Before leaving on a trip, I rush around like there is no tomorrow. As the saying goes, "I meet myself going around every corner." An unreformed list-maker, I have lists all over the place;

• List of people to call,
• List of things to do before leaving,
• List of things to do in Tucson,
• List of computer stuff to pack,
• List of things to return,
• List of people to see,
• List of papers to take along,
• List of keyboard problems,
• List of -- it's to the point of having a List of lists...

All my husband does is to pack his clothes in his suitcase. Maybe I should take a lesson from him.

Why is it that I have so much to do every time we get ready to take a trip? In February we made a one-week trip to Tucson. Why do I think I have to do all these things? If I were staying in San Carlos, most of these things would just lay around for more than a week waiting to be done. Why do they need to be done now? before we leave? Okay, many of them are just in my head.

How little would get done if it weren't for the last minute...

So, I rush around. I have to return a pie plate to Margarita, take a bag of cat food to Christine, pay Marilyn the 70 pesos I owe her, pay the rent that should have been paid two weeks ago, calculate the long distance phone costs for others who use our phone -- the bill was paid in December, take the pop bottles out of the trunk of the car (they've been there for the past month to be returned to the distributor for full ones), go to the community church with some music books which I brought from the states in November, and the list goes on.

How little would get done if it weren't for the last minute...

Okay, some of these things are necessary... for example,

• call Gwen to borrow some books on tape to listen to on the six-hour drive from San Carlos to Tucson,
• call Eileen for her list of things she needs from the states,
• call Bill to let him know that I won't be here to play the keybaord for the Rescate Pancake Breakfast on Sunday,
• give the church keys to Anne so that the organist who will be playing this weekend can get into church,
• clean perishables from the refrigerator,
• pick up mail from mailbox at Rosa's Cantina to take to the states for mailing,
• let Sophia know that I won't be at the Rescate auxiliary meeting on Friday,
• inform Betty Lou that I'll be back to work at the book booth for the Humane Society on the 27th,
• and the list goes on...

Pack computer stuff -- all papers for calling Gateway technical support, etc., zip drive and accessories, printer,

Pack keyboard stuff -- paper for calling Technics technical support, stand, bench, books, diskettes

Pack papers for crossing the border -- into the U.S. and then back into Mexico in a week...U.S. passports, Mexican FM3s, car Mexican permit, U.S. registration, U.S. title, both U.S. and Mexican insurance papers; cat's health certificate, rabies vaccination receipt.

There is a little space left in my suitcase for a few clothes. After all, Mexico isn't the only place they have stores, they do have stores in the U.S., so it is possible for me to buy things I did forget.

Upon further reflection, the main reason for having so much to do is because I get involved in the community. I really wouldn't have it any other way. Since I take on responsibilities, I then have the responsibility to other people.

So, I guess I won't change. I am lucky that my husband puts up with me. He would like to leave on the spur of the moment sometimes. But I need a warning -- so I can make a list.