Thanks to all of you and your extremely helpful tips and suggestions, we’ve hit the ground running and have much of our downstairs non-essentials packed. Our boxes are labeled (in GREEN! and RED! and BLUE!) and we’re going room by room (living room knick-knacks! china hutch breakables!), doing the kitchen and the boys’ room last (“Mommy, do we get to take our train set? What about our beds? And our shoes?”).
I was seriously overwhelmed when I posted my query–in fact, I’d been sitting on the couch for an hour at that point, alternately wandering aimlessly around the internet and staring at my house thinking my fairy godmother was overdue for a visit.
But, you all are AWESOME and we’re making headway. We’ve got this thing COVERED. With cardboard. And packing tape.
(Ask me how I feel about it all in two weeks…)
But, the more newsworthy thing today (beside the fact that packing paper disappears like fresh-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies, or that my three year old fell asleep on a pile of dirty laundry near where he was playing when I thought he was napping in our room, or that half the country is in the middle of “The Blizzard of the Century” whilst I make plans to spend the morning at the beach tomorrow ) is the grand bit of interest in tonight being the Alabama/Texas Championship game.
And because Bama is part of my Southern-turned-SoCal family’s heritage, and even though I haven’t watched a single football game this season, and despite the fact that I just discovered that our television coverage doesn’t even include a channel airing the game…
I’m wearing CRIMSON.
Because it’s just the way I roll.
(Get it? The way I ROLL? As in, ROLL… Tide? I crack myself up hourly.)
Roll on, Crimson Tide.
Oh, and, Bubble Wrap, you can keep on rolling, too.
haha! you make me laugh. :) I hearts you!
I hope and pray this move is the smoothest one possible in the circumstances. And maybe…maybe I’ll SEE YOU in Colorado come spring time. *happy thought*
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Roll Tide Roll!!! I’m watching the game right now!!!
Happy packing! Eat more chocolate and don’t stress out!
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Uh oh, even though we’re Okies, we Hook ‘Em Horns! ‘Cept they’re not doing so well right now…
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lol I have no idea about the game but when I was reading your post I felt like I was “In” ’cause my dad was discussing the game after church tonight! If I didn’t hear him I would have no idea what you were talking about!! :D
So glad to hear your packing is going well!
Praying for you!
Ginger~
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Glad your packing is going well. We did a big move in September, so if I may, I have a couple of suggestions to add!
1. I found we ended up spending a fortune on bubble wrap and packing boxes. If you can beg sturdy boxes from people who have moved recently, do so! Also, plastic carrier bags scrunched up make a good space filler or you can wrap things in a couple of them as an alternative to bubble wrap.
2. I found it really helpful to make a list of absolute pared-down essentials that we were going to need for the last few weeks (and first night in the new place). Stuff like basic toiletries, a few outfits, couple of towels, Bibles, etc. Then I could safely go and pack everything else without stopping every five minutes to wonder if I was going to need this or that. Those essentials then got packed separately into a suitcase that we knew had everything we needed for the first night so we could just open that up and fall into bed.
3. We had three weeks’ notice that we were moving and I had to do about 90% of the packing myself because my husband had to work and we had no family in the area. This actually suited me to start with because I’m just a little bit obsessive about how I organise things. What I’d say is that for all organising things and decluttering is a really good idea and it makes things so much easier at the other end, there came a point for me where I just hit the wall. I had too much to pack and not enough time to sort and throw out or organise into different piles, and in the end I knew I could either do it ‘properly’ and still be there a week after we had to be out, or just throw it in a box, get it out the door and deal with it at the other end. Obviously this isn’t ideal, but my point is that when you’re going to be doing much of it yourself *and* you’ve got two little boys to look after, your packing doesn’t have to be immaculate. Sometimes good enough is good enough!
4. Lastly, don’t take one last look around to make sure you haven’t left anything. Take two! If you and John can take a look each, so much the better. Driving off and leaving a box sitting behind your car is both inconvenient and kinda embarrassing when you have to call one of your old neighbours to ask them to retrieve it for you and keep it safe…
I’ll be praying for you loads!
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I’m late in checking out what’s happening in your little world and even later in giving advice. Looks like you’re **on a roll** though and have thing covered.
You’re a delight, Ash. You never fail to bring a smile to my wrinkly old lips. ;o)
jAne * tickleberry farm
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I’m praying for you and your guys! May this be the best move yet. And may every good and wonderful blessing from our precious Jesus be yours in abundance!
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I’m so glad that you’re getting lots done! If I lived closer, I’d come and help you pack! I love doing it! (Which is a good thing as even though my husband is not in the military, I have the full understanding that everytime we settle down from travelling the country, it is for no longer than a year.)
Many prayers and blessings are sent your way as you continue to pack and do all that you need to! :)
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You don’t know me, but I’m a fellow military wife. :o) I’ve been following your site for awhile and I promise I’ll work on commenting more! Heehee
So glad to see that your moving preparations are taking shape! We just moved across the country and although we had the military move us this time, I’ve done it in the past where we had about 1 1/2 weeks notice and did a DITY! I know it can be SO overwhelming.
I love Elizabeth Elliot’s “Do the next thing”. So many times I find myself thinking…how am I going to get all of this done? If you do the next thing, then the next thing, then the next thing, before you know it you’ll turn around and say, “Look, I’ve done everything! We’re ready!”
Stay encouraged, remember to relax a bit, and enjoy every minute with your beautiful family. :o)
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Hook ‘em HORNS! Ooops, too late.
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Are you kidding! Bama! Go Florida Gators! Ha, ha, hope your moving is going smoothly. God Bless!
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Wow, I would be So overwhelmed. I know that we more than likely we have a move in our future too but there’s 9 of us… and you and John just have each other and your 2 little boys. I’m sure it makes it more difficult!
Keep on, keepin on!
I’m praying for ya!
And you look good in Crimson!
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