Tuesday Update

Yeah! The iPod giveaway fundraiser is working or perhaps it's just that I leave for China in 2 WEEKS!!! It's still not real to me.

1 - So our passports are at the Chinese Consulate in Chicago getting our Visas. They will be picked up on Friday, so I should get them next Monday.

2 - I've started packing.

3 - I have a list. Actually 3 lists. One of things to pack. One of things I need to do before we leave. And one of incentives for my children - items they can do to make my life easier that will earn them roughly $1 per time they do it - dishes, laundry, not miss the bus, not make us late, go to bed on time, do homework, clean various areas of the house. They want to earn more money and I need them to help. They seemed on board with it last night.

4 - I've contacted all their teachers and let them know we'll be gone and requested homework ahead of time or to bring along. The girls have spring break next week and I thought it would be nice if they could do any homework they can ahead of time.

5 - I have my ride to and from the airport.

6 - I found my iPod!!! Jessica borrowed it months ago and neither of us has been able to locate it. I was in Jessica's room last night looking around her closet, reached up wondering if there was a little shelf something could be put on and my hand immediately touched my iPod. Yeah! Jessica's is still missing, but at least mine is found.

Things I still need to do:

1 - I'm still debating on the dogs (toy poodles) and cat. I've had 2 or 3 offers to bring them to someone's house, but I really prefer they stay home. I put human emotions on my pets and feel they would feel less abandoned if they were at home with someone coming to check on them. I'd prefer someone I know or at least someone who knows someone I know rather than just a petsitting service. I know friends could cover some days and the weekends, but I think it's better if I just find someone to cover the whole time.

2 - find Jessica's camera (do you see the theme?) and find the cord to charge up my camera.

3 - pay for the in-China portion of travel

4 - make arrangements for all those nice, crisp $100's I need to bring. This is the first time I'm not obssessed with finding those. If I find them - yeah! If not, what are they going to do?!

5 - those darn girl scout cookies. I need to enter everything on the computer and make sure everyone's paid up, incentives entered, etc. Too big of a job this year. Probably should have asked for an assistant early on.

And again - I LEAVE IN 2 WEEKS!!!!