You don't say where you're camping or what the temperatures or humidity are likely to be.

I think a lot depends on your gym.

Excellent point. The preemptive "I'm okay" post or email can go a long way towards preventing parental (and sometimes grandparental) freakouts.

I once worked 10 days straight, 14 hours/day but over night. Then I finished that with 26 hours straight awake, slept for about 3, was awake for another 10, slept for about 6 hours and then had to go to work and give a presentation (based on the work I had been doing during all that time). It was all I could do to…

I have a similar system for hanging my clothes. Clean clothes get put at one end of the like type. I pull from the left hand side of the center for clothes to wear. When it comes time to clean out the closet of things I haven't worn, I know it's been a while since I've worn the clothes that have migrated to the far…

The other option is just don't tuck anything in. I make my bed every morning and have since college. Takes me less than a minute. Pull the sheet and any blankets to the top of the bed, recentering as necesasary. Put the pillow on top. Walk to the foot of the bed and straighten everything out down there, again,…

@38thsignal: I've done that, only substitute friends' kids for nephews. Fortunately, now my older nephew has enough Lego that we can both play together without too much haggling over who gets what bricks.

If you're going to use this method but will need to wear your shoes indoors for any length of time, carry at least one (two is better) pairs of dry socks. When you get indoors, brush/knock as much snow/water off your shoes as possible, discard the bags and change socks. Multiple layers of socks will help keep your…

@isaaclyman: That's true and important if you're out in the woods hiking. However, if you're walking to/home from school or out running errands or the like, the plastic bags are a lot better at keeping your feet dry and comfy than no plastic bags which will result in wet socks and cold feet.

@tchrman35: I remember my dad shining his shoes while watching tv when I was a kid. He's pull out some newspaper, sit down on the floor and shine them while we all watched something together as a family. Sometimes I helped him. So it kinda was a family experience. Mom used to iron (when Mom ironed) while us kids had a…

@GVP: And that last part is the most important one. I've been the "go-to" person for random stuff for years (less IT related, but same idea). Started in junior high and continues today. I just like helping people and if I can do so because I happen to have tissues, extra pens, some snacks, a clothes pin and pain…

@sean000: Very true about finding an activity that you enjoy and will stick with. For me, that's going to the gym. I never thought I would become a gym rat, but last year I was in the top ten members, in terms of numbers of visits over the course of the year.

My posture improved greatly when I started doing a core class at the gym twice a week along with crunches and a few other simple core excrcises another two days a week. It's 10-15 minutes of not a lot of fun but it has made a huge difference.

As a veteran volunteer youth worker, the best advice I can just about anyone for just about anything is "Don't Panic". It's especially important for first time parents of teens and for teenagers themselves, but also applicable to just about any other situation as well.

@gestuno: Cheap pocket knife in an outside pocket of the luggage works well to cut off zip ties. And then I get to have my knife back in my pocket again as soon as I collect my bag.

You can also use watered down washable or "school" glue. I did this with a piece of lightly printed muslin in my master bathroom. Works great, cheap, easy to remove as needed and no blinds for my cats to chew and claw up.

I use a variety of stuff sacks when I travel. Same ideas a packing cubes, slightly different shape (but they squish well) and lower price. Most of my stuff sacks are made from legs of pants that I no longer wear. So, organization and almost no additional cost.

@Spencer: Very true. And also true for winter jackets and other "fluffy" clothing and gear that depend on the loft (fluffiness) of the insulation to create little air pockets.

Brown rice, black beans, salsa top with shredded cheddar cheese.

@DaveyNC: I agree. It always bothers me when I am on travel and go to a grocery store chain which we don't have at home. If I can't talk the cashier or person in line behind me into letting me use their card, I end up signing up for a card for what is usually just one or two purchases.