Productivity Day + Tips for Traveling With Teens.

[same_sky]

Like a moron, I left my keys at my parents on Sunday. My mom was taking my grandfather to the doctor in Lexington (which is between us) so I decided to make it a shopping day and went to retrieve them. We met up after they were done at the doctor and my mom asked Evie if she wanted to come with her to Granny's house and... that is how I am sitting here posting at 9:20 a.m. It has been a long time since she went to stay with her Granny. Well, there was one day, about a month ago, but a) it was just one evening and b) it was for a very specific purpose (I had a crappy doctor appt) and c) they called at five a.m. because they were taking my grandfather back to the hospital. Hardly counts. I really think that E has been having a hard time with such a drastic decrease in the amount of Granny time so I hope this reassures her. Also, I had become accustomed to a little time off every so often! I know, I'm spoiled.

My grandfather, by the way, is doing better. Short recap: batteries changed in pacemaker turned into raging staph infection that would have killed him pretty quickly had they not removed it. Pacemaker removed, infection healing but problems that the pacemaker was correcting began returning--specifically, fluid in his lungs. It was well over a month before the pacemaker could be put back in, though, because of the risk of the infection returning. It's been three weeks since it was put back in and he's healing, but it's a slow process and he's fairly depressed about it. Right now, though, it's looking good and he's getting stronger. We're just praying it continues in this direction. The infection showed up two months ago today so it's been a long road.

Anyway! I have an extensive to-do list planned for today. I also have some shopping to do, though I might try to get up tomorrow morning and do it on my way to pick up the girl. My primary goal is going to be to make the binding for a baby quilt and do the machine attaching part. I will hand sew the other side, but I just need to get this part done before Evie gets back. Hopefully that won't take too long but I honestly don't remember from the last one I made. I kind of enjoy quilting but I don't see it ever becoming 'my' hobby, if you know what I mean. I really quite like the piecing part but I HATE the quilting part and I'm not too crazy about the rest of it either. So... yeah. I do have a few that I would like to make though.

We leave for Sweden in just about a month, and, being me, I am spending a bit of time doing organizational tasks. I mean, I always make lists, but I'm being more organized than usual for three reasons. 1) I am a SAHM and I am really looking forward to a change of pace 2) my niece and 3) my three-year-old. I want the traveling to be as peaceful as possible for E's sake, of course, but mainly, I have been stressing over my niece. It's just a slightly odd situation, you know. She's fifteen and she needs some guidance on STUFF. What to pack, what to not pack, what will happen, etc. If she lived with us, we'd just kind of get that info across as we were packing our own stuff. But she doesn't live with us and I don't really get to see her that often, and I almost never see her mom, my former sister-in-law. (Former..ish.) She needs to know this stuff too, since she'll be the one to help W pack. So, I am writing some notes on all that stuff, like how much the baggage can weigh and a list of what she definitely needs to pack and some notes on electrical devices and what to bring in a carryon and all of that good stuff. I guess part of it is just that it means a lot to me to be able to give this experience to her and I want it to go as well as possible.

So, help me? Most of you are the traveling sort. What do you think a fifteen year old girl needs to know about international travel and flying in general that she might not have thought about? She's never flown before. Any hints on what should she pack? What should she not pack? I have already written most of what I can think of telling her but I feel like I'm forgetting stuff so I was hoping you all would give me a few ideas. Imagine bringing a teenager with you next time you go--what would you want them to know in advance. Oh, and while you're at it... we'll be in Stockholm. Any ideas on what we should be doing with her (AND a three-year-old, of course) while we're there? We did a lot of touristy things when I was there for the summer before we got married, but it's a) been ten years and b) not like we did everything there was to do.

Comments

[grain-damaged.livejournal.com]

Oh sorry to hear about your Granddad, though it's good to know he's doing better.
And yay for some you time! I'm sure Evie appreciates it too. ;^)

...Oh. That didn't come out right did it? Well, you know what I mean. ::blush::

As far as packing a 15yo? Tell her to pack light. It's far easier to buy what you need while there then to pack too much and have to drag it all around with you. Also, layers. Wear them, pack them. Carrie's right about the slip on shoes on the plane, with socks. She needs to bring something pretty interesting on the plane as it's a long flight. I also pack chapstick (and Q-tips) to swab the inside of my nose with. Gross I know, but it works at both creating a barrier against the germs floating around the inside of the plane and the dry air. There's nothing worse then getting sick just as you're arriving somewhere. She'll probably want to bring a digital camera if she has one. If she doesn't it might be worth it to spend the money on one before she goes. Oh and since I have funny food issues I always pack a good snack for both the flight and just if I get the munchies. It's kinda nice to have some sort of familiar food with you in a foreign place.... even if it's just a granola bar. I feel like there are a lot of other things but I can't think of what they might be at the moment.

[carrieb.livejournal.com]

That's a good point about the sickness. I always take airborne with me and drink it on the plane. If she is not an airborne taker, you might advise her to drink OJ at least a couple of times when it is offered. And take whatever medicines she thinks she might need, esp cold medications. I am a big airborne fan, as you know so will never go to Sweden without a pretty large supply of it. Also you might tell her to pack her toiletries in plastic bags and take a few extra plastic shopping bags for wet things/dirty clothes etc.

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

That is a bit.. gross, yes. hehe. I did add chapstick to her list, though I doubt she'd be without it anyway. :)

Thanks for the ideas! Also, Evie is definitely appreciating the Granny time. :)

and.. yum, a granola bar sounds good now. Thanks a lot. hehe.