i hate packing

Let me preface this with one little statement: I hate packing.

Honestly, I would rather just teleport myself to my destination, buy all new clothes, and wear all of them home Joey style so I wouldn’t have to pack a suitcase.

I don’t know when this all came about either – especially since I used to be a suitcase packin’ loving freak in my younger years (don’tevensayanythingaboutmestillbeingyoungthankyouverymuch). I was “that kid” who packed their suitcase at least two weeks before a big trip. I made lists, I laid out every outfit, I had my suitcase by the door at least a day before we actually went on a trip. My sister, on the other hand, has always been a last minute packer. On our first trip to Mexico when I was 16, I was in bed around 8:00 at night (some things never change) since we were leaving at such an early hour the following day. She, however, started to do laundry at midnight. HER LAUNDRY!!! We were leaving in three hours. That. Just. Makes. Me. Stressed.

Somewhere along the lines, I’ve become a “last minute packer” – well, for me at least. Instead of packing two weeks before a trip, I now pack two days before a trip. And instead of loving it, I loathe it with every fiber of my being. The real reason I started packing today though is because I am staying at my parents’ house tomorrow night to make getting to the airport easier for my mom and me.

Today, I started with a list – one for me, and one for the Husband.

Aaaand after looking at this picture, I realize I am the culprit to the Husband’s learned helplessness when it comes to feeding himself. Honestly, if the man does not have food made for him, he will not eat – and no, I am not joking. One of my activities tomorrow will be to make him some food for lunches and dinner while I am away. #wifeyduties

Aaaand if you’re wondering about the three lines under the orange juice that is written in all uppercase letters, it IS a big deal. As I told my mom the other day, “I would rather the Husband (okay I said his real name) not kill me from not buying his orange juice than him getting a little arsenic in his system every morning”.

The other list for myself was much more… extensive.

Yes, every day is broken down and yes the expected temperature is written next to each day. No, I am not psychotic. I’m also planning on wearing three outfits on Saturday by the looks of it. And apparently I am only wearing leggings on Sunday. Do you think they’ll let me fly home?

The most important part of that list was the food (obviously). Whenever I travel, I always bring my own snacks and breakfast items because 1) it’s cheaper and 2) eating breakfasts away from home is very difficult for me because of all my dietary restrictions. It’s easier to round up some food to bring along with me to make my life easier!

Check out that love – can’t leave home without it!

As for other foods while we’re gone, my mom and I used a service her business partner told us about – Garden Grocers. They deliver groceries to most all Disney resorts, so we decided to stock up on perishable items like salad ingredients, almond milk, fruit, and hummus so we could save some money eating a few meals at the hotel.

Confession time – I am either a chronic over packer or under packer. I am never “just right”. I think this trip I am falling into the “over packer” category.

 
In my defense, the last time I was in Florida in January, we had 30 degree weather all week and there is a major cold front moving into Orlando right now. What if it really doesn’t leave like the weather man says it will? I’m just being paranoid prepared.

In 24 hours, I will be in Sunny, but less than warm, Florida! Did I mention we’re hitting up Harry Potter World before we even step foot in a Disney park? HARRY POTTER! And no, I did not read alllllll the books – I’m just very excited.

Question: What is your packing strategy?

Tagged as: disney world, disney world half marathon, florida, orlando, packing for a trip, travel, vacation