Preparing for take-off

There soooo much to think about when planning your temporary removal from a well-oiled machine of which you're the main cog. Everyone's sure to remind me that things will all run fine, and I do know this. I have a brilliant husband who, in his chilled way, will get Son and Little M to and from where they need to be, for the most part, and a great support team looking out for the rest.

Still, food needs to be in the freezer and extra-mural activities need to be spelled out on the detailed colour-coordinated timetable spreadsheet. Obviously. Over and above that, I have to make sure I have what I need like my new Passport, the right walking shoes, a wax and, oh heavens, a swimming cozzie!

For when I'm away, I've made a kiddies calendar (like a count-down except I made mine count upwards by mistake), I've bought a bunch of cool little pressies (some to be taken with for Israel fam), and written meal ideas for the children and the adult. Plus, and this I've just done now, an activity chart laying out suggestions for the afternoons at home like "draw" and "play music and dance around the house" and "read books". Sheesh, I might as well have written "watch TV" it's so brilliant this list.

Well with only four more sleeps between me and Eretz Yisrael, I'm going to switch off to lists, charts and spreadsheets for the time-being (just tonight), not think about waving "bye-bye for now" to my most precious things in the world, and prepare to dream of the adventure and inspiration that lies before me.

Going down now...

Good night

x

Ground Control to Major Tom
Ground Control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on

Ground Control to Major Tom
Commencing countdown, engines on
Check ignition and may God’s love be with you

Spoken:
Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, One, Lift-off

This is Ground Control to Major Tom
You’ve really made the grade
And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear
Now it’s time to leave the capsule if you dare

“This is Major Tom to Ground Control
I’m stepping through the door
And I’m floating in a most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today

For here
am I sitting in my tin can
Far above the world
Planet Earth is blue
And there’s nothing I can do

Though I’m past one hundred thousand miles
I’m feeling very still
And I think my spaceship knows which way to go
Tell my wife I love her very much (she knows!)
Ground Control to Major Tom
Your circuit’s dead, there’s something wrong
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear....

“ am I floating round my tin can
Far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue
And there’s nothing I can do.?

============================
David Bowie - Space Oddity
============================