2 months from November 7

Now that we're just a little over 2 months from blast off, it's time to get organized with this blog.  I've had a lot of trouble trying to find an App for the iPad that works seamlessly with Blogger.  So after a lot of reading and trying various Apps, I've decided to just use the browser and make believe it's the same as my laptop.  Hopefully it will work...if not, I'll resort to blast group emails to my family and friends...we'll see.

A very busy couple of months coming up (Jewish holidays, 2 weddings, a trip to Orlando with my sister and 2 cousins for a mini-reunion, finishing up a work project, a visit from a dear friend from Melbourne and a few other things that I won't bother to list.  Actually, for the first time, I'm looking forward to a long transatlantic flight with no phone or Internet and, hopefully, a mindless movie to watch :)

We've decided to take just one 25 in. suitcase and a carry-on for each of us and used the laundry facilities on our cruise ship whenever needed.  Lots of mix and match clothes should get us through without having to pay exorbitant fees for excess weight.  Should make getting from the CDG airport to Paris and the hotel to Orly airport a bit easier.  We're flying to Barcelona on a regional airline with hefty fees for overweight luggage so....definitely don't want to exceed the limit (fees at 10 Eu per each Kilo overweight).  We'll travel wearing our heaviest walking shoes and warm jackets...I always freeze on planes so I'll be comfy this trip.

I've had so much fun being a frequent visitor and poster to Trip Advisor's Paris Forum.  The members who either live in Paris or visit often have been amazingly helpful as I've worked on planning a tentative itinerary for our 4 1/2 days in the city of lights.  I'm truly addicted to the forum and really enjoy reading the trip reports as others come and go from Paris.  Art is content with reading what I hand him to read and with letting me do all of the planning...as we get closer to leaving, I'm forcing him to, if not make decisions, at least talk about them.

Since we're spending 2 nights in Barcelona prior to our cruise, I've also made reservations at the Renaissance Barcelona (a newly renovated hotel that was part of the AC chain prior to being purchased by Marriott).  We're looking forward to the rooftop terrace bar!  Our friends Tina and Tim are flying in the day before the cruise and we have dinner reservations for the 4 of us at Tapeo - a tapas restaurant that gets excellent reviews.  Getting very excited!