Back in the days Before Autumn, we used to be able to easily visit a set of parents. We used to be able to join friends for dinner at any restaurant we chose. We used to be able to go shopping on a whim. Now we don't go anywhere on a whim. And when we do go somewhere, it looks like we're preparing for a natural disaster with all the stuff we take with us.
When we go away for the weekend, we sometimes try and usually fail to have the car ready so we can leave immediately after driving home from work. Even if we manage to get 90 percent of our items into the car, we often have to grab a cooler, fill it with whole milk, yogurt and other Autumn-approved food that might not be at our destination.
We have to grab the Pack’n Play for her to sleep in, a stroller of some sort and a little portable booster seat. There’s a bag of diapers, a box of wipes, butt cream, sippy cups, toys, board books, cloth bibs, disposable bibs, disposable placemats, clothes for sleep, clothes for play, clothes in case she drools or leaks out of her diaper, noise machine which plays “ocean” all night long, her blanket, shampoo, Bear in the Big Blue House DVD and CDs full of music. Sometimes there’s bubbles, sand pails and a toy mower stuffed in there, too.
And then, after we’ve packed the car full of her things, Keith and I need to find room for our own bags. I’ve found that when I want to squeeze in some knitting, often I’m literally squeezing it into the car. Sometimes I think we’re lucky if the door shuts.
This weekend we have an extra challenge. We’re heading down to a family reunion and a graduation party for my niece this evening. So in the car I have a case of water, some books to lend to my sister and some paint-with-water books I picked up for someone else. I still need to add my sister-in-law’s birthday gift and some a pack of water balloons I have stashed away.
I’m not sure how much room will be left after all of that. So if you see someone driving down I-86 this evening with their husband strapped to the roof of the car, feel free to honk and wave at me.