Final Day in the States

Today has been another whirlwind of a day... running around like a madman attempting to get everything set for the big trip that departs at 04:40 tomorrow morning. Today was an early rise, took my coffee intravenously (kidding of course) to get my heart kick-started and into gear. There is much to organize that can only be done today, so I did some of that and basic packing (which, of course, I have done and redone to get everything to fit). Then it was off to my last Issaquah Chamber Board Meeting.

We met, as usual, at Lombardi's (owned by Diane Symms and Kerri Lonegran) for our monthly meeting. It is always an enjoyable affair as I truly enjoy everyone there. Today we were voting on my leave of absence so I wanted to be sure and be there. I am so pleased with the work of Matt Bott, the new CEO of the Chamber! He has really added a big boost to our Chamber and is doing some great things. It's too bad we didn't have him a year ago, but such is life. At least we have him now. I slipped by with my leave of absence in a highly contested vote (well, Leon Koss voted "no", but he always does because he is ex-officio and his vote doesn't count). I got to say my farewells to the group and move on to fill up the car at COSTCO so my brother-in-law and sister-in-law will have something to drive when they get here this weekend. Then it was off to REI to pick up yet another pair of shoes for Greg, then to Walgreen's for some toiletries, and then to the bank.

Upon my return it was cold meatloaf sandwiches and stale chips. It seems Susan has made all of our edibles off limits so Joy and Jerry can have the best when they get here. Speaking of which, she breezed through her packing a couple of days ago and has been cleaning the house non-stop to get ready for her sister's arrival. Today was an all out cleaning that would make the Maid Brigade proud. Too bad she didn't have time to prepare my last dinner... but she is pretty excited about the prospect of having "Sissy" come to stay. She did take some time out to get her nails done, take the dog to the kennel, and then go to the club for a massage. Massage? I NEED A MASSAGE!!!!!!!

So, it's back to the salt mines of packing and rearranging yet again. My packing is a little more complicated because I will be gone at least 6 months and I will need all my office stuff to go with as well as all my dissertation research to date (which is about 2 feet high and weighs about 35 pounds). And there are the priorities like tennis racquets and shoes to come along with me.

Tomorrow morning at 04:00 will come mighty soon, so I am hoping to catch about 4 or 5 hours of shut-eye before the 41 hour marathon journey to the promised land!