What is it like in your house a week before a holiday?

homealone_2

i have 5 days to count down. when my kids were small i had every thing packed, with no panic or stress. now its terrible, i have lots of meds to organise and cant ever decide what to pack. i either have all tops and no bottom things or vice versa. i get so wound up, i spend the night before going through lists and trying, without, much success to weigh my case with me hopping on and off some scales. packing too much is something i cant break the habit of. this year is worse as i am flying with norwegian airlines, for first time. couldnt find a place where i could pay for checked luggage, the only info i could find said we were allowed 2 x 20kg and a 10kg hand luggage. it looked as though it was included but worrying, led me to ring and they confirmed it was included. my house also has to look reasonable as i left it too late for my cat to get various jabs, so i have to get a pet sitter, i would be most grateful if someone has a fail proof packing list they could share with me

Ames

Yeah, I've just booked to fly with 'proper' airlines and had to re read the baggage rules several times before it clicked that it was included!

homealone_2

it just seemed too good to be true, especially with an allowance of 50kg each! only stipulation being each of the 2 bags can be no more than 20kg each. just worried about the whole if it looks to be too good to be true etc. am going to ring one more time next week to have it confirmed, its baggage charge is pretty expensive if not included and would be in real state if they charged me at airport.

Kaye1

We have now come to this routine.
Daddy takes children out the day before. I don't answer the phone, just bomb through the packing and get it done in a few hours and write the list of things to be done the next day.
I speak to no-one and no-one speaks to me!
If I can crack on with no-one asking where things are, fighting, falling over etc etc, I can get a lot done!
OH is happy with this arrangement too.

POLAR_BILL

homealone wrote: »

i have 5 days to count down. when my kids were small i had every thing packed, with no panic or stress. now its terrible, i have lots of meds to organise and cant ever decide what to pack. i either have all tops and no bottom things or vice versa. i get so wound up, i spend the night before going through lists and trying, without, much success to weigh my case with me hopping on and off some scales. packing too much is something i cant break the habit of. this year is worse as i am flying with norwegian airlines, for first time. couldnt find a place where i could pay for checked luggage, the only info i could find said we were allowed 2 x 20kg and a 10kg hand luggage. it looked as though it was included but worrying, led me to ring and they confirmed it was included. my house also has to look reasonable as i left it too late for my cat to get various jabs, so i have to get a pet sitter, i would be most grateful if someone has a fail proof packing list they could share with me

I have a list with everything I need in sections (food, clothes, house jobs etc). I keep list year to year and re-write as necessary. I tick them off when done and keep last minute things to do on a piece of paper to check everything is done till I leave the house. It saves all things going round in your head when you realise what you still have to do.

Denando

I normally go on one long trip each year. I start ‘packing’ very early (putting things aside) but then, inevitably, I have too much so have to start pulling things out the night before when I weight the bags. I list all the housework that MUST be done, plus what I’d LIKE to do. And then never get around to it all.

But last year was a revelation. I had something planned on the weekend I was going away so I had to pack early. I had a ‘last minute’ list of things to chuck in just before I locked the bag but I was READY a whole week ahead of time. It was so nice not be rushing around into the early hours before the flight and to come back to a clean/tidy house.

I’m very proud that I managed this but am still wondering how I can motivate myself to actually finish the unpacking several months on.

Denando

onlyroz wrote: »

And of course it's your fault that these items didn't make it into the suitcase , and you get accusations like "Where's my hat/waterproof coat/binoculars/shaving foam/slippers/National Trust membership card?" Back in the cupboard at home dear, I imagine...

I used to pack for my ex and on our last trip together I was away for a couple of days for work right before we left. I wondered out loud how I was going to manage to sort his stuff and he sneered that he could manage fine without me.


One week later and we're on a tropical beach - idyllic, for me anyway. He was sweltering as he'd forgotten shorts, suncream, sandals (only had his black leather work shoes), sunglasses, swimming trunks. He spent a lot of that trip shopping.


The most amazing thing was I did NOT say 'I told you so'!

liney

I have never understood the fuss. My mother was like a maniac for weeks before we went on holiday as a child, so I never looked forward to going away!


My tickets, insurance, health cards and money are in one envelope in the filing cabinet ready to be picked up as soon as they are printed. Book parking. It took 5 mins and I go in 3 weeks.


Washing, ironing is up to date a few days before, as is a cursory glance and a half hearted 'does anyone actually need anything new?'


A couple of days before, I will take cases and clothing into the spare room so that it isn't worn. I will then make a trip to Home Bargains or similar and ensure that we have sun cream/tummy/headache meds etc. in the washable vanity case which goes in the hold case.


The day before, I'll pack the case properly so that things aren't too creased. We might go out for dinner the night before, or not, depends on how we feel.


House gets a once over, but not a 'spring clean' - it's generally presentable. Remind DH to put the bins out - leave note and gift for the cat sitter. Done.

Denando

Pollycat wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I'd drive you crazy within the first 10 minutes.

I think I have OCD tendencies as I'm list-driven - not just for holidays but in most things.

I have so many Excel spreadsheets you wouldn't believe it.

I know how much money we've taken and how much money we've brought back (handy when you're working out spends for next holiday).

I know how much suncream I took and how much I used.

I mix & match outfits and wear everything I take.

OMG! :eek:

I think I need to lie down.

Nice thread, Jagraf.

In that case you need to marry ME! Think of the happy hours we could spend comparing spreadsheets. :j

minimacka

I am going away for 2 weeks with my o/h and our dog on Saturday in the caravan, so this week at work I am frantically trying to catchup on all the work that I need to do so that I only have 2 weeks worth of work when I get back. I need to change the beds, clean the bathroom and rest of house. My o/h wants to cut the hedge (which involves 2 of us) and cut the grass, this morning I have ironed my o/h clothes which I had previously already ironed, plus the clothes that I have washed ready for our holiday. Last night we put some of the stuff into the caravan having previously cleaned it all out. On Friday I will be shopping for us and also my two d/s (18 and 22) who we are leaving at home for the first time for 2 weeks (with instructions on how to use the washer, cooker etc lol. Oh and on Friday I would like to shower the dog, I have 3 sets of lists, shopping, instructions for the kids and things to take, and I will make one last minute list for Saturday morning when we will be setting off at about 6.30. Then when we are on holiday and hopefully not forgotten anything I am going to relax for 2 weeks lol.


Happy holidays


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