I think it is time I tell you my secret.
I have a disease.
It is not something I like to share.
It is a bit personal.
Well, let me start with this:
Hi! My name is Wendi and I suffer from SPTA. ( severe pre-travel anxiety)
No, I am not afraid to fly.
No, I enjoy being on the open road.
I suffer from the part of traveling that happens
prior to traveling.
It has a lot to do with my other disease.
Hi! My name is Wendi and I suffer from severe OCD.
( many posts to follow)
Weeks before I leave for a trip, albeit a day trip or a weekend or a week, I stress.
Stress out!
To the point I am sure I need to be medicated.
It is the insatiable urge to leave my home with not one article of clothing in the hamper.
Not. One.
It is trying to gather everything we may need for the trip.
Snacks, wipes, clean underwear.
Those go without saying.
It is the Tylenol... regular, extra strength and migraine- cause you never know when a headache might come on.
It is the bag of entertainment: Cd's, DVDs, books, magazines, coloring books, crayons, color wonder, and toys.
It is a complete first aid kit , maps, and jumper cables.
It is making sure we are ON*STAR ready.
It is the want...no, it is the
need to have everything in my house in its place and clean before I leave.
I am always fearful I might have a terrible accident and someone might have to come into my home and clean it for me.
My home needs to be ready for such an occasion.
The refrigerator needs to be cleaned out.
The pantry needs to be stocked and orderly.
The plants need to be watered.
The dishes need to be washed and put away.
The insides of all closets and cabinets need to be straight.
Goodness only knows the floors and furniture need to be scrubbed and vacuumed.
The toilets need to be bleached.
Do you see where I am going with this?
Complete and utter insanity.
For me and my family.
I would give anything to be laid back about leaving home.
To live carefree.
To look around and say, " What a mess I am leaving...I will get to it when I get back"
I . Cannot. Do. It.
My husband gets upset with me.
He would leave everything as is.
He would also let the toilet grow a science experiment in it before he would clean it.
He would not understand.
He does not understand.
He will never understand my need for clean and order before departure.
And so it is with much sadness I have to leave tomorrow.
I did not have much notice.
Chase is on our local 12 and under All-Star Basketball team.
We placed 2ND in the district.
We
still got an invitation to the State Tournament.
3 hours away.
It is a double elimination. So, I have absolutely no idea when we will return.
Which makes my diseases flare up more.
How about you ? Do you dread trips due to all the preparing?
Have I scared you away? I don't think this disease is contagious. You will be fine.
I am sorry to go before finishing this post... but I don't think I straightened my Tupperware cabinet yet.
