We just got back from being gone for a week to a horse show and I thought, this was the perfect time to share my top tips for preparing for a vacation. I have tips for preparing your home, packing, preparing arrangements for pets, garden prep tips and more. This list changes seasonally as obviously a summer trip tends to take more preparation for me than a winter trip on the garden front. Over the years, these tips have helped make my return to home and routine much easier. Here's how I get it all done. Home Cleaning - I clean my home periodically throughout the week, so it's usually not a huge mess before leaving town. I do make sure to wash the sheets the night before departure, so I come home to fresh-er linens and will not have to change the sheets immediately. I wipe down all of the counters, put out fresh towels, dust, vacuum and mop as needed. Staying on top of the cleaning on a regular basis greatly reduces my anxiety. Laundry - The clothing I wear at work is not t