Can't Help Falling In Love

Wise men say only fools rush in
but I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay
would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
some things are meant to be
take my hand, take my whole life too
for I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
some things are meant to be
take my hand, take my whole life too
for I can't help falling in love with you
for I can't help falling in love with you

So, here I am, a few days away from leaving for Las Vegas.  I haven't had a real vacation in over 4 years and this one is much needed.  I wish I had more time off, but, next time I won't wait until the year is half-way over and I've already used up most of my time off before deciding to take a real vacation.

I'm absolutely exhausted.  I have so much to do to get ready for my trip and I always overplan, overthink and overpack.  I wish I could be one of those people who can toss underwear and a toothbrush into a bag and just take off.  But, nooooooo.  I have to make sure I plan for every possible catastrophe that might happen while I'm there.  I also like to make sure I plan for every possible ... hmmm, what's the word that means the opposite of catastrophe? ...  joyous moment that might happen.

I've already blogged about how I get morbid about traveling and the "what if" of dying while I'm traveling.  The "death letters" have been written and I've tagged both Janelle and Mandy to be my bearers of news in the event something happens to me.  I've pasted my itinerary into my work calendar.  I've printed copies of "ICE" letters and contact information for my apartment, car, suitcase and purse.  I even made up a separate letter for my friend Kendall who is going to check on Abby while I'm gone giving her permission to make veterinary decisions for me while I'm gone. 

I still have to do laundry, wash dishes, take out the trash, set up extra food, water and cat litter stations for Abby.  I need to decide what to pack and what outfits I'm going to wear.  I need to charge the cell phone.  I need to put new batteries in my camera.  I need to get a bigger memory card for my camera.  I need to get money out of the bank.  I need to make sure any tv shows or movies that come on this weekend are DVR'd.  A friend told me that he was disappointed that I gave up on WALKING DEAD last season so I noticed there's a marathon on Sunday leading up to the new season.  I've set the DVR to record that, too.  I need to get my prescriptions refilled.   Then, finally, after all of this, I'll need to pack and then clean out my purse so that I'm only hauling the essentials in there.  Oh, I also need to compile my list of favorite people who will get souvenirs from my trip and make sure to set aside money for that.

I'm ready for a vacation from my vacation and I haven't even left yet.

So, to the reason why I've yanked the entire Elvis Presley song into my blog?

Well, it is my absolute most favorite Elvis song ever.  I used to fantasize about having it at my wedding, when I foolishly believed I'd be getting married some day.

But, it also has other significance.  Ten years ago -- June 2001, I was in Las Vegas visiting with my friend Rodney.  On my last day in town, I was in my hotel room, packing and getting ready to go home.  It was late.  I realized I didn't have any singles to use for tips on the way home (baggage carriers, shuttle drivers, etc - not exotic dancers or anything) so I quickly got dressed in a not-fit-for-public outfit that I had packed to lounge in.  I don't even think I put on a bra, to be honest.  I grabbed a $20 from my purse and my room key and headed to the gift shop to break the $20.  You had to walk through the casino to get from the gift shop to the hotel.

As I passed the "Elvis" slot machines, one on the end was playing "Can't Help Falling in Love".  I stopped and fed a $5 bill into the machine.  A few spins later, I was $2500 richer.

I was so danged excited!  I opted for cash and carried the money back to my room and spread it out on my bed and contemplated rolling around on it like Demi Moore does in INDECENT PROPOSAL. 

It's amazing how much $2500 feels like when you don't have much money.  I came home and quit a second job, enrolled in the University of Phoenix to work towards my master's (which I eventually decided I didn't want), ended a dead-end relationship and joined weight watchers with the money.  I still had plenty left over to tide me over for months.

So, I'm hoping for a repeat this year, only magnified by larger amounts and more impact.  I have been practicing the law of attraction by writing the phrase "I am a winner of millions of dollars!" over and over on paper.  I'm also dating it for this weekend so that the Powers That Be don't say, "Well, you didn't exactly say WHEN you'd win this money, so be patient."  I don't want to be an Alanis Morrisette lyric " An old [wo]man turns 98, wins the lottery and dies the next day..."

I want to quit my part-time job and look into possibly starting my own business.  Maybe even look into the baby thing I was talking about a few blogs back.  Make some drastic changes in my life.  Things way more drastic than $75 highlights that only 3 people noticed.  More drastic than the butterfly tattoo I want to get. More drastic than possibly moving to the Eastern Shore. More drastic than finally writing the novel I mentioned a couple of blogs back (which no one has really been able to help me with.)

I don't care that wise men say that only fools rush in.

I'm ready to rush.  Headfirst.  Into what, I'm not exactly sure.

This is my last blog until I get back from vacation.