Vacation - less than 8 hours away

I should be asleep, but it just seems so early to go to bed. I have to drive the first leg tomorrow and then probably the majority of the driving. I don't mind driving. In fact, if it gets me away from Pittsburgh quicker, I'm game!

I so need this vacation. There are things that always drive me to need vacation more and more -- and mostly it is work and exposure to my sister. Last year was just too much about her and her wedding. This year, you would think that my sister wouldn't be driving me to go on vacation. Well, she is. She has plans and expects me to change things to fit them.

So for my birthday, that I don't even want to celebrate, she wants to do a "girlie-day" -- her words and then when my mom questioned it, she back-pedaled some. She wants to spend the day with girls. At least it is escaping from The Hanging Chad, but still... I have to come up with something that will get my friend geeka to come along, my mom can do... and I won't fight with my sister.

How about laser tag?

Well, the next post will be completed by me... somewhere not in PA. Yeah! It's time to get out of here.

But I'll miss my Katie-dog.

9 Days

I have nine days until vacation. I'm not gloating or anything. But I am using that day countdown as a trigger to remember all the things that I have to do -- for work and for home -- before I go. One of the most important things for me to figure out? I need to find out how to post with my blackberry to my blog. Some would think that I'm slightly insane for worrying about that - but I'm not. I have a reason behind this.

Each night, before I turn it in and go to sleep, I spend at least an hour on the computer. It gives my brain some time to wind down and to get into the sleeping mode. Some would suggest that reading a book may do the same thing, but usually reading a book takes longer. I'll have books along on vacation too -- but since my mom likes a lot of "laid back days" on vacation (translation: Read books all day on the deck of the Condo), I can't rely upon books at night. So, if I spend some time posting to the blog, my friends can know what is up - if I have seen any yummy eye candy, what crazy idea my mom has come up with or realize how much I need to find a way to have a vacation WITHOUT my mom.

But now I'm off track. I have the quick list of tasks that need to be done before the trip. Some of them are really, really important.

1. Work - Yep. Got a ton of it. Not all of it is going to get done. Most of it is out of my control.
2. PJ's - I need a matching pair. I always manage to get the bottoms ripped or the shirt shrunk. I always try to vacation with a new sleeping outfit. Sometimes it will make it a month.
3. Car stuff -- not just the travel candy and cleaning the car out. I have to get new wipers and a light. I've been saying this now for over a month. But I REALLY have to do it now.
4. Music - I've been all over the place with music. I've been holding off on the new Joss Stone. I've been all over this British kick over at last.fm.
5. Music Playlist for the Car -- Yeah, I don't like to play System of A Down with mom in the car. Got to make safe play lists for the iPod.
6. Headbands -- my hair is driving me nuts. Its long but short.

Well, I feel almost guilty for not attacking the "Work" list -- but I'm really tired of the 45+ hour weeks -- where I'm not where near getting paid for the extra hours. I usually don't brustle too much about it, but this is what happens near vacation time.