Easter, 2011

We leave five weeks from today. We looked at each other this morning and asked, “What do we need to do before we leave?” We came up with the following list:
1. Phone(s) I have an AT&T Iphone 3G, Jody has a smartphone and an Ipod.
     A. Arrange to have the bills paid in our absence
     B. The bigger question is . . .what kinds of service can we afford
         while abroad? The choices are myriad. We’d like to:
          (1.) Allow folks here in the U.S. to get in touch with us,
                 especially in emergency situations.
          (2.) Allow us to call home from time to time to let folks know
                where we are and that we are safe and well.
          (3.) Be able to search websites for theatres, campgrounds, and
                 other attractions and/or information.
2. Prescriptions: I’ve half a dozen that need to be extended for about three
          months. My GP is amenable, but it needs to be done.
3. Yard maintenance. Jody’s brother-in-law works these jobs as a second income. She will speak
          with him about mowing every couple of weeks. I need to finish my ‘cheap-O’ sprinkler system
          and set up the timers.
4. Stop the newspaper.5. Pay ahead on the water. This one is very easy.
6. Electric - pay ahead, if possible. Don’t recall how this was done.
7. Gas - pay ahead. Should be no problem.
8. Credit cards      A. Pay any balances.
      B. Let them know we’ll be gone. Make sure we can access accounts
          from abroad. We’ve had some trouble with this before. My
          London students generally score with ATM’s about 50% of the
          time. We encountered the ‘chip and pin’ card situation a number of
          times in GB, especially in Ireland. No company in the US seems
          to offer this method of operation. Too bad.
 9. PermaGreen lawn care.
10 Tickets abroad:
      1. Commedie Francais
      2. PQ admissions
      3. Epidaurus “Women”
      4. Bregenz Opera Festival
      5. Other theatres and museums. . . .Ufizzi? Louvre? Etc.?
6. Ferry connections.(rather not establish that tight an itinerary)
11. Timers on a couple of interior lights in the house.