We are soon to embark on a family vacation to Florida.  It will be great fun, and I am looking forward to the warmer climate for a few days.  Disneyworld will provide the perfect escape from the real world, where everyone is pleasant and helpful, every surface is clean, and the children can delight in rides and take in the colors and magic that the whole place represents.

In the meantime, I am inching towards a level of mania that takes hold of me prior to departing on a trip such as this.  This mania reaches high levels particularly when we travel in the winter.  Animals will be boarded or watched over by friends.  Wood has been stockpiled, temperature monitoring devices will be plugged in, tank heaters are in place to keep livestock tanks ice-free, round bales will be stocked in abundance, and I am still trying to think of other items to be checked and make sure that those also have backup plans.  I’ve checked the extended forecast about 1,000 times already, but it doesn’t provide much information, and what information it does provide will invariably change over the next day anyway.

And then there is the packing – the best use of space, bringing enough but not too much, allotting for a wide range of temperatures, a “first aid kit” that doesn’t resemble a mini ER, schoolwork and something to do during the downtime.

If I were smart, I would just carry on with the plans as they have been listed out, finish the packing, and not worry about things.  This, apparently, is not in my nature.  I fear that if I don’t have something to worry about, my life has no meaning.  The twisted thinking here is that if I worry about it, a “plan” will come to mind, so that any eventuality can be prepared for. 

Nothing can be farther from the truth, as we all know.  The greatest odds are that nothing will happen.  Life here will carry on uneventfully.  And if something is needed, one of our many capable friends will attend to it or call us with questions.

I’m going to go take a deep breath and collect myself.  Then I will consider which knitting project(s) to bring along, because there must be knitting.  Nothing too big, yet not so small that it is completed before the end of our first day there.  Can if be taken on the plane?  A small project should be no problem, but the Addi circular lace needles may not be a good choice en route.  Fortunately, there are no fewer than 5 projects in the works to choose from.  Or maybe I should just start something new.  This should only take me the rest of the weekend to figure out. 

It will be good when we’re back - I could use a break from all this.

Peace & Love,

Liz

We have officially completed our family visits for the holidays – this after illnesses caused delays and reschedules.  But all are well now.

The house has been undecorated.  In a first ever, our tree had to be cut branch by branch and laid on a waiting dropcloth to be wrapped up and walked outside.  The tree was lovely, but had apparently been cut much earlier than we thought, as the needles fell off with a sideways glance (much like the Charlie Brown tree…).  This removal system worked quite nicely, with a minimum of needles stuck in the carpet.  I will admit that there are still icicle lights hanging along our front windows, and the wreath with the lights strung in the pattern of a peace sign also remain.  There’s just something about lights that works for a longer period of time.  And those icicle lights have not only white lights, but a few red ones as well, which means they qualify for Valentine’s Day.

I told myself and my husband that we would endeavor to “think positively” this year.  To not let negative thoughts or aggravations work their way into our days and turn them cloudy instead of sunny.  Well, after spending an entire day trying to write a memo that in no way can be “shortened up”, I feel as though it has turned into a dissertation, and am still not certain that the recipients will grasp all the information I am intending to convey.  Ugh!!

It is further amusing that my children have been following me around like puppies, looking over my shoulder as I type, wondering if they might use the computer, if we could all play a board game (Clue), if I would like to review the latest catalog offerings from Lego or American Girl, or video game selections.  Could have sworn we just had a lovely Christmas with new toys to keep us occupied for more than 2 weeks.  A symptom, no doubt, of returning to school to see what everyone else received this holiday season.  Remind me, please, that it is almost impossible to explain adult economics to a 9 year old boy when all his pals have a PSP and he does not.

On the knitting front, a baby blanket is near completion.  In typical fashion, it is “colorful” (lime green, rose) the border is more pastel, but I am considering another bold edging…  Babies like colors, which is another good reason to like babies aside from their general cuteness.  The anticipation of this wee child is starting to bubble to the top.  My guess is for 1/25 and it would be a great thing if I am correct (hear that, Sarah?).  Since my own baby is now 7, it will be great fun to have a newborn in our extended family circle.  

See, just thinking of babies has made me feel so much better.  The memo will be revisited tomorrow and perhaps it will make sense in the daylight.  In any event, I will try to keep a sunny disposition about it.

Peace & Love,

Liz