Amy40

Oh, and btw, I'll be cleaning every day for the next five! So, at least my house'll be good and clean. I have that same fear of what the executors of my estate might find upon my demise...

Vera

Yep, clean the house--or at least change the sheets on the bed so it will be hotel-fresh when I return. Also, something no one else has mentioned, pull up the "home information" document on my computer, update anything that needs updating and print out for my son who lives nearby or hosuesitter. It lists who provides utilities, who we use for repairs, contact numbers for relatives. And I send an e-mail to family with my flight schedule and hotels en route. And be sure one copy of your passport is left behind with a trusted relative/friend and one is tucked in your suitcase, along with a list of your credit cards and the phone numbers to call if they get lost.
Vera (belt and suspenders kind of gal)

LoveItaly

Maybe I misunderstood but I would not put photocopies of any documents in the suitcase that will be checkedin. Always carry all of that in your carryon luggage.

Vicky

Leave Tues. At work wrapping up things. Calling the cc companies to warn them I will be using cards in Switzerland. Emailing hotels direct as I used booking agencies and things have gone wrong before with my reservations. Finding my cell phone # (I never call myself) to give to the friend I am traveling with - we each fly to Washington and meet up for the flight to Zurich. Packing is pretty much done.

tcreath

Funny you posted this because we leave for Italy tomorrow morning and we just got finished cleaning the house! We leave for Rome and Umbria for a week and a half. Right now we are gathering the dog's items to take to his sitters in the morning and rechecking our documents to make sure everything is in order. Our bags our packed and used the last of the perishable items that will spoil while we are gone (milk, etc.) I always like to come home to a clean house, although with three cats at home that may not always be a reality! Other than that, I'm just anxiously awaiting and hoping this night goes by very quickly!

I hope you have a fantastic trip!
Tracy

bling

Leaving Wed for much anticipated trip. Presently trying to finish off my all inclusive Travel Doc (Tips, restaurants, accomodation, flights, train/bus timetable details. Up to 15 pages now! Am I the only person who does this?)

This weekend:
- Cleaning the house (DH = vacumming, gardening; myself = bathrooms, kitchen).
- Family visits
- Final loads of washing and take suits to dry cleaners
- Finalising luggage and packing.

On Monday
- reconfirm flights
- advise cc company of travel plans
- top up credit card

AnselmAdorne

"If you have a neighbor you can trust, let them have a key in case of emergency and let them know whether or not a truck should be stopping at your house while you're gone and hauling away some or all of your possessions."

Rufus, you crack me up with your stuff. I love it.

But this is an interesting point ... I usually tell the neighbours on either side and across the street that we'll be away, and then give one of them a key so they can hoist in the mail and newspapers. (We keep the papers going so we can read them all when we get back, and I have no idea whether Canada Post will suspend mail delivery on request. They may not have room to store all the credit card applications and carpet cleaning offers we will receive while away!)

Anselm

TamaraEden

For the thank yous...you're all quite welcome. It's so pleasing when a post goes up that people jump on. Yay.

To those with pets, I know that my house won't be TOTALLY clean when I get home, as I have two cats. And, even with a friend coming by daily, I doubt they will sweep the little pieces of litter that stick to paws, and there is always one furball that doesn't get noticed and that's a tasty treat to come home to But at least everything but the floor will remain clean

tripgirl

bling,

you are not alone.

On our annual trip with our friends ( about 15 of them) I organize all the trips. We're off the the AC in May and my Trip Packet is 64 pages!!!

My list of To-do's before a vacation resembles a novel. But boy oh boy do I vacation well knowing each and every detail is taken care of!

bling

Tripgirl - my only fear is that all this planning goes out the window when we actually arrive, and realise how easy it is to 'wing it'!

yellowrose477

I am leaving Wednesday evening for Scotland. I just woke up from a nap. Now I am going to find my passport that I completely forgot about until my husband mentioned it to me today. Don't have to clean as I am leaving my daughter, husband and doggie home alone - since hubby just returned from Taipei. I already called the credit card companies. Hate to fly, so stressing out about flying - worrying about driving on the opposite side of the road. Picked up ay xanax today. Anticipating seeing my son. I will start packing tomorrow - I am an early packer - after doing laundry. Also going to put all the paperwork in a folder such as copies (which I need to make yet), mapquest directions (which I probably won't need since I hopefully will have a navigation system), confirmation of insurance for rental car and Hertz confirmation. Everybody have a great trip!

tripgirl

Yes of course that's true, but its nice to know you are well planned in any case.

Happy travels!

vcl

In addition to letting your credit card companies know about your travel plans, it's a good idea to alert your bank that you will be using foreign ATMs. I once came home from a month in London to a letter from my bank announcing that they were about to stop honoring the ATM card because of unusual activity. Fortunately, they didn't get around to it before I returned.

Scarlett

Tamara, Thanks for the info on the online stop of mail ! I always go stand in line at the Post Office

TamaraEden

Scarlett, no problem, glad to help Gotta love technology!

youngandrestless

I just went online and scheduled my mail hold, but I was wondering: do I need to do it under my husband's name also in order to get his mail held? Or does it simply hold mail for every name under the address?

youngandrestless

Oops, I posted too soon. Under "hold mail FAQS" it states:
Q: There is someone else who lives at this same address with a different name. What can we do to hold both persons mail?
A: All mail regardless of name will be held for the address entered. Submitting an online Hold Mail request once is all you have to do to hold mail delivery for everyone at the address.

BabsB

In addition to these excellent suggestions I always unplug the coffee pot so the reservoir doesn't cook dry and I turn off the computers which are usually left on. Barb

carolyn

Turn off the water to the washing machine in case a hose should split. Put the water heater on "vacation" setting.

krissykris

Barbmike

Don't forget to take the 10 carat ring!