Robin and Stu Dec. 12-Mar. 31

[robin]

Starting this a little early as getting ready to spend 110 days is different than going for two weeks. There is so much that must get done.


We are now in the single digits! Trying to get ready is going okay. On Saturday, we did some prepacking to see what we can take and what will have to go next year. The new suitcases we bought are lighter, so it really helps because we have a lot of heavy items. We only have to leave a few items at home. The big change is only two large suitcases instead of 3 or 4.

We are scheduled for testing here in town on 12/9 at 9 am. Hoping the results are back in time.

These two weeks are busy trying to get things done. We had few things planned for these two weeks, such as, doctor’s appointment, haircuts, stocking the house with items my son likes to eat and stocking cleaning supplies for our house/office cleaners for home and Stu's office, doing some things for godson and his sister, etc. I am also making meals around what needs to be used before we leave. However; now we have to add a few more things in-the service light came on, so the Pilot needs to be serviced before we leave, the router was acting up, so we had to replace that, they now have decided that Monday is the day they are coming to do all the work necessary to install the whole house gas generator so when it finally comes in all they have to do is the outside work, and Wednesday the company Stu ordered client gifts from said they could not get what he ordered and he had to go running around trying to get what he needs. We are also trying to get an online driving class done to keep our insurance rates down which is beyond boring. There are several other things that have popped up over the past few days, too.

We also don’t know how we are getting to the airport hotel. David usually takes us, but has no set work schedule because he is a new training program. I am hoping he is working that evening because the office is a few minutes from the airport hotel.

[Pegmeister]

Excited that we will continue to get trip reports. Exhausted from all the planning and things you have to do before you go. Hope it all goes smoothly!!

[brady bear]

So looking forward to an report..
they all make me feel like I am in Aruba

[Andrea J.]

your prep work makes me anxious

glad that you are getting ready.

[robin]

your prep work makes me anxious

glad that you are getting ready.

The only thing that makes me anxious is getting to the airport. I've done most, but not all of the shopping for David and the house/office cleaners. The vehicle service happens on Mondays and the plumber/electricians come on Monday. While that is going on, I'll start on the stuff for the kids-mostly baking. I'll clean the basement and central vacuum after they leave because I am sure moving all the panels of the drop ceiling will make a mess. Tuesday is hair and nails and continue with baking. The new router is installed and hubby is on his own(along with his assistant) for the client gifts(they are all sitting in the family room). Sunday I will do the rest of the shopping, we will visit the cemetary, and Stu will take care of some stuff related to the other cars including meeting a friend who will be storing his car in our garage because he is working on one of our cars in his garage. Wednesday we go for testing. Thursday I will spend my Kohls' cash. I will drop off the Hanukkah gifts for my godson and his sister(also her birthday gift) either Wednesday or Thursday depending on what day he has the kids. As long as nothing new crops up, we are good.

[annf]

Robin, I am exhausted after reading your schedule! You will need to spend a few days resting once you arrive!

[Andrea J.]

David needs to shop!

The only thing that makes me anxious is getting to the airport. I've done most, but not all of the shopping for David and the house/office cleaners. The vehicle service happens on Mondays and the plumber/electricians come on Monday. While that is going on, I'll start on the stuff for the kids-mostly baking. I'll clean the basement and central vacuum after they leave because I am sure moving all the panels of the drop ceiling will make a mess. Tuesday is hair and nails and continue with baking. The new router is installed and hubby is on his own(along with his assistant) for the client gifts(they are all sitting in the family room). Sunday I will do the rest of the shopping, we will visit the cemetary, and Stu will take care of some stuff related to the other cars including meeting a friend who will be storing his car in our garage because he is working on one of our cars in his garage. Wednesday we go for testing. Thursday I will spend my Kohls' cash. I will drop off the Hanukkah gifts for my godson and his sister(also her birthday gift) either Wednesday or Thursday depending on what day he has the kids. As long as nothing new crops up, we are good.

[robin]

David needs to shop!

He will. I just stock everything up before we leave. I have been adding things to my weekly grocery list and it works out well.

[cpjones]

Whew.... I'm tired just reading all you do!

[robin]

Getting excited! Testing at 9 am tomorrow.

My Pilot was serviced yesterday. The electricians and plumbers were here yesterday for the pre install work for the generator. Once it comes in they need to hook it up and get the inspections. The are lots of new boxes outside and in the garage. New piping outside. It would be a lot easier of the electrical panel and gas lines were on the same side of the house, but they don't do that for safety. Glad we have a drop ceiling in the basement and not sheetrock. Hair and nails were done today, basement mess(not bad at all) was cleaned up today and things that won't be used while we are away were unplugged in the basement. Make 5 patches of sugar cookie dough yesterday and will work on the cookies tonight so I can get them to my godson and sister either Wed. or Thurs. and ship them to my son before we leave. Grocery shopping done. Suitcase were brought up, mostly packed from the basement(I actually have clean ping pong table). Waiting on a new bathing suit-hope it comes in on time. Visited our family at the cemetery on Sunday. Most of my list is done. Just need to make cookies, do laundry, finish packing and normally, I would say annoy Stu, but he is having back issues, so I will be nice.

Funny story. Sunday night after dinner I took the Pilot over to the mechanic. David left right after me to pick me up but I was a few minutes of ahead of him. As I pull in, I noticed a person by themselves at the garage doors near the key drop area.(the office is in the front and the garage doors are along the side) It kind of startled me because there was no one else around. As I pull into a parking spot in the front, the person came running around the corner and up to the car before just stopping. All I see is someone running at the Pilot. My mind went to various things-carjacking, maybe the person wasn't alone and something was happening, etc. It took me second to realize it was a nicely dressed woman about my age. We had scared the sh*t out of each other. She thought I was her daughter in law picking her up because her dil has the same color Pilot that I have and was shock I wasn't her. Once my heart started beating regularly I realized my son was there. I got out and ran the keys to the drop and got in the truck. I did offer to for us to wait with her because even though it is well lit and on a busy road, it was dark and cold. At that point her dil pulled in. I relay this story to the mechanic(he is a good friend of ours) and he tells me her name and then I knew why she looked familiar-she graduated the year before Stu and I did. She was well known back then because she an amazing swimmer and was going to the trials for 1980 Olympics before they were boycotted.