My suitcase is packed...

... and I'm getting excited to leave for Jamaica. I packed 2 weeks ago. Why not? There's not much need for shorts, flip flops and swimsuits in a Minnesota this time of year.

Going on vacation is a lot more work theses days. This house has been cleaned from top to bottom, notes/lists/instructions written (yes, I'm a control freak) and at 7:30am Thursday I should be on the plane.  The petsitter came last Friday to run through the routine and spend some time with the dogs.  She is one of my co-workers and  impressed me by how well she handled the dogs-even my Orville who can be a bit nippy at times. We just showed her what behaviors to watch for and how to correct him.

It's just so uncomfortable to me to have someone staying in my house. I completely trust the petsitter and know everything is in good hands.  I'm just such a private person and this is my private oasis. I'll be fine; I just need to shake off this freaky behavior of mine and just enjoy.

I'll be taking tons of pictures I'm sure but wanted to share a couple from March 2004 when A and I went to Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

We went on a tour and had lunch on the beach at Frenchmen's Cove. This was our view from the table.

We then travelled up into the Blue Mtns. and came down the river on a banana boat. This is Leroy our banana boat captain bringing us down to the ocean.

We also did the tourist thing and climbed Dunn's River Falls. Nothing too exciting but the Jamaicans make everything fun. :)