Let's get packing

I’ve been a bad bad blogger these past weeks. It’s summer—no time to sit in front of a computer! I’ll have to check on the rest of you.

Tomorrow I leave for St. Louis for a conference. Lots of meetings, a chance to see some of my friends from around the country. I’m on the executive board as the Treasurer ,of all things, so there are meetings for that, then speakers and workshops to cover for the association’s newsletter. I also take photos for the website, which involves running from room to room capturing fascinating scenes of people sitting in groups.

One officer turned in a shady expense report and I have to talk to her about that. She claimed hundreds of dollars in expenses that just didn’t make sense. She has a history of taking vacations on our dime and I suspect there was some of that going on . Other than that, it will be good to see everyone else.

How do you pack for trips like this? I like to make sure I will be as comfortable in my hotel room as I would be at home. There must be the right sleepie clothes, the right play clothes, appropriate “business casual” stuff, enough socks and underwear for any emergency, with shoes.

There could be a reason for this, if we go back far enough. One time—Oh. You didn’t ask to go back there? That’s OK. It’ll be worth it.—So, one time when I was about ten, our family was out in a state park in New Jersey, staying in a cabin for a week. While I was goofing around, acting like a ten year old, I slipped and fell into the stream that ran past the cabin, soaking my pants. My mother said, “Where are your other jeans?”

There were no “other jeans”. I’d only brought the ones on my little butt. No spares. Ever after, I’ve overpacked. Never been caught short since.