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 comments and messages.
I forgot to mention something because post that I think is actually essential. 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 like to inform you what to do.
Don't reside in that neighborhood.
That school is not as excellent as this one. (I never rely on the school rating websites either, however that is for another post.).
That commute is awful.
You understand, there is a better place to do xyz ...
They are originating from a good location, however they are not you. This is your experience. You know more about what you are trying to find when it comes to finding a location that you wish to live in and what sort of lifestyle you have than anyone else. We have always done our own thing and made our own options and have actually never regretted it. As hassle-free as it is to crowdsource, this might be one of those times when you trust your own instincts more. PSA over.
Recently, I talked with you about how I feel about moving. I enjoy it.
If I am being perfectly honest with you, the actual move can be a pain in the ass.
We are 3 weeks out of relocating to Cape Cod (our 9th relocation?) and deep in the throes of the procedure. I thought that I would share some tips that I have gotten throughout the years of military relocations.
1. Purge, purge, and purge some more. I play an unusual 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 happy of our last move-- 8,500 pounds.
For me more stuff implies more to take care of, more to unpack, and more to move again. I am fairly ruthless, if I don't use it or love it, it goes. Possibilities are great we don't need it if we have boxes with multiple moving sticker labels on them that have actually never ever been opened. (FYI-- A great deal of Goodwills will concern your home and pick up.).
2. Go through your drawers and put the little things in Ziploc bags. The movers just can drop the bags into package, and when you are unpacking, you can just dump it back in. Whatever is together. This is specifically practical for junk drawers, utensils, underwear drawers.
3. Mentioning utensils, make certain that you inspect every cabinet, closet, and drawer to make certain that everything was loaded. As soon as and we unpacked every single box hoping to discover the forks, we had our utensil drawer missed. We never ever did. Our realtor was kind enough to go back to the home and send us the drawer that we ignored. When, we also missed out on a shed. That time we left a bbq and a lawnmower for the brand-new owners. Once you sign off, it is not the duty of the movers, so make sure to check.
It can be hard to get cable visits throughout moving season. Call your current service providers and let them understand your relocation out day to turn off what you already have in your current home.
5. If you have school age kids, make certain that you know what you need to register them at their new school (and sports if they are playing in the fall). It is much easier to get physicals and their vaccinations prior to you leave than when you get to your brand-new town. A lot of school districts have whatever you require online or will send you the documentation. This has actually always made the transition so much easier for me.
While I am submitting the documentation, I likewise discover a pediatrician and dentist and call to make sure that they are taking new patients. I keep a small file folder with all of our important papers in it and carry it with me.
6. Treat your movers well. This one ought to go without saying, but after some conversations lately, I am a little shut off by the way some people treat the people moving their possessions. I have had really all the best with movers. I keep the fridge stocked with beverages, have breakfast and lunch for them every day, and trust them to do their task. The nicer I am to my movers, the faster and simpler the move is. They probably aren't going to load your things precisely as you would, however they are experts. They pack and move people every day. They understand 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 hard to do it while there is a moving team in the house and I tend to get overwhelmed. And whatever that doesn't need to get loaded is already with you.
I will be sending my pet to doggie day care. Make sure that the hotels or visitor houses that you are staying at take animals. Moving can be distressing for animals, so try to keep them as tension free as possible.
9. Very same with the kids. I really highlight the "adventure" aspect of moving instead of the leaving part. I unload their rooms initially and get them settled into your house before I tackle the other spaces. 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.
10. Tape the cables and remotes to the backs of the televisions and electronics. And it is an actually good idea to hand carry the "parts" box (the screws, bolts, and all of the little pieces to put whatever back together). It is amusing the number of individuals have actually informed me that is the one box that has gotten lost.
11. Pack a box of things that you know that you will need the first night. I make certain that there are tidy sheets for all of the beds (I put the folded sheets into a garbage bag), shower curtain, some towels, and a bottle of red wine. Just kidding about the wine. (Not truly. Have great deals of white wine.).
When it comes to unpacking, simply get it done. Drawing it out makes me feel less settled, and once whatever is unpacked more info and moved in, you can begin to check out and enjoy your brand-new town.
13. When we get to the brand-new home, I attempt to arrive a day prior to the movers come. I clean as much as I can. Inside of drawers, fridge, racks, and so on. After whatever is relocated, unpacked, and assemble, I treat myself to an expert cleaning. It is so good to have a clean house after all of the craziness of a huge relocation.
Movers are late. Houses aren't all set. Moving is going to cost more than you believe it does.
15. Have a good time. Every moving season I think that my hubby and I are going to get divorced. (We never do.) Having the ability to laugh and have enjoyable with the move is so much better than being stressed and dissatisfied. Everyone looks to me to see how I am dealing. My kids, my partner, the movers. Everybody else is going to be too if I am snapping at everybody and miserable. Take it in stride.