Packing tips

Several years back, I produced a video called, "Lighten Up: Practical Packing for Overburdened Travelers". Many people who have seen the video or have seen my packing demonstration, swear by my method. My husband and I use it all the time. In fact, when we traveled to Costa Rica for 10 days this fall, we each took ONLY carry-on luggage!
Anywho, I know there are others out there who can give a good tip about packing, too, and here are two I recently ran across. Let me know what you think!

1. Packlistonline.com allows you to create and email yourself a personalized list. Simply browse the site's list of 500 items, check the ones you want, and hit "show the packlist." You'll then be emailed your specific list. It can take a while to get through and many items are labeled with British terms ("trousers" instead of "pants"), but the list is so extensive that it's unlikely you'll forget anything important.

2. Pack Like a Pro by Margaret Loftus in the January/February issue of National Geographic Traveler http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/resources/st_packing0801/packing.html
"Wrinkled suits, overstuffed luggage, forgotten essentials, spilled liquids. At some point, every traveler has suffered the consequences of poor packing. Susan Foster, author of Smart Packing for Today's Traveler (Smart Travel Press), shares her best tips.

• Pare Down. The amount of clothing you take shouldn't be in proportion to the length of your trip. "Get past the concept of wearing a different outfit everyday." Instead, choose clothes that will wear well and/or launder easily. Foster likes "slinky-knit" pieces that don't require ironing. Devise a general packing list and stick to it to avoid second-guessing yourself. "The 'what-ifs' are the killer."

• Method. Place a nylon tote bag across the bottom of your suitcase (for return-trip overflow), then "interfold" clothes with plastic drycleaner bags between them to keep them from wrinkling. To interfold, place a pair of pants, or other long item, along the bottom of your bag, allowing it to drape over the side; top with plastic, then position the next pair on the opposite side and continue, working your way toward the shorter pieces. Fill in with a layer of items that can be easily rolled (such as T-shirts), underwear, and shoes, folding the legs of the pants on top. Tuck belts and accessories into shoes and other crevices. Group toiletries into plastic freezer bags and stuff them in the middle of the bag. Add a few sheets of bubble wrap for cushioning and to wrap around gifts and souvenirs you will probably buy.

• Plan B. In case your bags are delayed or lost, Foster recommends cross-packing: Pack a couple of things into your traveling companion's luggage, and vice-versa. Always travel with a change of clothing in your carry-on, or at the very least, wear something on the plane that you wouldn't mind wearing for the next few days."

2008 -- already????

While I'm sure I am not the only one wondering what happened to 2007 (and 2006, 2005, 2004, etc.), I find myself sitting at my desk in blur asking, "How can this be? I had so many things to finish in 2007 and now it is finished and I am not."
In one sense, that's a good thing: If I were finished, what would I have to look forward to when I got up this morning?
As it is, I am looking forward to dinner with friends this weekend, a trip soon to South Carolina to visit my best and oldest friend, Sandee Wilkerson; my part time job at Kohl's that helps pay for our health insurance; setting up a new marketing program for Pied Pipers of Travel with Deborah Chaddock-Brown, seeing my friend Dianne Winnen-Oldenburg's house transformation ... and that's just THIS WEEK!
Further out, I am eager to spend time with grandkids and explore more of God's wonderful world -- perhaps even combining the two as we did this past weekend at the Columbus Zoo with my daughter Alise, her husband Jerry, and granddaughters Julia, Emma, Lauren and Audrey.