I’m not sure if you know this, but I’m moving. I know, shocking, right? I don’t mention it often, since it’s rarely in the forefront of my mind. As if that could ever happen! I think about it constantly! There are empty boxes everywhere, just waiting to be taped and packed and taped again. There are half full boxes waiting for more things to be thrown in there. There are full boxes waiting to be taken to the donation drop off which is only open on weekends. Who thought that one up, by the way? I am BUSY PACKING on the weekends, I don’t have time to drop shit off until the following day. Maybe I’m the only one with this problem though, who knows.
I’ve been scouring the internets for hints and tips and plans and everything moving related. The husband likes to say that a little information is dangerous, and a lot of information in my hands is even worse. He’s a real joker that one. But I need that, I need to know. If I don’t have a plan, I feel lost and confused. And I think we all know I’ve got enough of those feelings to last long enough without adding to the mix.
My poor child is actually looking forward to moving to Texas, I’m not sure what’s going on in his crazy mind. He is only two, that might have something to do with it. All he knows is that he gets to fly on an airplane and he’ll be seeing Nana and Papa a LOT more often. What’s not to like? Every day he asks me if it’s time to go to Texas. He is ready to pack up his toys and get on with the move. I wish I could be a little more like him, but I’m not, I’m me. And this me is slightly terrified.
We have to figure out how to get all of our stuff down there along with our super earth friendly Ford Explorer. We had been planning to rent a GIANT truck (duh!) and a trailer and hook one up to the other and off the husband goes for his three day drive. He won’t be alone, he’ll be getting in some father-son bonding time with my father-in-law, and they will share the driving duties. Unfortunately after some online research it appears that our gas guzzler might be too heavy to tow behind a moving truck. So now we’re trying to figure that one out. Oh, and the Explorer? The AC isn’t working. Awesome, right?
Anywhat, we are trying to figure all these little details out that add up to one GIANT move. I know people have moved across the country before, even to different continents. I’m not the first, I’m not original. But it’s the first time for me. Maybe some of those brave souls who have had to trek thousands of miles with a few decades worth of crap cherished possessions can offer some times, maybe a little advice to keep me from going off into crazy land. Please, tell this novice what to DO!!
12 Awesome Comments:
I'd love to be able to tell you that it will all be alright. But I have not moved that far either. I would tell you to stop stressing, but you are my sister and stressing over things you are not in control of comes to you naturally. I will tell you that I love you, I am scared for you, sad for me, and totally thrilled for you and this new chapter to your life. Stress all you need to, it's how we deal!!! I love you.
Time to sell the Explorer?! ;)
Moving is a pain...we've done it too many times in 10 years already. I have no good advice on the packing end...we always get packers/movers from the gov't!
Ew! I hate moving for the very reasons you stated! We moved from Utah to Texas and it took three trips (I totally am getting a big U-haul truck if that ever happens again).
What are of Texas are you moving to?
i vote for selling the explorer too. it will be easier to sell without an ac up there i would think. i know it's difficult to sell a car here with no ac and i'd think texas would be more like sc.
wish i had more help for you but i'm stressing about the possibility of moving across town. :/ *hugs*``
I think it probably would be easier to sell the Explorer here, rather than moving it and all that. But I hate the feeling of not having a car, and being dependent on others even more than we'll already be. =/
@Screwed Up Texan, we're moving to the San Antonio area, not too many hours from you, if I remember right.
We didnt' move that far but my advice is contact the Lupus Fondation or Vetrans Foundation or anyone who does home pick up and get rid of everything you don't need! We had scheduled pick up from local charities every week for a month and unloaded a ton of stuff. Just a suggestion.
Good luck sweetie!
Christie, I LOVE that idea! We've had home pick-ups done before, when we moved across town. I never thought about scheduling them to come every week. Now that is just pure genius!
Steph, so you'll be moving to south central Texas--beautiful area! You're going to love the area, although it does get hot in the summer. Good thing for you that the coast isnt too far away!
Moving is rotten-the actual process. Living in limbo-with boxes and a two yr old-oy veh. Hugs to you.
Kate W
Moving is rotten-the actual process. Living in limbo-with boxes and a two yr old-oy veh. Hugs to you.
Kate W
Well, I do have advice. Get rid of stuff. Do not take it all. If you are brutal about ditching stuff you probably (let's be real, you might!) will never use again, over 9 times out of 10 you will never even think of it again. And the remaining few things you can buy again. If it has sentimental value, take a photo, and then get rid of it.
Don't forget to make a big itemized list of the things to goodwill or the salvation army. It's worth the time with a clipboard to tally up all the pairs of pants, plastic containers, etc. and then put your estimated price that they sell for at goodwill for your tax deduction. It can add up really fast and next April you'll be so glad you did.
Do write the main contents of boxes both on the top and if you can possibly stand to do it, a wide side and a narrow side. Then the boxes can be stacked with one side showing the contents, just in case you can't unpack everything immediately.
Also, write the room it goes in or use color stickers for stuff like Kitchen or Our Bedroom to help with move in if you are not personally supervising every box.
Pack those dishes well! A little sheet of bubble wrap between plates and around the stack's edges will save a lot of heartbreak later. Trucks bounce a lot.
So, good luck and have fun with your adventure!
I am with Sara. Get rid of LOTS of stuff. Even stuff that you THINK you MIGHT need? Is probably stuff that you don't REALLY need. Especially if you have to pay to move it! That really puts the value of each item at a higher price! We moved twice in 1 year and got rid of SO MUCH STUFF. It was amazing to be rid of it! Sadly, it keeps accumulating, no matter how often I try to cull it.
Good luck!
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