Much ado...

When in the planning stages for a trip, you think, "it's so long before we get to go", but when you're down to less than 30 days, you think, "yikes! I don't have enough time to get everything done and ready!"

That's a little of how I'm feeling right now. While I am accomplishing things on my list, the list seems to go on forever. Here's an example:

• Housecleaning - the whole house must be ready for company!
• Updating our wills - our children are no longer minors and other things have changed.
• Setting up information folders for things while we're away.
• Laundry - it's 4 weeks of travel people!
• Dog care - do we need it? Will John be home enough? 
• House keys - need extras for those who will be helping take care of things.
• Update insurances - beneficiaries, etc.
• Getting replacements for leadership activities at church.
• Getting church scheduling completed through April.
• Find time with friends - we're really going to miss them.
• Set up rides to/from the airport.
• Set up flights.
• Set up hotels.
• Set up rental car.
• Set up train travel.
• Set up people for our boys to call in an emergency.
• Make sure everyone has contact phone numbers.
• Pack.

Not that long of a list, right? Wrong. The housecleaning means every room in the house must be completely clean and ready as if for company. I won't be here to keep it up, so friends will be coming in to help with maintaining the house. I can't let them come in with it messy to begin with!

Updating wills, insurance - I have that mostly taken care of now. We just need to get signatures with a notary completed then copies out to those who need it.

Flights, hotels, car, train - finally completed today. With this being partially a work trip, these things couldn't be finalized until the office had confirmation of certain things and that does not happen quickly.

Packing - yeah. 4 weeks, 1 lg and 2 sm suitcases, 1 backpack and 1 camera bag. Hmmm, how would you suggest I handle it? With the exception of deciding exactly what to take in the way of clothes and shoes, the rest isn't that big of a deal. My husband and I both are pretty good at packing. He regularly packs for a week with an extra pair of shoes into a 16" carry-on bag. The biggest issue is that we have to take winter coats and boots, which will take up a great deal of room.

So, I'm slightly panicky about getting everything done. But, in the end, I know it'll be fine. We'll get the most important things done first and work from there on the rest. It's a matter of taking a little time each day to remind myself to chill.