Thank-fully DONE!

In 2 1/2 hours, we have Turkey Day lift off.  The official start to Thanksgiving 2010.  Travelers from faraway lands -- well, most likely neighboring states -- will unload their coolers bearing favorite pies and savory side dishes, and disgorge their mini-vans of children and suitcases, all in the name of gathering together for family, festivity, food, and fun . . . not to mention varying degrees of friendly friction.  Cooks will collaborate on buttery mashed potatoes and disagree on the proper way to chop green onions for dressing.  As my own history can attest, there will be copious amounts of laughter with tears of punctuation.  Legends will take shape to passed down in years yet to come, from table to table, in fine oral tradition.  "Pumpkin pie is so-o-o-o romantic!" will live long in my heart, courtesy of oldest brother, Kevin.

For me, tomorrow will start with a 3AM alarm, followed by a 4AM car ride to Nashville's airport for a 6AM flight on Southwest that which whisk me away to DIA in Denver, Colorado.  The Starbuck's on the other side of security -- can you say 'full-body scan' without a serving of 'pat down?' -- had better be open for business because there's a tall extra-shot soy latte with my name on it!  Brother Mark is hosting the meal at his family home; Sister Laurel will also be there.  I can't recall when last I shared a holiday with my older siblings, or Side A of the record as I like to call them.  Good stuff!

I must be turning over some kind of new leaf, or at least flipping the old leaf: it's not even midnight, and I am totally packed.  Completely.  My two bags weighed to ensure they don't cross the 50-pound free threshold.  (I asked my husband to step on the scale as doing so myself could cloud my mood right before a trip!)  Clothes laid out.  Push-ups executed.  Last-minute laundry dried.  Balancing cold weather choices with milder weather pieces.  Birthday gift items for Rebekah's 40th cushioned.  Riding boots polished.  My apron is making the journey in the spirit of joining right in.  Did I mention that I even squeezed in a quick session, as quick as it can be anyway, of biscotti-making?  THAT'S packed, too.  Can't arrive empty-handed. 

I opted out of a few extra-curricular activities which always seem to trip me up and add time to the equation, including balancing the checkbook with the latest statement and receipts.  It'll still be there, waiting for my calculations by pink pen, upon my return.  I did water two non-flowering African violets, but I did NOT repot or rearrange any plants: I can conjure up two pre-trip scenarios where I was up to my elbows in potting soil out on the back patio AFTER the stroke of 12AM whilst all the normal people in the house were heavily sawing logs.  Oh, and I ditched the genius idea of yesterday concerning a dog brush, scissors, and our double-layered heavily-furred Husky-mix.  However, in the spirit of admission, I will cop to drying a batch of the sourdough bread cubes for Ashley as she does not realize how long it takes to deplete moisture from several different loaves.  

Beginning the process upon waking this morning takes partial credit for this remarkable feat -- the filling of mini toiletry bottles, the gathering of socks and undies, the counting of lysine and calcium caplets, the crucial commandeering of my husband's Neti pot.  It's liberating to realize there's nothing left to be accomplished other than this blog entry.  Usually, I'm rolling the last t-shirt or tucking the final cotton ball at 2 or 3AM.  Tonight, my final act was to quickly chew through two cups of raw spinach while chatting with my kids.  That was 10PM.   Hey, my day was such a blur that I forgot to eat any vegetables.  It didn't feel right.  Yes, I realize it's all a bit OCD, but I consider myself to have come a lo-ong way, baby!

My brain is fried.  My body is fatigued.  But I'm excited.  I'm counting on adrenaline to get me good piece down the way on the morrow.  Until then, let's see if it's possible to achieve 3 hours of sleep.

What rituals does everyone else practice in preparation for a trip?  I'm interested to know.