Floridays15 - Do We have Enough Space?

It's now day 14 and with just 4 days left, I'm getting a little preoccupied by the packing process. We came with 3 empty suitcases. One smaller one is already packed and locked with goodies from the first week. This leaves two huge ones and another smaller one to fill.

We have worn and washed most of the clothes we bought but can't pack them until the last day as I need to use them to pack around the breakables...like the 9 Starbucks mugs, the 4 bottles of gin, the shot glasses and one of the two very expensive handbags.

The boys haven't yet got to understanding that footballs take up a lot of space and there is a good chance that most of the balls they have bought/won will be left behind 'accidentally', along with the Free Universal Refil Mugs - of which we already have a cupboard full at home. Thankfully there are no stuffed Minions or Giant Mickey Mouse's to cram in these days.

This is my idea of a properly packed suitcase.

Then there's the balancing the weight thing. The big cases can get too heavy unless packed with lighter things. This packing lark isn't easy you know. You have to have many years experience and lots of common sense to do it properly so that clothes don't end up crumpled on the way there, and on the way back the fragile items are protected enough to prevent having leaks and bags of broken glass when you get home.

That's why it's my job, and mine alone. Woe betide anyone who interferes - and that includes 'helping' me pack and especially 'putting things in for me'. The best way to help me is to bugger off out the room for an hour wearing the bare minimum - i.e. swimming trunks and flip flops, to enable me to have full reign of the room, drawers, wardrobe and luggage.

Of course there are little things that one must do to minimise the risk of the dreaded customs search. Having bought, worn and washed the clothing, removed tags and 'lost' receipts, it would be a very 'officious' customs officer who gave us a problem with that. I will of course be using my most expensive handbag as hand luggage...and since I only brought one with me, the other two could easily be classed as a normal female requirement. Alcohol is legal, we don't smoke so we have no tobacco so I feel comfortable and justified going through the Noting to Declare channel.

They may think I'm setting up business as a Starbucks come Adidas trainer store though!