Forget the carry-on .. it is the carry-out that is more important

Six, count ’em, SIX dresses… two tops, three sweaters (the flowy kind), one pair of Capri pants, five pairs of panties (one sexy pair, just in case). Then there’s my make-up and hair stuff, had to that pare down. Oh, and only FIVE pairs of shoes (that was tough). Ok, let me see, hmm, leave my computer at home, I guess, my phone will suffice, I’ll only be gone for four days.

My recent trip had me traveling with only a carry-on. Did I mention it was an international trip? The male species can survive with very few changes of wardrobe; we females need variety. How the heck are we supposed to choose what dress to wear if we only bring two? Same with shoes… It’s just cruel!

The airlines practice discrimination against the whole female population. It must’ve been a man who decided a carry-on was sufficient for traveling. FIFTY DOLLARS for a checked suitcase and the second one a HUNDRED. I could do a lot of shopping with an extra hundred and fifty bucks, but then the obvious dilemma kicks in, hmmm…

I broke my foot twice, once at a Catersource Conference, and I told everyone I tripped while dancing with Brad Pitt at The Rio in Las Vegas 15 years ago. Then the following year, same break, stepping into a gopher hole (no glamour there) while traipsing over a field to go to a country wedding in Sask-at-che-wan (my American friends have trouble pronouncing that…lol). Finding wearable/comfortable shoes is always a pain.

Lest you think I am a clothes horse (what the heck does that mean anyway?) I am not. I’m a big-hearted, lots of curves, bright/beautiful woman (my blog, I can write what I want, lol). I love to wear dresses that are 95% polyester and 5% spandex that don’t wrinkle in suitcases and hide the wrinkles on your body (bonus!) I love to travel.

The Salt Lake City trip was nothing short of magical. It started with me getting all my shit together into one carry-on. There is a thread on Facebook right now about what kind of carry-on to buy. I don’t think it’s rocket science; I have every kind imaginable. I am a ‘shoe whore’ and have a dress fetish. The inevitable buying of another suitcase to get all those new shoes home sucked (insert happy face here).

The magic continued with my hosts, Nettie and Brant Frank. They made me a part of their family. I now love their kids and extended family as well. Some people come into your life, and it is like you have known them forever. This is how I felt with them, the dog, not so much.

I had a love/hate relationship with the dog, but so do they… bahahaha (a garbage-loving mutt). Oh, for crying out loud, I just ‘got it.’ Their last name is Frank, dog is a wiener type, named ‘Frankie’ lol.

Do you venture out of your comfort zone much? Maybe you hold back and stay home rather than face new people and challenges. A lot of us hold back, me included.  Then something magical happened in my sixties, and not just my divorce of forty years. I have never felt so free and alive, joyful for sure, and adventurous kicks in here as well.

Joyful.. this keeps surprising me, or was I just late to the table? Is it venturing out of my comfort zone, or is it the conscious effort I put into it that makes it so? Some people are just so gracious and loving, not me, well, loving maybe. Gracious, um, no, but I strive to make others happy.

But I digress. Why does everything I write need to turn into a quiz sometimes? Sorry about that.

Some I met on this trip will be part of my life now. How great is that? Some are new friends, and I look forward to spending more time together. Others are on my radar and very interesting; I can’t wait to hear your stories. To all of you reading this, venture out, reach out, and take that trip, go to that function or seminar or dumb party, I want to meet you :  )

This blog started with packing a carry-on, but it looks like I have stuffed so much more into my carry-on, and I don’t need to buy another suitcase! Wow, how great is that?

P.S.: I wore ALL of the shoes… all the sweaters and, well, two dresses got a pass as did one top. The sexy underwear, well, it is still virginal, ah, well, there will be other trips.

Copyright August 31st, 2018