Day 14

Today I am packing for the weekend. A couple of years ago that would have meant I threw a bunch of clothes in a backpack and just rolled. It's probably my new obsession with always being organized and prepared, but suddenly one backpack has become a backpack, a bag and my purse. I am beginning to understand why so many women pack so much.

Now, my backpack and travel bag are filled with different things. I have snacks (I'm going to a women's retreat with my church friends) and stuff to do in there. Then I have a rolling bag. It has my clothes, toiletries, my Bible and a couple of books in there. I actually made a checklist so I could make sure I had everything.

If you know me, you know how different that is.

I was that person who always used to have to run by Walmart on the way to wherever we were going because I forgot a toothbrush...and/or soap...and/or deodorant...okay, anything else besides clothes...unless I happened to forget to bring some of those too. It was especially bad after my kids were born. I just didn't keep myself together. My kids were okay. I usually had everything they really needed. Not always in diaper bags, sometimes in the back of my car....

I have this basic aversion to carrying anything. I like having my hands free. Now that my kids are getting older I'm carrying more stuff. I know, that's the opposite of most people, but it's true. I carry stuff to keep my kids from going crazy. I carry stuff to keep myself from going crazy. I carry stuff to be more organized and prepared. I just carry more stuff.

The thing that I'm using to make things more organized for this weekend (beyond the normal stuff) is my Grip It from Clever Container. I have cords for my phone, all my travel size stuff, my contacts, pens, medicine and hair things all in that little grip it. It's all easy to see and easy to get to. My travel size stuff is secured a bit better (so it doesn't pop open while we drive up or down the mountain and spill everywhere) with tape...which is in the Grip it too so I can secure it on the way back.

I'm pretty sure I'm prepared for most things and I have easy access to everything. The one thing I wish I had is the Shelves On the Go from Clever Container. It would make things even easier to access when I'm there...but I don't have one...yet.