Dinner party wishes.

I know what I want to do this afternoon. I am in this planning creative vibe, and there is nothing I can actually do about it.

I feel like planning a party, any kind of party, or even just a dinner, a dinner party! I want to plan out a numerous course menu, and then go to a giant grocery store and shop for all the little unique pieces that I need to make such a menu. Shopping for it is half the fun. And then I want fun people to eat the crazy awesome food with. Conversationalists.

Or I feel like decorating a room. Any kind of room. Where I can pick all the colors and themes, and get to go wander stores until I find all the perfect pieces and put the room together exactly how I want it. Without the normal restraints of time or labor. I can deal with a budget, but having to take the time to clear out a room, tarp it, paint it, and let it dry? Naw....

And instead, I will go home and run. No party planning, no menu searching, no color swatching. Bah.

Patriotic Day in a Patriotic Town!

I am a planner, I always have been. Ask to see my wedding planning binder. It was over 3 inches thick. I get a little obcessive. Which is why I am confused about the die down of excitement over my next trip.

My grandpa's brother is ridiculously wealthy and is hosting a family reunion this year on his property near Philadelphia over the 4th of July. My mom and I went to the last one almost a decade ago, and plan on going to this years. Then Tim would be in DC for a wedding that same weekend, and it boiled down to the idea that he would join us for the reunion after the rehearsal dinner and after the weekend of festivities, we would spend several days in Philadelphia by ourselves.



I got ridiculously excited and started researching everything there is to do in Philly. I bought a book and everything. I went crazy. There were several intineraries, time schedules, address spreadsheets, website spreadsheets. I went crazy with planning. Tim and I both are pretty into historical sites and things, so Philadelphia is a perfect mini trip for us. Plus, we both miss Boston something fierce, and being back in a real city again will feel a little bit more like being back. But as time grew closer, I got less and less into it, almost completely forgetting that we were going.

Those that know me, know that packing is one of my favorite things to do. Something about preparing for something exciting and new is just enjoyable to me, and I usually start the process at least a week in advance. I just finished my packing list for this trip about five minutes ago. We leave tomorrow, bright and early. It's a strange feeling for me, being unready to go.

But at least I have the plan all laid out for when we get there. That's got to count for something, right?



Things we plan on seeing/doing in Philadelphia:
Lancaster County (I love Amish almost more than planning!)
Franklin Science Museum
Mutter Museum (its a museum of medical marvels)
Edgar Allen Poe's House
Philadelphia Ghost Tour
Reading Terminal (this locale alone will add ten pounds to my belly)
Independence Hall/Consitution Center/Liberty Bell
Christ Church
US Mint
Philadelphia Zoo
King of Prussia Mall
Eastern State Penn

All of that in a matter of four days. But with my planning, we can do it! I have always been a proponent of vacations to places like this aren't for too much relaxation. If you want to relax, go to somewhere where there is nothing but nature and a lodge with a spa.

But Number One on the list of things to do in Philly...