Ticked Off

No, I’m not mad.

According to our website, we have a mere 80 days until our departure. I am as determined to avoid last minute madness as I am to avoid clutter in our van so I’ve been diligently ticking things off our “to do list”.   I thought I’d accomplished quite a bit.  I’ve gone through our house room by room, made significant headway on spiffing up our van and put a serious dent in plans for school on the road.  But boy, there sure are still a lot of things to “tick off”. 

I guess when July 2nd arrives, everything will be crossed off… or… it won’t be.  Either way, were outta here.

Here’s “the list”… just in case you are planning a trip of your own.

• House
  • Advertise for renters
  • Determine structure (include utilities, phone and internet or not)
  • Get contract from Pete if needed
  • Spring cleaning
  • Sort room by room
    • Downstairs bedroom
    • Downstairs bathroom
    • Basement back room
    • Downstairs family room
    • Upstairs living room
    • Kitchen
    • Bathroom
    • Master Bedroom
    • Kid bedroom
    • Give stuff away / sell
  • Clean
  • Set up auto pay – utilities, phone, internet, oil,
    car, Helen, etc  
  • Contact Rosso to get oil bill emailed to us
  • Cancel long distance phone service
  • Pack personal belongings and store
  • Find a place to store our Volvo and Randy’s motorcycle – cancel or reduce insurance (on car too)
  • Arrange for mail to be forwarded or picked up
  • Arrange for chicken care
• Admin
  • Travel insurance – research and decide
  • Renter’s Insurance – auto pay?
  • Make copies of all documents, give copies to relatives and look into storing them on line (Randy to scan)
  • Write letter of intent
  • Cancel any email subscriptions
  • Set up relatives with Skype and test
  • City Health Care? Leave checks with City HR
  • Capitol One annual fee?
  • Taxes
• Homeschooling
  • Meet with Todd re:  curriculum planning
  • Research / order curriculum materials
  • Complete schooling plan   
• Gear
  • Purchase all items needed for First Aid Kit
  • Purchase any remaining gear (see gear lists)
• Medical
  • Research emergency evacuation insurance
  • Vaccinations – determine what we all need and start getting shots
  • Finish getting shots
  • Doctor and dentist visits
  • Make sure we have travel vaccination records and they are up to date
  • Get new epi pen prescription filled
• Visas and Passports
  • Check to make sure passports are good for 6 months past end of trip
  • Get extra passport photos
  • Research if visas are needed
• Electronics
  • Research and purchase computer technology (after much research and debate, we’ve decided to get and iPad.  That is, if one actually ever becomes available.)
  • Purchase a data plan if needed 
• Travel
  • Decide on international destinations and purchase tickets
  • Research International driver’s license
  • Need emergency evac insurance? Research
  • Van preparations
    • Take measurements for containers
    • Clean van
    • Sew curtains and seat covers
    • Build shelves for over cooler storage
    • Suction cups for storing stuff
    • Order new drink holder
    • Research and order awning / outdoor rug
    • Take the van in for a “check up”
    • Pack kitchen kit
    • Do a test run – packing everything we plan to take in the van

Plan going away party! 

Up Next – The van, before and after.

Advertisements