Zen, I am trying to tell you that my workplace is badly in need of some gin and a dog bowl.

See, I just feel that you could have communicated that more clearly.

Oh, anything right under your bra is awful. Sympathies, Scrappy.

Aw, Zen, that doesn't sound like an actual dumb thing. But good for you learning from it.

Gin and a dog bowl, two bits.

I feel like shoes are always the hard part, Zen! Because they take up so much space and are heavy, so you want to minimize the number of pairs, but there is no magic shoe that is good for everything (like, flip flops for showers or beach, walking shoes, cute shoes, sandals, warm shoes, shoes for wet weather...these cannot all be the same shoe!)

Agreed, shoes are the hardest part of packing.

I'm sorry, JZ, what is you need me to do with Q? Maybe I should ask Zen.

They itch and I hated them, so got them taken off.

Off with them! Right under the bra strap, that's a bad place to get an itchy/hurty thing.

Aw, Zen, that doesn't sound like an actual dumb thing.

Thanks! But nope, it was dumb. I packed a old pair of black boots somehow mistaking them for a unworn pair of (otherwise identical) brown boots, and had to walk for a week on broken-down soles because I didn't have another pair of shoes that was appropriate for walking in chilly rain. I remember thinking, wow, these are a really dark brown! Dummy, they're black. They're the same black boots I took on the first UK trip and walked the soles out of. The dumbest thing is, I never realized it! I spent the whole trip thinking, damn, how could these boots have worn out so fast? Gosh, my feet hurt, am I that much heavier now than I was four years ago? It wasn't until today when I went to throw away the empty shoebox (I ditched the damn boots in the hotel) and saw BLACK BOOTS written on it, and found the untouched BROWN boots still in the closet, that I realized I'd been hiking in the old boots. That's what makes me feel stupid - not, taking the wrong boots, but not realizing they WERE the wrong ones.

my vacation packing:

Look at weather predicted. If no access to washers (i.e.: staying with family/friends with washer in home or renting place with washer), pack 1 outfit per day. If laundry access, half that. Pants and skirts to be worn twice, shirts once. Dresses twice unless summer travel. Avoid any piece that will not go with more than one outfit. Aim for outfits that limit # of shoes required (for example: aim for outfits that will all work with black shoes). Most outfits should work with most comfortable walking shoes you bring. If you are doing any sightseeing at all a known pair of very comfortable walking shoes and good socks for each day. Unless there is a known formal/really nice event as part of the trip I will not pack any dress clothes. If traveling where I will not be staying where I can borrow from friends/family and I will be sightseeing I always pack my rain coat.

I wear the heaviest pair of shoes I can slip on and off that I am taking as well as the bulkiest jacket on the flight.

So for my trip in Italy in March, we will be gone 6 days, I am probably packing 4 outfits and probably 2 pairs of shoes. 3 pairs pants, 1 skirt, 3-4 shirts, 1 raincoat, 1 jacket, 1 wool hat, 3 pairs socks, 3 underwear, 1 bra, 1 pair pjs, 1 pair tights - this includes what I'll be wearing on plane. Carry on, nothing checked.

Ah, I understand. Been not exactly there, but done quite similar, boggled at my own inability to recognize reality.

I used to be pretty good at packing but I think I've lost it. I don't have any, like, guiding principles or anything. I do like to buy my clothes so that I can mix and match within co-ordinating pieces and theoretically have a diverse travel wardrobe while packing light but I haven't actually done that.

I am at the doctor's office waiting to get blood work done! Look at me, with the adulting.

msbelle is me WRT packing. Also, I usually wear 2-3 layers on travel day, including, if more than 1 pair of footwear is needed, whatever's the biggest and bulkiest pair to further lighten the packing. Same thing on the return trip.

::waves adulting pom-poms at shrift and her blood::

Well, that was quick. Now it's time for lunch and more work before I run my next errand to the T-Mobile store.