Moving
One week ago today we moved to our rental house and the renovation of our “real” home commenced. So much has happened in a week! I have made 6 previous moves with my husband since we married, but this one was far more complex than even a cross country move with 2 boys in tow. Each item had a designation, every single one: donate, trash, storage, consignment or rental. Ugh. Other moves have pretty much been pack ‘er all up and move.
I was reminded how much trash a move makes-moving is not eco friendly! I forgot to take a photo of our first trash day (since every girl dreams about that First Trash Day in the new home, grin) but I had 12 medium boxes filled to the brim and stuffed down for pick up. Even that was a lot of work.
I wrapped my dress form in sheets to protect her and I realized that this might look a little suspicious to the neighbors as well as to the movers. I got a giggle out of this one. To top it all off, I cut myself and was bleeding all over everything.
It’s always an adventure to move and this was no exception. There were 5 really good packers and then there was one…..
I would guess he used a shovel. He also packed our Master Closet and that box looked similar. There were two straw hats on the bottom of the box! Everything else was packed well fortunately.
When I move I become compulsive about getting it ALL unpacked and put in its rightful place. I worked like a mad woman, day and night. My husband left to celebrate his Mother’s 90th birthday so I had the house to myself for 4 days and man did I let loose! I could not stop. I was working on 4-6 hours of sleep and if I woke up at midnight, I would knock out a bunch of boxes and then go back to bed. My FitBit told me I was cranking out 25-30,000 steps a day and that is in a two story house.
My hands really took a beating. At one point I lost the box cutter and used a scissors-not a good plan. My hands got rather swollen and angry so stopped wearing my wedding ring. I went to Wal-Mart to buy some basics and I got hit on in the house ware section while cruising folding tables-what a hoot! Well, have YOU ever been hit on in the house ware section of Wal-Mart? I’m a class act!
Our rental house is lovely and we are grateful to be 3 min away from our home. We’re on a pretty quiet street in a pleasant neighborhood. The house is quite a bit smaller, which provided some real challenges. I did not realize the kitchen was so small. I ended up repacking 4 big boxes of stuff that I could not fit in here. I really do cook so I have all sorts of odd things like a cake stand, food mill, tortilla press, etc. All that had to be repacked and sent to the garage. And there will be no pie baking in the rental!
I cannot stand chaos like this. I had to get this kitchen in order pronto! It took a full day but by the end of the first day I had a kitchen-yay!
In the midst of all this I taught a full class of beginning free motion students on our second day in the house. It was a great class and it re-energized me. There was lots of talent in that class. I love to teach!
My broken toe is slowly healing but 30,000 steps a day was probably not helpful. It does not hurt but my toe is still swollen enough that I cannot wear shoes. This is over 5 weeks now! I’m so over these sandals. I can’t wait to wear super cute shoes again, sigh.
I purchased this piece by Margaret Blank in last year’s SAQA Spotlight Auction at Conference in Portland. I love it. It resides in my office. While unpacking, I came upon it and placed it in the window of my new office.
All of a sudden it was “home” in there. That one piece of art made this office home. Yesterday afternoon I was cutting shelf liner on my cutting table for my new Bernina roll out storage drawers. That also made it feel like “home”-a simple act that I often do. And I’ve done my First Laundry-I am going to make this temporary place a “home”. That is important to me.
Today I will finish this room, my sewing room, and achieve my goal of being completely unpacked and organized in a week. I unpacked 118 boxes and have organized my home. Now I can live my life. Onward!
You’re a beast! I’m impressed. Take care of that finger.
Thanks Barbara. It’s hard to take care of fingers and toes when moving!
Impressive! I can be quick about unpacking when I need to be but generally I am slow about it. We did 3 International moves in about 3 years and if you don’t get unpacked and settle in, it’s time to move again. I am currently working on really getting my studio organized. I tend to get most of it done and then I need to create. Can’t wait to see your Reno!
Wow Debbie-3 international moves in 3 years? That was a challenge! It’s weird with this move, there is no emotion since it’s just a temp move right in the neighborhood.
OMG! You are superwoman! And hot enough to be fancied by someone at Walmart. Lol
I don’t know about superwoman Marcia-perhaps Possessed Woman! And getting hit on at Wal-Mart-is that a high bar???
Glad to hear the worst of moving is behind you. And there’s always one mover who screws up. I don’t want to think about purging our house for a move we’ll probably need to make in a few years. Now sit down and rest up that toe and cut finger. And don’t even think about the move back into your remodeled house.
Great advice Joanna! It’s hard for me to let it rest though. I hope to get some studio time this weekend.
Good for you – if you have any energy left after all done please feel free to come to my home as it could really use you. Ha, it could really use me but am currently on either two canes or a walker and my stamina stinks. However I consider myself lucky as I can sit and accomplish lot of things -i.e my sewing can still be done.
A friend of mine just took your class and sent a picture of her 3rd day practice piece – wow, she is good.
Susan
Um, probably not Susan! I am glad for you that you can sew! Thank you for the note about your friend-it warms my heart. I hope she enjoys her fmq and just takes off!
I can sympathize on moving! Getting done with the boxes is huge. At least since you are 3 minutes from your old home, you already know the neighborhood and shopping. That will help tremendously in really feeling that it is ‘home’. How long do you expect to be there?
I know you get the whole moving thing Judy! It is a whole different thing when it’s a temp move and 3 min away. There is no emotion there either. We will be here 6 mos.
OMG, you wore me out!
LOL Linda! I am pretty tired. Really though, I was running on adrenaline.
You sound like Superwoman! My goal for this weekend is to clean out and reorganize my studio closet and I’m stressing out over that. Wanna come over?
Um, no, giggle. It’s a challenge for sure to get organized. It’s the little things that take forever to organize and a studio closet is pretty much little things. Good luck!
Worn out, yes! But ready to live again — good for you! I don’t play well in chaos either. The sooner things are ‘normal’ the sooner I can smile.
So you get it Franki-yes, live, not just camp out and put life on hold for 6 mos!
Thanks, Jenny…your sweet words made my day! As for your habit of injuring fingers and toes…maybe steel-toed boots and steel-tipped gloves are the way to go! Hugs!
LOL! Maybe so Margaret, I have definitely had some injuries from the move. Love my “Margaret” in my office!!
I’m like you. I can’t stop when there is monumental work to be done. But as I age, I’m learning it’s better to quit early and not get injured or be sore the next day. Putting up a piece of art sure does make it seem like home, especially one as beautiful as the one by Margaret. You sure have a gem there. Hope your toe feels better soon. It’s amazing how a small digit can be so bothersome, isn’t it?
Thank you Regina, it’s good to know I have compulsive company! I haven’t learned to slow down yet and as I write this I a just a wee bit depressed but I know it’s just because I’m coming off my adrenaline high. Oh geez I hope this toe heals; these flip flops are getting old!
You are a dynamo for sure!! I’m laughing out loud about the Walmart guy – was he cute? Tee Hee! Now you can settle in and get some more gorgeous quilts made – love your work!
Yes and I’m passing for all that now-can’t sleep!