I’m busy getting organized to head out of town for 2 days with my husband. We are going to jump on a floatplane and take a 20 minute hop across the straight – then board a small boat and ferry over to a small island. We are going to visit my son, his wife and daughter who have been holidaying for the past ten days. They will be chilled right out – in total rustic beach mode and I will arrive in the flurry I’m feeling right now.
We have a young lady coming to stay with our dogs while we’re gone. She is a darling kid and I have total confidence in her — the dogs will be in good hands. I’ve spent the last four hours trying to make my house presentable; I’ve changed the bed, scrubbed the bathrooms and vacuumed up the never ending drifts of dog hair – I’m stopping short on washing the windows.
I’ve packed for two people for two days. I’ve rushed through the grocery store and picked up a variety of junk food for the dog sitter (I’m out of practice – it’s been years since I’ve been up on the snack of the day and the choices are so vast – I’ve made my best guesses and they will have to do). I’ve gassed the car, been to the bank and written instructions on how the tv remotes work.
I’m pooped.
The dogs know something is up – they’ve been sulking since I pulled the suitcase out of the closet. Even my giant goldfish is acting like she’s on edge. I must emote anxiety. I know I will have forgotten something. I know I will arrive at the airport early. I know everything will be fine. I know that as hard as I try to pretend I’m not nervous my insides won’t settle down until it is too late to second guess myself.
I’m giving myself a little pep talk as I write this (in lieu of washing the windows). I’m trying not to pace. The clock is ticking. I’m trying not to take another walk through the house before I load the car for fear I will see something else to do. I’m reminding myself that the dog sitter is a teenager and probably won’t even notice that I didn’t wash the windows. I’m gearing up to gear down – which I will do as soon as I’m on the plane.
I have big plans to read a book on a rustic beach, to write a few blog posts about my trip, to enjoy my people and try not to worry about my dogs. Wish me luck! I’m off to load the car.