three sleeps and a stateroom

What?!? Only three more sleeps until we leave for this trip we booked in late 2014. Yahoo!

Mom and dad left Victoria this morning to head toward Calgary. The Kraft-Mullane clan are looking after Zoe for the month so mom & dad will fly out of Calgary. They switch planes in Amsterdam and then will meet us in Rome. We fly Edmonton - Toronto - Rome.

Is it me or does it seem like everyone is sick. Sneezing, sniffling, hacking,,,and that's just in our house. I am trying not to catch what seems to be spreading around Edmonton. There's no time to get sick! I still have lists that I am checking off. Lists for work and lists for home. Thankfully the lists are mostly full of check marks now. Except shoes. They always cause me sleepless nights. Bringing the wrong shoes can really impact a trip. Of course there are probably other things that should keep me up at night (like some of the things mentioned in James' blog) but honestly, shoes are important. And bulky to pack! I have potential shoes lined up along our bedroom floor. Well, they used to be lined up. I have had them out for more than a week and I've been tripping over them/kicking them around so the "line" isn't much of a line anymore.

And then there are coats. Will it rain...will it be sunny? It's spring so I'm expecting a bit of everything. Except snow - it better not snow! Last year I thought I had a waterproof coat until it started pouring on us in Cadiz, Spain. It was NOT waterproof. I have a theory that if I bring an umbrella it won't rain. I found a great little umbrella at Winners that I plan to carry  all the time to ward off the rain. My fellow travelers will have me to thank for the great weather we are sure to have. But, I also got a new waterproof (for real) raincoat just in case.

It's also the time pre-cruise when I log in to the Holland America site regularly to see if we have been assigned a stateroom. This afternoon there was no room assigned but I am thrilled to report that as of tonight at 6 pm we have a room. 11030 in case you would like to send some flowers or wine. We've never been that high up on a ship...one deck up to Crow's Nest happy hour! Our rule on the ship is no elevators allowed unless it's an emergency - we must take the stairs. It's going to be a challenge this time! Click here for the deck 11 plan.

We have been reading Captain Albert's blog. He reports daily as they prepare for the registration of the ms Koningsdam to be transferred over from the builder to Holland America. It's really interesting to read and fascinating how everything is coming together.

OK...back to obsessing about what I'm packing.