It's been some time since my last post. My dear daughter-in-law Jill Dayton, has asked for a next installment so here goes. Today is Janaury 30, 2010. It's hard to believe that a full month has gone by in the new year, new decade.
In preparation for our trip which is fast approaching, Mark and I have continued with our swim aerobics classes three times a week as well as challenging ourselves with hill climbs and weight work and land aerobics as well.
We've also tried valiantly to shed a few pounds of fat so our "love handles" are less loveable!
The real reason is so we can fit into our clothes on board the Diamond Princess so we can eat more food!
Let's be truthful here.

Today was packing day. We've had our open suitcases staring at us reproachfully for a week now. It was time. We'll be gone for over 40 days and we are notorious "good intention" packers-
you know the "This Time I'll Take Only What I Will Absolutely Wear and Everything Will Coordinate With Everything Else" type people. I'm in awe of these real life saints. They go on a year long trip with only a back pack over their shoulder. Of course, they don't have 'formal nights' where their shoes must coordinate with their dressy clothes nor do they usually need lounge wear and 'smart casual' outfits for those nights in the various dining venues when not posing for painfully expensive formal photos.

No, I am embarrased to admit the following to all of you who will no doubt be righteously smirking at our unseemly overpacking once again. So much for good intentions, my dear.
Since they say that confession is good for the soul, here goes:
Two large suitcases
One medium suitcase
One duffle bag (All of the above to be checked luggage)
I'm not finshed.
One wheeled carry-on
One large over the shouler tote bag (Both to be carried by Jofannie)
One smaller wheeled carry-on carrying a very large camera bag housing our new camera and related equipment)
Our rather large laptop (Both to be carried by the sherpa- Mark)
Yes, I am blushing
The strategy for carrying all this is as follows-
When we arrive in Auckland and retrieve our baggage, Mark grabs one of the large suitcases, places the duffle on top so both pieces can be wheeled with one hand. In his other hand, which hopefully is still attached to his arm, he wheels the medium suitcase with the camera-toting carry-on on top and firmly in his grasp and ACROSS HIS BODY is the laptop bag..with laptop inside.
I wheel the other large suitcase in one hand, my assigned carry-on with the other hand and the carry-all (really just a large tote) aross my chest....
Feel free to write back with all your comments. As an example- "OY VAY"!
Pray for porters...or not.

Actually, other than luggage, we are very excited to be on our way on Tuesday, Feb 2.
We'll be picked up at our door by an airporter service that takes us straight to SeaTac airport.
Then we fly to LAX via a short stop in San Jose, Ca. At 11:15 PM, we board our Qantas flight for a 12.5 hour flight to Auckland, NZ, arriving at 9:15 AM two days later on Feb 4 since we cross the International Date Line thereby losing a day (which we gain back when we fly home from Bangkok and Tokyo on March 14 and 15).

Christmas 2009

Wow! It's been 12 days since I've posted and it's now 2010. New Year, New Decade, New Resolutions. Mark and I embrace each new year as an opportunity to enhance who we are and evolve into our most glorious selves. 2010 will be full of challenges on the world stage and for each of us personally. We focus each day on the words to that wonderful Beattles song, "All There Is Is Love dah da da da da".....

We had a lovely and loving Christmas with that part of our family that lives in Washington state which includes son Christopher, daughter-in-law Jill, and grandchildren Julian (who became a teenager on Dec 27), Claire, Audrey and Ethan (now officially potty trained).
It was the first time they spent several days at our house over the Christmas holiday and much food, presents and merriment abided. No snow, but unusual and gorgeous clear skies and brisk weather. A true Godsend for our state this time of the year.

I am now starting the OFFICIAL countdown for our trip Down Under...thirty days and counting.

Mark and I wish you the most fantastic year ever so HAPPY NEW YEAR!!