that Carly Simon song

The anticipation leading up to a trip like this is mighty. The world is SWIRLING around us -
The kids are finished with their exams and K is involved in a huge project at work.

I have been sure that something was going to go wrong, and things have.
The airline informed us that they no longer fly to our island retreat on Fridays -
and so we leave Saturday morning, at 4.
(Actually they didn't inform us at all, they sent an adjusted itinerary, different by 6 minutes, and left it to us to see that we were only making half the journey.)
I calmed down for a couple of weeks, and yesterday K was putting our passports in his passport case when he noticed a bad thing.
His passport had expired four months ago.
He spent quite a long time on the phone with the Tuvalan Ministry of Travel, and has two appointments at the embassy, and paid $120 and it still isn't renewed. Hopefully today.




Our vacation house is the one with the orange roof.

I've been pressing, packing and making lists like a crazy woman.
I know it seems nutty to press things like shorts and tee shirts, but I hate it when I look at the kids in the morning while on vacation and their clothes are all rumpled.
And though we aren't going anywhere (this is a resting vacation) I want them to look tidy.

I've ordered groceries.
Vida is set to make us flying fish, macaroni pie, coconut bread and pumpkin fritters. I still need to ask her for orange cake.
Then she will give me a shopping list and we will do a big shop for the week.


The fish market has blue roofs.

Today I will take the boys to a book store. We don't really watch television when we go away and I know they will want to curl up with some reading in the evening.
I am going to stop at Old Navy and see if I can get a couple of pairs of shorts. I only own two pair and one of them sits above my navel - outdated I think...

K has sent me a link to the weather for the island and there are strong chances for rain towards the end of the week and I am hoping it doesn't affect our trip.
But at this point I feel like I'd go to the beach anyway.


Our favorite beach.

The owner of the house wrote to me yesterday to remind me which staff members will make appearances and when -
a man for the pool
a gardener
Etheline...
he also mentioned that the house has internet service.

We will soon see.

Here, for show and tell, is my luggage -
in various stages of readiness.


I know EVERYTHING that's in that pile - and where it goes.


A stack of antique suitcases in my room. Not going.


A rolling bag borrowed from my pal M.


The KING of luggage. One of two Orvis duffel bags. Guaranteed for life, they have proven to be real workhorses - and Orvis has proved to be true to their word and have done repairs on them free of charge.