This is going to be a quick one! It is Monday (yes, I missed another day in NaBloPoMo) Preparing the House (and My Brain) for a Trip Away
Tomorrow we leave for my in-laws, which means yesterday and today were full-on prep days. Before every trip, I do a quick mental checklist—part ritual, part survival strategy—to make sure the house is in decent shape and everything (and everyone) will be okay while we’re gone.
Here’s my quick review of the big things I always take care of before time away from home:
1. Stock Up on Pet Food (and Extra Love for the Elderlies)
We have… a few pets.
Three cats. Two dogs. All of them enthusiastic eaters.
The cats get a can of Fancy Feast each day and share a giant bowl of dry kibble that needs to be topped off about every third day. The dogs—our sweet senior pair—don’t do much walking or playing anymore, but they do show up for mealtimes with gusto.
We’re lucky to have a pet sitter who stays in our home. He’s so sweet with our ancient pups. Before he arrives, I always make sure there is plenty of food, treats, and any meds the pets might need.
This time around, we also had to squeeze in a Cytopoint injection for our shepherd mix because she was scratching nonstop. Pretty sure she’s allergic to wet leaves (or whatever moldy mysteries live on them). Plus, I just started both dogs on Dog Is Human supplements. Will report back—nothing else has helped their itchiness, so fingers crossed.
2. Conquer Mount Laundry
I don’t know what it is about this family, but we can produce a shocking amount of laundry for just three people. Before a trip, I like to get completely caught up so I’m not returning to a textile disaster zone.
Mission accomplished! 🎉
I still have a few loads to fold and put away tomorrow (or toss directly into the suitcase), but everything is washed. Hallelujah.
3. Strip and Remake the Bed
Our guest room is not currently… functional. So the pet sitter stays in our bedroom. Tomorrow I’ll strip the bed and put on fresh linens so he has a clean space to sleep.
I might get the used bedding washed before we leave and then it’ll wait patiently in the dryer for when we get home.
4. Vacuum and Sweep (Because Wow, the Floors)
I love my family, but we are apparently committed to dropping things on the floor at all times. Crumbs, leaves, mail, bottle caps, mysterious papers, and approximately one million cords. Add in the pet hair (and whatever the pets track in on said hair), and the floors are always a lost cause.
Right now, the robovac is doing its heroic nightly lap through the kitchen, living room, and hallway. Honestly, I should run it every night. Do I? No. Should I? Absolutely.
5. Do All the Dishes
We also excel in the “dirtying dishes rapidly and in large quantities” department. Sometimes I fantasize about going full minimalist: one cup, one bowl, one plate, one fork per person. But instead, we have a mountain of dishes available—and we somehow seem to use them all. Sometimes in a single day.
Before leaving, I make sure every dish is clean so the pet sitter can use what he needs without digging through a sink excavation site.
Why This All Helps Me Feel Better
I’m sure there are more small things I do automatically, but these are the big five. As long as:
- the house isn’t a total disaster,
- the pets have food and meds, and
- the pet sitter has a clean, comfortable place to sleep,
…I can breathe a little easier.
Traveling is more stressful for me than it used to be. I worry about our older pets. I worry about the little things around the house that don’t quite work right (hello, leaky showerhead and slightly leaky toilet). Our bulldog… has a certain fragrance, and she insists on sleeping in the bed. We’re used to it; I’m not sure others should have to be.
That’s why I’m so grateful for our pet sitter this time. He’s an international student from India who genuinely loves animals. He stays with them, keeps them company, and really cares. It makes leaving a little easier when I know the crew is in good hands.
Still, it always feels like a lot to walk out the door and leave them behind. But at least with everything prepped, I can go into the trip feeling a little more at peace.
What about you? What’s your pre-travel ritual?
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