be prepared

After studying my li’l heart out for days in order to prepare for my first exam on Tuesday, I finally felt prepared enough... I figured that I’d learned and/or memorized all that I could, and was just looking forward to getting the test overwith.

So I planned my day carefully, leaving sufficient time to head out very early. I had a little running around to do and wanted to arrive at the school about one hour in advance of the start time (7 pm). And I almost did it! I got there about 50 minutes ahead of time, found a choice parking spot, and settled back into my seat to give my notes one last look over. And that’s when it hit me. I hadn’t thought to bring a pencil. Or an eraser. Or a calculator!! And it was only dumb luck that I had my student card on me.

So minutes before the exam was set to begin, I ran up to the building to beg a pencil from someone – anyone! I felt like such an idiot!! It’s one thing to not prepare for an exam, but to come to it so unprepared? ! ? Well that’s just … duh!!!

As it turned out, the young lady who lent me a pencil was kind enough to give me one with an eraser on the end. And luckily I’m reasonably proficient at long division; I think I arrived at all the correct answers on the posology questions.

Doesn’t really matter at this point. What DOES matter is that I remember for tomorrow’s exam to not only prepare myself by studying, but also by popping a pencil in my purse. Silly girl.

I feel a growing need to prepare the house a little for some emergencies and eventualities. So this morning I picked up a new plunger and toilet brush, a 3-month furnace filter, a P+I smoke alarm, a 3-pack of vacuum bags, a can of black spray paint, 2 cheap laundry baskets, and a waste paper basket for my new creative space. I also bought a tube of natural toothpaste and some bulk sweet marjoram. Yep, I’m definitely better equipped to move forward into the new year.

There’s a wicked snow storm moving in, but I’m not worried – we’ve got provisions!! In preparation for this storm, I went out yesterday to buy a large bottle of wine, McCain crinkle-cut fries, and more bon bons. Phew! Planning ahead sure feels good :o)

Well look at me go! We’re hosting Survivor night this week, on Friday night, and here it is only WEDNESDAY MORNING, and I already know what I’m serving. woo hoo! I’m going grocery shopping this afternoon.

Next weekend we’re hosting dinner for M’s family, and I’ve already begun planning that meal as well (although admittedly, all I have on that shopping list so far is “ICE”, in caps, because I always forget to have enough ice on hand – very poor preparedness indeed.

AND… I’m hosting a board games decathlon next month, and I’ve already been thinking about ways to make that a fun and entertaining night (though I can’t reveal here what I’m planning – don’t wanna ruin any surprises for Mrs. P hehe). Suffice it to say that I’m planning ahead for these upcoming events, and hope to be so on top of everything, so well prepared, that the evenings all go off without a hitch and that my guests and I all have a great time!

I had my hair cut yesterday, after I don’t know how many months of shaggy overgrowth. It was such a pleasurable event – the stylist gave me THE BEST scalp massage while she washed my hair, and then when I showed her the few pictures I brought with me, she matter-of-factly stated that the style I chose would look great on me! We chatted as she got to work on my mane, shared a few stories and happened upon a couple of interests in common. She had a great laugh. And she gave me a great cut – I love it. In fact, I love it so much that before I left the parking lot, I counted six weeks ahead in my day planner and wrote “Due for a haircut”. Perhaps this wee prep-step will help me stay on top of these pesky grooming tasks that I so carelessly neglect.

In preparing for Saturday morning’s visit to the Scrapbooking Expo, I counted up how many more 8×8 pages I think I’m going to need to finish off the Newfoundland scrapbook. Baby step forward.

In prep for my friend Anne’s birthday on Saturday, and since I won’t have time to visit her over the weekend, I’ve designated tonight’s Survivor night as a part birthday celebration too. I e-mailed my Bro and told M to both warm up their vocal cords for singing and to meet me out back of her place a moment or two before 6:30 to sign her card. And, while I haven’t actually purchased her gifts yet, I decided yesterday what to buy her, and I left myself plenty of time this aft to go get it. Sure, it’s not the picture of preparedness to which I aspire, but at least this year she’s not getting my usual “belated” birthday acknowledgment!

is always prepared. She takes furniture, the medicine cabinet, a decent sized wardrobe, and at least half a dozen other better-to-have-it-and-not-need-it type tools and elixirs with her when she goes out to the ball park. She mindfully packs days in advance of trips. She finishes her Christmas shopping about the time that you and I are letting the air out of our beach balls. It impresses the hell out of me.

I want to follow her fine example and be better prepared for whatever it is I’m doing. I tend to be more of a jump-and-see-where-you-land kinda traveler, but invariably I wind up needing some item or another that, had I just given it a moments thought, I’d have brought with me. Hell, I probably end up wearing Mr. Pickle’s coat out at the ball park more often each season than Mrs. Pickle EVER has!!

Well no more! From now on, I’m going to make a sincere effort to plan a bit ahead. And a fine place to start would be with supper time, since yet again I find myself stuck in a rut of not preparing meals at home. Doh!