No matter how many trips I go on, packing never gets easier.
I am a deadline-pressure packer, and I always have been. My methods are not going to be found in any books on organization, that’s for sure.
The way I start the whole process is by looking in my closet and pulling out anything I think I might want to take; then I pile it in the bathroom floor.
As I’m doing that, I start cleaning out my closet. I found a skirt with tags on it, which doesn’t fit, and a bath wrap I have no recollection of buying.
The No. 1 problem I have with packing is making decisions about what to take because I imagine all the “what ifs.”
What if there is a blizzard on the beach? I packed my polar fleece. And a sweater.
What if we go to a fancy restaurant one night? It’s happened maybe once in 30 years. I bought a flowy outfit that was a little dressier.
What if we go on a bicycle ride? I have never rented a bicycle on a beach vacation in my life, but there’s a first time for everything. I’d need my tennis shoes.
What if we go dancing? I might need my dancing shoes. Again, it’s never happened. We do have a video of my husband from the last trip doing a dance move in the kitchen, but that’s just for our entertainment.
Speaking of shoes, I have to have different shoes, depending on what I might wear.
I had five pairs of black sandals, one white pair and tennis shoes sitting out.
My husband said, “You are going to put those in a bag or something, aren’t you? I have to carry them up three flights of stairs.”
So, I dug in my closet and got one of the 12 new tote bags that came with a “free gift” from a cosmetic company and packed my shoes in it.
Finally, I go through and pack it all in a large duffle bag. When I can barely zip it, I’m done — until we get ready to walk out the door. Then I go back to the closet and pull a few more things off hangers to throw in the car. Those are the things I will never wear, and my husband and I both know it.
My husband has an Excel spreadsheet for all the supplies and food we take to the beach, and he just checks off the list.
However, he’s a lot more loosey-goosey with his clothes. He throws in shorts, swimming trunks, T-shirts and golf shirts, and he’s pretty much done. I sometimes sneak a long-sleeve T-shirt in his bag, because it makes me feel better.
I will never forget one spring beach trip our family went on when I tried to tell my older son that he might want to pack jeans because it gets cool at night by the ocean. He ended up borrowing my husband’s jeans, which didn’t really fit him, because he got cold.
My younger son is coming on this vacation, flying in from Kentucky. He told me he’s traveling only with a backpack, cramming a couple of pairs of shorts, T-shirts and a bathing suit in with his laptop.
“There’s a washing machine there, right?” he asked.
The thought gave me a nervous tic, so I bought him a bathing suit and packed it to take. And a long-sleeve shirt, just in case.
Then I’ll come home, and my bags will sit there for two weeks. I’m just as bad at unpacking.
Senior writer Tammy Keith can be reached at (501) 327-0370 or tkeith@arkansasonline.com.