It's a good thing I don't have to groom dogs before this weekend's agility trials. I'm leaving in 24 hours and haven't packed a thing.
Not one single thing. Not one sock. Not one treat. Phoenix is very concerned.
Nothing. Nada. Zippo.
I've barely moved into R2 and this weekend will be the first official agility trial road trip of his career.
I'm woefully unprepared.
I'm usually a very organized person. I get things done ahead of time. I meet deadlines. I never leave things to the last minute. I was born this way. Seriously. I was the annoying kid in school who always turned in papers or projects on time. No wonder I ended up at a newspaper where days are defined by deadlines.
But I don't have a freaking clue what clothes to take for this weekend, let alone have them actually put in a bag along with dog food, bowls, extra shoes, a sheet for the bed at the motel, toys to keep Phoenix amused at the motel (his main toy, Jamie, is staying home), a book to keep me amused at the motel, medicine, bottled water, snacks, more snacks and 101 other things that are vital for an agility weekend.
It's that awkward time of year when it's not really cold but it's not really warm either. Looks like it's going to rain almost every day. The arena is basically unheated and it's often colder inside than it is outside. I'll be chilly sitting in the bleachers and sweaty when I come off the course. This means taking multiple layers to be shed and added at will.
I tried packing last weekend. That didn't work. The forecast changed. Then it changed again. I got tired of shuffling clothes from Pile A to Pile B and back again.
In the past, I would remedy this situation by taking enough stuff for every possible weather contingency: short sleeves, long sleeves, thermal sleeves, turtlenecks, wind pants, long underwear, jeans, vests, rain coat, parka, light jacket, fleece jacket, ear muffs, scarves, gloves, etc. This is the easiest answer.
But my theme for this year is downsizing and my goal is to pack what I realistically might need and quit taking everything dang thing I own when I travel. Makes hauling in and out of the motel and show site a lot easier. Besides, Michele is going to be at this trial so I feel confident if there's anything I need but forgot, she'll have it.
If not, there's always Wal-Mart.
The comment about Michele is right on!!! My very first trial I forgot something (not sure what it was now) but Sheryl told me to find "Lovey" as in Gilligan's Island as she would have ANYTHING/EVERYTHING anyone may have forgotten. She was right.
ReplyDeleteThe last line says it all, there IS ALWAYS a Wal-Mart! Good luck at your trial, we are showing in one too but not on dirt. Stay clean, :-).
ReplyDeleteI remember one Gordon Setter national in May in southern Ohio where the weather turned unexpectedly COLD. Everyone was outside watching Best of Breed wrapped in the hotel blankets, except for the folks who hunted with their Gordons, they still had all their winter gear in their cars. Wish someone had taken a picture of the spectators. Yellow blankets & dirty hunting coats. Lovely :-)
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