I'll Need A Vacation From Vacation

Approaching a vacation, certain preparations must be made. These are critical to one's peace of mind and the ability to relax and enjoy the seperation from the daily grind.

At work, one must wrap up loose ends, put finishing touches on projects, leave detailed lists of emergency procedures for your subordinates and coworkers, finalize reports and, in short, prepare for your absence, knowing that the office cannot survive without you, though hopefully they will inadequately trundle through until your return. If you are lucky, you can even straighten your desk, and do the few strategic things that will more easily launch you into the work world when your holdiay is over.

At home, one must prepare the homestead for your absence. Mail must be stopped, the newspaper suspended. The lawn should be mowed to give the appearance that you are still at home. There are arrangements for kenneling the dog, and the timers on the household lights are to be set. In order to avoid major diaster while away the thermostat must be set to keep the house at a survivable temperature, and the washing machine spigot is to be turned off to prevent an accidental bursting of the hose while no one is available to stem the problem.

And personal packing care must take place; washing and folding enough underwear and socks to get through the absence, charging phones, iPods and razors, selecting the appropriate wardrobe items to get you through any weather (and dining) eventuality. Toiletries must be replentished and packed, shoes polished, and diversionary reading materials found.

I've done none of this.

I'll be up late tonight.

I hope I don't have first duty driving the RV.

Ken