What are your 2012 travel plans?

[Badger]

If you're driving and you really REALLY want to look at furniture, stop by Good's in Kewanee, IL on your way to Chicago.

Thanks for the recommendation--unfortunately, I didn't see it in time. We just got back yesterday, and the furniture expedition was quite successful. We sat on every sofa and sectional in Room and Board. We were in there for three hours. This is not too bad but it followed on the heels of three other stores.

At least I used to sell furniture at one time so it wasn't totally overwhelming. AND, when we got home there was a surprise for me outside my door. Pics to come . . .

[dlg]

but mostly we're going to go look at furniture, sit on couches, etc., because the Badgers just bought a house.

If you're driving and you really REALLY want to look at furniture, stop by Good's in Kewanee, IL on your way to Chicago.

[Badger]

The good thing about homeownership: you own a house. The reality? The house owns you. In the long run, it's good-- we love having no shared walls, ceiling/floors, etc. And the quiet.

We bought a brownstone, so we'll be sharing a three-hour fire wall with one neighbor. However, we're the first owners so hopefully it won't start crumbling around us as soon as we unpack our boxes.

The best thing for us is that the dog park is in walking distance. Apartment living hasn't been good for Titus's figure.

[lauragayle]

The good thing about homeownership: you own a house. The reality? The house owns you. In the long run, it's good-- we love having no shared walls, ceiling/floors, etc. And the quiet.

[TXGirl]

I don't get to travel much, but hopefully in July we'll get to visit family in Idaho. I'll then get to put my Co-Pilot to use.

[Badger]

I didn't think we could swing it this year, but Mrs B. and I will manage to take a trip between the summer term and the start of fall semester. It's even sort of international! We're planning on going to the Niagara area of Ontario to visit wineries (including the very impressive-looking Ontario College Teaching Winery) and hang out by the lake. We'll fly to Buffalo and then drive into Ontario after the requisite stop at Niagara Falls.

Confession time: we are going to check not one, but TWO suitcases for this trip! I'm going to buy two 28" rolling cases in order to accommodate four cases of wine. I'm crossing my fingers that we won't need to pay too much duty. Maybe the fine folks at the border will mistake the wine suitcases for normal luggage--surely they won't suspect that all of our real luggage pieces are TB carryons.

[lauragayle]

Greetings! I just got back from a week in Dallas at a conference. Upcoming in 2012: 2 trips to Thailand, a trip to Salt Lake City (most likely), Chicago area, Madison WI, and who knows what else life will throw in??

For the Dallas trip, I did check a bag ( ), but I carried my Ego and Ristretto on the plane. I bring not only dressy conference clothes, but presents for friends on this trip -- and on the return, some books and CDs (at least the ones that wouldn't fit in my FedEx box I shipped back). However, with the exception of the Thailand trip, I'll be able to rely on my Aeronaut or Tri-Star as my only clothing bag. Whoo hoo!

cheers-
laura

[Badger]

As stolen from GEOcycle.

Dudes, I totally would. That's the problem. Truth: I have a Brain Bag, a Synapse, a Smart Alec, a Tri-Star, a Large Cafe Bag, a Cadet, and an iPad Ristretto on my Wish List right now, not to mention the $500 worth of accessories. I slowly mete the bags out, one at a time. It's a good discipline for me.

[misterN]

@Badger, isn't the decision problem AWFUL??

As stolen from GEOcycle.

[nukediver]

@Badger, isn't the decision problem AWFUL??

[Badger]

Resistance is futile! I am about to purchase a Synapse for my partner's 50th birthday this Friday, even though I just bought a bunch of stuff last week for me (passport pouch, Large Cafe Bag, other doodads...). Why? Because she kept stealing mine this weekend while packing for our upcoming cruise. And because she finally sees what totally awesome things Tom Bihn makes. LAdies and gentlemen, we have a new convert!

Nice! It's even better when the new convert, in his/her zeal, sanctions the purchasing of many new bits and bobs.

I'm ordering a bag of some description when I get home from work. Probably a SA. Maybe a Synapse. Gah! Decisions.

[misterN]

I am flying out with my sister to Phoenix to my grandparents place again in March during spring break. Planning on watching some Brewer's spring training games (pitchers and catchers just reported today.) Also planning on going up into the mountains and over to the Grand Canyon for a day or two.

More than likely, my Aeronaut and Super Ego will be seeing heavy use. HOPEFULLY the Camera Insert as well. Maybe a Synapse as well. Maybe...

[nukediver]

I am trying to resist the urge to buy a Smart Alec to take on this trip.

Resistance is futile! I am about to purchase a Synapse for my partner's 50th birthday this Friday, even though I just bought a bunch of stuff last week for me (passport pouch, Large Cafe Bag, other doodads...). Why? Because she kept stealing mine this weekend while packing for our upcoming cruise. And because she finally sees what totally awesome things Tom Bihn makes. LAdies and gentlemen, we have a new convert!

[Badger]

Thanks, dorayme, for your kind words. Two years ago, if you told me I'd be a "homeowner," I would not have believed you; the word just did not compute (I now feel similarly about the word "parent", but ask me again in another two years!). There's nothing like picking out tiles for your backsplash to make the reality sink in, let me tell you.

Mrs B and I have decided that we will need to eat out less and not download e-books whenever the whim strikes us. Since we've already scaled back our video game (me) and clothing (her) purchases, this additional frugality will hopefully make a difference for us. It also helps us free up money for purchases that really matter, like bathroom tile and a new Smart Alec!

[dorayme]

Congratulations Badgers with your home purchase! Home ownership comes with many benefits, but is also full of sacrifice and responsibility as you well know! As you venture down this new path I'm sure you will find new outlets for your love of living life along with your now less frequent travel. And remember you can use TB organization around the home too ;-}