so I can actually get to Costa Rica)- to name just a few of the details I took care of.

I finally got home around 5:00 and immediately started thinking about how to get everything packed.  I had so many lists running through my head I was paralyzed by list-mania.  So I poured a glass of wine and gave myself a pep talk to stop being so damned anal and finally had everything laid out in my bedroom.  It looked like a bomb had gone off in there for a while but eventually calm and order asserted itself and my duffel bag is now packed.  I'm extraordinarily proud of myself to limiting my luggage to one duffel since I have a propensity to pack the contents of my entire house when I travel to accommodate for any and all possible contingencies.  I was an excellent Girl Scout, thank you very much!  But I managed to reign in my "must prepare for nuclear war" mindset and packed only what was necessary...and maybe a few extra items.  Baby steps, people, baby steps.

My friend, Carla, and her family stopped by earlier in the evening to talk about the care and feeding of my house while I'm gone.  They are going to take care of Casa Soule, collect mail, mow the lawn and make sure nothing dire happens to my humble abode.  It's a wonderful gift to have them keep an eye on the place while I'm galavanting to exotic locales.  They did this Semester at Sea voyage last May so they have an excellent idea of what is in store for me and have given me some excellent advice on what to do and avoid.  I wish I could pack them up in my suitcase and take them along with me.  It would be so much fun to share this experience with them.

The plane takes off at 12:34 pm and I have to be there two hours early since I have an international destination.  Excuse me?!  Would someone please explain that bit of logic to me? It's a small, regional airport that takes 1/2 hour to check in luggage and go through security.  What on earth do they do with that extra hour and half?  Color me puzzled on that one.  I consider myself much more lucky than Anne though since her plane leaves at 6:00 am.  She has to be there at 4:00 freaking am!  Since it is a 45 minute drive from her house, she has to leave at 3:15.  Can you say, "OUCH"?!  I hope she's already asleep right now.

So, time to pour one last glass of wine and worry about what I've forgotten to pack and restrain myself from grabbing the second duffel.  See you in Costa Rica!