Preparing To Pack

Counting down the days until our trip east.  Over the weekend, L treated me to a little shopping spree and I was able to find the perfect (I hope) jacket to go with my dress for the wedding. The reason I say "I hope" is because the dress is being altered (hem taken up) and I wasn't able to try the two together.  So.... as usual I'm flying by the seat of my pants.  It definitely keeps things interesting - I'm never quite sure how things are going to work out but I'm reasonably sure everything will go together.  Picture this, if you will: a plum colored jersey dress, straight cut sheath with a cowl neckline (my least favorite neckline...)  It's sort of snug fitting (not on purpose, I assure you) so this jacket will go over it, and help to camouflage the unpleasant realities of getting older:

ahhh... if only I looked like that in it....

Now - the silly cowl neckline is sort of like it's own necklace, so I'm not going to try and fight with any kind of necklace.  Instead, I got these earrings to wear instead:

I think that will be jewelry enough, don't you?  Add some little gold sandals with rhinestone buckles and you have the outfit.  Now, before the wedding we are supposed to meet at a park for pictures in about 55 degree weather.  If I get through that it will be a miracle.  I don't have any kind of coat that will work with the dress AND jacket - or even just the dress for that matter.  In California we just don't have a lot of call for dressy warm coats.  GAH - I'm not sure what to do there, but I won't last long out in the cold.  If you think of me at around 4pm on Saturday, send up a little prayer that the sun will come out.  Either that, or that it rains, and then the picture taking will HAVE to move indoors.  

From there we all hop into taxis and head to the cute little bookstore where the ceremony will be held for more picture taking and then (FINALLY) the ceremony and reception.  And hopefully some good food. Tim and Autumn have been sending email after email with updates on the festivities, so their energy is in high gear.  I'm excited to share pictures of everything with all of you.  New York at this time of year is so much fun.  

And then, of course, its on to Boston (or actually Worcester, pronounced "Woos-tah") and trick or treating and tons of fun with Mia and Hayden.  Oh, and Katie too.  And maybe Zach, if he's around.  You never know with young doctors.

So today it was laundry day, and tomorrow I need to start organizing the clothes I'm taking so I'm not up all night on Wednesday packing in a panic.  THAT is my usual M.O., throwing things in a suitcase in sheer desperation and exhaustion.  And there's always waaaaay too much thrown in.

Another thing I'm excited about is being able to wear boots and sweaters everywhere except the rehearsal dinner and wedding.  I love the coziness of crisp fall days paired with comfy warm clothes.  It's going to be a quick trip - a total whirlwind - but it's going to be lots of fun.  I'm even going to take my work laptop with me to try and fit in a little work here and there.  In my case, every hour is billable.  So, a little work, a lotta play.  It's going to be a great trip, chock full of family time and memories.  And, if I'm lucky - maybe someone will share some M&M's with Mema.