Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Moving Craziness
Okay, so after two weeks of waffling, my husband and I finally decided to move closer to the university, where he'll be taking pre-reqs for dental school at night while working full-time all day. Now the fun of packing begins...ugh. What are your favorite tips/hints, or what is your best (or worst) moving story? The more horrendous the better--misery loves company! :)
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I to am in your boat right now. We are planning our first BIG move. We are moving from Michigan to Texas next month. We only learned of this move last week so I am feeling very overwelmed right now. To make it worse my hubby might have to go down without me first due to his start date. HELPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!! I am not looking forward to moving cross country with 3 little boys all ages 5 and under. Any tips would be very helpful for me also.
I make the move less unbearable by starting the packing process as soon as we know we are moving. Start packing things that you don't use often, like out of season clothes and punch bowls. I set a goal of 1-2 boxes packed each day, and designate a spot it the house to put them. As the pile gets bigger, I feel less overwhelmed. Make sure to label the boxes really well. It helps relieve some of the frustration of digging through boxes later. Also I found it helpful to get a rough floor plan, and decide ahead of time where the furniture is going to be. I draw the furniture on the floor plan and label with descriptions. It helps me decide placement of things, without moving heavy objects. Also it helps the guys know where to put things without you standing there directing. Make sure to inform your new ward and old ward of your moving date. They can usually help you with the move, if you give them adequate notice, but I would start recruiting friends now. Hope my suggestions help.
I'm bummed you're moving a half hour away! The last time I moved, I was pregnant and....wait! you helped me pack and move so you know my story! Chantel has great tips. We also found it was helpful to tell people you're moving-our work places saved us packing boxes so we had to buy very few.
I've moved twice now in less than a year for the Air Force. The first time was crazy. I procrastinated packing and ended up having a lot left to do when moving day came. Chantel has some great advice and I second her comment about making a goal to pack a few boxes each day! Our second move was easier but I really don't remember much about it. I was stressed with my husband gone all day at work, me trying to pack boxes and take care of my 4 month old. Thankfully we had lots of help that time taking boxes to our trailer. We COULD NOT have done it by ourselves lugging everything down from a third floor apt! We used some double size cereal boxes (the kind from costco) for light paperback books. Plastic bins are good for clothing, blankets, towels...soft things. I still prefer boxes for the majority because they are perfectly square and things fit better in them. If your move-in date is sooner than your move-out you can start taking boxes over a few at a time. If you have friends coming over to help make sure to tell them exactly what you want them to pack, same goes if you have help cleaning.
Kristi: are you renting a moving truck or is a company moving your things? Something that might make it fun for your boys while driving here (I live in TX now too. Would you mind sharing where you're moving to?) is getting some small toys or something from the dollar store to have them unwrap each morning to play with through out the day. Or have your husband record a tape saying something about him being excited to see them when you all arrive.
Also, if you have a lot of books use many, many, many small boxes. It's easier than one huge box of books and less risk of the heaviness making the bottom break. Another thing, if you don't have a dolly, get one. Either rent it or buy it. They're great for big appliances or furniture like dressers or book cases.
These are great comments!
Kristi--Where are you moving to??
I'm excited for you Laura. It sounds like a really good decision and your new ward is super lucky.
When I know I'm going to move, I like to get rid of stuff! Donate, give away, sell, throw away...we just compile stuff that we don't want or need. You can do that when you unpack too, but I prefer to focus on unpacking rather than sorting once I'm in a new place.
Sometimes retail stores like Eddie Bauer are more than happy to give their boxes away. Go to the store and ask them and they can either give you a call when they have some or tell you what night to come by. I know about Eddie Bauer specifically because my hubby worked their in college and those boxes in particular are a fabulous size and very sturdy. Saves you some moola!
Moving can be stressful, but even when I'm moving within in the same area, I find it to be kind of fun too, a new adventure. I think it's refreshing. Good luck!
You guys are awesome! We started packing some things today, and I'm already feeling better about the whole thing. And the great part about doing a short-distance move is that we actually get to paint the wall of our girls' room before we move in (we get the keys 2 weeks before the start of our official lease). I'm so excited to finally see some COLOR on the walls!!!
Oooooo...have fun with that! I love painting walls!
As of right now we are going to the Fort Worth Area. There is always a change that he might still get a job in the area that Bethany Flake lives (Dallas area). We are hoping for that one, they pay way better.
Thanks for the tips about the presents and the voice recording. If my hubby has to go before us, I just might do that.
Laura! I feel awful! I've been out of town since April and won't be back until August. And I NEVER got to visit teach you. I hope you don't think of me too horribly. I'm sorry, but so excited for you. What ward will you be in now? And as for moving, I have to agree with Lindsay, I like getting rid of junk. Also, tubs work better than boxes, especially for stuff you'll end up storing anyway. Well take care and hopefully we'll be able to stay in touch and get together.
We're moving to the New Brighton ward, which includes the married student housing for the U of M, so we'll have some other families in our same (or at least similar) boat. The fun part is that we'll be living in an apartment just down the street from church, so on days that we're feeling ambitious, we can just walk to church! :)
Well good luck to you guys!
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