This is a sponsored review from BlogHer and Slim·Fast.
Since I know what I’m about to say is sort of weird, I think the best course of action is just to say it. Put it out there. Jump into the deep end of the community pool that’s chock-full-o-crazy.
Ready?
Here you go.
There are few things I enjoy more than packing a suitcase.
Seriously. I sort of adore it, in fact.
And it’s not that I just like packing my own suitcase. Oh, no ma’am. I like packing suitcases for other people, too. I love the whole process of figuring out what to take on a trip, getting everything organized, sorting all our stuff into categories, figuring out the best bag for what needs to be packed – the whole thing.
And because I love packing so much, getting ready for a trip can be almost as much fun for me as the trip itself.
(Maybe I should stop now.)
(I fear I’ve overshared.)
(My only defense is that I’ve never claimed to be even remotely normal.)
So given all of that, you can probably understand why our recent family trip to see a very large mouse pretty much reduced me to a quivering pile of trip-planning anticipation. After all, there were just so many things that needed to be done ahead of time! So many, very fun things!
Like what, you wonder? Well, sunscreen! We needed sunscreen! And I needed to find the hats we take to the pool in the summertime. And I needed to make sure that the little man could still wear last year’s shorts. And I had to make sure that all of us had a windbreaker that could double as a poncho if it rained. And then there was the matter of double-checking that we had plenty of rechargeable batteries and the extra-large Ziplocs and the books for the plane ride and a stash of dollar bills for whenever we needed to tip someone.
Clearly I had no choice but to make a to-do list. And type it. Sort of like this. Except that certainly it was considerably more detailed and also alphabetized.
MY JOY, IT KNEW NO BOUNDS.
And in all seriousness, I think the reason I enjoy the list-making and the pre-packing and the packing so much is because travel is jam-packed with stuff that you just can’t control. Weather. Delayed flights. Mixed-up reservations. Crowds. The occasional irritable family member.
Not that we’d know anything about that. Oh, heavens no.
But the packing? That I can control. I can make sure we’ve been as thorough and as organized as possible before we leave the house. I can’t do one thing about having to hike a half mile from the parking deck to the terminal or dealing with disgruntled travelers or standing in jam-packed security lines. But I can plan well enough in advance to make sure that our iPods are charged, that we have a Ziploc filled with all our necessary cords and cables and chargers, that we can rest in the peace of knowing that once we get to wherever our destination happens to be on any given trip, Mama here is going to have our travel camera tucked into a zippered portion of my favorite (durable!) travel purse, and ALL WILL BE WELL WITH THE WORLD.
Unless the airline loses our luggage, of course.
However, you can rest assured that I’ll have some back-up clothing in my carry-on bag.
There’s no such thing as being too prepared.
If you’d like to be entered to win a Slim-Fast gift pack (worth $100), leave a comment that answers the following question: what kind of traveler are you? Do you like to make your pre-travel lists and check them twice? Do you run through the airport at the last minute and arrive at your gate approximately two seconds before the plane door closes? Do airline employees know you by name because you’re forever missing your flights? Or are you a traveler of the prompt-but-laid-back variety?
Happy Commenting, y’all!
And don’t forget to check out the BlogHer round-up page for more chances to win. This giveaway will run from 3/28-4/20.
Rules:
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b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment
on this post
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this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about
an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here.
This giveaway is now closed.
I’m a traveler of the prompt-but-laid-back variety
http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/54068528470429696
Here is the correct link for tweet.http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/54068893286801408
My mother was a list making joyful packer also. Her house was always spotless and she worked full time plus overtime. I, on the other hand, cringe at the thought of lists or packing. I ramble through it and do enjoy the trip part. Mom was absolutely right about the pure joy in coming home, dead tired and sun burnt, to a clean house.
I plan ahead, get to the airport early, then relax and travel pretty laid back!
bleatham*at*gmail.com
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/sleatham1/status/54127961338683392
bleatham*at*gmail.com
I definitely enjoy the planning. I make a list and usually have everything packed by the day before I leave. I arrive an hour early to the airport (2 if it’s international). I like to be relaxed, not running down the terminal…
I am the kind of traveler that likes to make a pre-travel list of things I need to take along and of things that I need to do before I leave. I plan ahead of time what I need to pack and I try to leave on time.
We plan some but leave some room for spontaneity!
Thanks!
kmassmanATgmailDOTcom
Now my husband is there 3 hours before our flight so I am there as well if it where up to me I would be there 2 seconds before they closed the door of the airplane.
s barrett 92 at yahoo dot com
I actually need to get on the ball. I need to start exercising and cutting down the amt of food I eat.
brownatural@gmail.com
I am in between. I have a prepacked travel kit that only needs hair essentials and makeup to be ready to go, but pretty much everything else relies on my almost-last-minute brain!
I love your list! I try to be organized when it comes to packing. Like other folks on here, cleaning the house before I leave is part of the ritual!
I am the over-planner. I research everything before we go so I can plan out our activities and even alternate ones if something goes wrong. I also makes lists for everyone and I definately overpack because I need to be ready for anything.
I’m a list person and I make the list up way before I travel and keeping adding to it. I’d be lost without it.
Thanks so much.
My husband is the “master packer” at our house. He travels much more than I do, so he is really, really good at it. I am the double/triple checker making sure we have all our medications available. Always remember an extra garbage bag for the stinky dirty clothes!
I make lists, plan ahead and stress a bit.
I pack for weeks and have separate bags just for the car ride
completely over prepared and try hard to relax
tvollowitz at aol dot com
very prompt-but-laid-back variety
It’s been a while since I have traveled, but I am more of the throw things in a bag at the last minute, get there just on time and get what I need when I get there if I forgot anything
I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/eyzofblu63/status/56188123062874112
like to preplan…..
I definitely plan ahead and give myself plenty of time. I don’t want that plane taking off without me!
Tweet
http://twitter.com/?status=It%20Never%20Hurts%20To%20Be%20Prepared%20%28A%20Slim-Fast%20Giveaway%29%20-%20http%3A%2F%2Fboomama.net%2F2011%2F03%2F28%2Fit-never-hurts-to-be-prepared-a-slim-fast-giveaway%2F#!/clc408/status/56366216960409600
I’m definitely a list maker….still though, there are usually things I totally forget! But, the list keeps me on track and sane.
tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/fairydancer35/status/56757697839763456
i make lists of what to take what attractions to see what activities to do … then just go with the flow once we actually go
I travel frequently and try to be very patient and easy going because I like it when my travels go smoothly.
I’m the kind of traveler who packs a week ahead of time and then the day of the trip there’s no drama. I’ve thought of just about everything and if I didn’t think of it I’ll deal with it when it happens.
We are very casual, go with the flow travelers.
I overplan everything, especially vacations. I do weeks of research before I travel anywhere. I need to know the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions in the area.
I am a list maker and an obsessive person about being on time and having everything I need for travel so I am a very prepared traveler. Sometimes I think if I was a bit more carefree and haphazard it might make it more of an adventure instead of a well organized trip.
I’m definitely multiple lists, triple check everything, arrive 2 hours early traveler!
here’s my fail-safe plan for a safe flight. i pack,and then i stand on the porch, start flapping my wings and jump. if i hit the ground i stay home, god didn’t want me to fly today. lol
I plan the basics months ahead of time and then do the rest at the last minute.
lazybones344 at gmail dot com
I’d like to think I’m prompt but also laid back. I do have to have a packing list, though!
tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/KerryBishop/status/59411596031700992
OMG I”m a list maniac! I make a list as early as I can and add or remove items as the date gets closer. There is nothing worse than forgetting something important on a trip!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Tweet: http://twitter.com/coriwestphal/statuses/59831726700101632
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I like to have an idea of what I want to do when I’m on vacation, but I never plan it minute-to-minute…that’s not fun!
If I travel by myself, I get there early, go to the Very! Fun! Airport! Store!, buy magazines/gum/water, find my gate, sit down, and enjoy a relaxing hour.
If I travel with my husband (have mercy), testosterone demands we cut it a close to departure as possible.
I make my list check it twice, and still barely make it on the plane without receiving the airport wide page. The late-ness is in my DNA.
I’m pretty organized about packing since I kinda pack for all of us…but that enables me to be laid back when it actually comes to the traveling.
Try to make a list… just hate it when I go to bed and keep thinking of things!
im a pretty good packer but i don’t make lists.. i set it all out first then pack it up and don’t think about it again. i nearly always forget something and i do have a tendency to push my time… but i’ve never had any major disasters
I like to plan, I hate fly by the seat of my pants travel….I would always rather drive than fly, you see the world, the people, smell the air….
Like a lot of the previous posters, I’m a big list maker. I also will start gathering things on my living room couch as I think about it, so I don’t forget anything. The joys of living alone :)
Getting to the airport, I’m always running late so I’m usually getting to my gate with 5 minutes to spare. One day, I’m afraid it’ll catch up with me :(
Thanks for hosting the giveaway! :)
When I travel.I have to have a list and I check it about 10 times before we leave.As I am scared that we are going to forget something..LOL
deb55106{at}gmail{dot}com
I am a HUGE list maker and totally OCD about it. I have to be prepared and early for everything.
Tweeted about it http://twitter.com/smash906/status/60345954380955648
I am an organized traveler. I have made my list, pack light and always bring a book to keep me occupied for all the travel delays.
last chance to enter…
I’m the prompt but laid back variety. I don’t make lists (which I should). I try to travel as light as possible.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Holly in Kentucky
I’ve traveled a lot over the years and learned to pare things down to the bare minimum (when traveling alone). And, yes, lists and more lists and more lists!
I’m definitely a planner and leave plenty of time to make all my connections. It stresses me out to cut it close! Other than that I kind of go with the flow!
I am a planner, and list maker who also believes that you cannot be too prepared. I like knowing I have all the bases covered, and when the unexpected comes up, I don’t seem to stress.
I’m a big-time planner. I stress out if I’m running late or if I forgot to pack something.
I prepare pretty well and usually have more than enough time at the airport
sweokgrl@gmail.com
I’m definitely a list-maker, and if it’s a last minute trip, I go back to an earlier packing list and modify it for the current needs. That way, all the important standards are covered.
I usually plan my trips out in advance so I know what I’m getting into, but I also like to leave some free time to explore interesting things that are off the beaten path
I like to be organized and on time and prepared.
I always plan in advance, so I dont have to run around like a chicken with my head cut off. lol
itsjustme62613 at gmail.com
tweet
http://twitter.com/MistySunrise/status/60618860876926976
itsjustme62613 at gmail.com
I make daily lists that way I can add or change something while staying neat. I like to be over prepared. This allows me to be laid back and on time while traveling
When we travel, I have everything planned weeks in advance. I make lists to insure I don’t forget anything.
I HAVE TO have a list. Or we will have no chargers, no soaps, and no britches. For real.
Yup, I make lists when I travel. Of course I’ve also been known to leave important things off the list, like nightgowns, LOL! But I have a rule now. If I forget it, I can buy it! So I don’t stress out as much any more!
Thanks for the giveaway!
we are prompt but laid back, we pack in advance and get there on time, but then we just go with the flow once we are on vacation.
I am a list maker for sure. I make lists for everything!!
msjem2001 at yahoo dot com
I’m a laid back traveler. I try not to pack too much because I don’t want to have to deal with it. Hubby one the other hand wants to pack everything and the kitchen sink because we may need it for some reason or the other.
I keep a computerized packing list. I tailor it for each trip and print it out.
then as I throw things in luggage I check them off.
I’m an obsessive list keeper especially for traveling.
I actually have only flown once.For road trips though I make lists.I have 4 kids so I start packing a few days before.Thanks!
lstanziani(at)yahoo(dot)com
I do like to make your pre-travel lists and check them twice, but once I get to my destination I turn into a very laid back, let’s enjoy ourselves kind of person.
So I am both! Great giveaway, thanks.
tweeted…
http://twitter.com/#!/katklaw777/status/60807449564807168
I’m a very well planned traveler. I have lists of the places I want to go and where I want to eat. I even set time limits on activities but am rather flexible on it.
I list every single item I am taking with me. I check it off as it gets packed and then do the reverse when I’m ready to return home. It may be a little over the top but I’ve never left anything behind.