Packing Stinks

I thought everyone felt the same way about this. Apparently I'm wrong. Every time over the last week when I have said, "I am so crazy busy right now. I have to pack for a month long vacation," I have expected to have offers of casseroles and Jell-O salad, babysitting, and prayers in my behalf because of my unfortunate circumstances... But, no. People say, "How fun! Where are you going?" No one seems to sympathize and I'm starting to wonder if this whole packing dilema is mine alone. Before I pack (and this is even if I'm just gone for the weekend), I have to:

• Clean everything. I'm talking scrubbed toilets, sparkling sinks, no leftover drips under the drawers in the refridgerator. What if something happens to me while I'm gone, and someone comes into my house and finds out that, sometimes, when the honey pecan syrup spills, I only clean up where it can be seen, and if you try to take a SlimFast can from the bottom shelf, you are going to have yourself a fight on your hands, because honey pecan syrup gives superglue a run for its money?


• Have all papers filed and bills paid - even if they're not due until after I get back. What if I can't get back for 2 extra weeks and my electric bill is due, and they shut off the power, and all of the food in the freezer melts and leaks? I haven't seen what kind of damage Firecracker Popsicles can do, but I bet it rivals the syrup.


• All laundry done. Not just the laundry that I am taking, but all laundry. This is why sometimes, at 3:00 in the morning, I am washing a load of 3 dishcloths, a swimming suit, 1 of Addison's socks, and a bra. In addition, all of the laundry must be put away before I start packing it. I get confused if I leave piles out thinking, "maybe I'll take this."


• Google maps to destination, hotel confirmations, google maps from destination, flight information, and interesting stops along the way printed and ready in a file folder.


• Lists. Lots of lists. I have a packing list that I keep on my computer detailing the clothing items I usually take for Addison and myself, all toiletries, entertainment, food items, etc. Then, I make lists of the bags that they will go in so that I can count and make sure that I grab all of the bags when I leave the house. This may be because I have, more than once, packed meticulously and, at a point too far into the trip, realized that my toiletry bag is sitting, well, on the toilet.

Now, remember... this is what happens before I pack. Once I've got all of that done, the fun starts. I need to be prepared for every situation and so I ridiculously overpack. For instance, I'm going to Utah during the months of June and July... but don't worry, I brought some sweaters just in case a freak cold front hits.

So, do you do this? After writing it all down, I really think I might have a problem. I wonder if there are packing phobia support groups. There have to be others like me.

The sad thing is, in the time that it takes to read this (probably less), Tom thought "hey, I need to pack," shoved everything into a bag smaller than the backpack Addison takes to school, started reading "The Sea, The Sea," and will have everything he needs.