Chronically Ill and Flying... with Dogs, Part Two: Packing Lists

I'm a huge list person... it's pretty much how I keep from forgetting half my life. Brain fog is a symptom of several of the issues that I have so being forgetful is pretty common, as is confusion from time to time.

Here is a post from my personal Facebook page that shows a bit of the confusion side:

"So I just wondered where the rain was coming from and how it was raining in just one small area of the parking lot... When I passed through about a second later I was like, sprinkler... It's a sprinkler Heather. Hello brain fog! Still not as bad as last week's trying to punch the office number into the floor buttons on the elevator. I was so confused when I got to the zero... At least those are funny incidents :) the worst is having to be so organized... all... the... time... so that I don't forget something. If I ever tell you I'll remember, call me a liar and wait 'till its in my calendar/lists. Till then its a nebulous maybe even with the best of intentions."

I organize my life currently with an App/Website called Cozi. I keep a To-Do list called "Vacation Packing List" and one called "Weekend Away Packing List" so that when it is time to pack I don't have to come up with a new list and forget something important. The only big difference between the two lists is how they are arranged as for a weekend away I need to pack dog food and pack everything for the pups separately as they will likely stay with my mom for the two days. When I travel on vacation, if it is more than a couple of days, I will need to buy food once I arrive and their items will be in my bags since they will be traveling with me. Clothing for all seasons are on the lists so I look through it before I start packing and check off things that I know I will not need. There is also a note for me to check my itinerary and the weather before finalizing my packing. You will also see items listed for my hair that I do not need any longer since my hair is quite short at the moment but I am leaving them there as it reminds me to check and see if there is anything in that drawer (my hair items drawer) that I should take for a specific outfit. I am sharing the lists below in case anyone else would like to utilize them... feel free to let me know if I've missed anything! When I am away if I find that I needed to pack something and forgot it I just pull up the app and add it right then and there so that I don't forget it the next time. This list is for when I am driving for the most part but for most people could be used for flying as well. I am working on a better organized version for flying to show how I separate between my carry-on and checked luggage. The difference you will see is mostly just in how it is organized but there are a few odds and ends I need only when I fly as well as a few duplicates that need to be in both my carry-on and checked bags just in case. Sooo... here's my current list!


VACATION PACKING LIST:
DOG ITEMS

• Ball
• Bowls
• Leashes
• Toys
• Brush
• Toothbrus
• Sweater (If Winter)
• Life Jackets (If Boating or Etc.)
• Pup Pen
• Paperwork/Records

TOILETRIES

• Hair Ties and Headbands
• Accessories and Jewelry as Needed
• Brush
• Shampoo and Conditioner
• Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• Soap
• Deodorant
• Lotion
• Coconut Oil
• Makeup
• Essential Oils
• Contacts and Glasses
• Vitamins and Meds
• Medical Bag/Kit

WORK/SCHOOL

• Laptop (and Charging Cord)
• Kindle
• Book
• Cords Bag
• School Bag
• Notebook

CLOTHES

• Sweater
• Jeans
• PJs
• Underwear &Bras
• Socks
• Tennis Shoes
• Sweat Shirts
• T­-Shirts
• Workout Attire (Depending on Symptoms)
• Nice Shirt
• Slacks
• Flats
• Fuzzy Socks (Winter)
• Coat (Winter)
• Gloves (Winter)
• Scarf (Winter)
• Hat
• Swim Suit (If Boating or Etc.)

*Check Weather and Itinerary Before Finalizing Bags