How We Pack For Trips

As we set out for our holiday tomorrow, I wanted to do a "How We" post today on how we pack for trips.

We share two large suitcases for our family of four.  This has worked for us so far but I'm sure it won't last for much longer.  Dave and I each have a suitcase and then split the boys' stuff. 

(As you can see we don't have packing cubes.)

I don't bring things I don't need, duh, but what I mean is that I don't bring a hair dryer or shampoo/conditioner since I know they will have that at the hotel room. 

That said, I will bring beach towels with us, but they are small and I only bring two.  If you're not sure what the towel situation is like, then having your own works better. 

I set out everything I could possibly want for clothes, and then subtract. If we are going for 7 days, so I need 14 shirts? No. Do I need 4 pairs of shoes? Maybe (haha). For this trip, since we are going to be walking around all day, I am considering three pairs of sneakers, plus my Birkenstocks for evening.  

I make notes (paper or on my phone) of things that I'll need to stick in just before we leave, like glasses, something that was in the wash, watch charger, etc. 

Plan for any occasion where I could be cold (which I hate). Even in warm climates, a cardigan or sweatshirt may be needed in air conditioned places.  My airplane outfit always includes socks, pants or long skirt, and covered shoulders, and I will bring a scarf to use as a blanket if required.

We put Airtags in our luggage so we can be certain they are coming with us and not left behind.  Even if there isn't much we can do about it, at least we know where they are.

I always bring a water bottle. It's great for filling up after security for the plane rather than spending $7 on water, and it's great for the hotel room instead of drinking out of those tiny glasses.

We are those people who unpack our suitcases immediately upon returning.

Weekend Recap

 I don't have any many pictures from this weekend.  It was pretty ordinary, which is just fine, we needed that. 

On Friday night E was invited out with the friend that we took out last weekend. They went to the same sushi place. The rest of us had hamburgers.  After supper Q and I went for a walk around the block to see the Halloween decorations.

Keeping with the theme, we watched the Haunted Mansion house on Disney+.  It was really good! And now maybe we can go on that ride next week, no one wanted to go on it with me last time. 

On Saturday morning I went for a run by the river, it was so nice, not too cold, but very pleasant.  I took the kids to swimming, while Dave went to the mall to buy some new shorts for our trip.  The kids played with our neighbour for a bit and I walked up to get my nails done.  I chose red for Mickey :)

Dave was cooking our ribs for supper.  Even though our kitchen is mostly unusable, we were able to use the oven to cook these.  And then finished them off on the BBQ.

After supper we watched the Leafs game and the Great British Baking Show. 

Dave and E went for a run on Sunday morning (E's next race is today), and then we went to church.

Dave left for the airport mid-afternoon (he will be in Florida for a conference and then we join him on Thursday night).

E went golfing, toque required!

Q lazed around watching TV (although he had played outside earlier), and I did a 45 minute Peloton ride. 

After we picked up E from the golf course, we went to Queen Margherita Pizza.  We haven't been there for awhile, they had a new menu so I tried a new pizza.  The boys stuck with their usual.  My pizza was good but I like my standard order better!!

Home after that and got ready for the week.

Little Things

Last week I saw this post shared by a few people on Instagram.  It was a good reminder of the little things that mean so much, even when we don't realize them at the time. 

I wanted to do a Little Things post to remind myself of my fortunes.

Walking to School - The boys walk to school together and it's wonderful for so many reasons, Dave or I only have to drive to school once a day (to get Q from after school care), the boys get some fresh air, time with each other, and opportunities to see neighbours and friends on the way.

Buying Dental Floss - I never used to floss my teeth so I always had tons of dental floss since I had the stuff the dentist gave me each visit.  Now I am a gold star dental patient and I am always proud when I need to buy new dental floss.

Sweaty Hair - It is so satisfying to have completed a workout, that I am healthy to do so and that I have time and resources.

Vacuuming carpet - I know that's random, but I really do love switching from hardwood or tile onto a carpet, it's so satisfying.

Morning on the subway - More specifically I love the random smells of everyone as we make our way down to the subway, change lines, and then get onto work.  I know that's weird, but it's the combination of hair products, perfume, clothing, etc. as people move around (it's not as good in the afternoons on the way home, haha!) is just a reminder of everything just trying to live their life, no one better than anyone else. 

Kids in our bed - For what seemed like many years, we often had a kid making their way into our room in the middle of the night that usually resulted in (a) being squished off to the side while we all tried to sleep, (b) trying to carry them back to their own bed, and maybe staying there with them, or (c) someone (ahem, me) going to sleep in the kids' bed, leaving the kid in the big bed. None of these things were ideal.  Very rarely now does anyone come in to our room, but every so often Q will come in early in the morning to snuggle in with us, and this past weekend, E came in. Since it doesn't happen all the time now, it was nice to have that extra time with them. 

Friday Favourites

 

Friday! It was a short week for us, but lots going on and next week we are going on holiday!

Adding to this week's activity is the current events in Israel and Gaza, it is a lot to take in. Someone posted this yesterday and I thought it was worthwhile to share.  It seems like everyone and their dog has something to post, even to the point of organizations/businesses who I feel are only posting something because people have said "why aren't you saying anything?".  Myself, I don't typically post a bunch on current affairs or share links to what others post, but it certainly doesn't mean I don't care or have an opinion. I just prefer to learn on my own, and listen, rather than just talk for talking's sake. That said, I'm glad for many of the voices out there that are sharing important information and views.

The Grade 7 students get three vaccines this year, but since Public Health is scheduled to come to the school when we are away, we booked a separate appointment for E to get his shots.  He was a good boy and didn't cry once ;). I remembered when he was a baby, he never really got too upset getting his shots, mostly just a shriek but could calm down pretty quickly.

We watched the mini-series on David Beckham this week.  I loved it. I must have said several times (maybe out loud) "he's just so good looking!". It was striking, every haircut, every outfit, just hot. Plus he seems like a genuinely nice person, despite being the superstar that he was. 

On Wednesday I made Lauren's soup recipe. I have had this saved since she posted it a couple of years ago and I finally made it.  It was very good, even without the onions that I forgot!

Insensitive by Jann Arden is just one of the best songs. I got to attend an event last night where Jann was the speaker. She sang a few bars of “Good Mother” at the end, and sounded so good. If you know and love Jann, you’ll be happy to know she did the impression of her mom’s voice :)

The Maple Leafs started their season this week and we all gathered around to watch the game.  We even treated ourselves to some beer.  Great start to the season, we will try to watch more of the games, along with the Raptors of course.  

Linking up with Andrea and Erika.

Let's Look - Biggest Fears

Today I'm linking up with Shay and Erika for Let's Look.  Today's topic is our Biggest Fears. Here are my fears, in the order in which I thought of them:

Snakes. Honestly, this was the first one I thought of, even before some more serious ones below.  I thought about ending the post with this.  I know most snakes that I will ever encounter are harmless, but they still give me the heebie-jeebies.  I saw a snake this summer while we were camping that was on the ground under the bridge I was standing on and I ran away before I could think twice.  We all have our irrational fears, and this one is mine. Even though I like the outdoors, and golfing, I am always thinking "this looks like a place where a snake would live" and cut down on time spent there.  See this article about a home in my area (not exactly sure where but close enough!) that was overrun with snakes.  I would have burnt the place to the ground.

Not having a safe home.  This could mean that we are at risk of a natural disaster or something more sinister like terrorists or criminals.  People that lived in Ukraine and Israel would probably have thought their homes were safe, just like people who were in the path of wildfires and flood waters, but that has proven untrue over the past few months.  We are fortunate we live where we do, but I know that could change. 

Something happening to my children.  This one I have put out of my mind so I am not paralyzed by this fear. But if you're a parent, you have run through all of those terrible possibilities in your mind so you know what I'm talking about. 

Flying. I do not like flying. I will do it, but I always check the safety manual, confirm where my life vest is, grip the seat with every strange noise, and say a prayer as we take off.  

Bears. I am afraid of bears when we are camping or hiking. In Ontario we only have black bears, not grizzlies, but I'm not keen to run across one.  We are that campsite that is properly "bear proof", no food or anything that even relates to food left out overnight or when we leave the site during the day. Nothing scented in our tent, everything needs to be in the car. 

(not my photo)

Water leaks/Rodents. These sort of go hand in hand because if there is any tiny noise in our house, I have to investigate.  We have had both and neither one is fun.

Cross-contamination. No double dipping, no putting a knife or spoon back into food container if it has been licked or touched something else.  Reducing the need to touch raw meat with my bare hands, not putting down meat wrappers on the counter, wiping down the sink, really soaping up and scrubbing the cutting board. Getting rid of leftovers over 4 days old, no exceptions. 

Heights. My fear is based on whether I tripped and fell while at said height, would I fall to my death. So for example, I’m fine in tall buildings and where there are balconies. But the side of a cliff or in a ski lift/gondola, on a ladder, rock climbing, I want to get down!! As a comparison, Dave’s fear of heights is based in whether he will hurl himself over the edge of whatever it is, so he does not like being near the balcony of a tall building. He did not like being at the top of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, but since it was all caged in, I was fine  

Weekend Recap

It was a long weekend for us and an extra long weekend for the kids with no school on Friday.  Q attended a baseball camp for the day and E spent most of the day with a friend, who later came out for supper with us that night.  

On Saturday morning we got ourselves organized for the weekend, went to the first swimming lessons and then drove to Dave’s parents’ house.  The Brigden Fair was on so we went there for a couple of hours.  It had been somewhat warm in Toronto when we left, but we needed our jackets and pants for the fair! Fall is here!

The kids went on a couple of rides.

We visited some animals and bought some kettle corn.

I went to church on Sunday with Dave’s mom. The Sunday School had made this turkey with all of the things people were thankful for.

Dave and E had gone for a run, then Q and I went for a run (just 1 km for Q, then I dropped him off at home while I did the rest of my run).  After lunch and the F1 race it was soccer in the backyard time.

Time for Thanksgiving dinner.

All very good!

The drive home was pretty good. I love driving through the farm land in Southern Ontario.

When we got home I decided to go for a walk by myself. I saw a few fish jumping in the river.  The tree colours aren’t that vibrant (due to the fact we haven’t had very cold weather yet) but it was still pretty down there.

Pizza ordered for supper, some leftover pie for dessert, and a round of Great British Baking Show.

 

Not Just a Mom - Money Saving Tips

 

Hello and welcome to our monthly link up series, Not Just a Mom.  My co-hosts are Adrienne, Dara, Jen, Joanne, and Lauren. If you posted today, please link up with us below.

Today's topic is Money Saving Tips, and if my husband is reading this, he will ask what authority I have to write on this, haha!  Seriously, if I wasn't married to Dave, I wouldn't have any money he is the saver and planner in this family. I'm not a complete idiot though, I know how to be fiscally responsible even if I'm not necessarily leading the way. 

First of all, I think it is important to figure out what you enjoy and value and spend your money on that.  For me, I like travelling and eating, but I'm less interested in fashion, beauty, home decor, and gift giving.  I see that other people always seem to have multiple new outfits for each season, a fully decorated home for each holiday, regular hair esthetician appointments, and buy elaborate gifts for everyone in their family and close friend circle.  Meanwhile I want to save for travel, eat out at nice restaurants, and make good meals at home. I spend money on clothes and stuff, but it's certainly less than it could be. So my first tip is not to spend money on things that don't really matter to you, especially if you think you need to do it to keep up with others. 

Meal planning is also a good way to save money.  Grocery prices are the talk of the country lately.  Meal planning allows us to buy just the food we need, reduce food waste, and be prepared for the week, so we would be less likely to order take out if we feel pressed for time. You can also plan for less austere meals like a sandwich or Kraft Dinner on some nights. Since we eat home cooked meals most of the week, then those dinners out are even more special.

Bring lunch. This past month I have been very mindful of eating well so I've been taking my lunch to work every day and right there I'm avoiding a $15 charge per day (I go into the office 3 days a week so that's $45 a week).  E is allowed to leave the school grounds at lunch but even then he is still bringing his lunch most days with an "off campus" lunch once a week. 

Make your own coffee.  I bring a coffee to work and then my second (and third) cups are the free ones I can get in my office kitchen.  I do like to get coffee out as a treat, but I do it far less often than I used to.  I also used to be in the habit of getting a pastry along with my to-go coffee so avoiding that also saves money. 

Buy the best and you only cry once.  Have you heard that saying before?  For those things that are going to be around for a long time, it is usually worthwhile to buy the good brand name instead of buying the discount brand that you'll end up replacing.  An example would be a Dyson vacuum, or a good coffee maker. This could also apply to clothes if you're buying a coat or a good pair of boots. 

The other cliche that we abide by is 'pay yourself first'.  We have automatic deductions when we get paid for savings - retirement, kids' education, travel, and house costs.  It's not something we consciously think about (or at least I don't, Dave always knows what's going on) and then the money is sitting somewhere separately for when we do need it. 

This is all coming from someone who has access to two decent incomes, only has two children who attend public school, and has a house that has increased in value since we bought it.  I realize I am extremely privileged so "saving money" isn't something that is as crucial to me as it is to others.  When politicians suggest "skipping the Starbucks" or "unsubscribing from Disney+" (an actual recommendation from our Finance Minister), it's all pretty trite. I know that people are really suffering and feeling the impacts of housing and food costs. I don't really know what saving money really feels like.  I do know that I am in a position to help those left fortunate and although I could do a better job, I do try to support organizations in my own community that can help.  I would encourage you to do the same if you are also in that position. 

Thanks for joining us today.

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