Final Tasks Before Leaving

Lists, lists, lists.  It is what keeps things in order.  List to do before we leave and a list for the day we leave.

We are down to the wire.  Today I went thru my clothes.  I personally like to try most items on.  Does it fit?  Does it need repair?  Does it go with at least two other items?  Is it necessary?  

I often lay out my dress pants and then check blouses that goes with them.  I do the same with shorts and shirts.

In the end for 4 months away I bring (note if I was a guest and not lecturing it would a third less).

• 2 dress pants and 7 blouses (this is the outfit I wear for lectures).
• 3 summer dresses
• 3 pj's
• 3 pairs of shorts
• 3 pairs of light everyday pants
• 1 cardigan
• 2 shawls
• 2 pairs of high heels, 2 flip flops, 2 flats
• 1 formal dress (some of my other items can work on dressy night if necessary).
• gloves and mitts for tip of South America 
• one Christmas sweater
• 1 Halloween costume
• pair of runners
• 7 t shirts 
• undergarments 
• 3 bathing suits and one cover up

That is it for clothes.   

We both got the flu shot and the most recent covid shot, which just became available here on Friday.

Hair cut, pedicure, manicure done too.

The house is ready.  We have guests staying next week so it is ready for them.  Otherwise our neighbours are checking the house regularly.  

Garden has been put to bed for another year.  It was a great growing season.  

All my lectures are backed up.  Paperwork to assist guests are in the folders.  

We are both excited for this contract.  Especially the itineraries,  to learn more about where we are going click here.  

We leave for the airport hotel As our flight is crazy early.  Staying at the Quality Choice Hotel, which our friends Monika and Neil highly recommend. 

4 Months on a Cruise Ship - Am I Ready?

 

If you have been following along you will know we are off to the Majestic Princess for the winter where I will once again be the Destination Experty on board.  Read the blog here for details on sailings.  Majestic for 4 months blog

I finished all my work on all my talks a few weeks ago.  I am the kind of person that when I have a project I don't rest until it is done.  I also can't move on to a new project till the first one is done too.  It is good and a bad trait.

So for the four weeks before we leave we can focus on getting ready for four months away.

We have spent numerous winters away for exctended periods.  I think this is our 4th winter away since we retired.  We have this down to a science.  Key for me - Lists!  Key for my hubby - Check Vickie's List!

No really lists are key for me.  It gets that task out of my head and onto paper.  It is also a spot where Bernie can add to it and also see what needs to get done.

The list is quite scattered. Here are some items:

• Plant the garlic
• Clean the garden beds and put them to bed for winter
• Arrange for snow removal while away (resourceful young neighbours have this one!)
• Get US cash
• Update phone apps
• Gather toilitries
• Get perscriptions
• Book last Doctor's appointments
• Pedicure
• Iron clothes
• Pause streaming services
• Charge outdoor camera batteries

See quite scattered.  And the list is LONG.  But over half of the items are scratched off now.

We now have a bed in our spare room upstairs so it has become the "packing room".  As we stock up on things, or find something we need (like Halloween costumes, snorkel gear, umbrella etc) it gets thrown on the bed.

We have some family staying here periodically so the house will at least get lived in.  And we are so lucky we have so many great neighbours that are checking into the house all the time.  

I have all our booking numbers in the Medallion App.  Which I should say is working well.  This is the first time I use the newer updated Medallion App and I find it flows better for putting in all our details and manuvering around the app.  

Stay tuned for departure.  I won't be blogging every day - a little dull, but if I think there is something worth sharing I will post.

Thanks for following.

Majestic Princess Here We Come - Care To Join Us

I am very excited to announce that I will be joining the Majestic Princess this winter as Destination Expert!  I know!  

After some discussions back and forth with Princess, I have accepted the role for the Grand 51 Day South America Journey.  As many of you know South America is my passion and I love the itinerary.

What really was the deciding factor is I will be back working with the Entertainment Director Ron Goodman.  

Upated...  i now join October 22 and will do 4 ten day Mexican Riviera cruises.  I will be joinng in November to do 3 ten day Mexican cruises.  

Then it is the Grand 51 Day South America Cruise!

Once back in Fort Lauderdale we will do two 14 Day Caribbean cruises.

We love this ship, we love the crew and the itineraries can't be beat.

Care to join us!