Friday, September 3, 2010 7:43 a.m.

Self-Reliant Man's Birthday!!

There are so many details to tend to before leaving on a long trip.  This is the longest trip I have ever taken in my life.

For example, that root canal and crown you've been putting off?  Well, you best get it taken care of because it is sure to rear its ugly head halfway between Mitchell and Interior, South Dakota.

And those proton-pump inhibitors you've been relying on for three years, and aren't really doing the job anymore -- well, it is wise to get in to see the doctor and ask him for something better.

How about the dog's nails?  They are looking kind of long.  Better get that taken care of.  And, while we're at it, better get some antibiotics for him in case his skin problems flare up while you are gone.  Want to make sure that the kind family taking care of him doesn't have to make a vet run.

Then, there are all the folks who you were thinking of hooking up with during the trip.  Better contact them and see if they are still interested.

Got to get the aboveground pool in shape, and get detailed instructions to the kind neighbor who will be checking on it.  There are some quirky issues and they need to be explained thoroughly.

Got to also figure out how best to respond to a financial emergency from a family member, too.  That is more stressful than it sounds.

It is Self-Reliant Man's birthday today!  We definitely don't want its celebration to get lost in the shuffle of trip preparation.  It is also our violin teacher's birthday.  Don't want to forget to acknowledge her.

Got to get all those bills paid that will come due while we are gone, especially credit cards.  Go through all that paperwork that tends to get behind and answer all those information requests from insurance companies, etc.

Put a hold on the mail.

Get extra books back to the library, and ask them how to extend the renewal until we return.  Short answer: they won't.  We have to remember to call them next week to extend it out long enough.  We have 25 books, and want to avoid 80 cents overdue per book!

Get that annual letter out to the government of Vietnam that is due every September.  I STILL HAVEN'T DONE THIS!!  Will have to get done when we return.

Take in anything that could be a flying hazard if a hurricane hits while we are gone.  (Hope not!)

Set all this in the context of trying not to miss a beat with homeschool lessons, and packing the van.

Well, the van is 97% all packed now!  So there will be an evening to concentrate on celebrating Self-Reliant Man's birthday.  Yippeee!

And we did keep up the school lessons each day.  We will even get one it today.  Yay!

Here are a few pictures from our trip prep...

Sweet Girl folding my clothing for the bag.  She is removing lint!

And Chips, here, decided to take a lint roller to his pajamas.  Too funny!

Here is our Sprinter van almost all packed on this misty morning.

We actually back the van to our front door to pack it.