I’m The Decider

Beach Bow Tie o’ the Day is helping me write my list of things to pack for our upcoming vacation. It’s over a week away, but I usually get out my suitcase early and put things in it as I think of them. Doing it that way guarantees that I don’t forget anything, cuz if I don’t have to pack at the last minute, I don’t have to worry about remembering everything at one time. Yes, I’m writing my list, but y’all know you don’t remember everything as you’re jotting down the list. And every time you do remember something to add to it, you can’t find the list. I’m sure I’m not the only one who does this.

I always carry a notebook, even on vacation. Okay. I admit it. I usually carry two or 3. I must have a teeny one that fits in my back pocket, for making quick notes. I have a regular-size legal pad somewhere near me at all times at home or in whatever vehicle I’m driving– or in my suitcase if I’m on vacation. I also carry a mid-size notebook that fits in a small purse-size leather bag I carry.  I call that one my “in-case” notebook– for in case something happens to the other two. And I usually pack around a half-dozen pens– all the same kind. Bic Velocity Bold. [If I were to write my packing list in a notebook, I’d still lose it. I wouldn’t remember which notebook I wrote it in.]

My notebooks are really what most people refer to as “journals,” but for some reason, I’ve never liked that name. “Journal” makes it sound like a stuffy, arrogant notebook that thinks it’s better than other types of notebooks. I do not participate in snootiness if I can help it.

Suzanne always drags along a slew of her notebooks and office products too. Beginning with this vacation, I am starting a tradition. I have designated myself The Chooser o’ Vacation Notebooks. This trip deserves a fresh notebook.

I chose these to be our main notebooks. Mine’s the one with the Emerson quote. Suzanne gets the one with the stitched suitcase. Yes, the suitcase lines truly are stitched. To me, it’s just Suzanne-y. I think she’ll like it when she sees it. If she does like it, that pretty much guarantees the tradition of vacation notebooks will continue. And then I will remain The Chooser o’ Vacation Notebooks– a job I will savor and will take damn seriously. Plus, its title sounds so important.