I want to thank you for the kind words and comments from last week's post. I can't start to tell you just how much it implies to me that you take the time to read what I need to say and leave sweet remarks and messages.
I forgot to mention something because post that I think is truly important. Usage your own judgement when it comes to making choices about where you are going to live, send your kids to school, and everything else. It appears like when you learn where you are going, individuals love to inform you what to do.
Do not live in that area.
That school is not as good as this one. (I never ever trust the school score sites either, but that is for another post.).
That commute is dreadful.
You know, there is a better location to do xyz ...
They are coming from a good placeExcellent but they are not you. You know more about what you are looking for when it comes to discovering a location that you want to live in and what kind of lifestyle you have than anyone else. We have actually constantly done our own thing and made our own options and have never regretted it.
Last week, I spoke to you about how I feel about moving. I enjoy it.
However if I am being perfectly honest with you, the actual move can be an annoyance.
We are 3 weeks out from moving to Cape Cod (our 9th move?) and deep in the throes of the process. I thought that I would share some ideas that I have actually selected up for many years of military relocations.
1. Purge, purge, and purge some more. I play a weird little game with myself every time we move. I try to make sure that we have less stuff than we did the previous move. I am particulary pleased with our last move-- 8,500 lbs.
For me more things suggests more to look after, more to unload, and more to move once again. I am relatively ruthless, if I don't use it or love it, it goes. If we have boxes with multiple moving stickers on them that have actually never ever been opened, opportunities are excellent we don't require it. (FYI-- A great deal of Goodwills will concern your home and get.).
Go through your drawers and put the little things in Ziploc bags. The movers just can drop the bags into the box, and when you are unpacking, you can simply dispose it back in.
Speaking of utensils, make sure that you check every closet, drawer, and cabinet to make sure that everything was loaded. Our realtor was kind enough to go back to the home and send us the drawer that we forgot about. Once you sign off, it is not the obligation of the movers, so make sure to double check.
4. About a month out, make appointments to have the energies turned over or switched on. It is nice to have Web on relocation in day, and not a few weeks more info later on. It can be tough to get cable consultations during moving season. Call your current companies and let them understand your move out day to turn off what you already have in your present house.
5. If you have school age kids, make certain that you understand what you need to register them at their new school (and sports if they are playing in the fall). It is simpler to get physicals and their vaccinations prior to you leave than when you get to your brand-new town. Many school districts have everything you need online or will send you the documents. This has actually constantly made the shift a lot simpler for me.
While I am completing the documents, I also find a pediatrician and dental expert and call to ensure that they are taking brand-new clients. I keep a little file folder with all of our essential documents in it and carry it with me.
6. Treat your movers well. This one must go without stating, however after some conversations lately, I am a little shut off by the way some people treat the people moving their belongings. I have had actually best of luck with movers. I keep the refrigerator equipped with drinks, have breakfast and lunch for them each day, and trust them to do their job. The nicer I am to my movers, the faster and much easier the relocation is. They most likely aren't going to pack your things exactly as you would, but they are professionals. They load and move individuals every day. They know what they are doing.
The night before the movers come to load, I move us out of the house and into a hotel. It is too tough to do it while there is a moving team in the house and I tend to get overwhelmed. And whatever that doesn't require to get packed is currently with you.
I will be sending my pet to doggie day care. Make sure that the hotels or visitor houses that you are remaining at take animals. Moving can be traumatic for animals, so try to keep them as tension totally free as possible.
9. Very same with the kids. I really highlight the "adventure" element of moving rather of the leaving part. I unpack their spaces initially and get them settled into your house prior to I tackle the other rooms. I make certain that the movers put their bikes on the truck last, so that they are the first things off of the truck when we get to our brand-new home. The kids can ride bikes and play while the movers are moving us in.
And it is a really great concept to hand bring the "parts" box (the screws, bolts, and all of the little pieces to put whatever back together). It is funny how numerous individuals have actually informed me that is the one box that has gotten lost.
Pack a box of things that you know that you will need the first night. I make sure that there are clean sheets for all of the beds (I put the folded sheets into a trash bag), shower drape, some towels, and a bottle of red wine. Simply joking about the white wine.
12. When it pertains to unpacking, just get it done. We usually are "pictures on the walls" by day 3. Drawing it out makes me feel less settled, and once everything is unpacked and moved in, you can start to explore and enjoy your new town.
When we get to the new home, I attempt to get there a day prior to the movers come. After everything is moved in, unpacked, and put together, I treat myself to a professional cleaning. It is so nice to have a tidy house after all of the madness of a huge relocation.
14. Be flexible. Stuff happens. Movers are late. Homes aren't all set. Things break. Moving is going to cost more than you think it does. It isn't the end of the world. Do not sweat the little things. It isn't worth it in the long run.
Every moving season I think that my husband and I are going to get separated. Being able to laugh and have fun with the relocation is so much better than being stressed out and unhappy. My kids, my other half, the movers.