What I Learned Over Christmas
It's been an important Christmas break for me this year. My last day at work was the 9th of December. We went up to Brisbane on the 14th & 15th, and came home yesterday. Over this time, I've learned some very important things.
- Never let your wife do the packing when you go away on a trip. I managed to fit it all in the car, but it was a very tight fit. I'm sure we didn't actually need most of what we brought with us.
- If you do let your wife do the packing, think ahead. It was Christmas time - we came back with more than we left with.
- If the route you take to Brisbane happens to go past a Krispy Kreme store, only pick up some donuts if you have room. Also, think about where in the car they are going to go. Crammed into the back is fine, but it's summer here, and they all melted (the car was so full that the air con couldn't reach the back). Krispy Kremes that have been in hot for a while and then put in the fridge don't actually taste that good.
- If you ever stay the night in a motel in Tamworth, I highly recommend the Abraham Lincoln Motel. Very cheap, very comfy, and extremely friendly. And they served lamb's fry and gravy for breakfast!
- Visiting the In-Laws for a couple of weeks might sound like an OK idea at the time, but the Christmas period is 2 of the hottest weeks in Queensland. I can put up with high temperatures if I have to, but 80+ humidity is not my idea of a good time.
- 10 people staying in a 3 bedroom house is not exactly comfortable.
- If you go away on a trip, make sure you have money. We didn't budget correctly, and couldn't do half the things we wanted to - like visit Mr McChuck :) It's OK though - I didn't want to do anything except sit under the air-con vent anyway :)
- If your in-laws have a dark house like mine do (lots of dark wood and very little lighting), be careful of you feet. I'm pretty sure I've broken my toe on a brick that was sticking up that I couldn't see. I'm off to the hospital later today to find out for sure.
- The girl's were really good in the car in the trip up(two days by road). Don't let this fool you - we decided they did so well that we drove back in one hit. While we got home in one piece, I don't think we want to do it again :) We left at 11 Tuesday night, and drove straight through to Canberra (besides meal, smoke and toilet break). We got in at 5pm Wednesday. The girls were still really good (slept most of the way) but I did the whole drive myself because Jordie's sick. Man I'm tired :)
- Check what diseases are around. My father in law got pneumonia while we there, and Jordie has a flu/chest infection. Added to my broken toe, we were a real happy bunch :)
- Don't check the weather while you're away on a trip. On Christmas day, while sitting there melting in 39 degree weather (over over 90% humidity), I checked Canberra's weather. 25 degrees and 6 percent humidity. I was so jealous.
- Make sure the babies are old enough. Sam is 5 months old now, and her cousin was there too - she's 6 days older. Neither of them can crawl yet. So my plans of racing them really failed. Maybe in a couple of months.
All in all a great trip, and it was great to see all that side of the family again. But it's nice to be home :)