Early Bird

I woke up at 5:23 this morning, only either 23 or 8 minutes later than I'd planned. It was practice for tomorrow when I have to get up at 4 a.m. to get my shit together and get to the airport for my 6 a.m. flight.

I used to get up early - well, I still kind of do, but I mean, earlier than I had to so that I could unwind and chill and maybe get a few things done before work or school. I think when I was in high school I would actually watch the morning news. So far I've showered, gathered trash from the kitchen, living room, and bathroom*, washed my dishes, and wiped down my counters. I've also come up with a mental list that I will put into my NEW! SHINY! smart phone so that I remember to do all that needs to be done today.

I have to take Johan to the vet at 4PM to drop him off. I have to pick up a prescription at the grocery store. I have to sort my clothes and pack them for Arizona (yes, embarrassingly, I will be bringing dirty laundry... I haven't told my mom yet). I have to organize my medications to make sure I bring enough of all of them with me since I'll be gone for a week. I'm flying Southwest (squee!) so I can check my clothes and pack a smaller carry on, one that just has my work laptop, my phone, my journal, wallet, and things I want to read. I want to have everything packed and sitting either by my door or in the trunk of my car by the time I go to bed at 9.

I'm actually feeling pretty good. I have that deep seated regret, of course, that always comes with a trip like this. Nothing to do with my mother and everything to do with being in her house (or anyone's house) and not being alone. But it will be good for me. I'll be distracted. I won't be sitting around all alone pining for my prince charming** or feeling loserly while everyone else is at family gatherings.*** I'll take better care of myself just because I'll be occupied and I tend to eat better when I'm traveling for pleasure (traveling for work I just drink too much and eat whatever is on hand). And I'll even get some laundry done.

I think my mom will enjoy herself too and that is important to me even if she still isn't going to give me my birthday presents early and I'm going to be right freaking there. For some reason it kills her that I open them as soon as I get them rather than wait for my birthday. And yet she likes to recount the story of a very small Simply going downstairs one Easter morn and opening all the Easter baskets and picking and choosing what she wanted. Of course I'm going to open a present the minute I get it.

But so I'm off for a day at work featuring a few errands and an order in lunch followed by a whirlwind of errands and chores. Wish me luck!

*I did too take out my garbage the other day! I just had a few bits and pieces here and there and I try to make sure I take it out before an extended trip.

**Not that I actually have a prince charming, exactly, but you know, pining for that Hallmark romance that I sometimes yearn for when I'm deep in the rabbit hole. 

***Well, I wouldn't have been alone, alone. Tits invited me to spend the day with her family and that was plan A until the spontaneous trip to see my mother and go to the casino happened on Friday.