Thursday, April 3, 2008

Thursday Thirteen

We are leaving on Saturday morning for Tampa. And then on Sunday we will head for the port…to embark on a week long cruise of the Caribbean. I cannot wait. The girls are beside themselves with excitement. Michael is busy trying to figure out how he is going to share less than 200 sq. feet with three women. We received the cruise as a Christmas gift from my mom. Isn’t she wonderful?! What is she going to do while we are gone? She is taking her own vacation from work and is going to spend the week at home. Alone. Basking in the silence. While we bask in the sun.



So…today…instead of doing the millions of things I need to do to get ready, I am blogging. I am the queen of avoidance behavior. But…perhaps I am multi-tasking. After all, it’s the day for the Thursday Thirteen…and I can tell you what I still need to do:

1. I need to dye my hair. The gray is getting a bit much. I don’t need my hair to match the silver threads in my formal outfit. I’ll try to not get anymore on the walls of the bathroom. No promises.

2. I need to get a pedicure. I cannot wear shorts and sandals without pretty toes. But I never get my finger nails done.

3. I need to pack for the kids. I have most of their clothes laying out already. And now I just need to stuff them into ziplocks and get them into the suitcases. I also need to get their backpacks packed with things to do in the car. I have been stockpiling books and games…so it’ll be like Christmas when they open them. And the contents will hopefully entertain them for a while before they demand that I put Season 3 of “Full House” in the dvd player. Save me!

4. Clean out car. Can’t put stuff in without taking stuff out. Isn’t that a law in Physics?

5. I need to pack for me. I have spent this week in a shopping frenzy…but I can’t find anything that fits me well. But maybe when I lay it all out I’ll discover something. That maybe I do have clothes. Or maybe I’ll just get depressed.

6. Get cash. Just a little. You never know when you might need a quarter.
7. Balance the check book. I need to make sure that we have cash. And that the bills that are supposed to be paid, get paid. And check in with my husband about this fine (methinks someone might have a lead foot) from the Rockdale County government for $119.

8. Find Beach Bags. We have not been to the beach since we moved into the house. So, there is no telling where I put my big bags. I hope they are not still in a box somewhere.

9. Did we buy enough sunscreen…or do I need to make a Target run. Do we have disposable camera for Madalyn to use? Do I need to make a Target run? Um…what else could we need? Maybe beach bags…

10. Return books to the library. Because if I am going to spend a hundred dollars at Target (and we know that if I go to Target, surely $100 will be spent), I surely don’t want a 20 cent overdue fine.

11. Find and pack birth certificates. Find cruise documents AND put them with my things that I’ll carry onto the ship.

12. Get directions to hotel. We are staying at a hotel on Saturday evening. I need to find out how to get there. And then how to get from there to the port. Or, we can leave our car there and call a cab and not have to pay for the week’s parking.

13. Remind Michael to not forget socks and belts this time. Last time we took a cruise, Michael did not pack these things. He looked strange in his suit and white athletic socks. I think I made him go without that first night…and then he borrowed a pair from friends of ours that were on the cruise. (But then he had to wear them each night…gross!) We did end up buying a belt.

I know that you all might go through withdrawl if I don’t post for over a week. I am actually contemplating buying internet minutes on the ship and posting a live report. Tune in to see if it happens!

post signature

17 comments:

Kay said...

Sounds like fun!!!! I'd be ready to soak in some warm sunshine about now! The winters get long up here.

I saw your Chicken Cordon Bleu post a couple posts ago. Looks good! I've actually never made that, closest thing I've made is chicken kiev. That's neat that your dau did the cooking. Good job, Katie! If you can do it, I think I could too. :)

Anonymous said...

I hope you enjoy your trip to Tampa!

Rhea said...

I'm so jealous after reading this post! I'll contribute to the Ship Internet Fund if you'll post updates during the vacation!! Seriously!! lol I'll be stuck here going through withdrawl...and missing my new friend!

You definitely need to make a Target run. A definite must. I need pedicures before going to the beach or a cruise also...but no manicures for me either.

Your mom is awesome! What a great gift...although her getting to spend time alone is pretty awesome as well, so I see her point. lol

Debbie said...

I am so jealous! Jealous because you are going on vacation and even more jealous that someone else paid for it! Wow...that is some gift? Can I be your sister?? (I just read your previous post;). Oh and I can so relate to the Target thing...100 bucks there guaranteed and 200 at Costco. Every.single.time. Have a grea trip!

Carolan Ivey said...

Ooooh, have fun!!

Julie said...

Have a fabulous time!

Laura Paxton said...

Oh, the green-eyed monster is creeping up on me...enjoy the cruise, and come back and rub it in...I mean, come back and tell us about it... Hope you get it all done in time!!! Happy T-13!

sleepy jeanne said...

A cruise!! Oh, you guys are going to have so much fun!

(hey, wait. do you have enough room in your bag to squeeze me in? I'm so jealous)

Anonymous said...

Ooo! Have a fabulous cruise! (And may your Mum have a fabulous not!cruise.) Definately make with the sunblock.

Happy TT!

Firefly Mom said...

If it were me making the list for Target, self-tanner would be at the top. I'm so white, the glare from my legs can permanently damage your retinas.

Have a great time! Maybe you could post your itinerary so that the rest of us can look at a map and pretend we're there with you ;)

Skeller said...

Oh, wow oh wow!! Have a GREAT time!!! Take oodles of pictures. And I don't know how you forgot the most important list item: start mentally preparing yourself now to discard all thoughts of dieting - y'know, delicious cruise food and all!!! And if you could find time to live a vicarious moment for me: I'd like to have some onion rings and a virgin strawberry dacquiri (how do you spell that?!?) poolside. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Have a great trip! It sounds like a lot of fun!

Rhea said...

Have a great trip! I was hoping to see a Friday week in review post, but I know you're busy packing. Have a blast, soak some sun for me and get your hair done in braids. Can you bring me back some pretty shells? :o) If not, definitely some good blog material and pictures. I'd be happy with that.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Rhea--
No week in review this week. We got some homeschooling done...but Katie was doing ITBS and COGAT testing this week...and I was busy with thinking about how much I had to do...and then eventually, actually doing!

I am looking forward to blogging on the ship. Hopefully it will work out the way I want...but we'll see what actually happens.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

FM--I posted that itinerary just for you! And like you, I am pasty white. But self tanner stuff just seems to turn me orange...or I get it on in streaks...not a good thing. I have some 50spf sunscreen...and hopefully I won't damage retinas...nor turn into a lobster.

I love your comment regarding my bedroom - err...your bedroom. You should post before and after pictures! I want to know what changes I inspired.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Jeanne and Debbie -- I am happy to have new "sisters" - and you are welcome to attempt to stow away with us. You'll have to fight for space between the crocs and beach towels and the million other "essentials" that I have packed.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Susan--I plan to take lots of pictures - just to drive up the jealousy quotient ;-) And I will put onion rings and a daquiri on my list (along with escargots...which I only manage to have while crusing).

Juli--Pasty white here too. I am hoping to get LOTS of reading done.