Packed to go

[susandennis]

I just mailed off my box to Mom's for Thanksgiving.

I go visit Mom twice a year. In May and at Thanksgiving. I have done this since Daddy died in 1999. She lives in a retirement place that is relatively formal. I wear clothes that are a lot more dressy than I would ever wear in Seattle. Plus it is very warm there... In addition to the general warmth of the coastal South Carolina region, her apartment is old-lady hot. So it's not like I need sweaters or even socks when just hanging out.

Several years ago, I realized as I was packing up to come home, that it was really silly to be taking the same clothes back and forth. I never wore my Charleston clothes in Seattle and never wore my Seattle clothes in Charleston. So I left the Charleston clothes there along with most everything else like toothbrush and hairbrush. Now when I go see Mom, I grab my purse and go.

Usually, though there are a few extras and these I mail. Today I mailed myself a box that had SpaceNoodles for the trust officers at the bank and the woman who always helps me out when Mom needs an extra hand, nice gift bags for same, three extra books and some sock yarn and needles to keep me occupied. I could have carried it all but, I've gotten spoiled by the luxury of traveling with only one small purse.