Make That Two Suitcases

My husband starts block leave today, and next week we're jetting off for our first hotel vacation in four years (you know, as opposed to the go-visit-family vacations that military families usually spend their leave days on.)  Since airlines now charge for suitcases, I assured my husband that we would be able to fit all our stuff in one big suitcase.  It's only a week, right?  And it's summer, so there's no bulky sweaters or coats.

Apparently I didn't think this one through...

My husband wants to keep up his exercise regimen while we're gone, and going with him to the hotel gym is a good way to motivate me to exercise too.  So that means seven extra sets of workout clothes for both him and me, plus running shoes.  And we're going to Las Vegas, which means 100° weather, which means we might like a change of clothes during the day if we get too hot.  My husband loves sundresses, so several of those are going with us, but then I will need hanging-around-the-hotel clothes, plus the swimsuits and nice clothes for a night out...

And then there's the specialty items.  Without getting graphic, let's just say that there's been requests for certain pairs of underpants, and certain types of nightgowns, and various garters and lingerie and horribly restricting garments.  I will probably have to pack 20 pairs of underpants for a one week vacation.

(This could be a whole separate post, mind you.  Oh, the things we do for our spouses right before they leave!  Guard Wife just traveled to see her husband off for the final time before he deploys, and she said:

I think it can be agreed that I'm not very girlie.  But, when a person has not seen their husband in a month and they are staring down a year without seeing him, a person kind of desires to look her best.  Hence, the spray-on tan (which was totally worth the headache--I look hot), root touch-up, other 'maintenance' shall we say that isn't always pleasant.

We love them and know they won't see us for a while, so we indulge their uncomfortable corset requests and annoying hair dying and/or removal procedures.  But I'm all about the quid pro quo: my husband will be posing for action photos in his new ACS before he leaves, whether he likes it or not.  *Note: with his pants on, just in case you have different definitions of "action photos" than I do.  I meant soldier action, not action action.)

So between the dresses and the exercise clothes and the naughty nurse outfit (I'm just kidding! seriously!), the suitcase is already way full, and we haven't even talked about shoes yet.

Forget it: we're paying for the extra suitcase.

Comments

[Bobbie Jo]

When we took our vacation back to Hawaii-we both took our own suitcases and we didn't pay anything extra for them. All we had to show was our ID and they said they didn't charge for the military-we did ask if that was just orders or not and they said nope. You may want to ask. I think we flew AA but can't for the life of me remember or not!
Have fun!!!

[Erin]

Double check your airline! We too, didn't have to pay extra with leave papers & military ID for extra luggage. Have a fun time!

[Tootie]

What airline are you flying? I know Continental does FREE bags (up to 3 per person) for active duty AND their dependents, even if it's for personal travel. (The airlines won't tell you this usually, but if you ask, you won't have to pay anything for bags!)

[Penny]

I'm not sure where all this was last month when I flew to see Dh for r&r. I flew United and Continental and even after asking and seeing on their websites that it said free for active duty and their dependents, I was told I would have to pay. Since I had to bring 2 suitcases, it was just cheaper to claim one for myself and the other for Little Man.

On the way back I had to pay the $50 fee for the over weight on one of the bags, even though I took out the extra weight (yay for space saver bags!) and carried them around in a plastic bag as my carryon item.

[Erin]

Classy, I love it! I took a suitcase with me on one of my few visits with DH before he left for A'stan of stuff to leave at our new place (that I didn't need here) and I can only imagine what TSA thought when they scanned that bag. Let's just say the contents would've made you think I was some sort of adult actress doing a camping flick...

[loquita]

I'm totally giggling now, and loving the pack list Sarah! Hope you two have a wonderful vacation. :)

[wifeunit]

I loved this!

[AWTM]

do nto pack anything in your carry on, that might be unpacked in front of EVERYONE! Just saying...