The Traveling Nanny LLC

09/28/2026

As you know, my travel motto is "Go with the flow!" There are days when you don't think you can pull it off!

We had a great time with Eddy & Betty Van De Steen in Antwerp. Eddy is a great tour guide and took us into Antwerp so Nancy could experience it a bit. First time being in Cathedral and a wedding taking place! Great dinner the four of us that night..

Early to airport Sunday as you " "never know" right?

We went to counter to check bags. The couple on right had issues with password number and one on the left with 4 large suitcases, while waiting in line, wife didn't piggy back the computer bag & it was swiped! They held the line up waiting for police. Finally, they opened extra line!

Bit of a wait for Aegean Airlines but thanks to holdup, only hour to wait. Comfortable chairs! The last minute gate exchange had us booking it! It kept getting delayed till we got nervous we would make flight!

Finally off to Athens chaotic airport! I can see when going home we need to allow extra time!

Soon as we walked out in Mykonos to get in van, started raining!
Later we decided to do dinner in hotel restaurant. Luckily we split the salad as hugh!

So far love Maki's Place! The reception had someone to carry our suitcases upstairs to our room (thank goodness)

I am going to blame what happened next to being tired! Struggled to get door locked & key out! After dinner we got lost in hotel maze but finally found room!

09/25/2026

When you travel & stop to see family? You find a teen to figure out how to do a selfie with a large group!

Antwerp finds me celebrating with my Belgium friends & family! Highlight was talking to an almost 18 yr about school and goals...we may think life changes till it reminds you of feeling the same way!

Betty Van De Steen fixed am amazing meal complete with dessert selection. Nancy Chesser got to experience the magic of Betty & Eddy! I got to spend time with Irene (sister/cousin) and share some personal stuff.

It was loving but hard to hear..

Just a fantastic night...

09/21/2026

She has interesting information about current rules in TSA & the new ones.

I did not realize TSA officers are funded up to 9/30 and should pay be held back for funding like last time, might want to arrive early.

Whew! Glad leaving for Greece on 9/24!

Stop worrying about your next flight. I am breaking down the latest...

09/18/2026

This is a new adventure for me as except for nannies & grandkids, have not had a genuine GF trip!

So nervous & excited! When you make all the plans, you want it perfect!

At last minute my GF decided her 36L (I helped packed her through video - was just so small ( top loading suitcase not as much room as 2 sides), her sweet husband felt bad and ordered her a 24"! If it gives her more confidence? Go for it!

Now I sometimes lay awake and wonder what I forgot!

Ever get stressed right before a major trip?

09/17/2026

Reason I have always loved traveling with kids! And later with grandsons

09/17/2026

Sometimes we need to remember that FA are just sitting there eating bon-bons! It is a serious responsibility

so many “what-if” scenarios! flight attendants really are really pr...

09/17/2026

I have wondered why empty bins when they asked to check bags. This gives information as to "why".

Next Wednesday I fly to Memphis on United to meet up with Nancy as we fly to Greece on Thursday.

Delta gives me 2 free bags with CC but United only 1 checked & 1 carryon + 1 personal.

This would be ok as my "carry on" is my backpack & small underseat spinner in bin.

I know what you are thinking! Why on earth does Ms Efficiency have a checked 22" carryon and 2 cabin bags!

The stuffed backpack has my 12 FA & gate thank you gifts. It was a tradition started with a client 10 yrs ago on first leg of International trips. I loved the look on FA faces with these small gifts. So continued on my own. Coming home it's empty! Well could put dirty laundry in it or souvenirs!

My spinner has the "what if something happens to my ck bag"
Clothes!

To be honest...I actually am packed to max...something I don't normally do! I decided probably last International trip & not worry if suitcase packed tight!

I am a bit concerned that if aisle seat and underseat space too small for either and need both in bins.

They are so strict lately that even a small phone purse is considered a 3rd piece. Technically you can half stuff in bag as bag doesn't have to close completely. I thought that odd first time but realized "technically" doing her job & still giving me a way out!

The real reason airlines ask passengers to gate-check their carry-on bags before boarding is based on a forecast, not on the final state of the cabin once everyone has boarded.

09/16/2026

Why share this on a travel page? It is because travel offers a unique experience with someone you love. It is why I do photo albums after trips where I can also write about the ups & downs.

Just pictures...but reminds me to not take moments for granted. All we did was Hershey Park with the grandsons this year & no pictures! Totally forgot plus, we'll boy teens aren't keen on pictures! So instead I wrote a few sentences on paper - "Mimi, just know we see the work that goes into trips - thank you for letting us bring a friend" or my favorite "we don't take these moments for granted - we really miss you"
And put in this memory box where I collect travel memories.

Do find a way to record your memories...

Turn Back Time Tuesday — 10 Years Ago

We had no idea we were in the “good old days.”

This picture popped up from 10 years ago, and the first thing I noticed wasn’t how much younger we looked… although apparently my beard hadn’t gotten the memo about aging yet. 😂

It was how ordinary this moment was.

Sitting in a car.
Probably going somewhere we thought was important.
Kids to take care of. Bills to pay. Plans to make. Problems we were trying to solve.

Just life.

And yet, ten years later, I look at this picture completely differently.

Because one day the ordinary moments you’re living right now become the pictures you stop and stare at.

You remember the car.
The house you lived in.
How old the kids were.
What you were worried about.
The dreams you hadn’t accomplished yet.

And you realize…

We spend so much of life waiting for the next chapter that we sometimes forget we’re already standing in a chapter we’re going to miss someday.

Ten years ago, we couldn’t see everything that was coming.

Some incredible things.
Some really hard things.
A whole lot of change.

But somehow, through all the different versions of our lives, there was still us.

So maybe the lesson isn’t to wish we could turn back time.

Maybe it’s to realize that 10 years from now, we might give anything to come back to today.

So be here for it.

❤️ If you could go back 10 years and tell yourself ONE thing, what would it be?

09/15/2026

So 14 days before our trip, Phone battery gets wonky. 10 days before trip battery is worse...5 years with this one, 20 months ago paid for new battery...Darn...I hate learning new phones! I need the bigger phones as I rarely take my laptop with me. Contracts or Itinerary is done on my phone. Yeah, kinda my life line.

Trip to TMOBILE (only them and Google free internet internationally) after research had it down to Pixel Ultra or Samsung S26 Ultra. Same price and not inexpensive but TMobile had a promo that made Pixel 1/2 the price! I have had a Google Pixel before and liked it.
Samsung promo was good but not as good as Google - literally twice the price! I could lower bill another $45 a month if I added a line - even if I never use it! I keep my old phone as backup too where Samsung had me with a trade in promo.

So ordered Google Pixel and here in 3 days. Time for them to transfer everything for me! I am not thrilled learning a new phone 10 days before trip! But as I preach to the boys - let nothing spoil your joy on vacation - just go with the flow!

Now....what do I do with this extra line?