Countdown to Wave 2: 72 Days | Today's Date: 4/30/07

[raebates]

That's another advantage of hanging everything for one day together. You use fewer hangers.

 

[raebates]

Today is 6/17/07.Days until the start of Wave 2: 25.When you're ready to come home, remember that a bag of balled 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 that bag zipped before you leave.

 

[raebates]

Today is 6/18/07.Days until the start of Wave 2: 24.Label each piece of your luggage, both inside and out, with your name and phone number, but not your home address. 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?

 

[PampMomof3]

WOW!! ONly 24 more days??? I Can't wait! I guess I"ll need to start thinking about what to pack. I've been out of the loop for awhile now so thanks for this thread Rae!!

 

[raebates]

You're welcome. To be completely honest, I didn't start out to do a thread full of travel tips. I just thought the plain date & countdown number seemed bare. Once I had dressed it up with a suggestion, I kind of felt committed to the format. I ran out of suggestions from my own memory when the countdown reached about 40. I've enjoyed researching travel tips. There's a lot of good info out there.

 

[chefkristin]

Oh my it is approaching fast!!! I can't wait!!!!

 

[PampMomof3]

You're welcome. To be completely honest, I didn't start out to do a thread full of travel tips. I just thought the plain date & countdown number seemed bare. Once I had dressed it up with a suggestion, I kind of felt committed to the format. I ran out of suggestions from my own memory when the countdown reached about 40. I've enjoyed researching travel tips. There's a lot of good info out there.

Well Rae, we sure do appreciate your research!!!

Thank you!!

 

[raebates]

Today is 6/19/07.

Days until the start of Wave 2: 23.


Be sure to wear comfy shoes when you travel to and from NC. Flying? Right now ALL footwear must be removed for x-ray screening. Shoes that slip off and on easily will save time and frustration. Well, at least some of the frustration.

 

[Paula R. Lewis]

Thanks, Rae! I have enjoyed reading this thread! You have definitely help everyone's anticipation build!!

Hope I get to meet some of you there!

Paula

 

[aried]

We have are Amtrack tickets reserved!

Ann R.

 

[raebates]

I'm looking forward to meeting lots of you guys, too. One of the neat things about doing this thread is that I've also learned some good ideas that I've been able to pass along to a good buddy. She leaves in early July for Romania to work with orphans for a few weeks.

 

[Paula R. Lewis]

Ooooo, Rae!! One of my recruits is related to a Romanian girl. She has told me about how her own parents have gone over there, doing missionary work. In fact, I believe that's how they met. Anyway, it's either her brother or nephew that ended up MARRYING this girl, and brought her over here. They live down in Texas.

When her parents went, her mom wanted to take some small little products over there, to "bless" some of the women in the local churches. It is a very poor country, as I understood, so they are very appreciative of even the smallest gesture like this.

I don't remember what else she took, but I know there were lots of vegetable peelers! (Thought I'd pass this along, in case your friend wants to do something similar!!)

Paula

 

[chefann]

I had a show for a woman who was going to an orphanage someplace in eastern Europe. She used her FPV for lots of little things to take to them.

 

[chefkristin]

Today is 6/19/07.

Days until the start of Wave 2: 23.


Be sure to wear comfy shoes when you travel to and from NC. Flying? Right now ALL footwear must be removed for x-ray screening. Shoes that slip off and on easily will save time and frustration. Well, at least some of the frustration.

Well I am all set with my shoes! I bought some Crocs today finally. The Beach style in Khaki.

 

[raebates]

Paula and Ann, my friend is taking stuff to the girls. She'll be working with two different groups. One is little girls (think early elementary age). The other is girls in transition. In other words, they're getting ready to turn 18, which means they will lose their home soon. She's been asked to collect and take with her personal items, especially for the older girls--lotions, nail polish, and other girly stuff. She's also taking underwear for both groups.My favorite new story is that she lost her underwear at church. She had her suitcase out on display, and that's where church members could donate new, still-in-the-package undies. She went to church a couple of weeks ago, and it was missing. She went to the woman at the information desk (she attends a large church) and asked, "Do you know what happened to my underwear?" The woman gave her a look that indicated that, no, she didn't know what happened to her underwear. She started laughing and explained. She had to ask three other people before finding out that it had been moved due to a wedding the day before. I still giggle when I think about her searching the church for her underwear. I guess you can understand why we're good friends.

 

[janetupnorth]

Rae - Steve and I have a fellow missionary family (supported by our same home church) that is a Pastor in Romania. He was born there, studied here then went back to serve his people. He has quite the story and quite the battles with government off and on but it is better than the struggles with religion in China. If you want, I can look up what city he is in...just let me know - PM me...the orphanage your friend is going to may already know him.

 

[raebates]

I appreciate the offer, Janet. She already has several names to look up while she's there. I've promised her I wouldn't add to that list.

 

[raebates]

Today is 6/20/07.

Days until the start of Wave 2: 22.


Remember to pack tightly. Packing loosely wastes precious space and encourages your clothes to wrinkle.

 

[raebates]

Today is 6/21/07.Days until the start of Wave 2: 21.OMG! Three weeks!! 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.

 

[Paula R. Lewis]

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!!


Paula

 

[raebates]

Most definitely. Another option is to bring along a collapsible bag to carry your goodies home in.

 

[chefann]

My suitcase has a zipper that, when opened, adds about 1 1/2 inches to the depth of the suitcase. It's come in handy.

 

[raebates]

Ooh, handy.

 

[chefann]

It's nice because you don't always have the luxury of carrying an additional bag on the way home. This way, I can just open up the zipper, and pack a heck of a lot more in the suitcase. Like mini catalogs, etc. (Which you can ship home in a surprise package, BTW)

 

[ChefBeckyD]

It's nice because you don't always have the luxury of carrying an additional bag on the way home. This way, I can just open up the zipper, and pack a heck of a lot more in the suitcase.

Like mini catalogs, etc. (Which you can ship home in a surprise package, BTW)

Do you think Fed-Ex will be on site to ship like UPS was? That was so great not to have to lug those 18 boxes of cake mix home! (yep - I was wave 3 - by that time it was a free-for-all with the cakes - "Take as many as you want")

 

[PampMomof3]

Do you think Fed-Ex will be on site to ship like UPS was? That was so great not to have to lug those 18 boxes of cake mix home! (yep - I was wave 3 - by that time it was a free-for-all with the cakes - "Take as many as you want")

HOLY COW!! You really didn't have 18 boxes, did you?

 

[raebates]

I hope so. I'll be arriving and departing by car, so it's not a big deal to me, but it's so much easier for those of you flying.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

HOLY COW!! You really didn't have 18 boxes, did you?

I really did - and so did my director, and another girl in our cluster! They had boxes right there by the cake, and they just kept piling them in the boxes for us!
I still have 4-5 left in the cupboard! I could bring you one!

 

[smspamperedchef]

I think I got 12 and still have quite a bit of it left in my office closet. any idea on the shelf life???

 

[dannyzmom]

I think I got 12 and still have quite a bit of it left in my office closet. any idea on the shelf life???

I went home with 14. I thought I was saving $ by NOT shipping them - by puttin ghtem in my suitcase instead. Boy was I surprised when they charged me an extra $50 at the airport for having a heavy bag