A good packing list can save a marriage in the morning.

(From the archives) Whew!  The month flew by with so many happenings, doings and goings.  I am ashamed that I haven't blogged in a little over a month.  So naturally I'm feeling good about just these few sentences making their way here.

But I'm feeling a little bummed about having to continue to postpone our European vacation yet again - especially since I got a pair of chic new low-profile sneaker-flats that would look oh-so-smart on the streets of Italia.  Brian's work schedule just didn't allow for us to take a break when we (mainly me) wanted.  So, we'll wait until next Spring to go.  In the meantime we'll be getting our passport stamped a little closer to home in Canada where my sneaker-flats will still be appreciated.

We're starting out our roadtrip with a super-early departure time so we can make it to Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH before they close for the day.  From there, we'll travel to Camp Perry where we made Space-A reservations for one of their lakefront (which is more like beachfront) cabins.  Then, it's up early again as we drive another six hours to South Bend, IN for a couple of days to take in a Notre Dame game (from Brian:  Go Irish!)  After a good night's rest, we'll hop back in the car to make our way to Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in New York state where we'll stay for a couple of nights in their Space-A lodging facilities.  While we're there, we'll check out Niagara Falls National Park on the U.S. side and then we'll make the short drive on over to the Canadian side of the Falls to take in the Maid of the Mist and the Whirlpool Jet Boat tours.  If you've never heard of the jet boat, check out this video.  From there, our trip continues across New York state over to Connecticut and then on to Boston, MA for a good dose of history.  After that, we'll make our way back down to the DC area where we call home.

I'm sure that after of being on the road for seven days, finally coming back home will be a welcoming retreat.  But like with most trips, the beginning of it actually starts in the same place where it ends - at home doing the packing.

A packing list is essential on any Space-A trip whether it's in the air on the ground.  The key is that less is more.   My goals are to have one main color, comfort, practicality and appropriateness.  Since we're not going onto an Alaskan glacier or attending a wedding, my clothing packing list is relatively simple:

• 2 black casual dresses
• 1 gray skirt
• 2 tank tops
• 2 short-sleeved shirts
• 1 pair of jeans
• 2 pairs of workout pants/capris
• 1 white long-sleeved zippered  hoodie
• 1 teal 3/4-sleeved cardigan
• flip-flops
• low-profile sneaker-flats
• workout sneakers
• wedge-heeled sandals

With just a few outfits in mind, I shouldn't be bogged down with deciding on what to wear which, according to Brian, takes valuable time out of the day which he likes to start at 6am.  I realize I'm not the most cheerful person that early in the morning.  So, Brian should appreciate my carefully edited packing list that will save him from my morning wrath!