Beginning to Pack for Toronto

Last Edit September 23, 1999

I am now in a state of nervous collapse.
My younger son had his second driving lesson with me - I lived - I was carsick - however - he found the clutch. I am still seeking my stomach. He thinks that it is fun to paste his mother to the side of the car, bounce me off the back rest and send me crashing into the seatbelt restraint - without which I would be crashing into the front window.
Then I came home, sat down, and finished the pink dress. Fast.
I closed the BIG suitcase. More clothes than I can wear - maybe - maybe not.
The dress goes into the new middle-sized case - with the shoes, coffee, underwear, nylons, and other misc.
The small case is for carry-on - at this moment - with medication, purse, books, notes, whatever I deem important.
And the computer case.
I set up the new portable HP printer and test fired it.
It worked.
Makes the case really heavy.
I find that I still cannot connect the new "Orb" backup drive to the 3400C at the same time as the scanner - missing a cable and the Orb doesn't like the scanner being near it. Touchy little devil.
I'll install the scanner when I get home.
Pack now.
Keyboard into the BIG suitcase - surrounded by clothes. Yes, I travel with an extended keyboard and a mouse.
The Mouse, mouse cords, adapter, power cords, all fit into the computer case, which is now too heavy for me to carry very far.
Need wheels.
My son wants a haircut. And shampoo.
I need a few things.
Last minute items.
Like a visit to Frederick's for a Merry Widow corset.
Off we go. I try to breathe.
The flight is early tomorrow morning. I am not ready!
Super cuts. Boy looks good.
Longs.
I need an Rx and new makeup. Trips are when you get new makeup - total set - and the return trip is when you are supposed to toss the old. Haven't managed to keep to that. Have tons of makeup I don't use. Need to clean. Not now. Need glitter. Rose. Plum. Smoke. Flame. Flash. Such names!
Smokey eyes are back.
Mine never left.
Hides the shadows.
Must impulse buy travel things. Cute packages.
I actually use them.
Sometimes.
Good for camp outs.
I don't need much - but this is the fun part.
Then on to Old Navy.
Because.....
Gasp! Shock!
The boy wants to get new clothes!
Well, that didn't work.
So, while I am here, I run into JoAnn Fabrics - get bra extenders. Back up for if I don't find the Merry Widow - needed to push things up into the Regency pink dress. The one I just finished making.
Success.
Pit-stop at Togo's - feed the kid.
Then the bank. Get traveler's checks.
And then one to Pier 1 - for a fan - cutout with a pink ribbon (I forgot I had it later on but I got it!).
Score!
Now to the mall.
He was serious about shopping.
After years of hysteria in the clothing department, he was going to shop!
I could not complain.
No matter that all three credit cards are now whimpering in my purse.
He stood me in one spot at Sears and threw clothes at me. Shirts. Pants. Ties. Belts. Pullovers. Tees. New jacket.
It was mind blowing.
Staggering.
He had a list!
I was staggering.
Yikes.
We rang these up and tottered to the car after two hours of this.
Right after the last shirt clipped me in the mouth!
Made a pit-stop at McDonald's.
I needed a restroom. I felt like a hamburger. Two small ones.
Not on my eating list.
But I was drooping. In more ways than one.
He wasn't done. He had more stuff to get.
Next we hit Target.
He wanted new socks, shorts, and PJ's.
More make-up. More little travel stuff (containers). I am now set for the next 12 months.
Or until Fabio pops into view.
We headed for the car again.
Third stop - we see a luggage store. Perfect. Light-weight wheels. The ones I own are too bulky.
I am pleased.
Then, we find Frederick's of Hollywood. The kid knew exactly where it was in the mall.
Right.
Of course the dainty little sales girl said "We don't carry much in your size (40C)".
I was restrained.
I didn't hit her.
So I tried on a 38D - and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror - big chest - and a body way out of tone. Wince.
I should just throw in the towel and get a muumuu.
The breast reduction surgery is January 6th. Not soon enough for me!
Too much of a good thing. Four doctors said so.
I hit the racks myself to search and lo and behold - found a 40C - and it fit! Of course, my son would have to lace me into it. Or someone will. So far he has flatly refused! Perhaps I can get lucky.
But for now, I am humiliated at the traitorous body of mine, and considerably poorer, so I stagger back home, at almost 7PM, tired, crabby, not finished packing, the spa calling me - I gave up and got in.
Briefly.
And then.....
It's time for Crabby Monday!
We pulled an all-nighter and made the airport by 6AM. Eight suitcases. Check four, carry on four. He was all in one duffel bag (which we checked) with the rolling camera bag and his backpack. I was with purse, computer case (on its new wheels) and three checked bags.
Way over the top!
No longer care.