Busy weekend - lots to do and so little time -

I think we got the car all ready. We have checked the brakes and fixed them. Tires have been checked and rotated (sort of - I guess they didn't actually need to be rotated). New windshield wipers have been added. We changed the oil and realized it would probably be a good idea to change it again while we are on the trip since the average suggested change is 3ooo miles and our trip is 8000+ miles. The transmission has been checked and double checked. Mark will be working on the AC this weekend to make sure it is working correctly. Nothing like getting stuck somewhere in the middle of the summer with no AC. The best part, the kids cleaned and vacuumed the car last weekend. :o)

So on to the To Do List -

Make a menu - come up with something other than cold cut sandwiches for lunches for the time we are gone. We also need fast, easy, yet healthy camping/on the go type meals. I'm definitely taking advantage of the Pampered Chef 29 minute meals cookbook and Rachel Ray's 30 minute meals online. Ideas are welcome . . .

Pack the tent trailer - It isn't a huge trailer so packing must be efficient . . . I'm really good at that. We decided along with the sleeping bags we were going to grab some sheets from Goodwill and take them along. We figure it will be hot at night in some places and sleeping bags will be too hot so we'll want just a sheet to throw over the top while sleeping. The tent trailer is not air conditioned, but it has some lovely fans to help.

Finish making reservations and mapping out the trip - well that sounds kind of funny. We have a few reservations we still have to verify/make. We have about "a million" different GPS/mapping type systems currently being utilized on this trip. Mark is using this iPad application to have each individual stop mapped out so after the car GPS gets us to the general location then we pull out the iPad and look at the map in closer detail. I'm guessing my in-laws didn't have it that easy.

Secure the rest of the financing situation - We decided to open a separate checking/debit card account specifically for the trip. As teachers we have to carefully budget our money over the summer since we don't work/get paid. It would be super easy to use up all the money while we are gone on the trip and have nothing left to pay the bills in the summer. We decided to open a separate checking account to hopefully help with this potential problem and leave the regular account cards at home. So, I'm off to the bank this morning to open that account (thank goodness the bank is open for a few hours on Saturdays).

Finally clean the house - Nothing like leaving the house a complete disaster for the house sitter. I don't think she would appreciate it. As it is she already has to deal with a dog that sheds and 4 chickens who poop everywhere.

We'll I guess it is actually time to start my To Do List instead of writing about it . . .