Bit by bit, I’m getting ready for the cruise.

I’ve ordered plenty of books to read and a class to try to do, although I’m not really optimistic about getting much done on that. It will be my last-ditch entertainment if the ocean days turn out to be that boring. A cruise is about having fun and relaxing, after all.

I’ve got my work situation settled, although I have to go in the hole on vacation hours and therefore won’t have any days off for the rest of the summer, and after I hoarded for months for the other company. I have bug spray and binoculars. I put extra film in my good camera case. Marci gave me some fancy new brown eye shadows and I bought an unexpired mascara.

I bought a paper journal to work on, that has a nicely textured cover to entice me. I have half of my clothes packed and I’m wishing we could bring more suitcases. I do like to be prepared, and you never know when you’re going to want your good cowboy boots. I’m a little torn between bringing the cowboy boots or the hiking boots, which will probably be more practical on things like boats and glaciers, but less stylish around town. I don’t think I’ll have room for both.

I suspect the suitcases I do get to bring will be bulging—I’m already thinking about dumping the briefcase with the class in it.

Email me your addresses, and I’ll send you a postcard—ooh, I need stamps!

I think I like the preparing as much as anything.