Tuesday Tidbits...

**  Panic stations are GO...

** 1 MORE {short} SLEEP until Abbie & I jump on a plane to the UK. Followed by another even longer plane. Followed by a drive.

**  About 27 hours or so of travelling.

**  I have been mostly packed since last week but still have my hand luggage to pack.
That of course is probably the most important...

**  I weighed my bag this morning.... 20kgs!
That includes all my clothes & toiletries, all Abbie's clothes and toiletries, about 4kg or more of chocolate for the in-laws & about another 3-4 kg of fabric sales to hand deliver to people.
Then all my sewing & embroidery supplies for the FQ retreat.

**  I have plenty of room to spare & I'm actually allowed 30kg.
It's a proud moment people!

**  Neil wasn't that impressed when I pointed out that it gave me lots of room for shopping.
Lucky I was joking.
Mostly ;)

**  I have had a knot of dread in my stomach about the trip for the last 3 days...
I literally feel a bit sick.

**  Travelling with Abbie is never easy - it's not a case of IF she'll lose it and turn hysterical on me, more a case of how MANY times she will. And she can pack a mean punch now that she's nearly 2.

**  For example we took her for an hour drive into the city yesterday and she lost the plot for the rest of the day. Neil and I ended up joining her in her tears and tantrums. It wasn't pretty!

**  Today we just bought a little DVD player for her though.
That should help a little - at least until the battery goes flat.

**  I know that there is built in entertainment on the plane but Abbie has very specific tastes. As in there are 2 DVDs that will capture her attention... She loves the Wiggles & she loves Dougi Dug.
That is all.
Needless to say those 2 DVDs are the most well used DVDs on the planet.
I know every word off by heart.

**  Another reason that I'm dreading this trip is that I hate crowds of people.
I'm a small town girl at heart.
So aeroplanes, big cities & international airports don't exactly excite me.

**  It's also going to be a very emotional trip for other reasons which I won't go into.
With the distinct possibility of last minute schedule & location changes.

**  Lets just say that I'm hoping our trip will be a positive distraction & not really bad timing/a nuisance.

**  Then of course there's my mothers heart about what & who I'm leaving behind. I've only ever been away from Hannah for a few nights in her short life. We are both going to feel the distance.
Lucky I know she's in the best hands ever!

**  BUT even though I feel sick about going I am excited.
I can't wait to introduce Abbie to Mr Flutter's side of the family! I can't wait to meet one of my nephews (now 2!). Last time we went back he was still in-utero. I can't wait to see one of my best friends from school. And I can't wait to meet many of my awesome online friends in real life!

**  I also can't wait to learn some really cool skills at the retreat. I think I'm most excited about my embroidery class with Aneela Hoey, but I'm looking forward to all my classes.

**  Socks... check. Undies... check. Warm clothes... check. Nappies... check. Snacks... check. Itinerary... check...

**  Please excuse me while I go and finish the rest of my packing.
I'll try and check in a few times while I'm away, but it will depend how much internet I can get access to.