You guys know I am in Anaheim for the annual RWA conference this week. It’s an extra long trip this year, from Saturday to the following Sunday. I had to pack a lot of clothes. A LOT. Since I wear shorts and yoga pants every single day at my job (which is in my house), I am not used to dressing up for meetings every day. So that took a lot of planning. I had to figure out shoes, and evening events, and so forth. I was so proud of myself that I got everything into one bag. I was so proud that I figured out the shoe situation so I didn’t have to pack another whole bag for that. I got here, I unpacked smugly, feeling like a veteran traveler. And then I remember I’d left a banana on the counter at home. Big deal, right? I am going to be gone 9 days. I am a little worried about that banana.
But not nearly as worried as I am about my face. When I unpacked, I discovered I had forgotten sunscreen. Sunscreen is probably not a big deal to a lot of people, but I am outside a lot, and I always have been, and my dewy baby-like skin is beginning to show the ravages of time and sun. It is vitally important to my sense of well being. If I don’t have it, I think that my face is burning to a crisp. I get a little obsessed with it.
I also discovered, day one, that I did not bring any real sweaters. Now, in my defense, in Texas, the last thing I am thinking about in July is sweaters. But man, I wish I’d brought more than the little white one and flimsy green one, because this hotel is cold. You know what else? There aren’t a lot of sweaters for sale in July.
I forgot walking shoes. I was so obsessed with getting the right shoes for the meeting that I didn’t think about walking around Disney shoes. So now I have to decide which shoes are the least likely to hurt when worn for distances greater than a quarter mile.
I always forget something. Once, I went somewhere with my sister and forgot to pack undies. Talk about a crisis.
I brought a lot of clothes and make-up, some of which will never grace my frame or face. But I didn’t get all my must-haves. It’s always something. What are your travel must-haves? What have you forgotten on trips that drove you nuts? Are you on your way to Anaheim? If you are, please come see my at booth 203 during the literacy event on Wednesday, 5-8, at the Anaheim Convention Center!
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My husband managed to forget his meds one time- had to find a VA hospital to stop at and get issued some.
Traveling in the RV makes it easy. Inevitably when I go to LA, I forget something, which makes my daughter happy since we have to go shopping. And there is always something she needs!
I keep a running list when I am packing so I try not to forget anything and do it in a color scheme so the shoe problem is easy. (Which ones to pick, not so easy)
Have a great time. Wish I was there to meet all my fave authors!
I actually flew to California from Florida on Saturday and I’m planning to attend the Literacy signing. I’ll be sure to come by your booth with my sister. I haven’t noticed I forgot anything, things have gone pretty well so far. I’m visiting my sister and we’ve been having fun. We’re looking forward to tomorrow.
I always forget sunscreen! And then I end up buying new sunscreen that inevitably gives me a rash.
How fun! RWA! I miss it because I’m not there but I don’t actually miss the getting dolled up part. I miss my friends. I miss my agent. I miss… no I don’t miss parties where I end up feeling awkward or hoping I said the right thing or worrying about established pecking order by table assignment. I thought I would miss that, but I really don’t. I do miss having a chance to see Disneyland. Have never been to the land, only the world (and there’s a difference). Oh I miss having a new book out. I should spend this time to get on that.
Friends. That’s what I miss. Not the rest of it We should plan a friends weekend!
I forgot to pack my make-up on my honeymoon–probably because my make-up could (and still can) fit in a Baggie. I just made a quick trip to the store for mascara, blush and gloss. Done.
I really try to pack light–sometimes I’m more successful than others. Still, no matter how light I pack, I STILL come home with something I didn’t wear. My goal is to not check in a bag.
Because I don’t check in a bag, I always pack a tote bag–that way, if I’ve accumulated a bunch of extra stuff on the trip, I can put it in the extra tote and carry that on and check my other bag.
Hope you have a great time at the conference, Julia! Hope you get to wear your eveningwear on stage! xox
me too Jacquie!!
shoes are always the problem with me. If I pack light, I’ve not got the right ones. If I pack everything, then I’ve got an army of little (okay large) suitcases!!!
First off have fun!!!
Do not worry about that banana.
It will be ok I promise!
I remember one driving trip from Florida to NC, I had my nephew who was an infant. I had packed a huge diaper bag with all his bottles, diapers, wipes, food and pacifiers. Got started up the road and at the first rest stop I realized I had left it at home on the changing table. I had to rebuy EVERYTHING. Yeah. Fun.
I seem to have the problem of over packing things I really do not need or wear. So my new rule is if they have a washing machine then its basics. That way I have more room to bring back more things. (I still have a LOT of things at my families homes in Florida to bring over to my home in England.)
I had this pair of Reebocks that I loved and brought them to wear to Disney. They were so well loved that they fell apart! I had to buy new tennis shoes! But to be fair we did a LOT of walking. Americans just do not do the walking the Brits and Europeans do.
Travel must haves: kid, husband, passports, my meds, clean undies for each of us, mobile phones and data cables to recharge them, a good reading book for each of us, comfy shoes, clean socks for each of us, and a clean shirt to change into. The rest of the stuff we can buy once there, or if in a nice hotel like Disney they will give you free toothbrushes, shampoo etc. See? We can pack all our junk into one backpack!! Ok maybe a spare change of clothes so we are not just wearing undies washing clothes lol.
Your backpack sounds like my backpack, Ti.
I have been known to forget nightgowns. The worse thing I’ve ever forgotten was my son’s anti-seizure medication.
Ooh, Sandi. I hope you were able to get some where ever you were