Time is now ticking down and all the little things that I need to do keep popping into my head.  Letting the credit card company know we'll be in Italy is a big one - having once gone to Mexico without telling them and having none of our credit cards work solidified how important that is!  I also need to increase the length of our health insurance - booking tickets with our credit card automatically gives us 15 days coverage but as we'll be out of the country for 21 days I need to add that time on - a simple process really and can be done on the same phone call as letting them know we'll be away.  Which reminds me that I also need to ask them what exactly we have for coverage with our Visa regarding car rental insurance - many card companies have great coverage that people aren't aware of and simply add on the extra insurance when they rent because they aren't aware of it.  It's important to use the perks your card offers - you're paying for it so take advantage of it!

I like the busy rush that happens as you get ready for a big trip.  For so long it's a waiting game - you certainly can't pack 4 months ahead of time and reading guide books is great but if you do it too far in advance you forget what you read and what you want to do.  Some things are best left until near the end and we are now entering that happy busy time.  I have the kids signed up for cooking day camp this week which will allow me some time to do the shopping and other errands for the trip.  We also have friends coming to stay with us for the weekend which means I need to take all the winter gear and boxes of stuff out of the guest room.  There's nothing like having people stay with you to force you to get your house in order!  My kids will have to clean up the Barbie explosion that has taken over the entire basement… this will be an interesting week.  Luckily part of getting ready for this trip involves 'practicing' drinking Italian wine - it makes the preparation easier.