ONE MORE THING…
In about eleven hours, I’ll sink into my airline seat and thankfully remember the one thing I will have forgotten. I’m fairly predictable on this. Something will be forgotten. So, to finally identify the one thing left behind or undone is generally a great relief.
It’s become kind of a ritual, the “what did we forget this time?” routine. As I drove my kids to Asheville, North Carolina last November, I was actually happy to discover I’d forgotten to stop delivery on my mail and newspaper.
That was an easy one; I called my neighbor and sailed on down the interstate pleased that it wasn’t anything of great significance. When the kids and I traveled to Akumal, Mexico however, it was a camera battery. Not so good. Wish I’d missed watering one of my houseplants instead…
I’m not the only one. A neighbor once called en route to Honduras, certain that she had turned off her iron, but needing some confirmation as her family ventured out of the country. I called her back, glad to set her mind at ease on the iron, but sorry that she still had to figure out what she had forgotten. At least, I hadn’t discovered any children lingering in her house. There were a couple of years where I had to do a bathroom check and call out, “Danny?”, before leaving my premises because one of Matt’s friends had a propensity for wandering in and making himself right at home.
I’m kind of wondering what it will be this time. I’ve faithfully added to the “do not forget” lists. If all necessary tasks and items make it onto paper it’s possible that, for once, I’ll forget to forget anything. I’m hoping…
The boys and I were waiting for our connecting flight when I remembered I’d forgotten to stop the mail. Maybe be were already at Disney …
In any case I got online and was able to put a hold on it.
Just this past Friday I made a stop, two hours into a trip, to buy a boy some underwear as we’d forgot to pack any for his week of staying with relatives.
Like you, I tend to do the same thing when vacationing. Thus far though, my forgetfulness has not been detrimental to either the pets and /or home environment during our absences, and are easily remedied with that quick ‘phone call’ you mention above to the house sitter. I must admit though that the older I’ve become, the less important those little “oops, I forgot” items seem to be to me. I guess I’m learning to take SOME things in stride
So then, here’s to wishing you a wonderful vacation! Enjoy!
We’re off in two weeks to Italy and Egypt and I have the same worries even though we travel a lot. I have comprehensive lists on my computer for different climates and the appropriate one gets printed out and ticked off once I get about a week out from the trip. We have house sitters so it doesn’t matter if we forget something in that area and all other things can be bought if necessary.
Bon voyage.
What a fabulous site you have here! Your photos are unbelievable. Hope you enjoy your travels, take care! Terri Clark
Hi Heather - thanks for a nice read and a chuckle. Sooo glad to discover there are more people who have this “wish-I-could-recall-what-I-forgot-syndrome”
If ever you have the opportunity, do stop by our travel community and share some of your travels.
Best wishes,
Pierre
Whenever I forgot something I have this nagging feeling inside me that I can not exactly point out. It gives me a hint to stop and check out from unplugging appliances to things that I would need in the trip.
It usually turns out okay coz it helps me to remember.
Nice one Heather…I really love your posts.
lol…I know exactly what you mean…
As long as it’s not my passport or very expensive item I always assume it can be had at destination.
Delmer,
An internet connection seems to be the magical mistake eraser! I did the last minute mail web cancellation thing too.
Surprisingly, I also did a last minute underwear trip for one of my kids (who shall remain anonymous) but sadly purchased the wrong size. Underwear shortages have not come up in the text/phone conversations with this vacationing child, so I’m assuming that Hawaii made it all better…
Thanks Kimba!
I like to think I’ve gotten more flexible (and resourceful!) too. Wisdom, huh?
I enjoyed an amazing, rejuvenating vacation time. Hope to post some photos etc tomorrow…
Suzanne,
You’re off on your adventure already! I look forward to hearing about your latest travels…
I envy your organizational ability. That’s been my big growth area of late, but I’m nowhere near your computerized trip lists. That pretty much impresses me!!
Thank you Terri! I’m slowly paddling back into the current. Arizona was a great and often breathtaking break. I revisited some favorite spots and discovered some new ones! Hope you are well… I enjoy reading your posts too.
Thanks Pierre. If we all do it, it’s perfectly normal, right?
Your site is terrific! I’ve bookmarked it and will be a frequent visitor!
Thank you, Nina. Yes, that “nagging” feeling is generally tied to something specific, and you absolutely know when you’ve finally identified it.
Amazingly, I missed NOTHING this time! And this was the ultimate challenge… my kids were headed to Hawaii with their dad the same morning I flew to Arizona!
Adrian,
I’ve fine-tuned it all to a fairly short list of “necessities” at this point. If I have my documents, camera, running shoes and any kids that should be with me, I’m good. I just hate “mandatory shopping!”
Hi Heather,
I typically forget something, but just wait a few minutes until I forget that I’ve forgotten something.
“…and any kids that should be with me…”
Now that really gave me a good laugh…yeah, wouldn’t want to forget those…
Bob,
That second part is getting easier and easier…