Wednesday, November 22

so tired, so excited

Finally, my much-needed vacation has arrived. I've been scrambling to carry out all those things you have to carry out prior to departure ... killing myself to get five-days' worth of work done in two, meeting deadlines that will expire while I'm out, finding a substitute for my class (someone will call me back, right?), setting up appointments that will follow my return, wrapping up monthly HOA duties and attending last-minute meetings, all the while praying, fasting, and figuring out how in the world I want to respond to an out-of-the-blue job offer. And that's just the beginning.

There's the household chores/goals: leave house clean, get laundry done, locate suitcases (where have they wandered off to?--a sure sign that we haven't used them in far too long), print itineraries, check-in online, set up DVR to record The Office, OC, and Gray's (a must), take out garbage, charge camera battery, send birthday cards, use all veggies in fridge for dinner tonight ... what am I forgetting? I'm already overwhelmed and I haven't even started the hassle that is packing your suitcases. I'm destined to forget something, everything. Am I the only wife that is responsible for remembering her husband's toothbrush?

Somehow, in the whirlwind of it all, I find time to blog. It's one hundred percent true that you make time for the things you want to do. My blog is one hundred percent fun (for me): it's just me being me, and for that reason, because there are no expectations, it alleviates the stress that builds up like a load of bricks on my weakling of a back. Maybe I don't even have reason to be stressed. Curtis tells me I get stressed too easily for my age. I think Mom and sisters would agree.

This time, it's not a massage I'm after. I'm living for visions of Max's round, five-month-old cheeks; my reunion with Jamie who I miss so much it hurts; me trying to like the buttery taste of Lobster (again); baking a pumpkin pie in a Boston condo on a rainy day with all four sisters and brothers-in-law and Mom and Dad; in true little-sister fashion, Lane reading a scary short story to me before bed like she did during our last Thanksgiving sleepover in New York, and me rampaging H&M and whatever little boutiques I happen upon--all in the company of Curtis, the best traveling companion.

There's also the Revolutionary War historical sites (The Red Coats are coming! Which coat should I bring?); the cemeteries (weird but true: I've got a thing for old cemeteries; the print impressions on an antiquated headstone excite/ignite me); the opportunity to rub shoulders with smarties from MIT and Harvard in Faneuil Hall, and the rare chance to forget for FIVE WHOLE DAYS about the matters at home needing attention.

There are the things you regrettably let slide--crocheted beanie with cute owl applique for Max remains unfinished, shoepeg corn for Ashley remains unpurchased, new set of contacts remain un-ordered and un-picked up. It might be glasses for me. Oh well. We're off. I can't wait to see this aerial view of Boston tomorrow. Hoping one of us gets a window seat.

4 comments:

Kim said...

I want to come. I need a vacation too. Have fun Ali you deserve the break and the reunion with your family and cute baby.

Anonymous said...

Have a good trip friend.

By the way, really good post. You're a true talent.

Lorilee said...

I definatley agree that we make time for things we really want to, and I'm so glad you made time to blog. I love reading your posts Ali, your creativity takes me away from my desk at work for just a few minutes--it's great. Happy Thanksgiving.. gobble gobble

Anonymous said...

do we have to miss you guys more now that you are going to be farther away for five days? I sure hope you guys have a great thanksgiving.

Hey and if you guys run into a 40 year old Jew named Len, say hi, he's my study buddy.