The topic for each day will begin with the designated letter of the alphabet.
Friday’s letter is J for Jitters.
Today we are going on a road trip. We will be heading north/west.
Our destination is a 7 hour drive from our house. We will be away from home for five days.
I was born in the month of July. July 1, to be exact. Although I’m not a believer in Astrology there are certain traits that are attributed to Cancers that do fit my personality.
According to Astrology.com : “ Cancer, the fourth sign of the zodiac, is all about home. Those born under this sign are 'roots' kinds of people, and take great pleasure in the comforts of home and family.”
I am most certainly a homebody and have difficulty traveling. I get jittery days before a trip. This time was no exception. The jitters almost got the best of me. I thought for sure that I wouldn’t be able to make the junket.
As is typical for me, even mundane trip preparation became an overwhelming task. Figuring out what clothes to bring, particularly at this time of the year was especially difficult.
I was going to pack my all purpose black slacks, but I couldn’t find them. How could I go on this trip without my all purpose black slacks? I frantically searched my closet and the spare closet. I asked Ross to look through his closet. But no luck. At this point I found myself actually wringing my hands. I stopped short of saying “woe is me!” I still had so much to do and then I had to go out and buy a new pair of all purpose black slacks.
Luckily, I quickly found what I was looking for. I was in and out of the store in record time. But the pants were too long. So I had to shorten them. Another thing that I had not planned on. By this time, it was late, I was tired, so I fiddle dee dee’d it and went to sleep.
I was up early, re-packed and re-packed again. Despite the jitters, the anxiety and the worries, we managed to get on the road by 9:00 a.m.
Irrationally, when I am away from home, I worry that something is going to happen to anyone who isn’t with me. I’m sure it stems from some deep rooted, hidden, child hood trauma. Or it could just be because,
"Cancers are ruled by the Moon -- the Great Mother of the heavens in ancient times. Here on Earth, this is manifested in the Crab's maternal instincts and desire to protect home and hearth. This may appear smothering at times, but that's the Crab for you.”
Actually the trip went smoothly. That’s not to say that I was cool, calm and collected the whole way, but eventually the jitters did not bug me as much.
Oh, yeah, there was one little glitch. Even though Ross explained to the officer that he was keeping up with the traffic, he still got a speeding ticket.
 |
| Waiting for the officer to finish writing the ticket. |
I have a hard time going to bed the night before I leave on a trip. I can't seem to get packed and organized much before 3:00 A.M. By then there's no point in trying to sleep because I have to get up at 4:00 A.M. to get to the airport on time. At least I have no problem sleeping on the plane! I like to travel, but I also enjoy coming home to the familiar.
ReplyDeleteYes, when I think about the trips I have taken, I am happy to have had the experience. I kinda wish I could do more traveling. There is so much to see. But there is no place like home.
DeleteI am a homebody too. I do enjoy seeing other places, but I don't enjoy the traveling and the being away from home, if that makes sense. I started packing three days in advance, so I'd have plenty of time to think of everything. When we finally leave, I worry whether I locked the front door, unplugged the iron, etc. We are on the first leg of our trip right now. There are lots of places I'd rather be that on this plane!
ReplyDeleteOh, and sorry about the ticket! :(
DeleteI feel better knowing that my travel anxieties are probably normal. :) Thanks!
DeleteI'm a homebody too and although I like to travel and do it often I have an expiration date. No more than ten days and I have to go home....as the days pass my urge to be home becomes more and more overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think you hit it right on the head Lyndagrace regarding trauma. It could very well be a good reason for that urge since home really is my safe place too.
I too have a tolerance limit for being away from home. I talk to myself like a child by counting the number of sleeps before I can go home. So silly!
DeleteYou know you are right home is my safe place.
Wow, you really have trouble traveling. Can't imagine enjoying a trip with that much anxiety. Hope all went well other than the lead foot incident :) Some police officers have no sense of humor.
ReplyDeleteBTW, how do you "lose" a pair of black slacks in the closet?
Gail visiting for AtoZ
I have to say that I do have enjoyable moments on a trip. I appreciate beautiful landscapes, gorgeous sunsets, and unusual sites.
DeleteOkay, I may have given those slacks away in a moment of feeling fat one day. That’s the only explanation that makes sense.
I love the expression on Ross's face in that photo! I was born on the other end of July, just into Leo territory, but I've always felt that personality descriptions for Cancers were much more fitting for me than anything they say about Leos. Glad you made it to your destination with no major issues.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately for Ross he is quite familiar with getting stopped for speeding. Sometimes he is lucky and gets away with a warning. But the officer who stopped us was all business.
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