Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Write in the HUMOR genre (04/12/07)
-
TITLE: Vacation Preparedness | Previous Challenge Entry
By
04/18/07 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Does anyone else have trouble with the whole sock size thing? Why can’t they use shoe sizes for sock sizes? I have to tear open the package, an action which is frowned upon, take out a sock, and envision it on my child’s foot, which has probably grown since I bought socks before last vacation. Buying socks is always risky: white, black, no show, or crew? Who knows? So I buy an assortment and hope for the best.
While at the store, I decide to pick up a few other necessities for the trip. With four kids in a van you want to be prepared. I’m no Boy Scout, but I’ve been cooped up in a van with these four kids before. Preparation is the key. What key, you ask? Preparation is the key to actually making it to your destination without banishing one or more kids to the luggage rack on the top of the van.
So with shopping cart at the ready, I hit the shopping aisles. First stop: the sunscreen kiosk. While I realize there are at least a half dozen tubes and bottles of the stuff in the cabinets at home, I restock on everything just to be safe. If I am successful, we will come home with no one being able to tell we went anywhere near a beach! I also grab a bottle of the gooey green stuff, just in case.
Then it’s on to the pharmaceutical aisle. Painkillers, upset stomach, rash, allergy, and motion sickness medications join the band-aids and antibiotic ointment in the buggy. Then I’m off to the cute little travel size isle. Why do I buy these? We have full-grown versions of all of these at home, but these are for travel, and I am sucked in. In go little toothpaste, lotion, shampoo, soap, and little deodorants for everyone. Does this mean we’ll only be a little clean?
Okay, now snacks: chips, pretzels, cookies, candy, and juice boxes. I realize that I will be sugaring up four kids within the confines of a van, but vacation mania has now overtaken me and so into the cart they go. I stop and try on fifteen pairs of sunglasses. I pick out a stylish pair and throw them in, knowing they will join all the other lost sunglasses I have purchased for prior family vacations. There’s just no stopping me.
I have had to remove my youngest child from the cart to make room for the rest of the vacation necessities. Flip-flops, beach towels, magazines, inflatable water toys, and bucket and shovel ensembles find their way into the cart. Finally, we are heading to the checkout. At least I think that’s the direction I’m heading. With the cart at maximum capacity, I can’t actually see where I am going.
“Oh! Excuse me, ma’am. Let me help you up!” Good grief!
As I unload my cart on to the conveyer, the cashier is impressed by my vacation preparedness. I agree. I could be on the HAZMAT team for beach vacation readiness. The cashier tells me the total. So bazillion is a real number, huh?
As I drag the last of the loot through the door at home, and fall onto the couch, I hear my husband ask, “Do the kids all have swim suits?” Swim suits? Uh oh. I holler back over my shoulder as I run out the door, “Just one more tiny trip to the store, and we’ll be ready!”
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
Great story!
Very nice work.