Me, Emily, my mom, and the twins Every time I go on a trip, I write a list of things I need to do before I leave. With my mom living in New York and our kids on the West Coast, I have been away a few times this year. We recently returned from Des Moines, where my mom met her two-month-old twin great-grandsons for the first time.
So why aren’t I more organized? Why do I go through the same agonizing thought process? In my mind, I carefully review what I would like to get done and what absolutely needs to get done before stepping foot out of the house for a week. And it’s the same darn thing every time. But I can't really be too hard on myself. Everything isn’t consistent--we leave at different times, different days and travel by different methods, cars, plane, bus, or train. Here's the best list I could come up with, a count down to leaving. Maybe it will help you, too!
One or more days before:
The day before:
Three hours before leaving (or the night before)
Two hours before leaving:
An hour before leaving:
Just before leaving:
So why aren’t I more organized? Why do I go through the same agonizing thought process? In my mind, I carefully review what I would like to get done and what absolutely needs to get done before stepping foot out of the house for a week. And it’s the same darn thing every time. But I can't really be too hard on myself. Everything isn’t consistent--we leave at different times, different days and travel by different methods, cars, plane, bus, or train. Here's the best list I could come up with, a count down to leaving. Maybe it will help you, too!
One or more days before:
- Print boarding pass (if flying)
- Fill car with gas
- Wash car
- Clean out and vacuum car
- Clean out purse
- Stop trash pick up
- Hold the mail
- Hold the newspaper
- Ask a neighbor to water plants, if needed
- Tell a neighbor our plans
- Laundry
- Haircut
- Clean and organize my desk
- Financial:
- Get money from bank
- Transfer money, if needed
- Pay bills
- Decide which credit cards to bring
The day before:
- Decide what to wear
- Pack suitcase (if carrying luggage on plane, pack containers 3-oz. or less)
- Personal grooming (wash and style hair, paint nails, etc.)
Three hours before leaving (or the night before)
- Run the dishwasher
- Complete all hand washing of pots and pans, etc.
Two hours before leaving:
- Walk the dog
- Fill the dog’s water bowl with fresh water
- Get dog food, harness, leash, treats, ready for the dog walker
An hour before leaving:
- Take trash out
- Pack snacks and/or sandwiches
Just before leaving:
- Turn down the heat OR turn up or off the air conditioner
- Take the dog out to her pen
- Turn off the water
- Say a prayer for a safe return
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