Last minute decisions

Thanks to my dear frequent flyer husband, I am flying first class on three of the four legs of this trip. Alas, on my final leg all the ff first class seats were taken - but I'm not complaining. The good thing about the Northwest Schedule is that I get to Beijing (if all goes according to schedule) at 9:20 pm, which means that when I get to Bethel I go to bed. This, combined with first class seats on the way there should cut down on jet lag problems, for sure.

Decision now come down to how to juggle things in my three pieces of luggage so that they are a manageable weight. I can take two 70-pounders, but probably couldn't get them off the conveyer belt - so forget that idea. Instead, I will try to keep my big Samsonite hard-shell fairly light, and will jostle toys, pieces of peg-board and plexiglass, ball containing bells and other games that are blind-friendly between two odd-shaped cardboard boxes. The rule: their total linear dimension (width plus depth plus height) can't exceed 62" on two pieces and 45" on the third. This became a logistical issue given the 24" square pieces of pegboard and plexiglass - but I have it down now. This involved cutting one box down, and making another.

Matthew claims that the security guys will cut my tape and thoroughly examine my scramble games and buzzing soccer ball - so be it. That is not my problem.