everything in between

The amount of planning required for a getaway is borderline obscene. At least for me. The planning start weeks, even months prior and it’s down to the most minuscule detail. I can’t relax until I’m literally on the plane in the car, depending on mode of travel.

Me:

-Picking the destination and probably my favorite bit. I spend so much time researching and reviewing; I swear I was a travel agent in another life.

-Book it along with flights and seat assignments. Don’t forget the travel insurance!

-Find someone to dog sit or give in and sign them up for a kennel. They’ll need to be packed up as well.

-Somewhere about this time it’s the shakeup and goal setting for looking good. This step will inevitably fail and be readjusted and forgotten overlooked multiple times prior to the trip and I’ll  hate myself later for it.

- Soon enough the shopping will commence, you might recall the swimsuit shopping incident of 2013. Of course it wasn’t budgeted in the vacation itself…though it really should be.

- Get a tan. I don’t care if I’m going to Antarctica, I will get my glow on! The last few years I’ve made the healthy decision to stop fake baking (even though I secretly love it) so I’m left with self tanners that are oh so tricky and if not delicately executed can be disastrous. This means I start a slow base over several days. It’s very scientific…

- Set aside ALL potential clothing options. Manage to narrow the original 20 to 10 outfits. This fete requires precision and decisiveness. Just for reference I’m only gone like 5 days. Then set aside.

-Two days prior I have my wax appointment. Yes it was just a brutal ever that's why it's so funny when you see on TV and movies because it is ridiculously painful and I can't imagine doing that on a regular basis but it's over and I survived it. Note: If you go to a Brazilian for a bikini wax you will leave with a Brazilian wax. #truestory #ithappenedtome.  

-Right after that I have to get my nails done. Too soon and the nails will chip. Also taking into account I wouldn’t subject those poor women to my hairy legs pre-wax.

-Remember that pile of vacation clothes. Try everything on. You’d be surprised things don’t look the way you imagined or what fit last week doesn’t right now. This will eliminate the items that stay in your suitcases untouched, unworn getting unnecessary wrinkled.

-The last step may or may not involve a breakdown along with an argument because your husband fails to comprehend why you need 10 pairs of shoes. We did eventually compromise and I only took 8…It was risky but it all worked out.

-Measure and weigh the suitcases and don’t forget to do your online check in.

-Before, after and in between I work a full time job and had extended hours to complete as much as possible, also an attempt to log extra hours.

Him:

-Informed we’re taking a trip.

-Night before he asks how many days we’re gone. I then watch as he grabs 5 t-shirts, swim trunks, underwear, pair of jeans, flip flops and tosses them in a suitcase, declares done and hops in bed…Apparently I am responsible for his toiletries too.

This is a condensed version but you get the idea and see the obvious imbalance. I’m happy to say it was worth it all and hope to get some post/pictures in of the trip. It was much needed and in confidence I’m already planning the next one in my head.