Maybe you'll notice that I added a new category: Real Life Encounters. Tonight, I had dinner with Alisa from Mimosa. This is our 2nr real life meeting. The first time, I was a new mom and she was still doing paper-chasing. Now we are both moms and we've been through a lot over the last 3 years, but we had the BEST time. We shopped, she picked out some clothes and I critiqued them, we had wine, we had dinner, we had dessert and unfortunately it was already time to go.....
It is T-... crap I suck at math! But it's Tuesday night and I leave before the sun is up on Thursday morning to go meet up with Shelba and Bobbi Jo and Melissa and Secret Blogger and who-knows-who-else-we'll-run-into and it suddenly dawned on me: I NEED TO PACK!
Now, normally, this would be a non-issue. But here is the problem: I have a very tight connection to make on the way down, so I think I should go carry-on only to ensure swift passage at the hell-hole that is O'Hare. But you see, the new carry-on rules allow only ONE carry on and a personal item, which I have established can be a briefcase/purse/laptop-bag. But because I am not Mrs. Figby, I don't own either a big-ass purse or a trendy hobo tote. And I actually in fact do not own a carry-on-size suitcase on wheels, just an actual carry on.....
Also, along with the essentials for 4 days in hot weather, I must find a way to pack an EMPTY duffel bag, because (honey, turn away if you are reading this) I plan on shopping while I'm there. And bringing things back.... OK, I could just buy cheap suitcase there, but you know, cheap suitcase in Texas isn't cheap suitcase in Beijing.....
Furthermore, the dilemma is WHAT to actually bring... because I have been wearing a parka and boots for 7 1/2 months now (only slightly exaggerating there) so even a balmy 72 could cause me to sweat profusely and find myself needing to change. Shelba gave me great tips (I'm pretty sure she was just kidding about the crocs....) but it's still a bit of a puzzle how to make that fit in there. Thankfully, I do not need to bring anything nice, since you know, I'll probably buying a thing or two or five....
The final pre-packing problem was solved yesterday. It occurred to me when contemplating packing a pair of cropped jeans (yes, I own capris. shoot me) that i was suffering from sever Kanuck Winter Legs Syndrome. So I hauled myself to the Schmall, where poor little Myriam had the pleasure of waxing my legs and giving me a pedicure. The interesting thing is that I'm not very hairy, but she did manage to wax off about 3 layers of dead, dry skin. So now instead of pasty white, I'm slightly pink from the newly exposed skin! It sets off nicely with the coral on my toes and the green/blue bruises from the ski boots!
I leave you with the ultimate cell phone photo: flip-flops in the snow. Which is why Kanuck Girls don't get pedicures in winter... How do you get home? And I'm not kidding, it actually snowed again yesterday. Fresh snow. It will NEVER end.
PS: Lemonade Stand Quilt Swap is now at 18 and I set up a Flickr account. Keep it up!
Alisa and Shelba - my jealousy knows no bounds! You lucky Kanuck you!
Posted by: Debberoo | April 01, 2008 at 09:32 PM
first, as the queen of skin cancer, make sure to pack sun screen (30+). for 4 days i would do a light weight pair of pants, a pair of capri's or shorts and the rest would be shirts/tops (well indies of course) and since i am not into shoes at all maybe one other pair of shoes. wear a light weight jacket and remember all the liquid stuff you can't bring.... flying is so much fun these days...
Posted by: kris | April 01, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Wish I was going away with the girls :( You'll have a blast!
Posted by: Susan | April 01, 2008 at 10:22 PM
We'll match...Kanuck girl and MN girl...with winter leg syndrome. Shelba will be so pleased she invited us to her sunny state. About the capris...I'm bringing a pair too, because, well first of all, I'm NOT very fashionable as a rule, and second, it's going to be hot enough for shorts, but no one wants to see these pasty legs for sure. ewww. So capris will have to do one of the days. Happy packing! See you soon.
Posted by: Bobbi Jo | April 01, 2008 at 10:29 PM
1. I own 4+ pairs of capris. Have they gone out of style? Maybe I hadn't noticed... oops
2. I live ON the water and I'm pale, pastey white. It was alarming to my coworkers when I arrived at the end of last summer. Last summer I also discovered the new kids sunscreen that goes on dry and doesn't make you greasy. I think it's banana boat (?) and made especially for the beach. I used it all summer so I didn't get all sandy(after applying spf 45 at home).
3. Way to go with the wax/pedicure. Whatever is cozy on your feet - you should be fine with crocs or flips. (If you don't have Reef sandals, they are great and they last for a long time).
HAVE FUN and find lots of good buys.
Posted by: Elizabeth | April 01, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Am still jealous...but happy for you! Love that after all the ugliness of earlier this week you are contemplating fun stuff like packing.
Posted by: Amanda | April 02, 2008 at 09:37 AM
You will feel the heat in the plane before you are half way there too so you have to dress almost as if you have landed in TX. Whatever you pack just roll it up don't fold. Rolling takes less space and helps prevent major wrinkles or so I was told once by an ex-airline stewardess and yes she is old enough to have been a stewardess!!
Beverly
Posted by: beverly | April 02, 2008 at 04:57 PM