7 Quick Takes {Take 82} On a jet plane to the CNMC! edition...

Well, away I'm about to go, and I'm all atwitter with excitement and nervous energy. How has my trip preparation process been going, you ask?

-1- My video post yesterday really put me in a happily excited place...

I purposely waited until Thursday this week to record my video post so that I could capture my in-the-moment feelings of joy and nervousness about my trip. I really enjoyed recording this week's post, and each week I can see myself growing more and more comfortable with this new use of media. Loving it! The video really made my trip seem real and HERE. Subsequently, I moved into full-on packing and preparation mode. But then...

-2- I promptly forgot to do a bunch of things :0

My memory, always somewhat overloaded because I'm an introvert and have lots of conversations with myself in my own head, is even worse than usual. I was so preoccupied with my packing list that I forgot to bring in honey for my work tea cabinet for the fifth time this week (as an aside, Mike always snorts when he sees "WORK HONEY" on the grocery list), and also to check-in with the airline this morning to retrieve my boarding pass.

#typical

-3- But I did pack a bag! Mostly

Last night while Anne "helped," I stuffed some clothes and other necessities into my cute new orange carry-on bag. It all fit! Kinda. It's not like I need a lot of stuff, but I like to have outfit options depending upon the weather and other factors. It's complicated! Other women will understand this phenomenon. ;-) But I was encouraged that everything was able to be maneuvered into my new bag. I just have to manage to not forget the things that I still need to use until I leave. #challengeoftheday

-4- Of key importance whenever I travel by air...

Kindle. Knitting. Phone loaded with podcasts. That's all I need right there, and I'm a happy girl. I can't use two of these items (Kindle and knitting) when I travel by car because I get motion sickness. Lovely, aren't you glad that you know that? But one of (the few ;-)) perks in my mind of traveling by air is that I do not experience motion sickness. Usually. As long as the plane is big enough it doesn't seem to bother me. And so long as I have those distractions I am content. And we can all breathe a sigh of relief when THAT happens.

-5- But alcohol also helps...

...and it doesn't matter what time of the day it is. I'm just SAYING. I'm a nervous flyer, and even if it should be 9 in the morning, a little Bailey's in the coffee never hurt anybody. I defy you to find fault with this logic. ;-)

-6- I am going to miss my babies. :-\

Anne in particular has been very emotional about me going away.

"Mommy, I don't want you to leave!! Can't I come too?!"

You know, real tear-your-heart-out stuff. I always feel terrible leaving, but I do it so rarely, I know I shouldn't feel guilty. And of course, I always assure about how I'm coming right back. But it doesn't make the heart sickness any easier.

Henry is pretty laid back about such things, but he's 9 now, so that's to be expected. And he's such a reserved kid (the apple doesn't fall far from the tree...) that his idea of showing how much he'll miss me is to wave from safely across the room. He'll be fine. But I worry about Anne, since she's so much littler.

*sniffles*

-7- But all that aside, I'm planning on reveling in the joy and fellowship, and just having a GREAT time!

If you're going to be in Atlanta this weekend, I cannot WAIT to meet you! What a wonderful opportunity for friendship and spiritual nourishment we have, and I plan to not waste a second of it. Much revelry to come!

I will write up a full recap early next week, I promise. I'm not getting back until Monday, so I won't talk to the rest of you until Tuesday, but I'll be burning up Twitter with my chatter, I'm sure, so follow me on there if you want all of the minute details. ;-) Otherwise, I'll talk to you Tuesday! May God bless you!

Check out more 7 Quick Takes over at This Ain't the Lyceum. :)