Retirement is a week filled with Saturdays and Sundays interrupted only occasionally by a holiday.

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Friday, June 1, 2007

Packing List Gone Astray

I had a little freak-out last night and I’m afraid it wasn’t very pretty. Hubby and I went out for dinner with our friend “J” who is traveling with us to Ireland. She asked me about my packing list and it reminded me that I needed to add all my handwritten changes from the draft before emailing the list to her.

We got home and I immediately went over to the computer desk where the printed list has been sitting for more than a month. No list. I looked through the mound of papers on the desk, on the floor by the desk, on the bookcase by the desk (OK, I’m not very organized)…still no list. I asked Hubby if he knew where the list was and his answer was “on the computer desk” so that was no help.

I made my way around the rooms of the house searching every table and shelf and drawer I could think of…again, no list. As I went from room to room, my searching became more and more frantic and I know Hubby was keeping quiet and staying out of it for good reason. Finally, after making my way through the entire house, I returned to the computer desk, sat down, and began ranting and raving. Where was that damn list?!?!?!?!

From the den, I could hear Hubby quietly trying to search the house in hopes he could save me from my lunacy by finding the list. His search was as fruitless as mine. At least I have to give him an "A" for effort…he tried.

Once I exhausted myself with my craziness, I took a deep breath, opened up the packing list file on my computer, and tried my best to reconstruct all my handwritten changes. Have I managed to remember all the additions and deletions I’d done before…who knows. I’m going to wait a day or two before emailing it just in case I remember something else I need to change.

I wish I could say this little episode will teach me to do things in a timely manner and to be a lot more organized in my “filing system.” But let's get real here...the truth is I’m a slow learner so the chances of that are slim and none.

15 comments:

Renee Nefe said...

I can't tell you how many times I've done very similar stuff. And the sad thing is, when I finally reconstruct the entire thing...the original shows up! *eyeroll*

I hope you get it all sorted out and I know you'll have an awesome trip.

the moose buyer said...

now you know why I just toss stuff in my suitcase without making lists. There is just no point because the "nobody" fairy always shows up and makes things disappear.

I have faith you will complete your goals to get everything done before you leave.

rosemary said...

I am a sticky note loser, my husband is an office-in-a-chaotic-mess loser. When all else fails I look in my purse. It will turn up after the trip.

Patti said...

It will turn up when you are not looking for it. I think it's a law of nature or something...

Carole Burant said...

Isn't it funny how something that's been sitting there for ages, suddenly disappears when you need it! It's always bound to happen!! Hopefully you can find it, it sure would save you a lot of trouble! Have a wonderful weekend my friend:-) xox

jaded said...

I've been there before or I've had the list and missed an item or two anyway.

Michele said...

Oh dear, paper hates me... it's got to be either a chalk board, or one of those white boards with the eraser pens... heh. It's up there on that board for as long as I like and then when I need it, I will transfer it to paper at the moment. It's either those ideas or have it tattooed to my butt but that probably has its limits too...

Joan said...

Renee: That's exactly what I'm hoping for...to find the list once I've created the new one.

The moose buyer: The list just gives me added confidence I haven't forgotten anything and it's worked whenever we've traveled so far.

Rosemary: Ooooo...I hadnt thought of my purse. I'm off to check it out.

Patti: I agree...it does sound like it's a given to find something when you've stopped looking.

Pea: The sad thing is I don't have any animals I can blame for this mystery. Instead, I guess I have to blame myself.

Patches: I've been pretty lucky in the past about not forgetting anything but there's always a first time.

Michele: I like your Erasable board idea. I have the perfect wall for one...right near my computer. I've seen ones that also have a bulletin board area to post paper so maybe this would be perfect. Thanks!!!

Special K ~Toni said...

Good luck!

Lynn said...

I say go back to the first place that you thought the list was...I know that it's there. Could it have fallen behind, or under, the desk?

Joan said...

Toni: I need all the luck I can get!!!

Lynn: I've looked under, behind, on top, to the side...every which way and no list. I've given up and I have a reconstructed list I'm now working on. I think I need to give a copy to Hubby for safe keeping. Whatta think???

Linda said...

Your search rather reminds me of Amanda's search through the house this morning for her Civics book which she was sure I had moved on her. After getting out of bed at 6:30 (on my day off!) to look for it with her, I gave up and told her to tell her teacher she had misplaced it and I would do a more thorough search when I got back up.

Sure enough, later that morning I managed to find it on the floor under the dining room table. How it got there is beyond me as I don't put things on the floor!

You didn't keep a copy of the list on your computer anywhere? I tend to make back-up copies to everything but then again that's probably because my writing is horrible so I type almost everything.

Watch it turn up when you get home!

Joan said...

Linda: Could you come to my house and find my list? You seem to have magic eyes...lucky Amanda!

Yes, I do have the original file on my computer but I made some handwritten changes to the printed draft which I never input. I've gone into the file and have entered the changes I can remember. Hopefully I havent forgotten any of the ones I wrote on the list. Oh well...

Lynn said...

Definitely don't give it to me for safe keeping...ha ha ha

Joan said...

Oh nuts...and here you were my second choice...after Hubby.