Thanks. I worry about the 4 wheeled ones, esp as often my carry on gets down into the belly of the plane and I worry about the wheels breaking off

What makes it better/easier? I love my Osprey packs.

Great ideas. i just made a mojito with sprite, lime juice, slice of lime, and fresh mint leaves. It is good. Not quite like drinking it overlooking the water at sunset in Cinque Terre, Italy….but pretty good.

Last week in Italy I enjoyed some very nice non alcoholic drinks. I have no issues with casual social drinking but have never been a drinker and with alcoholism super strong in my family, I feel no need to start. That said, my lemon daiquiri and mojito were very good. I would love to make some simple nice drinks here at home. I have also enjoyed non alcoholic margaritas and cherry sours before. I don’t have any “drink” making stuff but do have a blender and most kitchen basics. Any favorites?

Was she happy with it and the process?

My brother passed away last month. I am now looking at headstones but the cheapest ones locally are $1000 and up. Online ones are much cheaper. I just don’t know anyone who has ever ordered one online…..service, quality, etc.

They gave us a pillow but a neck one would have been nice

What I left behind and wished I had…..my neck pillow for my middle of the row seat in the flight from Detroit to Amsterdam.

I love Traverse City área. Ds is from the tribe just north of there so we visit often.

I have the flex dry on the fly hiking pants but they are from last year and too big. I need to get there and get some new ones but the store is a ways away. I do love them though.

I am heading to Italy in the morning. Then a friend is invited me to drive with her to the east coast 4 times this spring to watch her Naval Academy senior on the crew team. I those to do at least 2 of those trips as I have never been to the east coast. Family trip to Mackinac Island in June. Visiting friends in Atlanta in July (I did not pick the time of year). Backpacking in August. I hope to get in several smaller backpacking trips as well. And Lots of hiking. I live a very frugal life, but enjoy traveling and am blessed that none of these trips require me to pay for lodging or transportation once I get there.

Passport is on 5 different lists. Getting that out soon.

Is it called just Translate? I looked at apps and several with that name came up

I am trying to make each item mix and match…..I told my friend I am doing the adult version of Garanimals clothes. And things that can be layered or used for lounging and sleeping, etc. My vacation pictures might have me all in the same 3 shirts but ……

I figure if I have my own shoes that fit well and have my orthotics and my meds I can borrow or buy anything else.

Good points. I have usb charger and charging bank. My friend has laundry for us at her house . I will message her and ask about the pillow and blanket on the flight. I don’t want to haul extra stuff with me but a pillow and blanket would make the 7 1/2 hour flight much better. I am looking for hiking type pants but I leave tomorrow and my weight loss means none of the hiking clothes I own fit….. and I don’t have much time to go from store to store today.

Do all flights to Europe have the blankets? We are flying Delta. We have the economy seats.

Great ideas. I am staying with a friend so will have a built in translator and house to stay in. blanket for the plane is a great idea: need to find that small one we got on a different plane trip and pack that. Snacks is a good idea as well as we have an Air bnb in Cinque Terre and have to walk a ways to find food. OTC meds are in my list and I have 2 adapter plugs.

Too chilly right now for that concerns. Highs will be 60°F

Taking my puffy packable jacket. And I bought a good rain coat today….so hopefully then we won’t have rain every day.

I will be taking my hiking shoes and tennis shoes but blister care is a good ideas

I am headed to Turin Italy soon and then 3 days/2 nights in Cinque Terre (Corniglia). My goal is to pack as light as possible. I will have access to laundry. What are some things that are a must have for travel in Europe/Italy? What might I really want with me but not be thinking of? All of our actives will be very casual where jeans, tennis shoes and a sweater will be plenty dressy. My only other international trip was Cancun to an all inclusive so that doesn’t really count.

Congratulations

Do you have kids old enough to help you or 1-2 friends that will come help and not judge? I do the 3 bucket method. 1. Trash 2. Things to donate 3. Things that belong in another part of the house. You could even sit there and tell them which bucket/laundry basket/trash bag, etc to put things in and they do it. Once that is done, put stuff away in the room you are working and clean that room. Then take out trash, load donations into the car, and put away the things that belong elsewhere in the house. I am currently drowning in stuff as my kids are already collectors and savers and shoppers. Then in the past 6 weeks we had to empty my moms house out to sell and my brother passed away 2 1/2 weeks ago and we have to empty his house to sell (I am executor and he had no spouse or kids so it all falls on my brother and I). So much stuff is being staged/piled in my office and garage and hallways.

Thanks for all of the ideas. As we were searching she saw Peter Rabbit and wanted that as it is almost Easter. now I have ideas for next time.