Things to do in the next 16 days:

Have you wondered what we're up to, specifically in preparation for our Europe trip? To ease your curiosity, here's a list of the things that I need to do in the next 16 days:

- Find a power of attorney form, complete it, sign it, have it notarized (for authorizing medical care of Catherine while we're gone - just in case)
- Call bank to alert them of our international travel so they don't freeze our money for our "protection"
- Call medical insurance to verify coverage overseas
- Learn how to say "where's the toilet?" and "one beer please" in French, German, and Czech (minimally - try to learn more!)
- Confirm that we can use our cell phones overseas and how much it will cost us (will it cost us one arm, or an arm and a leg?)
- Fix the zipper on my carry-on bag
- Receive orders placed at work for larger luggage piece and travel accessories
- Buy the above items at last minute if they don't come in on time
- Shop for last of needed items
- Finalize packing lists
- PACK, PACK, PACK!
- Make copies of our itinerary, plane tickets, medical insurance card, credit cards, passports, and contact information to keep one copy with us and one copy at home
- Actually receive plane tickets (oh the joys of traveling with a touring company and not have control over details)
- Confirm our transport to/from airport (actually Jen is doing this - yeah!)
- Make final payment for tour (can't forget that!)
- Finish putting together details of the places that we're visiting for reference
- Finish putting together details (instructions, itinerary, etc) for my mom, Stephen's mom, and friend Patty who will be taking care of Catherine while we're gone
- Make sure that everyone listed above has house keys and car seats
- Somehow figure out how to emotionally deal with leaving my child so far for so long (I haven't figured that out yet)
- Stock home with necessary items before we leave
- Do whatever is needed to leave a clean home
Not to mention...
- 2 more rehearsals and
- 2 concerts in the week prior to us leaving
- other family gatherings the weekend before we leave

I'm actually relieved to see that this list is much shorter than it was last week. Whew! Except now I keep adding to it. Argh!!! It never ends!!!