OT - Stress Producers

Great news about your DH! Sorry about your aunt... 96 years is a very long life. When her time comes, may she pass quietly and peacefully. and I hope your DGS is up and about very soon!!!

Enjoy your trip -- sounds well earned!

Well, my golly, Alice! Other than that? We're just so proud and pleased about your DH's good cardio news. Oh my, how wonderful. I reckon all of us need to be telling you things to remember before you leave the house since you probably don't exactly have your wits about you. The important one I can think of is: turn Off the water supply to your house so if something goes crazy like the ice maker or the washing machine, it won't have much to mess with. Okay, quilters. What else does Alice need to be sure she's handled? Polly

I sure plan to! It's our trip-of-a-lifetime!

When the Dr. came out to talk to me after DH's procedure, he suggested that we both go home and have a beer! I thought that was funny, and such a relief along with his good news of the results. Now I feel like I can concentrate on the trip.

Packing is a little tricky because we're leaving from Phila. where it's been below freezing for days and days, going to summer-time temps, two formal nights on the ship, and temps over 100 in the interior of Australia! I'm trying to stay to a minimum. One long skirt, two dressy tops, two pair of slacks, one pair of jeans, two pair of capris, two pair of shorts, various tops, a hoody, an all-weather jacket, swimsuit, sandals, sneakers, dressy heels. I've got color-coordinated "piles" of clothes all layed out on the spare bed. I'll probably change the piles several times before they actually go in the suitcases.

Thanks for the suggestions about the water. We also plan to disconnect the water softener, turn down the heat, and put some timers on a couple inside lamps, so they'll come on at night. I guess I should have one near my stash to scare away intruders!

I also bought bug spray, and would you believe that our WalMart Super Store has no sunscreen? You'd think they'd have some this time of year for skiiers. I'll have to get that at the drug store. I also need a 220 cord for the battery charger for my Nikon camera. The charger will handle 110 or

220, but the website says the cord may overheat. I doubt that I'll find that here; will have to wait until we arrive in Auckland. We have two extra days there before we board our ship, the Diamond Princess for a 12 day cruise.

Great to hear that DH is okay

Where abouts in Australia are you going ? It is 'the wet' up north so from what I have read midges and mossies are just as much of a problem as flies. If you let me know I may be able to offer some advise.

Dee in Oz

I am so glad to hear your news about your dh. You have been through a lot. The vacation sounds like a great idea.

96 is a great go at this life. Hope the grandbaby will be fine. Have a great trip! Taria

Alice, I hope the vacation you're planning is just what you need! That's great news about your DH -- all the more reason to celebrate with your cruise. :) Best wishes that your aunt has an easy time and that your DGS finds relief from his pain.

In Australia, we visit Melbourne and Sydney while still on the ship. Then we go to Cairns, Ayers Rock, Alice Springs and the Great Barrier Reef, and then back to Sydney. I'm guessing that midges and mossies are similar to what we call knats? Any help will be appreciated!

I am about 4 hours west of Melbourne.

This time of year the temperature in Melbourne and Sydney will range from

30-40 deg ( 86-104 F). Cairns I have never been near but at the moment it is 86 deg F 62% humidity. Alice Springs is currently 80 degF and humidity 76%, but they have just had a lot of rain in the last 24 hours with more expected in the next couple of days. One highway has been closed. This is not normal for this time of the year but Central Australia has just recently copped the after effects of a cyclone that was in Western Australia.

Midges are a small biting insect and Mossies are mosquitoes. We use "Bushmans' bug spray when we head 'up north' but a lot of people take Vit B a couple of days beforehand and continue to take it while in the area and this seems to be a good deterent to the mosquitoes. A fly net looks silly but they are fantastic. (range in price from $2 to about $20)

This shows what I mean. Have I covered everything ? let me know if you have any more questions?

Dee in Oz

What excellent news about your DH! Now you two can thoroughly enjoy the awesome trip you have planned.

With your aunt, even after such a long life, the end of it is always sad and stressful. May she go peacefully.

Hope your grandson gets to feeling better very soon.

Can't wait to hear the full report on your trip! :-) Michelle in Nevada

>

Thanks so much for your help. If we think of any other questions, I'll get back to you.

That's pretty much what I've done. Tan, brown and navy bottoms with various colored tops. I need to forget a few things, so I can buy some souvenirs, right?

Thanks for reminding me about the credit card companies. That's now on my to-do list!

Thank you Taria, Sandy and Michelle for your good wishes!

Alice: Here is a hug for you and your family members who need one. I look forward to hearing all about your trip. Bon Voyage! PAT in VA/USA