Packing Crisis

Tuesday, 31 May, 2005 by Cheryl W. Colan

I’m hurting here. I have put everything I think I need to take with me into a bin, and laid out all my clothing on my bed. I’m looking at my stuff and I’m looking at my duffel bag, and I’m very, very clear that my stuff is not going to fit in there. I haven’t even gotten all the gifts I’m taking laid out yet.

I’ve got major packing adrenaline. It’s like there is a tiny hamster going 90 miles an hour in his little wheel up inside my brain. Lots of effort, but going nowhere.

Last year I took minimal luggage. But I had to buy more things once I got there, because I was too cold, and we did not have the opportunity to make trips to the laundromat every three days. Maybe that experience is now leading me to overpack, but I really don’t want to be under-prepared, and I have a lot of gifts to take this time.

I visited eBags.com and found a great companion bag for the one I’m taking, but even with 2-day shipping, it won’t arrive until June 3rd.

I leave June 3rd!

I don’t have to be to the airport until 5 p.m. UPS usually delivers in the morning, I think. Maybe that is wishful thinking. Anyway, I took a chance and ordered a second bag. Plan B is to cram stuff into the cheap Army duffel I took last time. But I pray I don’t have to do that, because there is no way I can lug that duffel around with the huge backpack I’m carrying.

My kingdom for a bag on wheels!