May 28, 2010

The Moving Aftermath


4-year old mini-me with a birthday dollhouse

We are in our new cottage! We are so happy that we are finally here!

It took two days for the professional movers to get us into our new quarters. The move went well, except for the expected wear and tear on us, LOL. We are almost done with totally clearing out of the rental house. I’ll be doing a light cleaning before I turn in the keys next week. And we have begun the arduous task of unpacking at our new place. Boxes are strewn everywhere! But that’s OK! We are home.

Here are some of my helpful tips and perspectives for successfully surviving a move: 
  • Do all your address changes in advance, preferably online.
  • You will need more packing tape, paper, and boxes than you think.
  • Mark the boxes that need to get opened first.
  • Totes and zip-lock bags are lifesavers.
  • If possible, set up your kitchen and bath essentials before you move.
  • Your back, knees, feet, and shoulders will hurt, usually all at once.
  • Tylenol and muscle relaxers are your friends. Keep them handy.
  • Don’t assume that the hot water system is on.
  • Don’t assume that the garage doors work after the painters leave.
  • Thank your builder and subcontractors when they come to your rescue and get things fixed quickly.
  • Lots of bottles of cold water and sodas keep the movers (and you) in good spirits.
  • Placing a large trash can over an offending sprinkler head will allow your movers and furniture to stay dry.
  • Have a little milkbone treat handy when you neighbor's dog walks through your front door during the move.
  • If you had your builder include a big storage room in the architectural layout, you will thank yourself a million times.
  • The movers will become very familiar with the storage room.
  • You will have to flip every electrical switch in your new home before you discover which one controls the outside flood lights.
  • You will need to frequently use a flyswatter after leaving your doors wide open for two days.
  • Even though you made a significant dent in reducing your “stuff”, you will be tossing things as you unpack.
  • Even though you made a significant dent in donating and selling furniture, you will have to part with more of it.
  • You will be reading a lot of instruction manuals to figure out how things work.
  • It is good to remember which cords go to which computer and associated peripherals.
  • You will be grateful for the kindness of new neighbors when they bring you flowers and breakfast.
  • Unpacking is not a race.
  • Keep your sense of humor through the whole experience.
  • Keep tissues handy when you need to have a good cry.
  • Depending on the time of day, cold beer and ice cream are great treats to enjoy during work breaks.
  • And most of all, take time to enjoy your beautiful new home!

18 comments:

  1. Congratulations on being in the New Home!!
    Don't over do and will be looking forward to seeing the photos!
    hughugs

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  2. Yay! You're home! All of your tips are great, but the best one is "unpacking is not a race." Take good care of yourselves and enjoy the process. It's a beautiful home you're creating for yourself! That photo of you and your dollhouse is adorable.

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  3. Hip Hip Hooray!! So happy for you guys. Enjoy and like Donna says, don't over do! :)

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  4. Yay! So exciting!! Can't wait to see pictures!

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  5. SO excited for you, Donna! What a relief it must be to have it all finished, eh? Now you can take your time and get everything just as you want it. As long as the bed is set up and the kitchen stuff is organized, you are good to go!

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  6. IN your new cottage! Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I'm so happy for you. :-)

    Memorial Day Weekend, may it be well, with you.

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  7. Congratulations on the final move. I cracked up over the tip about the sprinkler and the dog.

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  8. congrats on the move and new home :) and love the list haha ;)

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  9. Moving and settling in are so much fun...and soooooooooooooooo much work!! Enjoy your new home....I'm sure it is beautiful!

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  10. Great tips, Donna, although just the thought of packing and moving overwhelms me, so I don't think I'll be going anywhere any time soon! And I have to tell you, I LOVE the mini me photo of you with your dollhouse! Too cute!!!... Donna

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  11. Oh Donna you gave me a good giggle with your insight into moving!
    I did it 2 years ago....Twice with three kids under 4! Ugh! Never again sounds good to me:)
    Enjoy your new digs....How great to be HOME!

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  12. take your own advice--and take a day off-- ok - that might be my advice-- but do take it easy-- you're HOME now. enjoy the porch, and all the beauty of your new home. you have plenty of time to settle in.
    i really am happy for both of you!!! it's a wonderful home, obviously wonderful neighbors, and even wonderful neighbor dogs ! soak it all in. have a peaceful weekend!

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  13. There is nothing quite like a new house. You brought back memories of our move into ours. Everything is so clean, fresh, and bare. I was thrilled with the additional closet and cabinet space. I thought I had died and gone to heaven.

    Twenty-six years later with a 48' x 20' barn added, another 20' x 14' barn and an 8' x 10' outbuilding, my closets and cabinets are filled and so are the barns. Well, there is still some room in the 20x14, the last addition.

    Enjoy, enjoy your new diggs. :D

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  14. Looking forward to your end result shots. don't work too hard.

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  15. Oh my, that list brought back memories. I thought I wanted to sell this home and move again... now, not so much. Lol! Glad you are settling in!

    Love your new header photo! Also love the picture of you and your doll house. My sister and I had one very much like it. It was destroyed by cousins... but I still have some of the furniture. You look so darling in the photo!

    Blessings!
    Nita Jo

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  16. I love love love this picture!!! Congratulations on the move..wishing you lots of happy days in your new cottage!

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  17. Yea!! Enjoy it! Love the pic!

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Marty, here! Donna loves comments, and I faithfully pass them on to her. Thank you so much for visiting!