I Won't, I Won't! Darn, I did it!.

Okay, everyone, I have a compulsive personality. One unread book is not enough. Neither is three, or five or even ten. Only piles will do. I go into a frenzy of despair if my to-be-read pile is not a mile high.

I become a mad woman at sales. I love sales. I buy, buy, buy, relishing that $50 blouse that’s on sale for $8 even if I’ll probably never wear it. Well, one day . . .

I can’t play bridge for an hour. I want to play for a day. Two days.

So what prompted all these confessions? I’m going to visit fellow blogger Lynn Kerstan and other friends this coming week. Seven days, including two days of mostly traveling. Five true whole days on the ocean. Five days of friendship. Five days of bliss. Five days of relaxation. No meetings to go to. Nothing to dress up for. Just lazy days doing fun friend stuff.

Five weeks ago, I started thinking about packing. (Anticipation is part of a joyful trip). Easy this time. Jeans. T-shirts. A pair of slacks. Two blouses. Small carry-on suitcase. I can do that. No one needs more.

Unless, of course, you have a compulsive personality. And second thoughts. Many of them. We’re going whale watching in a boat. It’s cold on the water in February. Even in San Diego. Maybe I should throw in a heavy sweatshirt and extra thick jacket. Maybe even two sweatshirts for walks on the beach. A trip to the closet reveals four favorite sweatshirts. Which one? Can’t make up my mind. I’ll take all four.

Maybe I should add my wonderfully soft bathrobe to wear while viewing a sunrise. A little thick but this trip is my great gift to myself and I want it to be perfect. In goes the robe and some thick fluffy socks. Maybe an extra pair of shoes would be good for walking. And some sandals if it warms up.

I think a larger suitcase is in order.

Okay, almost finished. New thought. What if we suddenly decide to go to a nice restaurant? Or a concert? Jeans won’t do. Perhaps I’ll throw in a nice pants suit. But then I’ll need a nicer coat . . .

There’s the bundle of cosmetics, including hair stuff. A scarf. Maybe two. And books. One book isn’t enough. Nor is two. Sigh. I know I’m not going to have time to read. This is friendship time. And I desperately need to read my work in progress on the flight to and from, but still . . . I can’t go any where without a book. Preferably three.

Oops, forgot the nuts. I promised to bring a big container of my roasted butter-soaked pecans. Can’t have those pecans without wine. In goes a wine opener. Speaking of food and drink, what if the place doesn’t have a coffee pot? Maybe I should go to Walmart and find one of those little traveling coffee pots. I can’t survive morning without ten cups of coffee. And a mug. Most certainly I must bring my favorite traveling thermal mug.

I’d better get out my largest suitcase. There’s a fifty-pound limit, isn’t there? I think I might have passed that.

I look at all the stuff on the bed. And groan. And think of my greatest real-life heroine, Libby Hall. She was president of Romance Writers of America when I first went on the national board. We hold a conference every year, and board members spend about ten days in the conference hotel. There’s a multitude of meetings, many parties and more than a few dressy events. I always dragged along the world’s biggest suitcase, and Libby would get off the plane with one carry-on. One carry-on for ten days!!!!! To this day, I marvel at that feat, and wish I could be just like her when I grow up.

One more glance at the infamously bulging suitcase. A hoodie would be a good idea . . . And the kitchen sink. What if there isn’t one where we’re staying? One must be prepared for all contingencies.

I put aside my poor little carry-on case. I don't know why I ever bought the thing. I keep telling myself I will not overpack. I won't!

My intentions are good. The execution sucks. Lynn, I hope your car is very, very big.

Now tell me about your packing adventures. Are you a Libby Hall or, alas, a Pat
Potter?

NEW BOOK ALERT

Since I will not be blogging next Saturday, I wanted to alert you that my new romantic suspense, "Catch A Shadow," will be on sale the first week in March.
Shameless promotion here: Romantic Times gave it the top rating of four and a half stars and said it wasn't to be missed. Romance Readers Today gave it a "A Perfect 10" and nominated it for best book of the year. It's all about a good deed gone terribly, terribly awry.