Within the last few days golf balls have relocated to my throat and a low-grade fever keeps creeping in and out of my weary body. Suitcases sprawl across the guest room bed and floor waiting to be packed. The sink is full of dishes. Twenty emails need to be written. Fifty-seven loads of laundry need to be washed, hung, folded, and put away. The house needs a good once-over… toothbrush-style. My hard drive is in desperate need of a back-up. My neck and back aches and my head throbs. Twelve thank you notes are waiting to be sent. The fridge needs to be cleared out. And on. And on. And on.
And it all needs to be resolved in the next two days.
Why?
Because I am going on a much needed, much anticipated holiday with my family.
BRING IT.
No doubt we will get on that plane. It’s Sydney or bust and then onwards to the Home of the Brave.
Things might be “ready”. Or not.
I might be “well”. Or not.
Life might be completely in “order”. Or not.
But come rain or shine we will board that plane on Saturday morning without looking back.
We will load up our gear and stuff the overhead compartments full… and then collapse into those tiny little seats and let out big, relieved sighes as we look at each other and smile the smiles of those that are on…
vacation.
Oh dear God, thank you for a chance to rest. Soon.
But for now, I need to get back to my fifty-seven loads of laundry.
And just because my boy is cute (and I know you love him), I’ll leave you with these:
Dear friends, it’s Thursday here. My countdown is ON. What are you counting down for these days?
10, 9, 8, 7…
Love, Adriel
adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010
do not reproduce without written permission
15 Comments
Casey Martinez
17 November 2010 at 2:07 pmI was so sick last year on turkey day that I never ate much and couldn't taste the food. SUch a bummer to be sick and I too wonder if I will be again as our daughter just battled a doozy cold and me and the hubs are keeping our fingers crossed that we won't get it next. We shall see but, just like you we will celebrate with family and friends regardless and I love this time of year so much. The pictures are precious!!! He really has gotten so big just since I started following your blog!! Cutie! Hope you don't get sick or that it goes really fast!
Greta: From Transparencies of Motherhood
17 November 2010 at 2:34 pmWIth we lived a bit closer so I could help you check some things off your to-do list…even if it was bringing you dinner tonight so you could focus on other things. Good luck getting it all done and have a great vacation 🙂
Heather M
17 November 2010 at 4:40 pmOh I hope you feel better ASAP, sending you well vibes!! My In -laws are coming to stay with us for the week starting friday, lots to do!!!!
Ana
17 November 2010 at 4:54 pmWe're counting down the days until we visit the aquarium with friends, and then Thanksgiving, and then my brothers flying in for Christmas. I love your outlook, Adriel! Feel better soon and have a wonderful time with family. Praying for traveling mercies and a swift recovery for you!
Carol
17 November 2010 at 5:41 pmWe are counting down the days until we move (Thanksgiving weekend) and then counting the days until we take a Disney World trip with our little girls.
I hope you feel better soon and that you enjoy every single day of your vacation!
Amber
17 November 2010 at 6:16 pmThere's just one important thing… take out the trash. We went home on holiday from rural Alaska to South Carolina this summer and, of course, I cleaned out of the refrigerator right before we left. We were on our plane out of town, looked at each other, and knew… the trash was still in the house, but it was too late. We had to mail our electronic key (no picking the lock here!) across the country to a friend to take it out… I can only imagine the stench after a week in a house with no air conditioning. Thankfully, by the time we got back 3 weeks later, the place had aired out. So, just remember, you can buy anything you need in America and clean when you get home, but don't forget your husband, baby… and the trash.
cooperl788
17 November 2010 at 6:17 pmFeel better soon Adriel! Drink some hot tea with honey and try to rest as much as possible! Fingers crossed that you wake up feeling loads better on Saturday so you can enjoy every. single. moment with your family.
I'm counting down the days until this weekend – I have book club on Friday night(!) and then Saturday I'm going scrapbooking all day with my girlfriends (!!).
Emma
17 November 2010 at 8:42 pmHope that you feel better soon! Have a lovely time in Sydney x
Hannah
18 November 2010 at 12:28 amThese pictures are so cute! I really hope you feel better soon, and that you have a wonderful time with your family! Take care of yourself and get the rest you need!
Anonymous
18 November 2010 at 2:58 amCounting down with you, and thinking how thankful I am for you and your posts which bring you closer! And I love reading the comments left by such caring women. Loved the trash reminder! As I was reading it, I thought it was going to end by saying they cleaned out the refer but left it in the trash outside and since they live in Alaska, where bears also live … but it ended well. Don't worry about leaving your place toothbrush-style clean!
Gigi
xo
Anonymous
18 November 2010 at 3:05 amoh i'm sorry you are sick!! NOT FUN> hopefully it will be short lived….and you will rest easy once on the plane.
can't wait to see you in just a few short weeks! sue
adriel, from the mommyhood memos
18 November 2010 at 5:19 amyou ladies are so sweet!! 🙂 and greta, seriously, you are precious.
amber, yes, i have a list of things to do in our last 45 minutes before leaving the house… INCLUDING emptying the trash. forgetting the trash here in the tropics is a recipe for disaster. our house would be riddled with maggots in three days. so don't you worry – it's high priority on my list. 🙂
and though i won't be using a toothbrush to clean my house… it does need to be left really, really nice. our friends parents are visiting from overseas while we're away and we've said they can stay in our house. i want it to be wonderfully clean and inviting for them when they land. 🙂
Ronni
18 November 2010 at 4:47 pmI'm counting down to when my daughter starts laughing!! She'll be 11 weeks on Sunday 🙂 I just found your blog and I absolutely love it!!
flyrish
18 November 2010 at 8:11 pmHope you're feeling better, Adriel! It will be all worth it for some time away with the fam. Excited for you!
Lindsey Whitney
19 November 2010 at 1:41 pmHope you have a great vacation, and hope you feel better before it starts! I use carbonite for our hard-drive back up, because I could never get around to backing up and once we lost everything. Carbonite from now on for us!