A Whole Mixed Bag

Well, it finally happened.  It HAD to happen. The vacation JINX.  Almost every time we're about to leave town, something breaks.   Once, it was the washing machine (horrors!).  This time, it was the back door to the laundry room, which was on it's last leg anyway.   

Rain is not kind to wood and other non living things!!!

When I opened the back door, the bottom panel fell off.  And that night came an entire colony of mosquitoes, giant red ants, crickets and whatever else is lurking out there that I don't yet know about.
So we had to buy a new door.  And that, kids, is why we're not going Disney World. 
(kidding. Who, in their right mind, goes to Disney in July anyway?)

Y'all ever get hit by the vacation jinx?  I was talking to Nils about this and he said this was God's way of saying "You want relief from stress?  I'll GIVE ya something to be relieved about!"

Meanwhile, in a rare oddity in our family, I am about 80% packed and ready to go. Door be dammned. Rick replaced it and we are getting outta here.

MOST amazing of all, I don't  have any last minute errands to run. Probably jinxed myself just typing this out.

*************************************************************************************************************
Messing around with my Mom:

After posting the pictures of Britt and I painting our bedroom, I got an interesting email from my Mother.
I'm going to quote her right here:
"Who is in the first picture on the blog? I say Brittany, Dad thinks it is you."

Oh boy.  I could understand this if she had 13 kids!  But No! They had Two Boys and a Girl! 
So, I have decided NOT to tell her.  It's only been 3 months since I last saw her.
I remember what she looks like.  She'll have to continue to wonder what I look like.  ;)

***********************************************************************************************************
Vacation Tips:

I book a lot of our trips on the internet and we always call to confirm the reservation after booking. Almost every single time we call, hub asks if they can do better than the internet price, and they almost always come down in price.  Check that out!

***************************************************************************************************
Safety tip:

From my email:  When someone is trying to get into your house, or if you hear a noise outside your house,  keep your car keys next to your bed on the night stand and just press the panic alarm on your car.  It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key chain." A lot of burglars will cut your telephone line before breaking in so this is a real good idea. Could save your life.

There ya go, how's that for a whole lot of info in one post? :))  The house sitters are here and I've got to go set them up. 
Y'all have a GREAT weekend! I'm leaving at 6 in the morning.  Hope to post from Atlanta on Sunday, I'll try to have pictures up!   

Comments

[Nils]

Great tip on the burglars. Of course, I live in a place so small that when the cops come, they say "Can you describe your assailant?"

"Yeah ... it was Dwayne from down the road."

"Oh, hell, he must've been drunk again. We'll go talk to him."

"He stole my car!"

"Yeah, I heard the battery died on his truck. Want us to drive yours back here for ya?"

I AM impressed that you were almost all packed with a day to spare. But be forewarned: today, at some point, you will be doing something mindless, all smug about how ready you are, when suddenly your eyes will pop open and you'll go "Oh, CRAP ... I forgot ..."

But it's OK. Take it from a frequent traveller. Those of us who spend a big chunk of our lives on the road have mastered the phrase: "If I forgot to pack it, I can buy it when I get there."

Works for everything except kids and spouses, and let's be honest: if you forgot THEM, you really didn't want to have them along anyway. (g)

[Sara Sue]

Have a wonderful vacation!!

[Old Horsetail Snake]

THIS is a great picture, so I will sit and slaver till you post more.

[InterstellarLass]

Wow. I don't think I've ever been ready to go before departure day. And I always have errands to run the morning of. Never fails.

HAVE FUN!

[Sue]

Doesn't EVERYONE get some kind of Jinx before leaving on a vacation? I thought it happened to everyone that's why I never freaked when it happened to me...now I have to wonder if I am the jinx LOL....I love the one about your mom -- my mom said if she didn't see me in a couple of years that would be okay...heck people I see a few times a year don't recognize me -- I like to keep everyone on their toes :)

[Tammy]

Have fun!!!
:-D

[Laura]

Welp, I said 80% packed. Just found about 30 more things to do.
I hate packing.

Nils, your comments never fail to crack me up. "Dwayne from down the road" LOL! That one has all the makings of a good sitcom.

Still thinking about your suggestion of tying the kids to the roof. I just might, and Buddy can sit up front.

Sara and Tammy, thanks.. can't believe we're going at all, actually.

Hoss, I think you are the original stalker. ;)

Sue, about the jinx, it's not you. Really. It's Other People that cause it. Really.

Lass, hell, I eve stunned myself. It's rare that I get this much done before we leave. Still a lot to do, but I got the bulk of it done earlier. I think this is the first time EVER. LOL

[poopie]

Vacation? What's a vacation?????

[kenju]

I LOVE that idea to hit the panic button! I hit mine accidentally today (for the first time) and almost had a heart attack at the noise - and until I found out how to stop it (put the key in the ignition and start the engine). That would surely scare a robber away, wouldn't it?!

[FloridaCracker]

I confess, my first thought at the sight of that photo was that it was your daughter.
...still can't tell.

Have a great mountain visit!

[Andrew]

Have a great trip. And come back safe, with stories to tell.

[Seamus]

I'm cracking up over your "Mom" quote!!!

Love the mirror pic - hope your vacation is wonderful! :)