Without a doubt, the movie “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” is still one of my favorite comedies as long as the humorous antics don’t actually happen to me!

We are 7 days to departure and I am carefully honing what I think we may need on our trip while trying to keep our luggage to carry on bags only. We can each take a carryon suitcase and a personal bag and it is in these two bags I hope to get all we may need. I have been watching a number of Rick Steeve’s videos and one would think by the passion and energy I am putting into this that we have never traveled before, when actually we have traveled a lot around the U.S. and Hawaii along with one trip to England and France. So what’s different about things this time you ask? Well, the difference is that we (especially Al) are getting very tired of lugging around the equivalent of two steamer trunks wherever we go. Of course this is an exaggeration, but truth be told, I am an over-packer caused by fear of not having what I need when away from home. We also actually WILL be traveling in planes, trains and automobiles, so I want to pack smart. I am planning on a suitcase, back pack AND a bottle carrying fanny pack, for those days we are touring around.

I am seeing progress. I have travel size bottles and jars for everything I need. I am wearing my bulkier shoes while packing the lightweight pair. I have a light wool travel shawl that can double as a light blanket on the plane and which I can throw over my shoulders on a any cool night. I have 2 pair of pants, one skirt, several tanks, a light weight wrinkle resistant dress/casual jacket and a small scarf to wear into churches. A few each of underwear and socks, 2 nightgowns, and small packets of sink suds to wash as needed. A travel clothesline. A small umbrella.

I iphone and i-pad external chargers along with cords along with earphones. I downloaded kindle on my iPad for reading, though I have a book I hope to finish and then donate.

Then there is Little Willie…goodness where will he go?

As I said, I am making progress but not there yet. Oh, I forgot…our pill holders that show days and times of the week take up a lot of space, so I bought tiny zip lock plastic pill bags where I can write dates and days on them, which I will carry in a couple of ziplock snack bags. Saving a lot of room there as I would have needed three trays and these will take minimal space.

As I write this, I am outside in our courtyard and from where I sit, I am enjoying the recent cooler temps, along with the sound of flowing water from our fountains. I can hear the cicada’s chattering away in a rhythmic pattern and wind chimes playing their music which means there is a breeze. So peaceful it is. Well, 90 IS cooler than what we have experienced this past couple of weeks, which was in the 100’s. It is all perspective. People have been warning us that it can get very hot in Spain and Italy this time of year, but when Al checked out the forecast it is predicting the 70’s with minimal rain. However, we know that can change in a minute. Casara-sara! What will be, will be!

Well, time to go in and do some housework. I love our retired life. We work a little, play a little, travel a little, drink a little, eat a little more than a little, sleep alot and pray daily. Like the old song we once sang…”Oh the Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord”.

Amen…7 days and counting….