Off again

Just a short post, since I really should be finishing up my packing. It's ALMOST done, but not quite. I'm at that stage where I'm trying to remember what important, crucial thing I'm forgetting. I used to make detailed packing lists and check everything off as I packed it. I don't know why I don't do that anymore. Maybe the lists got too complicated.

A few things keep flitting through my mind: Pack camera! Pack some notebooks and books! Pay the phone/internet bill! DON'T pack the alarm clock, but pack it tomorrow morning. Pack a coat of some sort, and coats for the boys -- but there's no room? Do we really need coats? Maybe bring a bigger suitcase? Pack the puzzle book! Bring a lot of pens! WHAT HAVE I FORGOTTEN!?!?

If I didn't mention, the boys and I are headed off to California for a week to visit my sisters. Rocket Boy is staying home to take care of Pie Bear and generally have a pleasant, quiet week off. I'm not sure I could do that -- let him and the boys go off somewhere while I stay home. I can imagine myself going off on my own vacation and leaving them behind, but not the other.

I always worry about some disaster happening to my family on a trip, but as long as I'm there too, the fear is reduced. I figure, if the airplane crashes, etc., etc., at least we'll die together. If there's some dreadful thing happening, I want to be able to hug my boos, not hear about it afterwards and imagine how scared they were.

OK, this is a cheerful topic. Moving on...

It's 11 pm. I need to take my shower and sign off. Even though I'll probably have trouble sleeping, I need to go to bed and start the process. So, I'll leave you with one cute summer photo: three little boys (the boos and a school friend) and a watermelon lemonade stand.

I should have framed it better -- the neighbor's garbage cans don't add much. But still, it gives a sense of how it was, one day last week. They "sold" almost the whole pitcher (if someone didn't have 25 cents, they told them it was free) and then ran away to play. I brought in the pitcher and cups, and when I went back for the table and stools, a woman asked me if we were giving away the table. "No!" I said, horrified to think of losing it. "You can get them at IKEA." "Oh, OK," she said, moving on. As must I, and so, good night.