My bags are packed....

I'm ready to go - FINALLY.

I am the first to admit that I am a terrible packer. I always want to take EVERYTHING with me, you know, just in case. In case of what, I have no idea. But I pack an entire suitcase when I go home for a weekend, and I inevitably end up wearing one pair of old grey UofR sweats the whole time. So why should packing for a trip to NYC be any different?

I really thought I was packing light. I had laid out all my choices in my second bedroom and thought I was doing pretty good. The problem occurred when I tried to put it all in my suitcase. I soon realized there was no way I was going to get in my clothes, a couple of pairs of shoes and all my hair and make-up items. Of course, I didn't start the actual process of packing until after 5 pm yesterday (Sunday) and so there is not a bigger suitcase to be had in the entire city since EVERYTHING (including the evil genius Wal-mart) is closed for Labour Day. Something had to give.

Enter Jo. She talked me through this thing like a champ. She actually wrote down everything I had packed (bc this whole life-coaching session took place in one long distance phone call) and then told me what to dump. She barked things like "don't need that," "throw that out," "seven pairs of pants? Cut that in half!" Tough love's the best kind of love, I tells ya. But at least I've got a suitcase that closes now. For that in itself, I deserve a medal. As does Jo. And it's New York City, for gawd's sakes. If I need a pair of boot-cut dark wash jeans, a cute little top, and a pair of strappy sandals for going out on the town, I'll just buy it there.

My flight leaves at 7:30 am, I meet the girls in TO at 11ish, where we have a three hour lay-over (which I am betting will be one of the highlights of the trip given the last time I saw Whiskey was in May) and we'll be in NYC by 4ish. I think the plans are to walk down to Times Square to tell the city that we have arrived. Check out the rest of our itinerary at Flirty by Nature.

Wish me safe travels!

These are a few of my favorite things

Purple toothbrushes.

I insist on using a purple toothbrush. I'm told this is a little strange but I care not. I only buy purple toothbrushes.

Now, you might find this hard to believe, but it is not always easy to find a medium-bristle (which I also insist on using, against my dentist's advice and blessing, but my teeth just don't feel clean enough after a soft-bristle brushing) purple toothbrush. But yesterday, as I turned down the dental care aisle at Wal-mart (ugggh, I hate Wally's word and I should be rightfully mocked for venturing in on a Saturday before the new school year commences) the first toothbrush I saw was medium bristled and purple. It was perched on the shelf like the holy grail of plaque removal. Rays of light shone (is that a word?) down upon it and angels hummed a chorus of hallelujah times three. I scooped it up.

In a grand gesture of optimism, I am going to take this as a sign that things are looking up for me. NYC is going to be a great trip, 30 is going to be a fabulous year, and my overall mental stability and outlook on life is going to be restored. Yep, everything's coming up primaDonna. I know, there's a lot resting on this little puprle toothbrush, but why can't something as small as two-dollar piece of plastic be symbolic for something worth so, so much more (my happiness)? I find it kind of beautiful in its simplistic hopefullnes and come on, I need a bone here.

In othere news, apparently I have completely lost my ability to spell this morning as I have now had to look up a number of fairly straightforward words at an on-line dictionary. WTF is up with that? Must need Starbucky's....

*****

Update to the battle of the scissors post: I saw BJ yesterday and I am pleased with my hair. This, of course, is monumental for me. I look like kat von d. I think it's a good pre-NYC, pre-30 look for me.