Moving Woes
Silly me. When the gentleman from the Relocation Center said he was going to put together a quote for us for a “full” moving package (includes packers and movers) because we might be surprised at how affordable it would be, I believed him.
Silly me again. When Josh asked him to work up a quote for just movers and he said it would lower the cost substantially, I believed him again.
At this point, I really think I want to move with the clothes on my back. To hell with everything else. It looks like we’re going to have to pack all our stuff, load it into a U-haul, drive the U-haul to a u-pack center, unload the U-haul, load the 18-wheeler, drive the U-haul back to the U-haul place… lather, rinse, repeat in Chicago.
Josh doesn’t think that packing will be too bad. We’ve downsized a lot… we’ve donated, thrown away, and sold a lot of stuff. He’s probably right, but honestly, it doesn’t make it any easier. Last time we moved, I was (conveniently) pregnant and was too sick/exhausted/pregnant to do much of the actual packing and moving. This time, I won’t be so lucky. I wish the church would have been able to help, at least a little bit, with funding this move. It’s hard coming up with the money to cover these costs so quickly. I don’t think we would be able to afford packers even with help from the church, but we *might* be able to afford movers.
Arg. Why does moving have to be so tough?
Moving tips courtesy of TNR:
1. Take/make copious notes and packing lists. I prefer to make a list to tape to the outside of the box, and I also number the box. Then, you should also have a master list with all boxes, numbers, and general breakdowns of where possessions are.
2. Pack EVERYTHING except the bare essentials. Be absolutely brutal, but also keep a few sentimental things to make your new place feel like “home.” Keep out a few pictures, a candle or two, your favorite sheets and your own pillows. Pack all this stuff in EASILY ACCESSIBLE boxes/suitcases (also numbered and placed on the master list…just in case!). All of this stuff should be easily unpacked in less than an hour…which will be nice if you arrive late at your new place.
3. That brings to mind the “tier” system:
–Essentials
–Needed stuff
–Other, “not-so-needed” stuff
I’ve already mentioned how to pack the essentials, but also keep in mind that there will be things you will need within the next day or two of arriving i.e. kitchen and laundry stuff. This also should be pretty easily accessible. Everything else is “other.”
4. The nice thing about doing everything this way is that a) it’s organized, b) it makes unpacking a snap (though packing can get a little complicated at times…it’s worth the effort, though) and c) after six months of ignoring those “not-so-essential” boxes, you get to cull through your possessions even more. Very freeing.
Hope this helps a little! Call me if you need anything.
Great advice, Red! Thanks so much. Even if we only end up using part of it, all of your suggestions are great to have in our head and should make the process a bit smoother.