Friday Fives: Travelling Edition from Rev Gals 23.8.13

Friday Five: Packing or Packrat?

Today's challenge from Deb at our Rev Gals and Pals:

We are 90% done with the pack-em-up-and-move-em-out week here at our hacienda. One daughter is moving to her first apartment, the other daughter to her dorm for her freshman year of college. Not gonna lie, it was an adventure these last few days!

As a part of the process, we let our daughters manage their own packing 
(with our input and support.) 
Part of that educational experience (for all of us) was letting them figure out how to create their own organization, make choices, and consolidate what they were packing. And also pack carefully enough so that they could still get everything in the car -- and in the dorm/apartment!

It made me realize that there are some elements to packing and moving that are learned,
and some that are innate. So ...

let's talk "packing or pack rat?" for this week's Friday5s.

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1. Are you a sorter or a pack rat? 

What I mean by that is, 

do you select what you are taking with you 

(on a trip, a new assignment, a vacation), 

or do you pack with abandon ?

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I begin by selecting. 

Taking great care planning in an effort to

cover whatever events are included in the

time away.  By the end of it, I've 

thrown in enough extras to cover every possibility
and weather option !

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2. Who first helped you learn how to pack?
Or did you just come into it by osmosis 
or natural gifting  (and need)?

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I'm sure there was a kind parent or grandparent who stepped in to help teach me, it's just not coming to mind!
But I think necessity has been the mother of invention in large part.

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Later in life, I remember our women's club hosting a stewardess who taught us packing to travel - excellent and creative travel advice.

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Other counsel has arrived when needed for packing to move.  Using enough 'stuffing' to prevent items from moving is what prevents breakage !

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3. What's your favorite kind of suitcase? 

Duffle? Soft-side? Wheels? 

(Deb is personally a fan of her "expanding zipper" wheelie suitcases. 
"Saved my bacon on many a return trip home"!)

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The magic zipper wheeled cases are a fave 

{and a necessity}
 Having weight taken off  hands/arms is essential for persons with RA

Using cross body luggage for carryon - 

laptop and my purse works well.

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4. Do you have that "packing gene" -- 
or do you pack and cram what you need 
into every available space?

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Pretty much organized, but definitely use each nook and cranny, webbed or zippered pocket, and interior dividers

{Part of the excellent training by that stewardess!}

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5. What's one thing you've learned in 
traveling, packing or storing your belongings 
that you think everyone should know?

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One recommendation I learned - roll your clothing items when packing to travel.  Saves space, you can get more into the available suitcase/baggage space, and less wrinkles !

AND?

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Take an ereader!
No need to pay for book weight, it's at hand and at the ready with any number of books you've collected for surprise reading moments...

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Bonus ps- Found a great travel website Been Seen

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EnJoy your Travels !

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Be sure to respond in the comments so we can visit and glean from your wisdom 

(or sympathize with your conundrums!)

* Have a Fab Friday !! * top photo credit to Mrs Amber Apple who created this little vintage beauty! *

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