I’m a planner. I think maybe in another life I might enjoy being an event planner. I love to have an event in front of me and break it down into a sequence of tasks to complete. Right now I have about ten lists going before we leave next week:

• A list of things to do before we leave
• A final checklist of preparations to be made for the sitter (where to place the carseats, what’s for lunch, different money envelopes, etc….)
• Separate lists for the sitter, my sister, and Chris’ parents (all those involved in childcare)
• A mental list of everything to pack for the girls
• A written list of items to pack for me
• A grocery list
• A strategic order for cleaning the house to create the best chances for it to still be clean by midweek

Tuesday I cleaned up after our mutant goldfish (seriously, one is six inches long at least), so they would be looking spiffy and fresh for our houseguests. Yesterday I made extra keys and carried them to an undisclosed location (in case anyone has a mishap while we’re away) and tonight I cooked (and froze) lunch for the sitter and the girls for next week. I’m keeping all clothes washed and have instated the don’t-wear-anything-you-plan-to-pack rule at this point, and we’re still about a week out.

What’s interesting to me is that this is not my normal MO; I am generally not supermotivated and efficient at the same time. But give me a trip or a party to plan, and my challenge becomes to avoid stress at the last minute by executing a well-designed plan over a matter of days or weeks. Wish that transferred into other areas of my life as well. Too bad planning a trip to the grocery store doesn’t elicit the same level of brain power.

Can you think of anything I may be forgettin’ in my master plan?

Not sure what’s up with the A-Team quotes I got goin’.

Anybody know how long goldfish live? We’re 13 months and counting…