preparation

Saturday evening after I returned from a very fun painting time at Sip N Doodle, I opened my computer to check email.  My computer was on and fully charged but my screen was totally blank.  Of course, I feared the worst and thought, “Now?  Really?”  I gave it a rest overnight and thought surely it would be rejuvenated by morning.  It wasn’t.  After my husband’s kind suggestion, I decided to not let it ruin my day but wait and see what the true problem was.  Thankfully it was a small chip that needed to be replaced and it was even covered by my protection plan.  In many ways this was so inconvenient but also very timely.  I need to get blog posts scheduled before I leave and this puts a dent in that progress, but if this would have happened on my trip, I would have been really stuck.  Instead, I’ve been able to leave my scheduling until next week and focus on preparing and even a little packing.  I love to feel like I’m getting a head start!  My pre-trip goals include…

• Plan Joshua’s birthday party.  His birthday is three days after I get home.  The more I can do now, the less stressed I will be.  It was helped tremendously that I won two birthday related giveaways in the last week!  The invitations are designed and ready for print!  Yea!
• Plan some blog posts while I’m away.  I have ideas.  I just need to write them.  
• Schedule my Today’s Mama posts.  Again the ideas are there.
• Help plan out some meals for Jeremy.  I’ve tucked food away in the freezer.  I just need to communicate what’s there, and as he juggles their activities and homework, I want to alleviate some of the stress!
• Finish buying my toiletries and other small items this weekend.  We have company and spring break next week!
• Back up all my pictures before I leave.  I started this process but my computer being in the shop put a hold on it.

I realize this list is a bit long for a week and a half left.  There is a beautiful thing, however, when you step on the plane.  Everything that didn’t get done just has to wait.  I’m actually surprised with my personality that I can set it aside, but I can.  And it feels so refreshing.  Until I step on that plane, though, I will chip away at this list!  We have two more fundraisers (at the local Yogurtville on March 14th and March 18th for anyone interested).  And check out our fun at a jewelry class we went to the other night!  It’s fun to at least know something about jewelry making before going to photo a jewelry project!