Packing - my style

Rob had a couple of (station related) events to drop in on yesterday, so we tagged along and spent one night in LaBelle, where we often stay if we have to be in that area. It is centrally located, which is nice, but it is also an underwriting trade, so it doesn't cost us anything to stay there. The location is a little rustic...but you won't get them for false advertising!

For an overnight trip, I get kind of philosophical, I mean, how much do you really need to pack for a trip that is less than 24 hours long? Couldn't you technically just "get by" for 24 hours? Would the not having to pack/unpack out way the ick factor of not having clean underwear the next day? For two adults, you can consider your options, but obviously this is not a real option with a baby - and once I'm packing for her, I kind of get on a roll. But limited - for an overnight trip - just the next days clothes (excluding what's already on the diaper bag), if someone spills something all over their clothes, they get to wear the other outfit twice, if they spill on that, well, we'll be home soon. (As I side not, I do not pack for Rob, he takes care of that. After 10 years I have learned this well: I do not know what he wants to wear tomorrow.) Also, and I learned this the hard way, if you wear contacts, always always always bring your glasses.

For a longer trip, I'm a strict 3 outfit packer. The baby, I'll go as high as 5, but her clothes are really small. Since we nearly always drive, a lot of times I pack the laundry basket instead of a suitcase. I want to come home with either everything clean or everything dirty. That way, I can either slide it in alongside the next load of clothes to fold and put it all away together or stick it straight in the wash. Once we're home, I find it best to unpack quickly or else it takes a full week, no matter how short the trip.

No matter how long our trip - whether it's our Christmas "world tour" or we're just going to church, I always forget one vital thing. It's not always the same thing (Natalie's sippy cup), but it is usually something that involves buying something we have plenty of at home. I guess I should anticipate this and budget it as an expected expense. I have a friend who is ready for every contingency, and it is nice to go places with her! I used to feel bad about my own chronic unpreparedness, but one day I had to lift her diaper bag! Wow. Preparedness comes with a price!