Written April 20, 2025
Hello, Dear Readers,
Today’s grand mission? Mastering the delicate art of pre-trip planning. My wife and I are heading out next weekend to visit my father, and while it’s not a cross-continental journey, it does require some finesse to adjust our usual routines. Because let’s face it—life doesn’t hit pause just because we want to hit the road.
First hurdle: the water delivery. It dawned on us a few days ago (with a dramatic gasp, I might add) that the giant jugs of water we rely on to survive modern life are due to arrive on Friday… exactly when we’ll be somewhere between “Did we forget the charger?” and “How many snacks is too many?” So we’ve decided to leave our empty bottles out and hope the new ones are dutifully dropped off and patiently wait for us on the porch. Risky? Slightly. But what’s life without a little suspense?
My wife, not one to let a logistical slip go without commentary, pointed out that we could’ve just scheduled an extra delivery last time. She’s vowed to keep closer tabs on the calendar next round. I’ve learned that when she says “next time,” it means she’s got a spreadsheet in the works already.
Now let’s talk about running—which, for once, I will not be doing. Since we’re leaving early Friday, there’s really no room to squeeze in a jog unless I magically become the kind of person who wakes up at 4 a.m. (Spoiler: I’m not.) My wife, ever the cardio queen, plans to get her miles in at 5:30 a.m. before we hit the road. Me? I’ll skip Friday and Saturday and deal with the existential guilt later.
Sure, I could bring my gear and run at my dad’s place, but that would mean more packing, less relaxing, and a whole lot of “Where do I go without getting lost or chased by geese?” I’ll probably consult my wife for a second opinion, but I suspect she’ll say something practical, like “Just enjoy the visit.”
As if water and workouts weren’t enough, my kombucha schedule is also feeling the ripple effects. I normally bottle on Friday nights, but unless the SCOBY wants to join us on the road (which, frankly, I’m not emotionally prepared for), that plan’s out. Thankfully, we’re close to the off-week in my brewing cycle, and since we won’t be home to drink it anyway, skipping this round feels like the least dramatic choice I’ve made all week.
With our routines more or less intact and the major chaos accounted for, it looks like this trip won’t throw our entire system off balance. A few tweaks here and there, and we’re good. Of course, I still have that sneaky suspicion I’m forgetting something… but isn’t that part of the pre-trip charm?