Originally Posted By DyGDisney " Mostly I hate having clutter around." I meant mostly BECAUSE I hate having clutter around.
Originally Posted By BoyStory DyGDisney, I was going to ask you if you started you packing yet today on the phone but I forgot- yeee gads,girl, you are giving me anxiety!LOL! I hate the "piles" too b/c it's eye clutter (and you know how much I hate that!) but I couldn't help myself today. I bought the kids some new long-sleeved shirts for the trip and HAD to "officially" start my clothing "piles" on dressers out of sheer exitement- and we have 10 days till we leave! I'll start putting them in suitcases on Sunday so I don't have to look at them for long . agent, I also have a "just give me my Levi's" husband. His motto every vacation- when his control freak wife is running around doing ALL the packing but his (he wants to pack his own clothes)- is " Don't worry, I can be packed in 5 minutes!". Well, it does take him more like 15 minutes -thanks to my laying out nicely folded "suggestions" of what he should wear on the trip (wink) so he feels like he packed his own clothes. Aaaall he has to do is add a few items and pack them into his prized duffle bag- and then the morning of departure put them into our van. Result? One year he forgot his jacket/warm clothes and we spent one especially cold evening at DL looking for an inexpensive sweatshirt to buy him while he walked around with one of the baby's blankets draped around his shoulders (he's a tall guy so this was really FUNNY!). Then last trip he left behind all his button-up shirts that were on hangers. He had ONE Mickey tee for the entire vacation. After a few days (LOL!) I finally convinced him to buy some new tee shirts at a local gift shop. Mickeynewe, I got really exited about the large ziplock bags idea, thinking how much simpler it would make my nightly job of laying out clothes for each child. But then I did the math; 7 days X 5 kids = ALOT of jumbo ziploc bags, LOL! I do love those bags for organization though- my dh has laughed at them and says some day he'll carry his little sandwhich in one to work for a laugh.;-).
Originally Posted By mickeynewe BoyStory - Actually, the bags are pretty reasonable. I just bought the Hefty OneZip 2.5 gallon size today. Only $3 something at Target for 12 bags, which I consider reasonable. Most of the time for kids you can get away with using the 1 gallon ziploc bags, which are even cheaper. I buy the big ones for my hubby and I.
Originally Posted By BoyStory Wow, mickeynewe, that IS a good deal! I've only bought their XL Jumbo size (for storage/organization) so I didn't realize the smaller bags were so inexpensive! Target is my "home away from home" so I'll check that out!
Originally Posted By fidoprincess BoyStory, I had to laugh reading about your DH!! Mine used to do the same thing, pack himself at the last minute and then we would get there and he wouldn't have a coat! I can not tell you how many Disneyland sweatshirts he has had to buy-lol! And socks, not an easy to find item at DL!! We have 2 matching beautiful sets of luggage and he always put his stuff in a 20 year old canvas backpack!! After the last time of only having one pair of pants for the whole 7 day trip, two tshirts and forgetting sock, that was it! Now 2 days before we go, I ask him to set his stuff out and then I supplement it-lol-taking away almost as much as I add like shirts that have holes he never noticed! Some of those accidently end up in the trash but he just thinks he lost them somewhere. The plastic bags are almost a necessity when flying!! On our last flight, security opened EVERY single suitcase (because our little family looks so much like terrorists I guess)and the security guy even thanked me for having everything so organized! Believe me, I have done it so many times that there is nothing worse than security not being able to close your suitcase and you are not allowed to help. You just stand there with a red face! Now I automatically put the curling iron right on top and everything else is in the plastic bags they can lift out and put right back in. They have said it is better to bring MORE luggage than squeeze it all into less. Plus, even though they wear gloves, they don't change them between each set of luggage, eeew, don't want them touching my underwear after checking out the guy's shoes ahead of me. Off to do some "staging"-lol. I love that idea but first I have to make 16 party bags for tomorrow!
Originally Posted By MOLLYSMOM Ok, I wasn't going to tell this particular packing story, but I can't hold it in any longer. Our first trip to DL was a surprise for DD. I packed her suitcase with many surprise things, and each morning I had a little gift on her nightstand. Anyway, DH knew how long and hard I had planned, and how important it was for me to surprise DD every day with something. DH has a VERY crazy sense of humor, and thought it would be funny to surprise ME with something for our trip. He put something into my suitcase as a "gag surprise", but it backfired on him. At the airport, they were doing random luggage checks...when your number came up, your luggage was opened for God and everyone. I had just switched places in line with DD because I wanted her to stand between myself and DH. Sure as s#*t, my number comes up, and I have to move to the side and open up everything for them. DD was scared, so they told her that she could go with me. They looked at me strangely when my carry on bag revealed 14 disposable cameras, but when they opened my luggage, I couldn't supress my laughter...DH had placed 7 pairs of the smuttiest thong panties that money could buy right on the top of everything else! The gentleman checking my luggage didn't know what to do, and could hardly bring himself to touch them to look and see what was underneath. I started laughing, because I knew DH had done this as a joke, and DD looked over at her stepdad and in a loud voice says, "GEORGE, mom doesn't wear those!!!" Everyone in line laughed, along with the guy checking my luggage, and DH was standing there speechless. Then, the luggage guy pulls out one especially tiny pair and asks DH, "sir, do you have an explanation for these?" DH doesn't miss a beat and says, "what are those doing in there...give me back my underwear!" It was great...what were the odds that I would get picked...DH was just hoping to embarrass me in front of DD.
Originally Posted By mickeynewe ROTFL HYSTERICALLY! That is just too darn funny. I guess "George" learned his lesson! hehehe
Originally Posted By Kira Wow! so many of you here pack so far in advance....makes me feel like I'm behind lol! I leave for a 4 day disneyland trip on the 16th of this month and I have yet to even begin to put together a packing list. normally when I pack to go places I do it last minute, the night before when I'm up till 1 am making sure I didn't forget anything lol. There are some great ideas here, like the ziploc bag idea. We have space bags that I thought about using but I'm afraid that if I use them to their potential I won't be able to get all the stuff back in my luggage to bring it back home (no vaccum to reseal the bags). So it looks like ziploc bags might have to do the trick for my family and I during this trip =)
Originally Posted By mickeynewe Honestly Kira, I purchased the Space Bags before, and the ziploc bags work just as well! No need to buy the high price bags for simple packing! I think you will be surprised just how well they do work out!! lol...we leave in 15 days...get packing!! Side note: Started taking Airborne and drinking lots of O.J yesterday. Slept most of yesterday afternoon, woke up long enough to make dinner and was back in bed by 9pm. Feel 100% better than I did yesterday. Still feel under the weather a bit, but I'm getting my enthusiasm back and I'm ready to resume my long list of things to do before the trip. If ANYONE is feeling under the weather, I really suggest taking the Airborne. It really does work for this family!! (Sleep helps, too!)
Originally Posted By BoyStory I'm glad your feeling better mickeynewe. I told my kids yesterday that we will ALL be taking Airborne as a family starting the 3 days prior to our trip! I love that stuff! . I'm actually exited about my Target trip to pick up zip-lock bags for packing. My 12 year old is going to give me his typcial "oh my gosh, mom" eye roll about putting his clothes into bags. I've decided to to gung-ho with it and organize every aspect of our tip: toiletries, medications, camera equipment all in thier own appropriately sized baggies. It will make packing even more fun, LOL! I'm already teased sometimes b/c I like to have a special "compartment" or bin for all the kids' toys, etc. I can only imagine the look on my hubby's face when we get to the hotel and open suitcuses full of labeled baggies. He's gonna think I lost my mind! I laugh every time I think about it, ROTFL! Thank you again mickeynewe for the great idea .
Originally Posted By BoyStory Oh and Fidoprincess your DH really sounds like mine. I was esp. laughing at: "I ask him to set his stuff out and then I supplement it-lol-taking away almost as much as I add like shirts that have holes he never noticed! Some of those accidently end up in the trash but he just thinks he lost them somewhere." ROTFL, This is sooo me! Just think of Raymond and his wife (from Everyone' Loves' Raymond") and that's us! MOLLYSMOM, I really enjoyed that story!- my hubby is known for pranks like that too- but that's what makes them interesting, right ...note to self: do NOT let my hubby anywhere near my suitcase;-). 9 days and my "piles" are growing Time to get those ziploc bags!
Originally Posted By mickeynewe For medications I have a different trick. I use a big size cosmetic bag and I keep all prescription and OTC medicines in it at all times during the year. If you need something, you go to the medicine "bag" that is kept in the cupboard. When it is time to leave for the trip, you don't have to worry if you've covered all the bases...because its already right there! Its one less thing you have to worry about! Also, I keep essentials in our "bathroom" duffel pre-stocked. So that duffel is already loaded each time we go. When we get back I just re-load any items that we have used up, and we are good to go again! The only thing I really have to worry about is throwing in the hairdryer, makeup bag, eye contact solution, and medicine bag. Everything else is already there.
Originally Posted By MOLLYSMOM mickeynewe, I am SOOOOO glad that you're feeling better. I've seen Airborne in the store, but have never tried it. My old stand-by is NyQuill with a Bailey's Irish Cream chaser. That NyQuill is nasty stuff, but it works for me. Daytime, nighttime, it doesn't matter, I'll take that stuff all day long. I don't even bother with the little dorky cup...the two bottles just sit on the counter side by side for me to chug as needed. I'm gonna give your zip lock bag a try for my trip...it sounds like a great idea, especially for DD. She's at the age where picking out an outfit for the day takes FOREVER unless I do it for her. Keep getting well, and rest up this weekend.
Originally Posted By mickeynewe Airborne is a all-natural cold rememdy developed by a school teacher that kept getting sick by her students. (so the story goes) Anyways it just a combo between vitamins and herbs that help you to quickly feel better. It really works! Everyone I know that uses it loves it, too.
Originally Posted By fidoprincess Okay, as I was falling asleep last night, I remembered not to forget holiday outfits!! Yep, we do our Christmas card photos over our Thankgiving trip so I have to pack some cute Christmasy outfits that will look good on the cards. Sicne we will do a close up of the kids, I just need cute matching type shirts that won't interfer with all the DL activities.Then we will take photos on that day all around the park and choose which one is best! Last year we used the Surfin Santa picture from DCA and it was adorable and unique. This year I am hoping to get into see Santa at the Reindeer Roundup but the lines have always been too long in the past, we never even got to look into the little house but I bet it is adorable! MOLLYSMOM, gotta love that story, how funny! I am glad your security guy had a sense of humor too! You will love the "bag system" it makes it so much easier to get ready in the morning, just hand the kid the bag and off you go, no digging in the luggage for what matches. I am embarassed to say that when I put the kids laundry away at home, I make "outfits" and when they go to get dressed in the morning, they open their drawers and pick an outfit with pants, shirt, socks, underwear and sweatshirt! It sure makes for easy mornings-lol. Mickeynewe, glad to hear you are feeling better, I am living on airborne too!! My dd just had strep throat and more than 1/2 of the kids at school have it so I swear by the stuff. starlily, it is a "blend" of healthy vitamins that a teacher invented and comes in a little tube with fizzy tablets. It has really worked keeping me healthy. Even the workers at our pediatrician's office were saying they all take it and it has helped them not get sick with all the sick kids they are dealing with daily! Getting the suitcases out today but between having the bday party and trying to pack all the Halloween stuff up and get out some Christmas stuff, not sure how much will end up in the suitcases but it is a step in the right direction-lol!
Originally Posted By mickeynewe Wahoo! My Christmas tree is up, not yet decorated, but at least it is up! I WILL NOT be coming home to a plain house after seeing all the wonderful decorations at Disneyland! Today I am working on my Fall Cleaning (same as Spring Cleaning) because I cannot stand to come home to a dirty house. Everything will be pretty and spotless. Today I'm concentrating on ridding our house of "clutter". Over the next 2 weeks it will be all scrubbed down and cleaned thoroughly. Also, a good thing to do to keep your house from getting that closed up smell from being gone so long, is to put a small dishpan of ammonia in the sink while you are gone. I love walking into the house and smelling that "clean" smell instead of a stale house from being shut down for a week. The next day I always ask hubby to put in a cinnamon filter into the heating system. It smells just like Christmas! I already have it bought sitting and waiting!
Originally Posted By fidoprincess Oh my gosh, I did it!! I got all the Halloween stuff packed up and just finished doing a ceramic painting birthday party for 16 kids including lunch-whew! Now I am sorting the presents and trying to find a place for all of them but mostly am working up the courage to tell DH I want the TREE UP-lol! He won't be thrilled but all he actually does is get the stuff out of the attic and I do all the rest. I figure I have 12 days left until we leave so I will just keep playing the 12 days of Christmas song-lol. Mickeynewe you are an inspiration! This is my motto now, "I WILL NOT be coming home to a plain house after seeing all the wonderful decorations at Disneyland!" I just hated that last year too so thanks.
Originally Posted By mickeynewe LOL...you're welcome! I'm off to go new Christmas lights tonight at Target. Not going to risk the old ones. We typically buy new ones every few years. I just remember that part of them went out last year on the tree. I was playing Christmas music this morning to get me in the mood to set up the tree to! My all-time favorite Christmas CD is Vince Gill's Let There Be Peace on Earth! It is an awesome CD and one I highly recommend. We actually took a break and went over to 4Disnee's house to help her hubby celebrate his birthday this afternoon and had a wonderful barbecue. 4Disnee and her hubby are an awesome cooks! Now, my tummy is so full it makes me just want to curl up on the couch and take a nap...lol...but I can't do that.... Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, its off to work I go...
Originally Posted By fidoprincess Hey, Mickeynewe! I did it! I got the tree and the village/train up but it sure seems weird to have the Christmas stuff up this early. It's only 11/6!! My DH thinks I am crazy as a loon. Still it is a major accomplishment and I just wanted to update you and let you know I kept remembering what a bummer it was to come home last year. I am trying to get the kids to help with the last of the tree decorations but they are not too into it-lol! Ds collects nutcrackers and dd collects snow globes so unpacking all that was a big job but I worked the whole day yesterday and all of today while the kids were at school. I still have some stuff to do and then I am like you and want the house to be spotless too-lol so there is a bit of cleaning in the forecast! But the luggage will come down as the last of the Christmas boxes go up tonight!! How are you doing? Don't you feel weird doing it this early? I was a little embarassed when my dd's friends parents came to pick her up last night and they were shocked at "Christmas already?!"-lol! Okay, I admit I am running out of steam and needed a break so how is everyone else doing? Finished packing? Ready to go? 10 more days for us!!
