Model of productivity
May. 1st, 2008 12:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lothiriel_1Busy busy busy...
I opted out of my usual Wednesday afternoon trip to the gym yesterday and instead went straight home (with a brief stop at the gas station to cringe whilst watching the total go up and up). I took advantage of the dry and pleasantly cool weather to get several outdoor tasks done. From start to finish, it took me 1.5 hours to do the following:
* Sprayed weed-killer on the unwanted growth in the flagstone walkway
* Cut the grass. Do you have any idea how long it's been since I actually mowed the lawn myself? Yeah, I don't remember either. It must have been while I was still in college. I even used the same kind of mower - the type you walk behind and need to push in order for the blades to move. Hey, at least it's quiet. Of course, it was worthless on the taller weeds. I swear the dandelions were laughing their sunny yellow heads off at me.
* Weed-whacked the edges of the driveway, planted areas, and along the house
* Scrubbed out the bird-bath and filled it with fresh water
* Hauled some trash to the bin for next week's pick-up
Yesterday afternoon's level of activity has continued into today here at work.
I've gotten all sorts of stuff done. I'd feel better about it if it weren't so damned tedious to do, but there is a small amount of smug satisfaction at the accomplishment. I expect there will be more of the same at the store tonight when I go in. National Scrapbook Day is this weekend, so we'll be having our usual marathon crop. I'll be working 3:30 to midnight:30 on Saturday. Hopefully it won't be too crazy - I work tonight and tomorrow night as well. At least I'll get to sleep in on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Sunday mid-afternoon I go back to the store for a special demonstration, so I need to plan when I'm going to get laundry done. I'll probably throw a load in both Saturday and Sunday mornings.
OMG OMG OMG!!!!!
I'm pretty much ready to go. Over the weekend, I ordered a bus pass through Scottish CityLink buses and made reservations for a short cruise on Loch Ness. Tonight when I get home, I'm going to contact a boat trip company in Macduff about taking a trip with them whilst I'm there. I also sent e-mails to all the lodging/activities I did not have "official" confirmations with - I've gotten a few responses, but I still need to hear back from the places in Macduff, Stromness, Drumnadrochit, and Stornoway, and I have to call Aros on Skye to confirm the pick-up time for the tour I'm taking there. I did hear back from Kirkwall, Scalpay, and the place outside Edinburgh where I'm taking the Hawk Walk. Everywhere else I've got confirmations for.
I did a dry run and packed everything into my large pack (except for socks and underwear) last weekend and then weighed it - I have 20 pounds to spare. Whew! I also want to laminate a copy of my packing list to take with me to serve as an inventory list so I don't leave stuff behind.
Basically, I'm ready. I have a few things to do before I leave, like some house-cleaning, mail and paper holds, writing checks for the petsitter, and arranging for grass-cutting whilst I'm gone. I need to make sure that all my electronic equipment/computer stuff is turned off AND unplugged. And a few other little tasks.
Almost time, almost time...
I opted out of my usual Wednesday afternoon trip to the gym yesterday and instead went straight home (with a brief stop at the gas station to cringe whilst watching the total go up and up). I took advantage of the dry and pleasantly cool weather to get several outdoor tasks done. From start to finish, it took me 1.5 hours to do the following:
* Sprayed weed-killer on the unwanted growth in the flagstone walkway
* Cut the grass. Do you have any idea how long it's been since I actually mowed the lawn myself? Yeah, I don't remember either. It must have been while I was still in college. I even used the same kind of mower - the type you walk behind and need to push in order for the blades to move. Hey, at least it's quiet. Of course, it was worthless on the taller weeds. I swear the dandelions were laughing their sunny yellow heads off at me.
* Weed-whacked the edges of the driveway, planted areas, and along the house
* Scrubbed out the bird-bath and filled it with fresh water
* Hauled some trash to the bin for next week's pick-up
Yesterday afternoon's level of activity has continued into today here at work.
I've gotten all sorts of stuff done. I'd feel better about it if it weren't so damned tedious to do, but there is a small amount of smug satisfaction at the accomplishment. I expect there will be more of the same at the store tonight when I go in. National Scrapbook Day is this weekend, so we'll be having our usual marathon crop. I'll be working 3:30 to midnight:30 on Saturday. Hopefully it won't be too crazy - I work tonight and tomorrow night as well. At least I'll get to sleep in on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Sunday mid-afternoon I go back to the store for a special demonstration, so I need to plan when I'm going to get laundry done. I'll probably throw a load in both Saturday and Sunday mornings.
OMG OMG OMG!!!!!
I'm pretty much ready to go. Over the weekend, I ordered a bus pass through Scottish CityLink buses and made reservations for a short cruise on Loch Ness. Tonight when I get home, I'm going to contact a boat trip company in Macduff about taking a trip with them whilst I'm there. I also sent e-mails to all the lodging/activities I did not have "official" confirmations with - I've gotten a few responses, but I still need to hear back from the places in Macduff, Stromness, Drumnadrochit, and Stornoway, and I have to call Aros on Skye to confirm the pick-up time for the tour I'm taking there. I did hear back from Kirkwall, Scalpay, and the place outside Edinburgh where I'm taking the Hawk Walk. Everywhere else I've got confirmations for.
I did a dry run and packed everything into my large pack (except for socks and underwear) last weekend and then weighed it - I have 20 pounds to spare. Whew! I also want to laminate a copy of my packing list to take with me to serve as an inventory list so I don't leave stuff behind.
Basically, I'm ready. I have a few things to do before I leave, like some house-cleaning, mail and paper holds, writing checks for the petsitter, and arranging for grass-cutting whilst I'm gone. I need to make sure that all my electronic equipment/computer stuff is turned off AND unplugged. And a few other little tasks.
Almost time, almost time...
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-05-01 07:49 pm (UTC)What day do you leave? (I'm sure you've posted that before but my boss and the owner are both here and I'm sneaking in a comment as quick as I can! LOL)
I am so excited for you! You really deserve this vacation.
:-)
no subject
Date: 2008-05-02 12:01 pm (UTC)On the one hand, I feel like other than a few small tasks, I'm ready to go. On the other hand, I feel like I'm forgetting something really, really important and I can't for the life of me figure out what it might be.
I did hear back from Puffin Cruises in Macduff this morning, and I should be all set for the Troup Head wildlife/bird watching cruise. I still haven't gotten responses to the rest of the e-mails I sent out over the weekend, so I guess I'll be making some phone calls today and tomorrow morning.
My level of excitement for the trip is starting to increase again, after several weeks of its being only a pleasant thought amongst feelings of sadness and anxiety. I'm sure that by the end of next week, I'll be bouncing off the walls. :)
no subject
Date: 2008-05-02 12:46 pm (UTC)Did you make a list? I'm constantly making lists of things to the point where JimmyD now calls them "The Lists of Doom". haha!
As long as you have your passport and it's current (deosn't expire for at least 6 months), that's the most important thing.
I would have loved to have done some wildlife things while I was there. You are going to have the best time!
no subject
Date: 2008-05-02 02:19 pm (UTC)http://lothiriel-1.livejournal.com/63246.html#cutid1
It's been tweaked slightly, but the bulk of it remains the same. I've got a travel pack list as well, and I consult it regularly. Passport is brand-spanking new as of January.
no subject
Date: 2008-05-02 02:29 pm (UTC)