Wines:
- Packing for a 5 day trip in a carry-on is so challenging. But I am just too cheap to pay to check a bag, and I hate waiting for luggage as it wastes so much time. It's especially challenging because I have to bring 2 different business suits - which are so bulky! And I usually try to bring my hot rollers (that is so not happening this trip most likely) Ay yi yi. This is going to be interesting. But really, I feel sheepish even complaining about this because a good chunk of the trip *is* a vacation.
- I'm a little worried about how much I am going to have to pay out-of-pocket for my surgery... My employer changed health plans this year, and everyone is required to do a high-deductible plan... I won't bore you with the details, but basically, I think I am going likely have to pay for a decent chunk of the bill. I know the surgery will be worth it, I just wish it wasn't so expensive.
Loves:
- Erin made my favorite crock pot recipe this week - and LOVED it! I always get nervous recommending things to people, so it's a huge relief when they love what I recommended!
- My check point friendly backpack arrived this week, so the airport security process will be a bit smoother going forward. What makes the backpack special is that you don't have to take your laptop out! It's nice to skip that step!
- I get to see Becky, Amber, Nora, Nilsa, and Lesli this weekend when I am in Chicago! I can't wait for this girls weekend to Chicago. We'll be visiting Frank Lloyd Wright's home & studio (a must do if you are going to Chicago, IMO), enjoying the delicious food Chicago has to offer, doing lots of walking, painting our nails, and drinking lots of coffee, I think. Should be a wonderful weekend!
- Mandy sent me a beautiful sunshine yellow 9x13 fiestaware dish as an early Birthday present. Which means I MUST have a dinner party soon and put it to use!
What's your wine/love of the week?
Since I usually fly Jet Blue I forgot that they are now charging for bags. When I went to Florida we headed down with my parents so I didn't even hear about it, on the way back suddenly they were charging me $70 for Eric and my checked bag.. AH!!!! I told Eric we are going to try to split a bag and/or do just carry ons for the trip to Arizona. It's really ridiculous, flights are already expensive enough!
ReplyDeleteHave a great trip to Chicago this weekend :) I'm sure you girls will have a blast!
I'm interested to see this easier security checkpoint backpack you have! And I'll actually get to SEE it because we're there together!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI try to avoid checking bags too. I seem to be able to cram a lot into a bag. The last time I travelled for work, my manager even asked where my bags where. I said this is all I have, he was shocked! Not taking out the laptop would be very helpful. I tend to have stuff everywhere when I do that step...guess it goes with cramming way too much in my bags!
ReplyDeleteI always try to avoid checking a bag if possible. Waiting to pick it up at the baggage claim is one of my least favorite parts of flying. People are so pushy and rude! Anyway, have so much fun this weekend!
ReplyDeleteI'm queen of the carry-on. Even when bags are free I'd rather not check one - I agree that it is too time-consuming. For me, my shoes always fill it up too quickly.
ReplyDeleteSafe travels!
ReplyDeleteYeah, packing for business trips or multi-day interviews using only carry-on is such a pain! I hope you can find a way to squeeze your hot rollers into your suitcase.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could go to Chicago every weekend just to eat!
Oooh, have so much fun this weekend! I am super jealous of all your fun blogger weekends. :)
ReplyDeleteWine: A really sad family situation that's happening right now. I have no control over any of it and no way to really help.
Love: I'm taking a digital sabbatical Friday-Sunday and I'm REALLY excited about it! I can get way too caught up in social media and blogging that breaks are good to center me. :)
My wine is this WIND. I'm not complaining about the cold weather, because I feel like I just can't after all this mild weather, but the wind? It can GO!
ReplyDeleteMy loves are, of course, being able to see YOU this weekend and meet Nora and Becky! I'm also excited to meet Nilsa as I have never read her blog! I must hop over there soon and check it out. :)
PS: I noticed Mandy talking about spacesaver bags. Have you looked into those?
Have so much fun in Chicago this weekend! I'm so jealous!!
ReplyDeletehave a great trip! health care plans can really stink. they get worse the older you get. try paying through a family deductible! ouch.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are going to have a fantastic (maybe busy?) weekend! We don't have to pay to check bags in Canada yet which is so nice. I noticed when we were in the states that because you have to pay, everyone carries on and the biggest bags ever!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend Lisa!
Have fun in Chicago! I wish I was able to pack in a carry-on, but I am and always will be an over-packer (even when I pack lightly!) I think I'm slowly starting to live and learn though, because lugging a 60 pound suitcase around Greece for 3 weeks this summer was nothing short of TRAUMATIZING lol. You'll be so happy you packed in your tiny bag once you get there! :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck on packing! Do you roll your clothes? I've heard that is a space saving measure. Have fun visiting with your friends and I hope your work days go well, too!
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the nice things about flying in Canada, you can usually check up to 50 pounds free!! But our flights are also WAY more expensive so maybe it evens out ;)
ReplyDeleteYou are going to have the best weekend with the girls - the itinerary sounds lovely! So wish I could be there. Will be thinking of you all!
A few years ago, my work switched to a high deductible plan. I found some research about these plans stating members tend NOT to go to the doctor for small things (because they don't want to pay out of pocket), which means the plan winds up dealing with many more much larger cases than more traditional plans do (because small stuff isn't detected before it becomes something big).
ReplyDeleteBecause my firm is small and tends to change up the insurance from one year to the next, I switched to Sweets' plan when we got married. We had a choice between two PPOs and two HMOs. I convinced him that as healthy people, we'd be fine with an HMO. People bitch and moan about HMOs and how limiting they are. But, let me tell you, when I was hospitalized for 6 days related to Gavin's birth and he was then hospitalized for 5 weeks ... it was awfully nice to have only paid a $20 co-pay (that also included every doctor's visit during my pregnancy), rather than some portion of the $200K in hospital bills and almost a year's worth of doctor's visits!
Wine - Nothing!!
ReplyDeleteLove - It is almost the weekend, I have more free time which is making me really happy, I have dinner party plans for Saturday!
The beef roast was amaaaaazing!!!! Just like you said---we were ready to lick our plates at the end! I'm so grateful you shared :) I love having new things to cook at home!!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a lot of fun this weekend! I can't wait to read all the tweets :) I'm still hoping for our meet up in 2012 :)
I have become very determined to never check a bag, and I managed to pack for 7 days without much trouble. Have a great time!
ReplyDeleteMy wine is dealing with Elle's awful teething pain and my love is I have a three day weekend ahead of me! Who hoo!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your girls weekend! Sounds like a fun time.
Ah your girls weekend sounds so fun! Have a blast. I have a hard time doing carryon, but have gotten better in the last couple years.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend in Chicago! That carryon backpack sounds pretty neat! I think you, of all people, deserve some high-tech awesome luggage with all the traveling you do!
ReplyDeleteI hope you aren't utterly snowed in @ this point! I hear that part of the country got dosed with quite the storm.
My week was more heavily-weighted with "wines" than "loves".
I"m sure you guys are going to have so much fun this weekend! I only wish I lived closer to I could be there too!
ReplyDeleteHave fun this weekend! I want to hear more about this laptop friendly backpack! I have heard about them but never have heard if they really work! You will have to fill me in on all the details!
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to decide if I could go to Paris with just a carryon for two weeks. I think no. But the thought of trudging up five flights with my big bag is a bit daunting, so we'll see!
ReplyDeleteHave a great trip -- I know you'll have fun!
I am so glad that you love the yellow baker. I can't wait to see what you make in it.
ReplyDeleteI never check a bag. Carry on is the way to go for this chica. I'm too afraid that they will lose my luggage.