The final countdown

We are just 12 hours from leaving for phase one of the 10 day journey and FINALLY I feel like I am ready (or will be by sunrise anyway!) Although I'm embarrassed to admit it, all three of these bags are packed with my stuff only. Eli hasn't packed yet, but he'll be in one tiny suitcase, plus his backpack. My excuse is the 10 bottles of assorted sunscreen products we are hauling with us take up a lot of room so I needed a separate bag for them. Well, that, and the 12 pairs of flip flops I might need to wear. I never have been a good packer. But, I did call American today to inquire about the new luggage guidelines and I was thrilled to learned that not only will we not be subject to the baggage fee, we can still check 2 bags, plus carry one on without penalty, so that convinced me that I didn't have to be as compact in my packing as I thought.

I spent most of yesterday with a very long list, checking everything off diligently. It's hard work getting ready for this trip with Eli out of town! Besides trying to get the house clean, I keep thinking of everything I need to do. Travelers checks. Cash. Enrolling in international service plans with the cell phone people. Finding a notary for the medical release form. Doing 11 loads of laundry in 14 hours because my washer works again (Which, the way, was no fault of the machine. Totally, completely user error. Yes, I am a sleep deprived idiot sometimes). Typing out a 5 page instruction list for grandma and grandpa. I hope they've taken many naps in the last week or two because they'll need the strength next week!

So, barring any unforeseen issues, we'll be dropping of Hank at the dog motel in the morning, running the vacuum and heading west, then south, then really south on Saturday morning. I'll be back in a week fully rested with lots of pictures to share.