All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go....

I'm leaving in a Chevy truck...

I know it doesn't sound as poetic as "leaving on a jet plane," and unlike the late, great John Denver, who originally penned those lines, I know (God willing) when I'll be back again.  But, babe I still hate to go.  I move into my room at UNO tomorrow, and as excited as I am about this new adventure, I'm already missing my hubby.  I've cooked some of his favorite meals and stored them in the freezer.  He won't starve.....at least for the first week.  After that, once the studying sets in, well...he just may have to learn how to cook. 

"Okay, Mom.   Tomorrow's the big day.  I'm heading off to college."

My parents spent most of the day with us.  Mom looked at the huge pile of stuff I planned to take with me and asked if there was anything I wasn't taking.   Ha Ha!  But she laughed when I said the words above.  She recognized the irony.  Those words were 35 years in coming.  And, characteristic of the wonderful mother she's always been, she admonished me to be careful.  "I know you're gonna do fine.  I just worry about you being in the city.  It's such a terrible place."  Oddly, that was what she said 35 years ago, and I, the naive little country girl, was terror-stricken.  Those words definitely contributed to my decision not to pursue my degree straight out of high school.

"Stop hyperventilating!"

Also my mother's words.  Good advice.  I'm excited.  I'm a little apprehensive.  I'm definitely over-packing.  I'm making lists of everything as I pack it.  I'm trying to be organized.  List-making is keeping me focused and the packing is keeping my head busy.   Hubby Dearest just shakes his head. 

"Are you nervous?" 
"I wasn't....until you asked! 

There goes something else into the pile. 

Really, is there anything I'm not taking?   Yes.  It's him.