final preparations

In just a little over 24 hours from now, I'll be picking my parents up at the airport. That is, if the aircraft they're on is carrying enough fuel for them to actually arrive (have you been watching the news? geesh!). Phil told me that I should park my car at Gateway and ride the Max to the airport. Ummm. . .I don't think public transportation in the form of something that resembles a train is how I've imagined leaving the airport with my parents in tow. Besides, I'm not a big fan of riding the Max. Too many people get robbed and/or stabbed. And seriously, it will be cheaper to pay to park the car, and I'm all about the cheaper.

I've spent the last two days making this apartment smell like a lavender field in central France thanks to the trusty Rug Doctor that I rented (on sale at Safeway, mind you) and Bissel's Lavender scented carpet shampoo. If you need to clean carpets, get the lavender kind. You won't be disappointed. I know it was on my list of things to do to order the part for my own carpet cleaner, but it just didn't get done.

Does anyone have any good ideas as to how to get rid of those pesky fruit flies? I've been having a bit of a problem with them even though I don't keep much fruit sitting out other than a couple of apples, and maybe a nectarine. There are a few tomatoes on top of the microwave, but none of them are overripe or needing to be tossed. I couldn't figure it out. . .until I discovered that my lunchbox had a pretty nasty looking banana in it. Mind you, school's been out since June 4th and there was still a banana in there. When I went to move it someplace else, I opened the lid and found the problem. I felt like an Egyptian during the 10 plagues. A whole swarm of them came flying out at me. It was disgusting, to put it mildly, and I'll save you the rest of the gory details. Most of them are gone now, but there are still a few flying around driving me absolutely nuts. I can't be having fruit flies with freshly cleaned lavender scented carpets. Do you see my frustration here?

So today I must put back into place all the things I moved for the big shampoo. Then tidy up the bathrooms, drag out the mop, finish the laundry, and I'm good to go. Who knows, maybe I'll even have time later to get crafty??? And since I've gone through and organized much of my scrapbook stuff (oh my word - where did it all come from?) I can be that much more productive!

Our itinerary for the week looks something like this:

• Saturday - airport meet & greet
• Sunday - leaving early for Seattle; Mariners vs. Indians at 1:05; Space Needle after the game
• Monday - downtown Seattle stuff - Pike Street Market; Aquarium; History of Flight Museum
• Tuesday - stopping by Mt. St. Helens on the way back; outlet malls
• Wednesday - visit to the Rose Garden; headed for the cottage on the beach
• Thursday - cottage on the beach
• Friday - driving up the coast
• Saturday - girl time shopping; guy time hanging out at a cruise-in
• Sunday - church; VBS mtg.; Multnomah Falls; dinner at Paul & Jackie's (Phil's aunt and uncle)
• Monday - early morning farewells; VBS starts at 9:30

Like I said the other day, this is why Phil thinks he's going to need a vacation from his vacation. It might be a while again before I get to post, but hang in there, I'll be back!