Well, I suppose that I’m officially “on” vacation, even though I’m still at home and haven’t strayed more than a couple miles from my house all day. But I’m leaving for Martha’s Vineyard tomorrow morning, with Mom and Chappy, and I don’t have to go back to work for a week, so this is, technically, vacation time.

Except that, so far, it hasn’t been very vacation-like. I took my car out to feed her for the drive, and to get all the green tree mold washed off so that she looks silver again and not green (blech). (Don’t get me wrong, I like green as a color, but I don’t like the gritty layer of green dust clinging to my windshield, my doors, and basically every outdoor surface. My car is meant to be silver!). I went to the bank to get some cash for the trip and to make a deposit of–honestly–three different checks that add up to a total of $13.72 (and that includes my NJ state tax refund!). Mom and I stopped to get coffee at Starbucks–and saw that “Martha’s Poncho” woman from last week stroll by!–and then we came home . . .

  . . . And started moving even more things from the kitchen to the dining room, and from the bathroom to the guest room. About the only thing left in the kitchen is 2 dishes, 2 bowls, a mug, and the tv and coffee-maker on the counter. Almost every drawer and cabinet is empty. Ditto for the bathrooms–a single bottle of shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush/toothpaste, a roll of t.p., and a towel for tonight’s shower. It’s very bizarre. And at this point, finding anything is challenging. Not only has everything been moved willy-nilly as time and energy levels permit, but there’s no rhyme or reason as to where each item or box of items has ended up . . . and some boxes have contents from more than one cabinet.

I tell you, reassembling the kitchen next weekend has me scared!

It turned out to be a pretty day, though, and some time has been spent sitting out on the (green-tinted) deck with Chappy. A thing that’s very bad for allergies, but very good for the soul, you know? I’m going out to eat with my parents because, well, I can’t very well cook, can I? (Not only are all the utensils and pots and such–the “hardware” as Alton Brown calls it–scattered throughout the dining room, but we taped plastic inside the pantry door to keep out dust and . . . well . . . basically, if it’s not in the refrigerator, it’s not really accessible.

  And, oh yes, tonight ,I really do need to start packing! Except, of course, I need to run a load of laundry first . . . and can’t do that until after I’ve taken my shower. (Because, well, we are going to have workmen in the bathroom next week, and they will be laying floor into the linen closet, and well, I just don’t want to leave any dirty laundry in there . . . it may be silly, but . . . !) Anyway, I suppose I could start assembling clothing and such on the bed, but don’t really see the point. Toiletries are always packed and ready to go (I topped off the shampoo bottle the other day). Underwear is a no-brainer, and anyway, needs to wait for the laundry, and why start folding shirts and sweaters now? I just sincerely hope the weather cooperates and is DRY (or even mostly dry) because otherwise, Chappy and I are going to get awfully wet waiting outside on sidewalks for Mom!

The hardest part of packing, anyway, is choosing which books to bring. Not only do I need an assortment for myself . . . usually about five. I may only get through 2 or 3 of them, but there’s no way to know in advance which ones I’ll be in the mood to read. And while the Bunch of Grapes bookstore is wonderful, there have been times I haven’t found anything to buy, so . . . I travel with my own little library annex. (It’s just a crying shame that “1776″ by David McCullough isn’t out until next week–I would LOVE to get a signed copy from him, and I’m so looking forward to reading that one!)

There’s our shared book to pick out, too. Every trip, Mom and I bring along a book to read together–while the other is driving, or in the room at night instead of watching TV. We carry it around with us and, when there’s a likely spot in the day, will read a chapter. I’ve got it narrowed down to a choice of three, but haven’t quite settled on the choice for the year. (Next year, though, I’ve already got covered–Harry Potter #6!) In the past, we’ve covered all the Harry Potter books, “Archangel” by Sharon Shinn, “The Best of Enemies” by Nancy Bond, “A Little Princess” by Frances Hodgson Burnett (which Mom had never read, and, sorry, it’s a must), “From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler” was a good one, too–I always loved that run-away-to-the-Metropolitan-Museum-of-Art story! For whatever reason, Young Adult books seem to work best–they’re usually just about the right length for the trip. It’s great, though, because that way we’re still doing something together, instead of sitting near each other, but reading our own, separate things. Mom doesn’t like audio books, either, but we both enjoy both reading out loud as well as the listening, so . . . it’s fun.

Knitting-wise, I’ve decided to bring my Peacock and the sock I’m working on. My NbaT will stay at home (to make room for, you know, books).

  On the plus side, Chappy’s packed. That’s food in individual ziploc bags (Flint River Ranch Dry Water food–one of the only dog foods I’m willing to let him eat). Two plastic dishes, a zoom-groom brush (wonderful for loose fur!), and a couple of toys. Pick-up bags are in the front, Mom’s got some treats in her purse . . . all I need to do is remember his crate and towels for his bedding, and we’re set! Or at least, he is . . .

Tags: Family, General, Martha's Vineyard // 2 Comments »