The clock is running down

Well, only 8 more sleeps! After nearly 5 years of dreaming, wishing, saving, planning and hoping, it is almost here! Gosh, there doesn't seem enough time to finish all the last minute jobs. There is so much to do when planning on being away from home for such a long time.

This week I have been tying up loose ends: medical checkups, transferring money between accounts, setting up the email accounts on the new laptop so we can keep in touch with reality while we are travelling; then there has been the last minute shopping, you know, tiny packets of tissues for the handbag and pocket, tiny bottle of hand sanitiser; socks and undies. Not to mention the cleaning. And another gong for my Simple Savings friends: acting on a hint I picked up on the website (see top of page) I contacted our pay TV supplier and asked if payments could be suspended and they agreed for a small fee; hubby did the same with his gym membership. I also discovered that if we change phone carriers (which we intended doing) we can ask them to suspend the service until we return, saving more money! All up about $450 saved in bill payments.

On top of all that I have been finishing my writing project, my father-in-law's memoirs. That went to the printer on Friday and is ready to be picked up tomorrow. That was the result of several years of frustration: waiting for family members to send their memories. Hah! Like waiting for paint to dry! Some followed through but most didn't, so much of it is my own memories of an interesting and eccentric man of whom I was alternately very fond, and very frustrated with. But it gives me great pleasure to know it is finally finished and I will be taking copies with me to the family in England.

Of course, the boogie man tried to scare me by getting into my head when I had a couple of angina attacks over the last two weeks. But I put paid to that. No one and nothing is stopping me from getting on that plane.

So now I have only to photocopy some travel documents and sort through them all in the folder to make sure all are present and correct; to pack the BIG bag; to email everyone and ask them NOT to email ME for the duration; have my legs waxed, my hair coloured and my nails made beautiful, and then I am set to go.

Am I really? Set to go? Seems surreal somehow...

Travel Insurance that doesn't insure you.

So the insurance company said no. They will cover me for my migraine, which I haven't had for 7 years! IF I pay an extra $55 premium. Really? Well don't bother. We will just have to go on faith and make do with the standard insurance cover. I have been really looking after myself recently, lots of long walks, eating very healthily, too, so I am thinking I am quite fit anyway. Who needs 'em.

The passports have arrived! Yay! Well, at least I think so as I had a card to pick up a registered package but was too late to get it today. Can't think it could be anything else.

I have always wanted to travel light. I made my mind up for this trip that we would take carry-on baggage only. A Simple Savings member (see above banner) gave me some tips and I did a practice run packing 7 outfits, all light clothing, undies, socks, PJ's and an evening outfit. Plus a pair of evening shoes. It was exactly 7k in weight. Woohoo! Then I did the same for my hubby. It worked really well. I decided I could manage the digital camera. my make up and toiletries and medication in my handbag, and he could take the video camera, his meds, and toiletries in a small backpack. Perfect! We would travel in jeans, jumper, walking shoes and jacket. I was so pleased with the results!

Then DH told me this week he wants to take his golf shoes and his gym gear! He also thinks we will need more clothing than I have allowed for. So he is insisting on taking a suitcase. Grrr... Now we will spend half our holiday standing around baggage carousels. I am so annoyed. I will get my own back, though! Haha! I will take everything now, so the case will be so heavy, he will be wishing we hadn't. Hmph...