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Good-bye, Seattle! Till we meet again…

I’m sitting here in my Seattle hotel room with my coffee and my laptop, looking out my window as morning dawns over the city.

Seattle-at-dawn

I have such mixed emotions at the end of a trip like this. I’m enjoying these last quiet moments to myself, dreading a long day of travel and yet eager to get home and hug my kids and my husband. And yet I know the next couple of days are going to be a scramble to get myself turned around and ready for my next destination.

I have a running mental list of everything I need to accomplish in the next two days, including making time to enjoy my family and reconnect before I leave again. I’m not sure how I’m going to make it happen but I’m sure I will.

I do not recommend planning two business trips back to back like this. It couldn’t really be avoided this time, and I know everyone will be just fine when all is said and done, but it hurts my heart to leave my babies again so soon. Little R has the hardest time with me leaving her, and I know she’s old enough to really get it. I have memories of my mom leaving on a business trip when I was about her age, and I know my dad did everything he could to fill in for her, but our home just wasn’t the same without her maternal presence. Those feelings haunt me when I’m away from my kids.

In more practical matters, my mind has been churning all night long trying to figure out how I’m going to get everything home with me. I literally woke up from a dream where I was arranging and rearranging my suitcase like a puzzle. In addition to the food I bought at Pike Place Market, I ended up meandering down to Nordstrom yesterday and did some, um, early Christmas shopping. Yeah, let’s go with that for now.

I hate how strict the airplane regulations are. I could easily get my wares home with 2 smallish shopping bags in addition to my slender laptop bag and still not take up as much room in the overhead compartment as those small suitcases everyone seems determined to carry with them on board. I might try it and see if I can get away with it. But if someone makes me trash $65 worth of meat and cheese I will throw a holy fit. Is it worth the chance? I don’t know. I used to be able to get away with that but they’re much stricter now.

Yes, these are what we like to call first world problems, and I am grateful that I have nothing more pressing to stress over at this moment.

Overall this has been a great trip. I’ve met some lovely people, feasted on good food and wine, and gotten re-acquainted with this charming Northwestern town. Seattle is definitely one of my favorite places to visit. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend you put it on your short list.

Till next time . . .

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4 Responses

  1. Ack — I know the dreaded packing nightmare all too well. I’m a lean mean packing machine, carryon only, any time we travel – and I do great on the way out. On the way home, on the other hand… let’s just say that I like to shop. 😉 I finally bought a very compact bag (the Coach Packable Weekender) that takes up very little space & packs into my carryon, so I have it available for overflow. I don’t always use it, but it’s good to have it along. And as long as you don’t overstuff it, you can make it fit carryon guidelines, even for the stricter European airlines.

    Have fun on the next trip!

  2. I was flying back to the Midwest from CA the same time it appears you were from WA….wondered if we crossed in the air. Ha! Just can’t believe how many posts you have done since I was vacationing ‘off the check my favorite blogs’ grid. I am cracking up at how much reading i have to do now. Love the fall outfits recently. I have found myself employing several of your accessory recommendations lately too. Enjoy Costa Rica. Hopefully one day I will get caught up on your posts. Also looking for Halloween ideas for my 8 year old!

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