Have I told you how much I hate packing? It is inconsequential whether it is a long or a short trip, I still just don’t like it. Actually, when WJJ and I took the 4 ½ month Around the World Cruise, packing was easy and fun. Why, you ask?
WJJ had 45 boxes made especially for packing. He lined them up in the Disco and said, “Pack whatever you want”. So I didn’t have to worry about matching my shoes to gowns or which cocktail dresses I liked best. I simply “packed it all”. I think I brought 140 pairs of shoes. Yes you read that correctly. 140 pairs. So obviously packing was pretty easy.
This weekend a group of us are going to Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of Hawaii. Basically it is a “golf get-away”. No, I don’t golf. But that’s a whole other story. Based on my one and only golf lesson, I did learn how to “swish” the golf club in the air for one solid hour. Never hit a damn golf ball --wasn’t allowed to try. Just “swish swish”. But again, that’s another story for another time.
Anyway back to packing. As a woman, it is not easy to “pack lightly”. Let’s just start with “the essentials”. Hair products --shampoo, conditioner, mousse, hair spray, freeze and shine, electric rollers and clip. Right there you’ve got ¼ of a suitcase.
Now add in eye makeup remover, facial cleanser, toner, Moisturizing Cream, makeup, blush, powder, eye shadow, eye pencils, lip pencils, lipstick and gloss. (Oh there’s more but I’m trying to be basic.)
Now the clothes and accessories. First, what’s the “attire”? Is it casual or Tiffany casual? Big difference. Next, what fits without wearing Spanx? While they work, I find them really hot and uncomfortable. Then actually determining what to bring. The old adage is it is better to be “understated than “overdressed.” And here in Hawaii, sometimes a simple “grocery shopping” dress can be way to dressy. At an optional “black tie event”, you can see everything from tuxedos to aloha shirts. Welcome to Hawaii.
I know my friends will find this “hard to believe”, but I actually having “packing lists”. That’s right check lists for short trips, medium trips --with or without overnight travel-- and long trips. Just so you know how “checklist oriented” I am, I also have a grocery shopping “master checklist.” I think I may even have a checklist for my checklists.
My travel checklist reminds me to pack all the essentials and includes all the things I might “forget”. When I traveled on business alone, the one thing I often forgot was lingerie. How’s that for ditzy? Fortunately, I could always “steal one” from the UndercoverWear meeting venue. Of course it was a costly “steal”. Why, you ask? Of course if I took a nightie from one of our Mangers, I reciprocated with hundreds of $$$ of free product.
Anyway back to packing today. My cosmetics bags just have to be replenished from my Vancouver trip. Normally I do that immediately upon my return but I didn’t.
Then I will coordinate a weekend “color theme”, so I don’t have to bring 3 zillion pairs of shoes. OK, truth be known, I will still probably bring a different pair of shoes for each evening outfit. Let me say this again, packing lightly is not my forte.
Plus I’m sure you don’t know this but, I hate -repeat hate -summer clothes. I have never liked summer clothes. Give me those cashmere sweaters and fabulous wool suits with gorgeous high boots. Add in that mink coat with matching hat and muff and I am in Winter Heaven. I tried wearing a winter outfit here in Hawaii. It was after I had broken 2 toes. I was finally “on the mend”. The date was November 1st which definitely constitutes “fall”. WJJ and I were going to Nick’s Fishmarket for dinner --just the two of us. I work my black leather Chanel jacket and skirt. I also had high platform leather boots. My hair was pulled back and my makeup was impeccable. As we were leaving the house in 80+ degree weather, WJJ was very complimentary about my outfit. However, he added, “Aren’t you going to be a little warm in that?” I assured him, it’s fall --I’ll be perfect. He then added, “Are you sure your foot is going to be OK?” Once again, I said, of course.
We arrived at Nick’s and got our favorite table in the small little room facing the window. There were only 2 other tables in the room. While I walked in looking like I was walking down Rodeo drive the other folks were wearing Aloha shirts. One couple even had matching Aloha outfits. Oh I blended all right!
Well after a martini and bottle of red wine, plus a delicious high sodium meal, my body temperature rose to about 3 zillion degrees. WJJ asked, “Are you hot?” No I assured him. I lied. My lie was short lived. Once we got home, my “broken toe foot” was swollen and aching beyond words. Plus I was hotter than Hell!
From the garage to the swimming pool, I strip-teased faster than Gypsy Rose Lee (and not in a sensual way) I attempted to get the boots off. No way. I had to sit on the ground naked while WJJ pulled off the boot with great difficulty. I then very quickly jumped in the pool to cool off. Okay so I learned my lesson. So much for winter in Hawaii.
Anyway as I said, packing for me is a chore. I want to look great while being “Hawaii appropriate.” I surely want to wear my best clothes and fabulous shoes, but then again, if we’re doing casual, I suppose Manalo Blahniks don’t work walking the golf course. Plus you have to remember, with my “body type”, I can either look “attractive” and well dressed or like a very short round Italian meatball. It’s all in the clothes.
But I’ve decided for this trip, I am going to do my best to pack smartly. We’re only going to be there 4 nights! Who am I kidding? I just went upstairs and WJJ has already pulled out the luggage. Yes, it’s two big suitcases for me. I guess after being married 42 years, he knows me well. So here I go to “pack away”. Based on the fact that I am spending 4 night with WJJ, trust me , on this trip I won’t forget my lingerie!!!!
