A LOT has happened these past six months. So much that it would be too long and lengthy to get into all of the details so I'll start with probably the biggest change:
WE'VE MOVED! We have started the process of a new journey for our family (more on that later) and the first step was moving out of our house. We only moved a couple of times when I was growing up so I fall severely short in the moving department. Thankfully, my precious friend and mentor "Go-go", as she is affectionately called, gave me some great advice, so here a few little nuggets I'll share with any of you (in case you too are a moving novice and find yourself one day in this same "what-am-I-doing?!" state). ;)
Photo: We're Living Out of Boxes Moving Announcement by Donkey Products.
Moving Nuggets for the DIY Mover:
- Get organized! As early as possible before your move date, go through each room in your house (I did about one room each week so it wasn't completely overwhelming) and clean out. Keep your pile of items to donate together so before packing time comes, you've already dropped off all those random closet-fillers that you've never used or will never use again. This will make your packing time much more efficient - no sorting, cleaning, organizing to be done - just packin' and stackin'!
- Supplies. Supplies. Get totally and fully prepared with supplies BEFORE you start packing. This will save you approximately 100 itty bitty trips to the store for "more".....more tape, more boxes, more bubble wrap, etc. etc. (See list below)
- Keep a list. Start a list (in a safe notebook you'll keep somewhere accessible) and number each box in addition to labeling what room the box belongs to. In your notebook, record the number and briefly list the big (or significant items) in that box. This will be a lifesaver when you want to find where your Kitchen Aid Mixer is and you're staring wide-eyed at a mountain of 30 boxes labeled "kitchen". It's also helpful if you're in our shoes and you're storing items until a later move date. (We've already been in the storage units to find things we "didn't think we would need").
There are probably other nuggets to share, but these are the biggies. Is there anything you would add to the list or helpful things you've learned about moving?
Moving Supplies List:
- Boxes. We purchased most of ours from U-Haul (sturdy, dependable, easy to work with), but we also picked up a few from our local grocery stores (great for smaller, heavier items like books and weighty decor pieces). HERE is a list of 8 places to get free moving boxes from Apartment Therapy.
- Rubbermaid Containers. I have a love-affair with these. Great for items you'll want to store even after you've moved: kids clothes they've outgrown (but you're saving for future kids), etc.
- Tape. Life will be so much easier if you go ahead and buy the big tape guns with plenty of refills. The last thing you want to take up your time is working with a big mess of tape that won't stick or cut easily. Ugh. You'll thank me later.
- Bubble Wrap and Wrapping Paper. Unprinted newspaper and bubble wrap are both essentials.
- Pack of big fat permanent markers. Keep several in each room so you're not always looking around saying, "Where did I put my marker?!" You can also use these fun free moving LABELS by iHanna if you want to get extra detailed:
- Disposable plates, napkins, cutlery, and cups. As you start packing up the kitchen (last obviously), you still may have a few meals before you leave and disposable items make setup, cleanup, and everything in between, a little simpler. When you're finished, pack these items in an easy-to-access market tote so you'll have instant necessities when you get into your new kitchen and are once again wondering where things are when it's time to eat and you haven't started unpacking yet. (And while I'm on that, let me just say I would also have a little bathroom necessities box or suitcase with basic essentials - toilet paper, a few hand and bath towels, toiletries, hand soap, etc. - so again when you're in the new home, you won't be scrambling to find those items in the first 24 hrs when your brain and body will already be feeling scattered.
Ok well that's moving in a nutshell. Hope some of these little nuggets will help you if you're on the move in the next few months!
More to come on our life and all that's changing soon...
