Thanks so much for the 411.

Last time I wore a sweater around my waist, they said I had to put it IN the carry on because like a fanny pack, it was considered a separate item. HUH??? THAT is why I didn't mention the hoodie around my waist. HOWEVER, I will try it in this new city and see if there is a difference. LOL

Put it on when you go through security and then take it off when you get to the gate. I've done that with jackets and coats and have never had a problem.

I have about 30 pairs of ear rings and bring them all!!

I have brass "testicals" & refuse to leave home without them. :)

An immersion water heater and my tea.

* Saline spray - for nose and eyes

* Portable reading light - and batteries or converter

* Hand sanitizer - got a new refillable one at CVS - It's a sprayer the size of a pen with a clip. I refill with alc. - very handy.

1) Husband, 2) neck pillow, and 3)night guard for teeth...anything else is replaceable.

Cheers to Clarasong and her husband. Isn't love grand?!

I have a 3X5 leather notebook by Levenger. You can add and replace individual pages. In the notebook I have phone numbers, insurance information, medicine dosage info, a list of books that I want to read someday and a calendar for the current month and the next month. Of course there are plenty of spare pages to take notes in.

I started my book before a big trip and found it so useful I carry it everywhere. Last time I was at the doctor he asked me about my meds and I had all the info at hand.

My daughter has a lot of prescriptions because she is diabetic. I have the refill numbers in the book so I can order refills while I wait in the carpool line.

At work everyone uses cell phones, Blackberries, etc to store numbers. I can find my frequently dialed numbers even if my battery is dead.

I once lost my book at a local store while "trying on" purses. (I take out my wallet, etc, to make sure it will fit in the new purse.) I can't tell you how overjoyed I was when the store called.

Pillow
Compass
2-Cup Coffee Pot. I'm adding this, I think, for my trip to France. I really need coffee immediately in the morning, and our hotel doesn't have a pot in the room. I hope I can fit it in.

1- inflatable neck pillow
2- mobile (use it as alarm clock)
3- a bag of cashew nuts for hunger pains

Bottle of water, Carmax, lipstick

I have to say, ubertramp, this is an excellent posting because seriously, it makes one think of what to take. Thanks, as I made sure to have my flashlight with me in China.
1. Flashlight.
2. Small backpack.(or front pack depending on where you are)
3. Passport.

1. Books to amuse me while I'm sunbathing
2. Every year I make a typed up itinerary with names of restaurants and places I want to visit. It's a summary of my pre-travel research.
3. A little stuffed animal that has traveled with me since I made my cross country road trip as a 23 year old. It is a comfort to me when things go wrong on vacation like when I was stranded alone in Detroit or when I got over 60 bug bites in St. Martin.

Unnecessary but fun...

1) A pair of "cute" shoes for going out in the evening - the type not made for walking!
2) My own blow-dryer with built-in currency converter
3) A photo collage of my kids, our neighborhood, etc., that I make before any long trip (makes me smile, and is fun to show new friends we meet along the way)

Water bottles, are they still banned
or is that silliness over?
I put in a selection of favorite tea bags! Lip balm,& sunscreen. LO in Sherwood, OR