Monday Musings- The long and short of it
I hope you’re having a lovely long weekend. I spent eleven hours behind the wheel on Saturday, and six on Sunday…so we’re now home in California. We are safe but not unscathed. My laptop seems to have taken a nasty hit somewhere along the way home and the screen is unusable so this is being written with my phone. I’m going to Best Buy today to see if the laptop is salvageable.
Checking Out
Our long drive home from Vancouver to California was longer than ever this time. We checked out of our summer rental on the last day of August and had to stay one extra day to tie up some loose ends… so we checked into a hotel. The following morning we loaded up the car and crossed the border. Three hours later the hotel called to let us know we had left four bags in the closet. My suitcases! I flipped out. Yup. Me, not calm.
Much to my husband’s frustration, I got off at the next exit and turned around to get them. He insisted we could have them shipped, but since it was all my stuff, I wouldn’t hear of it. And since I was driving, that was that. That meant six wasted hours on the road and two cranky, exhausted adults. We ended up staying that night in the same hotel, before leaving for home.
How did I screw up so badly? We had so many suitcases and boxes clogging that hotel room, that I had “very tidily put three of my bags into the closet…and closed the door. When the bellman showed up, I was rushed, and unorganized and didn’t notice my bags didn’t make it into the back of the car. The funny thing is, I’d checked under the bed and both bedside tables before we left because I’m neurotic about ensuring I don’t leave things behind. HA!
There is more to this story, but I can’t write it from my phone like this…so stay tuned!
Anti-aging Skincare
I do want to share that I turned down yet another collaboration with a brand that uses the term anti-aging to describe their skin products. I know the SEO is great for the word anti-aging, but at what cost to the women to whom the ads are directed? Does it belittle the aging process? How do you feel about the term? Does it roll off your back? Does it bother you? Let’s peel the onion back on this one, ladies.
I buy a lot of things on Amazon and some turn out to be treasures way better than I expected. What is your best Amazon find? I’d love to hear your favorite.
I feel your pain. Once I am in the car all I want is to reach my destination. To have to go back 3 hours was a decision I would have made also but not without much frustration. So sorry!
Traveling can be difficult: don’t beat yourself up! I’m so sorry you experienced all these problems. Try to take some time to relax and rewind before you launch into the rigors of work.
Sincerely,
Suzanne
Oh no, what a way to end your trip! I hope your laptop is fixable. As for the “anti-aging” phrase, I detest it and think it’s insulting and will not buy products that use it.
That’s how I am about the phrase too.
I would have freaked out and turned around too if my bags were left behind. I think my husband would just resign himself to that one. I kind of tune out to the whole anti aging thing. There are so many products out there, it gets overwhelming. I do the best I can. Glad you’re home safe 🌼
Thanks Rosemary. He argued for a few (many) miles but I was determined.
Rough start to your trip home. Happy it all played out well and you are both well and happy. Happy Labour Day!
Same to you!
I left my pocketbook in Florida at my in-laws. It had everything in there my license, glasses a bunch of the kids stuff.
My in-laws noticed it and shipped it to me by UPS and I received it the day after we arrived home.
It’s tough to be without all your stuff.
Wow, what a nightmare for you! Glad you made it home safe!
When I hear the term “anti aging” it turns me off completely. There is nothing that stops aging. It’s a false claim.
Don’t be so hard on yourself about the suitcases! When things happen to upend our plans, it’s normal to forget things or make mistakes. Even though it made for a long trip, at least your belongings weren’t lost.
Love those glasses, btw.
Exactly! I’ll try to look on the bright side. I have them.
Had to read the first 2 paragraphs of your blog today to my husband. His response was, “I wouldn’t tell anybody”. I said, “You were brave”. Sure made us just shake our head. A little scarey. That sure was one you will never forget. Let’s hope the rest of September goes better.
Happy Sept!
Jennifer, I hate that you folks had such a time getting home! That’s a lot of driving!! I would have turned around too!
The term anti-aging doesn’t really bother me. But then, I’m not publicly endorsing something either. I might feel differently in your position.
I’m all for aging and love every birthday I have!!
Hope you get your laptop back in great shape! Thanks for your emails!
I can relate to this. Many years ago my husband, 8 year old son and I were driving for vacation from southern New Jersey to the Outer Banks NC. We visited St Michael’s MD and spent our first day there had dinner and continued to drive another hour south to our hotel. We were tired but when my husband opened the trunk to get our luggage there was none. My husband was going to drive home alone but my son wanted to go with his daddy and I didn’t want to be alone so away we all went into the night back to NJ and then back south to our hotel. We still laugh about this today and it definitely made a lifetime memory. It wasn’t funny at the time but it was an adventure.
That’s a great story!
Oh how wild! I hope the second trip was far less eventful.
Not too exciting, but I just ordered my third pair of Casabella dishwashing gloves on Amazon. They hold up better than other brands I’ve tried. Each pair lasts a good six months before the fingertips begin to get a bit tacky/sticky.
Thanks! Sometimes the best finds aren’t fancy, just great.
I somehow left a new pair of jeans on my last trip and swear I checked everywhere!! A memory for later years!!!
Yes!!
Oh Jennifer- this story awakened me to being more careful when packing up and leaving anywhere- I can be careless and forgetful when hurried along by you-know-who. I did lose a small bag of my makeup ( not the skin care products thankfully!). I just picked up some drug store makeup for the two/ three days away. Nothing compared to your experience! Yikes!
On Amazon I don’t purchase wearables usually- books are my go/to and my gluten free biscotti. I think they are baked in Brooklyn NY!
Gluten free biscotti sounds wonderful.
Oh, Jennifer. I felt your frustration just reading about the bags left behind. Ouch!
Honestly, I’ve never been bothered by the term “anti aging,” but upon reflection, can understand why some are. What I am truly bothered by is featuring these products on a 22 year old model. Or, the claims to “get ahead” of the aging process. Let me give these young users some truth.
The only option to avoid aging is one they don’t want.
On the bright side, kudos to Lancôme for featuring Isabella Rossellini at age 72.
Yes!
Leaving possessions behind happens to all of us. So glad you’re home safe, Jennifer.
I hadn’t thought about the product description “anti-aging.” I’m going to do a little research, which I started by googling “offensive women’s product descriptions.” There’s a lot to think about! Thank you!
Great way to research! Google must have had fun with that one.
Wow, unfortunate turn of events but as all readers have noted—glad it’s over and that you arrived safely at home. I really despise the anti aging thing. My dearly beloved mom used to talk about how she wasn’t going to age gracefully. She was relentless pursuing the right weight, clothes, beauty products to maintain her appearance. She’s been gone 13 years now. I’m 62 and I’m sure she is in heaven enjoying that I have not going down that path…or at least I don’t let it bother me to that extent. I believe we honor our loved ones by building on what they gave us. It doesn’t mean we have to completely emulate them to show love and appreciation. My favorite Amazon purchase is 5% lidocaine “numbing” cream. Helps with the aches and pains of daily life and doesn’t smell weird.
Thanks for sharing, Michele 🙂
The anti-aging phrase doesn’t bother me. It is a fact that we age and a fact that some of the signs of aging are not attractive. I try to improve them. It’s like wearing a bra. At 65 and after 3 pregnancies I need a very supportive bra! I have 65 year old skin that grew up in the age before sunscreen. I need to help that skin!
We were once at a Florida hotel, having driven in from a snowy state, and the room had so many closets I put all our winter coats in spare closet. At check out, we packed up in the garage and I got a phone call from a strange number. Fortunately, I picked up an it was the hotel! The cleaning crew had found all our coats in the closet! So we had them for our next destination, where we would need them. So thankful we didn’t need to turn around. But we have been in a situation similar to yours ( but with a staged car to share a commute). It will become part of your family stories!!
Good thing you were driving! Can’t wait to hear the rest of the story.
Happy Monday, Jennifer.
Happy Monday Bea!
Girl. I think that tops all the crazy things I’ve left behind! And OMG 3 hours. I think I would have done the same thing – drive back, stay overnight, start again the next day. That’s crazy! I hope it’s good to be home.
It is good to be home! Exhausted but here.