Today I shall be Mainly...

[PanBiker]

It was Sally's birthday yesterday, we went to Barlick Raj last night with friends for a meal. Today we will mainly be going to our Carla's for a birthday tea for mum and grandma.

[Julie in Norfolk]

The Hollies were brilliant!

[Marilyn]

Happy Birthday Sally.

Hubby would have loved the Hollies concert, Julie.

Weather deteriorating again over next to days, so getting some packing of the van done in advance before everything we take in gets rained on. Heading North Wednesday. After all this rain, I am expecting a great show of outback wild flowers.
I have been a bit of a helicopter wife, hovering while Febby packs. He has a chronic habit of forgetting vital things ( one trip it was his undies, another it was his heart medication and another trip he didn't pack any tops). I hate to be too obvious about hovering, but we are going bush.
( he never forgets his wine or cider!)

[Stanley]

Got his priorities right then.....
Jules, I hope your mother acted disgracefully!
I shall be aiming to finish a little job in the shed but who knows?

[Sue]

I hated packing in case I forgot something. Now I have several lists on my iPad for different holidays. It has all the essentials on it and another section of variables i.e. It says 4 t shirts, something to go out,. Since I did this I can throw my packing together really quickly as I don't have to think...what have I forgotten?

[Sue]

Just suddenly thought that I hadn't made a donation recently, so I have now done so

[Marilyn]

Sue...by the time I have planned the meals, packed the small freezer/pantry/fridge...checked the forecast for what level of bedding we need...packed the first aid kit...put destinations into the sat Nav...packed the water ( we are going to the Desert)...checked gas and water tank levels...packed towels...and my own stuff...I get to the stage where I don't really care if he is walking about nude with no heart medication! He avoids getting involved with the organisation...

[LizG]

Maz, you make me laugh. I know how it goes... I now pack Den's clothes after he has packed. He always thinks that 3 things of everything is enough, and it probably would be if I washed every day and the weather was kind enough to get it dry, which it's not. The last place we went to where I left the packing to him was Ballarat, one of the coldest places in Victoria. The first thing we had to buy was a coat. We have plenty of those in the cupboard at home. I do all the food, the towels and sheets stay in the van. You will get a process in place.

[Marilyn]

For some reason ( which I can't quite fathom), I refuse to do such mundane things for any man. He has been dressing himself for well over half a century and should know what he needs to take. And he should take responsibility for the medications that go into HIS body. I am his wife, not his Mother.
Mind you, I did do a sneaky check ( ) and suggested perhaps two pairs of shorts weren't enough.
( and I left him a note that it may be wise to pack sunscreen and a hat)

[Tizer]

I have an A4 sheet of paper with a list of everything we need and I get it out two days before each holiday. I'm a bit OCD about it but I hate forgetting to take things; it also means I don't have to suffer those feelings when you get part way on the journey then suddenly remember something. Recently I forgot my reading glasses which was a real nuisance, not just because I do a lot of reading of books on holiday but I also like to examine maps the day before we do an outing. Now I keep a spare pair of reading glasses in one of the holiday bags.

[Tizer]

I have an A4 sheet of paper with a list of everything we need and I get it out two days before each holiday. I'm a bit OCD about it but I hate forgetting to take things; it also means I don't have to suffer those feelings when you get part way on the journey then suddenly remember something. Recently I forgot my reading glasses which was a real nuisance, not just because I do a lot of reading of books on holiday but I also like to examine maps the day before we do an outing. Now I keep a spare pair of reading glasses in one of the holiday bags. (And I have spare pair of distance glasses in the car.)

[PanBiker]

Sally says thank you for the birthday wishes and we are now the same age but only for a month.

Packing, we have a list each on the computer that has developed over the years. It only covers the non clothing stuff but means you get to your destination with the little things that you need to set up temporary home. Clothes wise I start with the order I get dressed and pack (underwear, T shirts etc) for as many days as the holiday plus 2 or 3 extras. If going to a hot place, 3 pairs of shorts, 2 pair linen trousers for going out in the evening and a shirt for each day. We can pack all our stuff in overhead locker sized cases and can come in a few kilos below the 15K allowance, 12K for Greece this year. I take a small rucksack as hand luggage with dry bits in, no liquids as per security rules. I never cease to be amazed at how much stuff some people have at the airport. It's as if they just empty everything in their wardrobes into the biggest case they can find. We got the locker sized cases specifically to avoid having to check bags particularly for shorter trips, the airlines now though are reducing the locker space and encourage you to check all but the smallest bags, the aircraft are getting bigger and locker space is at more of a premium.

Back on topic, I think today I will mainly be walking up Weets.

[Marilyn]

Our early packing is only due to bad weather expected....usually my hubby is one of those happy souls who swings his (badly) packed bag aboard 5 mins before we are due to leave, declaring that if he has forgotten anything he can live on air and water. (Which he can't).
And he relies on me to make sure every other insignificant thing ( such as food)....just "happens".
He doesn't even pack a mobile phone charger ( knowing we can share one and I am bound to pack mine)

[Sue]

We both do our own packing. Bob puts the bulk of other things together, maps etc, but other bits and pieces we will both do. We put everything on the spare bed as we each think of it. As we go to France a lot, our overnight bag goes together with out much effort. We have a drawer and a plastic box in the same spare bedroom and as we think of things between trips we pop them in the appropriate place. When we pack we just empty them in to the car or put the box in , full..

[Stanley]

I remember once seeing a young man get off a Transatlantic flight with just a rolled up sleeping bag and a paper back book. He had no other baggage and walked straight out of the airport. I remember thinking to myself that he had cracked packing.....
Comms as usual and trying to get in the shed without being diverted!

[Stanley]

Making a bigger effort to get in the shed. I failed miserably yesterday!

[Sue]

A relatively quiet day. Packing for a short trip to France, helping in the hospice shop this afternoon and dance exercise class this evening.i may do a bit of sewing

[Wendyf]

Planting up a new strawberry bed if it dries up a bit outside, I've got a bag full of runners from my neighbour. History society committee meeting this afternoon.

[PanBiker]

Waiting for the smart meter bloke.

[Moh]

We had ours fitted a few weeks back, surprising how much energy the kettle uses and I only put in what we need.

[Stanley]

That's one of the advantages of having the monitor Moh, it reminds you which appliances gobble the leccy. You knew that before of course but the monitor reinforces it.
I managed an hour in the shed yesterday between dealing with comms and life. I shall be aiming for the same today!

[Sue]

AnArt day with Jeremy Ford. , Pilates this evening.

[Stanley]

I got in the shed and made up my mind about my next project..... I am actually going to spend money on castings and drawings instead of making an engine out of my head/scrap! It should keep me busy for a year at least.......
I think that today I ought to concentrate on setting up my new tipped parting tool and having a practice. Parting off has always been my Achille's Heel! I have improved of late but it still frightens me to death!

[Sue]

On our way to Warwick to the model engineering exhibition

[Stanley]

My fears were unfounded, completely successful but I think I have much to learn about speeds with tipped tools.... I rewarded myself by having a read of some old magazines and found a gem which I will share with you all later!
Today is shopping, comms and looking after myself.