2011 Countdown to National Conference

[raebates]

Today is June 4. There are 33 days until the start of National Conference.Whether you're traveling by plane, bus, or train, be sure to have your identification handy. Depending on your mode of travel, you may need to show that ID several times. You may need more than one form of ID. You will most likely also need ID handy in order to check in at the hotel.

 

[raebates]

Today is June 4. There are 33 days until the start of National Conference.

Whether you're traveling by plane, bus, or train, be sure to have your identification handy. Depending on your mode of travel, you may need to show that ID several times. You may need more than one form of ID. You will most likely also need ID handy in order to check in at the hotel.

 

[raebates]

Today is June 5. There are 32 days until the start of National Conference. You might want to check with the hotel (or others who have stayed at your hotel in the past) to see what amenities they offer. Some offer a hair dryer, an iron and ironing board, etc. If you're not picky about those things, you could leave yours at home. That will give you more suitcase room for your shopping spoils.

 

[raebates]

Today is June 6. There are 31 days until the start of National Conference.Think about the toiletries you're going to bring. It can be a good investment to pick up a travel kit. You can get them fairly inexpensively ($5 to $15) at discount stores. They save space and time, since you can move everything into and out of the bathroom easily. Mine will even hang on the towel rod or the hook on the back of the bathroom door, saving precious counter space. An additional perk to these is the convenience. I leave mine packed, rotating out supplies occasionally. The only thing I have to add is my makeup, so I’m ready to go at a moment’s notice.

 

[raebates]

Today is June 7. There are 30 days until the start of National Conference--one month!Want to make things easiest on yourself while you're trying to get ready in the morning at NC? Pack your clothes in outfits. Fold together all of the clothes (slacks/skirt, top, undies, etc.) that you're planning to wear on a particular day. Need to hang things up when you arrive? Put everything for that day on the same hanger—underthings and all. No rummaging through your suitcase when it's your turn in the bathroom.Some people pack their own hangers. If you have 4 people in your room, you might not have enough hangers for everyone—especially if they hang pieces separately. This would be a good thing to discuss with your roommates.

 

[angel7581]

Rae I love your countdown, even though I copied most of it into OneNote last year and have most of the info, it is still great to read it each day. Hope we can meet up again this year!

 

[raebates]

I'd like that, Angel.

 

[raebates]

Today is June 8. There are only 29 days until the start of National Conference!Remember that a bag of wadded up dirty laundry takes up more room than neatly folded laundry. I know it sounds weird, but fold your dirty laundry before you put it in your laundry bag. It will make it easier to get your suitcase zipped before you leave.Oh, and here’s something to watch for. Make sure you only bring home your own dirty laundry. Last year one of my roommates used a PC bad for her dirty laundry. So did I. We were packing near one another to go. I thought I’d packed my laundry, but there it was, right by my suitcase. When I got home I realized I had two laundry bags. That’s right, I’d brought home her dirty laundry, too.

 

[Nanisu]

I have just had room for two roomies open up at the Hilton (2 bathrooms) in our room--two people have backed out. We are non smokers and would love to have you. Coming in Wednesday, leaving Saturday.

 

[raebates]

Today is June 9. There are only 28 days until the start of National Conference! That's right, just 4 weeks from today!Label each piece of your luggage, both inside and out, with your name and phone number, but don’t put your home address on the outside. This can be a safety issue. If an address is required by your transportation, try not to use your home address. Use your office address, a post office, etc., if possible. Flying? Don't forget to remove old claim checks to avoid confusion. After all, you may want to return to your last vacation spot, but do you really want your luggage to return before you do?

 

[raebates]

Today is June 10. There are only 27 days until the start of National Conference!If you haven’t already done so, print out all of your paperwork now—hotel confirmation, NC registration & workshop list, travel stuff (plane/bus reservations, maps, etc). Gather them all together so that you’ll have everything you need in one convenient place.

 

[raebates]

Today is june 11. There are only 26 days until the start of National Conference!Remember to pack things together tightly. Packing loosely wastes precious space and encourages your clothes to wrinkle. If you’re trying to leave room for things you’ll want to bring home, fill a few large zippered bags with air to take up room. The bags will fold flat when you are ready to travel home. You could even put a few of your purchases in them. Now that you've been reminded to pack everything tightly, don't waste any hidden space. Tuck things into your shoes, into the corners of your suitcase, etc. These are great places for socks, undies, jewelry, etc. But, on the other hand, be sure to leave an empty pocket or two in that suitcase, so you can fill it with things you may buy while in Chicago!!

 

[raebates]

Today is june 11. There are only 26 days until the start of National Conference!

Remember to pack things together tightly. Packing loosely wastes precious space and encourages your clothes to wrinkle. If you’re trying to leave room for things you’ll want to bring home, fill a few large zippered bags with air to take up room. The bags will fold flat when you are ready to travel home. You could even put a few of your purchases in them.

Now that you've been reminded to pack everything tightly, don't waste any hidden space. Tuck things into your shoes, into the corners of your suitcase, etc. These are great places for socks, undies, jewelry, etc. But, on the other hand, be sure to leave an empty pocket or two in that suitcase, so you can fill it with things you may buy while in Chicago!!

 

[raebates]

Today is June 12. There are only 25 days until the start of National Conference!Before you take off, lay the contents of your wallet in orderly fashion on the glass of a copier. Make two copies of the front and back of everything including your driver license. Leave one copy at home; put the other in a secure place inside your suitcase. Imagine how grateful you will be if your wallet is lost or stolen.You might also want to carry your plastic separate from your cash. This way if you get robbed there’s a good chance you still have either the plastic or cash so you won’t be stranded.I’m not trying to say that Chicago or NC is unsafe. It’s just that it’s a good idea to be prepared. To be honest, I’m much more likely to lose my wallet than to have it stolen. These ideas would still come in handy for a lost wallet.

 

[esavvymom]

That's a great idea to do no matter WHAT.....I could lose my purse at the mall today..who knows, and I would not be prepared.

 

[otisbg]

We recently had an incident in the Parking lot at work, where one of my co-workers had her purse grabbed while walking from her car. We were also advised not to put your car keys or cell phone in your purse - but to keep them in a pocket. She had to have someone drive her home, break into her house to get her extra car keys and she could not even call for help from the parking lot as she had put her cell in her purse!

 

[Chef Bobby]

We recently had an incident in the Parking lot at work, where one of my co-workers had her purse grabbed while walking from her car. We were also advised not to put your car keys or cell phone in your purse - but to keep them in a pocket. She had to have someone drive her home, break into her house to get her extra car keys and she could not even call for help from the parking lot as she had put her cell in her purse!

I know someone that had the same happen and after they were home she got a call that her purse was found. Since the thief had her address and house keys, while they were gone to get the purse the house was robbed.

Just a happy note to a bad subject; My mother in law yanked back on her purse when someone tried to grab it and run. The thief was jerked off his feet. He let her keep her purse and ran off.

 

[Liseit]

I had a similiar experience but they didn't realize I was carrying a cross-body bag. They were taking me too if they wanted that purse.... They really are safer.

 

[Sheila]

Today is June 12. There are only 25 days until the start of National Conference!

Before you take off, lay the contents of your wallet in orderly fashion on the glass of a copier. Make two copies of the front and back of everything including your driver license. Leave one copy at home; put the other in a secure place inside your suitcase. Imagine how grateful you will be if your wallet is lost or stolen.

You might also want to carry your plastic separate from your cash. This way if you get robbed there’s a good chance you still have either the plastic or cash so you won’t be stranded.

I’m not trying to say that Chicago or NC is unsafe. It’s just that it’s a good idea to be prepared. To be honest, I’m much more likely to lose my wallet than to have it stolen. These ideas would still come in handy for a lost wallet.

Sorry, the retired police dispatcher in me is saying DON'T DO THAT! If your suitcase gets lost in transit or if a member of the hotel cleaning staff decides to rifle through your things, you are putting your cards at risk by giving them photos of the front & back of your card to make as many internet purchases as they want (especially if you have a photo copy of your drivers license WITH your billing address printed on the driver's license). Yes, it's a good idea to keep a copy at home in a safe place. You can even give a copy to a trusted relative or friend in case you need to call them for the info from vacation ... but I discourage you from carrying copies of all your personal info like that in your suitcase.

Another thought ... what if the hotel messes up & gives someone a key to your room? My sister & brother-in-law were just telling me that they walked into a room where someone was in the shower & all that person's stuff was laid out in the room (including a man's wallet on the dresser). Sis & BIL backed out & immediately returned to the desk ... but what if the occupant was not in the shower but gone AND what if the people with accidental access to his room were not trustworthy people? Never leave valuables in a hotel room unless it's in a safe.

What if you don't know your roommate as well as you THOUGHT you did?

When traveling, don't carry credit cards you won't need or use with you. Don't carry extras like your children's Social Security cards with you. Clean out all non-essential items and leave them in a secure place at home (or safe deposit box at the bank if you have one). There's no point in making yourself more vulnerable than you have to be. Keep alert. Be aware of your surroundings at all times (on or off vacation). If you see someone who looks suspicious, make eye contact. Most thieves will have second thoughts about choosing YOU as the victim if they think you could identify them in a lineup. Most purse snatchers want to do it & flee before you can get a good look at them. So make them nervous ... LOOK at them before they can grab & run! Never carry your purse on the street side of you when walking on a sidewalk. It's too easy for someone to drive by, reach out the window & grab it. Always keep it on the building side of the street and close. If you are in a crowd, keep it tucked around near your belly button where you will KNOW if someone tries to touch it or dig in it. And remember, you can dial 911 for free from any pay phone.

 

[chefa]

Great advice Sheila! Also, remember airport security and baggage handlers have access to your checked luggage too. I think my bag gets targeted every time I check the darn thing - no idea why - they don't tell you why they were rifling in your undies just that they were. Yuck! When I get home, I dump everything in the washer asap.

 

[wadesgirl]

Sorry, the retired police dispatcher in me is saying DON'T DO THAT! If your suitcase gets lost in transit or if a member of the hotel cleaning staff decides to rifle through your things, you are putting your cards at risk by giving them photos of the front & back of your card to make as many internet purchases as they want (especially if you have a photo copy of your drivers license WITH your billing address printed on the driver's license). Yes, it's a good idea to keep a copy at home in a safe place. You can even give a copy to a trusted relative or friend in case you need to call them for the info from vacation ... but I discourage you from carrying copies of all your personal info like that in your suitcase.

Another thought ... what if the hotel messes up & gives someone a key to your room? My sister & brother-in-law were just telling me that they walked into a room where someone was in the shower & all that person's stuff was laid out in the room (including a man's wallet on the dresser). Sis & BIL backed out & immediately returned to the desk ... but what if the occupant was not in the shower but gone AND what if the people with accidental access to his room were not trustworthy people? Never leave valuables in a hotel room unless it's in a safe.

What if you don't know your roommate as well as you THOUGHT you did?

When traveling, don't carry credit cards you won't need or use with you. Don't carry extras like your children's Social Security cards with you. Clean out all non-essential items and leave them in a secure place at home (or safe deposit box at the bank if you have one). There's no point in making yourself more vulnerable than you have to be. Keep alert. Be aware of your surroundings at all times (on or off vacation). If you see someone who looks suspicious, make eye contact. Most thieves will have second thoughts about choosing YOU as the victim if they think you could identify them in a lineup. Most purse snatchers want to do it & flee before you can get a good look at them. So make them nervous ... LOOK at them before they can grab & run! Never carry your purse on the street side of you when walking on a sidewalk. It's too easy for someone to drive by, reach out the window & grab it. Always keep it on the building side of the street and close. If you are in a crowd, keep it tucked around near your belly button where you will KNOW if someone tries to touch it or dig in it. And remember, you can dial 911 for free from any pay phone.

I actually change into a smaller wallet when I travel. This leads to me only taking the things I need and to not carry any extra.

 

[raebates]

Good advice, Sheila. I got the info from a travel site, but I'll edit that for future use.

 

[raebates]

Today is July 13. There are only 24 days until the start of National Conference. What not to take is as important as what to take. Leave the family heirlooms at home. While your hotel should be secure, theft does happen. If it's an irreplaceable piece of family history, you may want to rethink bringing it along. If you're being recognized for a special achievement, and you really want to wear great aunt Bertha's diamond-encrusted brooch, ask about the hotel safe.

 

[Brenda.the.chef]

I hope you meant JUNE 13.. not July! (Conference would be over already!)

 

[angel7581]

Good catch Brenda .. I read that post twice today and did not see that.

 

[raebates]

LOL! Yes, I did. Can you tell my brain's already into next month? I'd fix it, but that would just make you look insane.

 

[raebates]

Today is June 14. There are only 23 days until the start of National Conference.Make sure of the carry-on rules. I don't know about buses or trains, but airlines have strict carry-on policies. You don't want to have to leave things you've carefully chosen behind. Contact your airline or bus company for their rules. Don't forget that the Transportation Security Administration has some rules in place, too. Questions? Get the answers at TSA | Transportation Security Administration | U.S. Department of Homeland Security or 866-289-9673.

 

[raebates]

Today is June 14. There are only 23 days until the start of National Conference.

Make sure of the carry-on rules. I don't know about buses or trains, but airlines have strict carry-on policies. You don't want to have to leave things you've carefully chosen behind. Contact your airline or bus company for their rules. Don't forget that the Transportation Security Administration has some rules in place, too. Questions? Get the answers at TSA | Transportation Security Administration | U.S. Department of Homeland Security or 866-289-9673.

 

[Liseit]

Have I said how much I love this countdown!!! There is so much information here and it increases the excitment being reminded daily that it's almost here. Thanks Rae.

 

[raebates]

It's my pleasure, Liseit. It helps me to stay focused, too.