being there now

[Gromit]

chrisn-- Amen to that! The US economy definitely benefits-- stores see a boost in sales before I take a trip to STJ!

[teefal]

Ah, forgot my favorite daily ritual. For weeks before the trip, we start putting together our mix CD for the trip, playing the playlist each night after work and tweaking it (this before this, add/lose a song, etc). We have "family dance" every night, which is loads of fun.

Playing the same playlist over and over with my wife and daughter, the great songs become associated with the vacation before we even leave, and the ones without replay potential drop away.

We pop the CD into the car on the way to the airport and it makes the vacation seem started. We also play it when driving around, which ties the trip to the music even more.

Later, when we listen to the mix CD again, it really brings that vacation back again. It's like a time capsule.

The key is to *not* include songs that you already associate with another time. This requires a bit of detective work to find new great songs.

[cypressgirl]

I just keep throwing stuff on the bed! Some things go in the bag. Then when it's time to go I think, $hit, did I pack this or that? I drive myself crazy! LOL

I do the same thing. I pack and unpack, over and over, and keep adding. It's like an addiction. I just can't stop myself from taking too much. I go for 2 weeks around the house, wearing the same thing because everything else is packed. Then when I get home, I have all these clothes to wash that I never wore.