Yes, The Final Frontier.
So over the next few weeks I’m changing everything. We got and furnished a guest room that no-one ever enters. My desk is going there after I treat it with lemon oil, open up this gateleg to full width and get a file cabinet for the paper I have historically collected.This has been a lifelong issue.
As of this afternoon my husband will have a 40″ monitor/tv and we will give our last working CRT to charity. His office (my brother’s old black metal and glass L-shaped desk) will go into the bedroom where there is plenty of room with an en suite and headphones. When he works at home he’ll be able to shut the door and be away from noise from me, the dog, dishwasher and washing machine. The washer really does sound like Elvis is leaving the building.
I move my desk (1920 English oak gateleg table) to the guest room and put all my pictures on the wall. Up to the ceiling if need be. I’ve spent decades framing and everything is under towels to protect them from dust. No more.
We move the dining room for a view and make room for a husband-fitted tall chair and floor lamp and table so he can relax and read a tech book or be on his laptop comfortably.
It’ll just take a few weeks of work. Yesterday I only emptied one box. It had a very cool space heater in it. Unfortunately it was packed in styrofoam peanuts for five years of storage. Peanuts got up all the channels and it took a set of kitchen tongs, a knife, small scissors and plastic toast tongs and a rug vacuum with hose and 2.5 hours of my time to get everything out. As Scarlett said, never again.
Next time we wrap it in the strange sticky wrap all over and THEN put it back in the peanuts. Live and learn, readers. We are the moving pro’s.
News from a mover, not a shaker. To pack a box turn it upside down. Books go in small boxes that must be uniform for truck packing. Line up the seams perfectly. Place four two-inch pieces of moving tape from a professional dispenser (the older and more gunked up, the better) two inches from the seam. Seal the seam. Seal the edges. Turn right-side up and do the same when filled.
Find the best box store in your town. It’ll be half the price of U-Haul. They’ll talk to you and advise you but this is worthwhile advice. Use it. I’ll be 55 next week and have moved nearly 40 times in my life. This kind of ritual makes it livable and gets your stuff there safely.
Oh, always keep packaging for electronics (clear for “stuff” and pink for electronics) in your garage or basement. Newspaper but unprinted, get at least 25 lbs. Keep most electronics packaging (not for laptops as you already have a laptop bag and it’ll be in a car). I do colored stickers such as C for Car. H for House and S for storage as we have to pay for our original packaging in storage but with snow tires et al, it’s worth it. Also china and important glassware. I’ve my mothers (RIP five years) Lenox china and her cut crystal glasses, plus Italian serving items from Dad as a wedding gift, I just store the boxes and re-use as needed. It beats starting from scratch.
Last time we moved big-time we had an art curator do the art, and a lawyer do the furniture – I know, the lawyer is suspect. Michelle Obama didn’t show up but she was busy getting her husband elected.
Other moving advice? Save the broom for last so you can clean out your place. Put the bed, bedding and pillows at the back of the truck so you can crash when you don’t find it in yourself to open another box. Wise words from a pro.
Dad was so excited to start a new job that the moving truck would arrive and he’d just leave for the office tell us to have all the boxes emptied by bedtime. Perhaps that is partly the reason for my “box strike.” I also have sensitive work and personal files such as 20 years of taxes to go through and professionally shred. Daunting, indeed.
My husband told me I was emotional the other day. He is rational and methodical. I am a woman and have never been more rational and unemotional in my life because of being with him the past 12 years. If he said we have to move tomorrow we could do it with help. I wouldn’t cry about it, just take care of my dog and kitchen and art. Priorities. I know he’ll be on the truck, directing the crew.
We’ll still probably do it ourselves, but will have help. Paid help. I’ll pack boxes as usual, he’ll organize the truck and I’ll make iced tea and lemonade for the guys. And hearty sandwiches. Not that we’re making a move any time soon. I’m just moving in and making us comfortable!
This was a long one. My English Teacher Aunts may like it from the Sunshine State. Remember to put vodka into your stellar Bloody Mary mix! Dee
Cooking with Dee 