Vacation Preparation

My family went on our Spring Break Vacation this week. We headed south of the border to one of our favorite destinations, Mexico (I started typing this while flying 30,000 feet above sea-level—oh how I love my laptop). As I waited for my in-flight drink (it was after 12 p.m. and I’m on vacation), I slowly felt the tension release from my shoulders. Viva Mexico!

In preparing for this trip, I have realized that I have some travel quirks. One is that I tend to wait to the last minute to pack. I like to think that it is because I’m so easy going and relaxed and that I really don’t need to be that organized. But truth be told, it is because I dread looking for everyone’s stuff and figuring out which suitcase it will all fit in. We don’t have the fancy matching luggage. Ours is more of the Goodwill variety—second hand stuff that gets the job done. I’m not opposed to using a little duct tape to make sure the suitcase doesn’t burst at the seams. At least it is easy to spot at baggage claim!

I also have this thing where I need to have the house clean before we go. I want everyone’s rooms to be tidy and all of the toys picked up and put away. I do not want to come home to a mess. Along those lines, I like to have all of the laundry done. I’ll do loads and loads of laundry before we go, which only adds to my preparation frenzy. In the end I create a more clutter because I have laundry baskets and suitcases scattered everywhere. I guess it is because to truly let go and enjoy myself, I need to know that work is not awaiting me when I get home.

And then there are the lists. I make one and seem to always misplace it. I’ll start another and tell myself that this list will be “The Master List” and will not move from the kitchen island-and usually that works. The Master List, is what ultimately gets us on our way with everything we need. Well, almost everything, inevitably something slips through the cracks. It wouldn't be a vacation without leaving something behind. At least we always remember the kids! :)