Let the Packing Begin!!!

So last night....a night at home with the kiddies and I decided that all the stuff I have been piling on top of my suitcases should actually start getting INTO my suitcases. :P

Last weekend I went through my closet to start packing my summer type clothes (which I really don't need in 3 degree weather with a foot of snow on the ground) and threw them into one of my suitcases...last night I decided to tackle the other two suitcases that I am also taking with me.

Of course everything ended up coming out of my suitcases, some things are being left behind (like my yoga mat - Sheldon can bring that down in April) and other things were added (like our small stereo and Ipod docking station). I'm sitting there, with all my clothes, belts, shoes, pictures, quilt, sheets, towels, purses, surrounding me, and I am wondering....HOW am I going to get everything to fit in here?!?

I still haven't done laundry (hey, I DO have two more weeks!), but after all the resorting, and reorganizing, I still only have 1/2 of 1 suitcase with room still left in it. Somehow I have to manage to cram my laptop, the rest of my clothes and my pillow into that space. This is going to be interesting...and I really think that I am going to have to either (a) get another suitcase, or (b) realize that I am probably going to have to pay overweight and extra baggage fees for what I am bringing down.

I tried to lift up one suitcase, and suffice to say, I could barely move it! This doesn't bode well for when I arrive in Cayman and am trying lift the cases off the luggage carousel. I really, really hope they have luggage carts in Cayman - cuz I am going to need them! Whew...thank goodness my bags will be checked straight through.

Of course the other thing that has me nervous is that I am taking a little Dash 8 from Vancouver to Seattle, before connecting to a 757 for my flight down to Miami. Will Alaska Airlines let me take three overweight suitcases on the little Dash 8 (plus my carry on?).

I am going to have to call my travel agent and make sure she tells Alaska I am going to have overweight and excess baggage.

I refuse to do any more packing until next weekend...and I am sure I will be pulling everything out at least once or twice more before I go. I know it's silly to pack so early....but with the way my schedule is going between now and when I leave - I don't know when else I will have time!!!!!