52 and a wakeup!

I'm mentally packing!!

__________________

Oh that wakeup is a killer Elaine. Ya know I've been doing the same thing when I go to bed------thinking of what I will put in the damn bag---then, out comes the scale. I keep thinking I should get a storage box----but what happens with my 'stuff' if I don't return?????? Funny, huh? We have to start thinking of chickees (our least favorite topic).

__________________

Elaine: What is it with this mentally packing? Get started on the real thing. It's never too early. Besides, once the holidays are over, your count-down will speed by. But anyway you look at it, your 52 sounds a lot better than my 94.
Tom

Aruba Mary: I have to strongly disagree with you here. I have found that the older I get, the daily wakeup is a blessing, not a killer. As far as storage boxes go, I have one. I don't keep it in Aruba though, it's right here at home. I keep all my "beach-worthy" clothes and other stuff like a cooler, a lockable beach bag, etc, in a large plastic storage container I bought at Target. It takes a lot of the thinking out of the packing process, and as my friend MaryJane constantly reminds me, the less thinking I do the better off I am.
Tom

Mary - I'm not sure I'll be "playing" the chicki war game this time around so I haven't even thought about it. Last year when I quit, it was kinda nice strolling down "whenever," getting a chaise, and laying out by the pool. No hassle... a good night's sleep, and life was beautiful!

Tom - I do have a storage bin that I leave on island, but still haven't figured out how to cut down on packing. Part of the anticipation is the packing and unpacking BEFORE I go!

Oh, I have an Aruba bureau, and during the year when I buy things I'll need for the following year, that's where everything's stored... but, it doesn't tend to make it any easier for me! The older I get, the dimmer the thinking process becomes!!

__________________

Elaine, I hear you. Perhaps we four can share a chickee. It really akes sense.

__________________

Tom, I am always happy to awaken and go to work, but the wakeup I refer to is the day that I get up at 3 to get to the airport, etc. Needless to say, I don't sleep well (if at all) the night preceding the flight day. As far as packing goes-----I use my bathing suits, etc. at my summer home, but when I leave the beach in October I take my summer clothes and bathing suits to my main house. The packing begins when I take down the Christmas decorations January 8. Then it's pack, unpack, pack, weigh, repack.

__________________

so happy for you lady's..enjoy the excitement.

__________________
I lead with my Heart and my Body follows

Dan & Sweet Georgene

Have you started your grocery list? When I start writing grocery items I'll really feel like I'm going to Aruba.

__________________

Hey guys, this is my first post. My wife and I stumbled on this forum while doing some general research on Aruba. We are actually leaving tomorrow morning. We will be on that 10:00 am Delta flight out of Atlanta. If anyone else is going to be flying with us, say hi if you see me!

This will be our first trip to Aruba. We are just going down for 4 nights. We are leaving our kids at home with my folks, and plan to just lounge on the beach and explore for a few days. We will be staying at the Divi All Inclusive (which I understand has mixed reviews, but it was cheap). We are seasoned island travelers, but if you guys have any suggestions or advice, bring it on.

Anyway, my name's Tom, and my wife's name is Haley. This seems like a great community. I've learned a lot reading the information posted on this board.

First of all Tom and Haley, Welcome to the board!

We stay at the sister resort of the Divi - the Tamarijn and we love it. One suggestion for dinner is the Red Parrot at the Divi. It is a very good restaurant and most guests like it. The Paparazzi - Italian and Ginger which is an Asian type of food are available at the Tam. If you are beach people, the beaches at the Divi and Tam are great. If you like touring the island, I find it better to rent a car and just drive around on your own. The island is so small that getting lost is part of the fun.

If you have any questions, just ask as there are plenty of veterans here that will be able to answer them for you.

Have a great trip and do a trip report when you get back as we need our daily Aruba fix!!

The weather for tomorrow through Tuesday is looking somewhat suspect. 20-40% chance of rain and clouds. For those who have been to Aruba before and/or are weather gurus, what does this forecast really mean? Everytime I go to Cancun or Cozumel, there's a 20% chance of rain, and it may shower once a day and move on, leaving sunshine. Are we looking at that type of scenario, or is this going to be a dark and gloomy weekend?

The same forecast is predicted every day in Aruba. There's always a possibility of rain but the chances are normally slim.

Welcome to the board...we are like one big happy family here! you will have a wonderful time on Aruba! The weather forecast as Donnie stated always forcasts bad weather. But it always turns out to be the opposite. Don't get me wrong there have been rainy days. But they last a few minutes and then the sun comes out again!

__________________
Aruba, no other place like it!

Tom...

I hope you and Haley are having a wonderful time, and when you get back, you'll tell us what you think of "our little piece of paradise."

__________________

Hi Tom and Haley,
Welcome to the board! I hope Aruba was all you expected of it. I've been going to Aruba every year since 1985. For ten years I went three times a year. Yes, I love Aruba. I still fill up with tears when I first spot the island from the plane, and again when I leave Aruba. I look forward to hearing all about your brief time in Paradise. Perhaps there'll be a time when we all meet while there. Elaine and I are in Aruba the month of February----right next door to where you stayed---Aruba Beach Club.

__________________

OK Suzie we are at 60 days or less. I think it is time to get excited!!!