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Vacation Planning and Packing List
Dear Friends,
Is getting ready to leave on vacation a pain in the bottom to you?
Do you run around with your head cut off for several days prior to
your departure time, not knowing which way to turn?
Are you irritable and snapping at your loved ones?
Do you pack everything but the kitchen sink?
This is a characteristic of a SHE. I have done this so many times.
Several years ago it would take me 2 weeks to pack for a 2 week
vacation. In the end I was so exhausted, I just wanted to crash. So,I
have some tips for you.
- SIT DOWN with a pen and paper and PLAN! 15 minutes planning gets
rid of the "Chicken with the head cut off" syndrome!
- Break your list into 4 parts or use 4 separate pages.
- Things to do before you pack.
- Things you will need to pack.
- Things to do before you leave.
- Things to do when you get home.
- The things you need to do before you pack are:
- Make sure all of your clothes are clean and put away.
- The house is in good order:Everything in it's place.
- Make a grocery list of food that you take with you and buy it.
- Take care of your pets needs, Sitter, or boarding and their food.
This will be out of the way.
- Notify post office that you will be out of town and to
hold your mail, or asked a trusted person to pick up your
mail and newspapers.
- Do you have the directions printed out from MapQuest and in your
planner?
- Get car serviced and filled up. If you are going in the car.
- If you are flying make sure your tickets are in order and in your
planner or purse. What time do you need to be at the airport?
What time do you need to leave the house to get to the airport
on time?
- Things you need to pack.
- I use 3X5s for this one. Each family members gets a card. On this
card I list everything that needs to be packed for this person. If
they have a favorite toy, golf clubs, fishing gear, clothes and
favorite snack.
- Then I make a card that is labeled: Food to take.
- When you are figuring on the outfits for each person, be sure to
check your itinerary for places that you will need dress clothes
Church, Fancy Restaurants, etc. Don't forget bathing suits, beach
towels and beach shoes. If you don't have access to a washer, you
may have to pack an outfit for each day, unless the kids are
going to be in their bathings suits all day.LOL Then you will
need to take a couple of them.
- Now for your clothes. Keep it simple, Mix and match your outfits
then you will have less to take. Keep your makeup and hair care
items to a bare minimum. Don't forget a hat and sunscreen if you
are going to be outside alot. How about a book or magazine to
read?
- Husband, Sometimes they need to pack for themself, but make a list
just in case and double check. He will be happy you are looking
out for his needs too.
- Don't forget medications and a small first aide kit. I would put
all of this stuff in one bag, I called my bathroom bag.
- My rule of thumb is one Medium bag per person. Plus a Mother bag to
take care of odds and ends stuff.(carry-on tote)
- Things to do before you leave:
- Set your BigTent Email up to "Web Only". Go to "Contact Us" to find out how.
- I like to change all the sheets so that when you get home your bed
is nice and welcoming. I do this the day before I leave. No time
when you are leaving early in the morning.
- Make sure the house is clean and sparkling, so when you walk in the
door you are not blown away by a messy house.
- Put Mr. Clean or Pinesol in each of your toilets and pour a little
in your drains. Use something you like to smell. This will keep
your house from smelling bad from stagnant water. If you leave
pets in the house, put the lids down on the toilet.
- I would throw the breaker for our hot water heater if I were going
to be gone for 2 or more weeks.
- Also turn the air conditioner up to about 85 degrees or completely
off.
- Check your freezer to make sure the door is closed. Don't ask me
why I do this, all I will tell you is, it is not fun to come home
to a freezer full of spoiled food. Then tape it shut.
- Make a note of the things to do when you get home and leave it on
the kitchen counter.
- Turn on Air Cond and water heater.
Unpack car as soon as you get home or it could be weeks before it
is done. LOL
- When you get the suitcases in the house. Start a load of laundry
before you crash. I make sure my bags are unpacked as soon as I
walk in the door. If I don't I will be living out of my
suitcase for another week.
- Reset your BigTent email to your preferred setting.
- Then start your week over just like it was Sunday afternoon. Make
out your basic weekly plan. Life is back to normal. Don't forget
your routines. Now is not the time to fall off the routine wagon.
- So jump back in and start over. Put this stuff on the return home note
on your Kitchen counter. This way you will not have to remember it and
it will be just like you are being bossed by someone. LOL
I know this looks like alot to do. But these are things you already
knew about. When they are in black and white they are not as scary.
Now you have a plan. Whenever you need to get ready for a trip, Drag
this out and use this. Put it your planner for just those
occassions. Put the lists in a sheet protector and slide the note
cards in with them.
That way you will not have to reinvent the wheel each time you travel.
You will just need to adjust for your destination. Have a great
vacation and Don't forget to take some time for yourself.
Catch you later,
FlyLady
Packing List
Here is a wonderful Packing list from My Very Dear Friend. For
staying in a condo at the beach. You will have to adapt it to your vacation. Feel free to copy and paste it into Word.
BASIC PACKING LIST
- ____ask neighbor to bring in recycle, paper and mail
- ____make dog reservation
- ____clean out dog kennel
- ____pack dog's food, treats, leash (or cat's)
CLOTHES
- ____changes of clothes
- ____sets of underwear (underpants, socks, undershirts, bras, slips,
jock
straps)
- ____sleep shirts/pjs
- ____dress outfits (pantyhose/tights)
- ____shoes (tennis, sandals, dress, slippers)
- ____robes (swim cover ups)
- ____special sports wear (tennis, golf, skiing)
- ____swimsuits
- ____swim towels
- ____goggles, swimmies
- ____sweatsuits
- ____sweaters
- ____jackets
- ____heavy coats, mittens, hats, boots
- ____
- ____
TOILETRIES
- ____toothbrushes
- ____toothpaste
- ____deodorant
- ____hairbrush
- ____hair things
- ____shampoo
- ____kids' shampoo
- ____bubble bath
- ____lotion
- ____bugspray
- ____sun block
- ____lipstick
- ____medications
- ____nailfile
- ____contacts/case/solutions
- ____shaving kit
- ____make up bag
- ____
- ____
- ____
FOOD
- ____water
- ____lidded cups
- ____bowls,spoons
- ____pnut butter
- ____knife, spoon
- ____cereal, milk
- ____raisins
- ____papertowels
- ____tissue
- ____Kitchen Disinfectant
- ____Candle
- ____napkins
- ____crackers
- ____cereal
- ____bread
- ____cheese
- ____drinks
MISC
- ____pillows
- ____sleeping bags
- ____videos
- ____cassettes
- ____cell phone, cord, charger
- ____books, magazines
- ____stamps, pen, paper
- ____sporting equiptment: tennis racquets, balls, mitts, inflatable
mattresses, pool toys, rollerblades
- ____golf clubs
- ____Hostess gift(s)
- ____map(s)
- ____RESERVATION FORMS, RESERVATION #
- ____resort information
LAST MINUTE
- ____feed, water cat
- ____change litter
- ____take dog to kennel
- ____set VCR(s)
- ____turn on porch light, set timers
- ____clear answering machine
- ____water plants
- ____check doors, all appliances off
- ____turn down heat/air conditioning
- ____post card labels
- ____post card stamps
- ____bills that will be due while gone
- ____sufficient checks to pay bills
- ____stamps
- ____large garbage bags for dirty clothes
- ____laundry soap
- ____dryer sheets
- ____
EXTRA THINGS I NEED TO BRING/DO
- ___________________________
- ___________________________
- ___________________________
- ___________________________
- ___________________________
- ___________________________
- ___________________________
- ___________________________
- ___________________________
- ___________________________
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