Organizing your move

Today is the day......the beginning of my move and I can't wait for it to be over.  Although I planned and organized the move very well I just want to be unpacked in my new home already.  I know, I know I have a long road ahead of me considering they just packed my boxes.

 I am both excited and sad but above all I know that God has blessed my family by providing the opportunity and a means for this all to happen.  So here are a few tips I have for you when you make that move.

Keys to a successful move........ORGANIZATION

Being Organized is very important when moving no matter how big or small the move.  

Tip 1:  Create a binder/folder where you can keep all of your move information.  This binder should have a checklist (I used Martha Stewart's checklist moving checklist), information on your new town, information on the kids new school (how to register etc.), utility providers, moving company/truck rental contact information quotes and contracts, inventory list (especially high valued items), home documents/contracts for your new home and anything else of importance.

Tip 2:  Start preparing for your move AS SOON as you know you are going to move.  Most websites and professional movers have a 2 month timeline which is great and works well  but if you know you are moving 6 months prior why not start at that time.

Here are a few reasons to start early

1.  You are going to have to de-clutter your house if you decide to sell/buy so that you or your agent can stage it for potential buyers/renters.

2.  You can start to purge your closets, drawers and your entire house of items you no longer use or desire and either donate sell or trash them.  Make sure you have a few boxes or garbage bags labeled (Sell, Donate, Trash) so you can place items in the right group and move them out as soon as they are filled up.

3.  Shredding is a boring and tedious job so get it over with as soon as possible.

4.  If you are packing yourself this is when you can start putting out of season items in boxes and stacking them neatly (make sure you purchase plenty of packing supplies).  If you are having someone pack you (HORAY for you) this is the time to organize your current home for your future home (more on this in a a future post)

By starting the process early and doing whatever you can you will decrease or totally eliminate your stress when the move is only 2 weeks away.   In addition, you will be able to enjoy the last few days with friends and/or family before you move.

Here are a few pictures of my purge.  I actually made a total of 4 trips to The Salvation Army with a trunk load.

Tip 3:  Organize your OLD home for your NEW home.

While preparing to move from Georgia to Maryland I realized that I couldn't take it all with me which is why I purged a lot of stuff.  It was hard to part with some stuff but I had to accept that our new home was smaller and some of the stuff I had I did not see as a decorative fit in my new home.  With that being said I strongly encourage you to organize your move with your new home in mind.  As I went through each room I made sure that I put items in the room I wanted them to be in my new home. For example, I currently store my tools, extra paper towels and light bulbs in my food pantry.  Unfortunately, the food pantry in my new home is smaller and therefore these items needed to find a new storage place.  I ultimately decided to store then in the garage and therefore I've moved them to the garage of my current home so that when everything is packed/unpacked it will be where I want it to be.  Once I unpack in Maryland I'll let you know how everything works out. 

              New Home Pantry                               Current Home Pantry

Tip 4:  Label each room/area with a sign so that the movers or whomever is helping you move knows how to label the boxes.  

I had to move a lot of items to the basement in order to stage my home for potential buyer. Although the items were in the basement I made sure I had everything grouped according to the room it would go into.  This made it so much easier for the movers and eliminated them having to ask me a million questions.

Tip 5:  If you are making the move yourself color coordinate everything either with color markers or colored labels with each room having it's own color.  This makes it so much easier visually.  I used a moving company so they have their own system and ensure all the boxes end up in the correct space.

Tip 6:  If you are moving and have a Family binder (more on creating a family binder coming soon) make sure you bring this with you.  This binder should have a finances section (bills etc), profile section (important information on each family member, important documents sections (social security cards, passports etc).  This is not a binder you take around with you everywhere but a binder you keep in a safe place until you/and when you get to your final destination.

Tip 7:  Unless you are leaving the same day you pack everything make sure you leave out necessary items (clothing, toiletries, cooking utensils, cleaning products etc) until you leave your old home and when you get to your new home (as you wait for the arrival of your items).

 I would like to send a BIG HUG to Walter's team from Hilldrup United.  They did and AWESOME job packing today!!!!!

Thanks Walter, Tito, Britne and Paco!!!!!!

I hope this post has been helpful. 

What have you done that resulted in a successful move?

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Take time Tuesday...Friends

Today I want to acknowledge a group of women who hold a very special place in my heart.  As you know I am relocating to Maryland this week after living in Georgia for 7 years.  When my family of three moved to Georgia we didn't know anyone and only had each other.  Over the years my family grew to five and God bought 6 women into my life (Robyn, Marjorie, Bernadette, Tameka, Felicia and LaRhonda) who each hold a very special place in my heart.  Yesterday, these beautiful women came to my home and bid me farewell, best wishes and safe travels to my new home.  We sat around, ate good food and had even better conversation.  Unfortunately, we don't get together often but when we do we always have a good time.

If you are reading this post now I encourage you to take the time out of your busy schedule to nurture and appreciate the relationships you have.  As a woman it is very important to spend time with girlfriends so that you remember you are not only a mother and wife but you are also an individual, a friend, a daughter and above all a woman, one of God's greatest creations.

I found this poem on the internet.  I am not sure who wrote it but I thought it was beautiful.

People come into our life disguised as angels, and sometimes angels come into our life disguised as people. It is possible to see God anywhere. All it takes are open eyes and ears and the willingness to see miracles. They are everywhere. God is as available as we are. Having friends that inspire us to rise to higher and greater levels is an awesome gift. Surround yourself with people that inspire you to do better and inspire your friends as well. It is a profound truth that the people we spend time with shape the path that we travel.

Source: Inspirational Friendship Poems

What did you take time out to do today?

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Bear with me.....

The chosen are few... so please bear with me as I figure out this blog world.  I have so many things I want to share with you from crafts and DIY to faith and fitness but I did not want to wait and start the blog when I figured it out and it was looking pretty.  So, please join me on this blog journey and enjoy all that I have to offer as I get my blog up and running.  In the meantime, ENJOY!!!

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Mrs. Little Devils Food Layer Cake......worth trying

I have such a sweet tooth and since my husband is out of town for now I decided to satisfy that tooth.  I have a great recipe for Devil's food cake that I would like to share with you.  I got this recipe from a lady in the church I grew up in.....Bethel Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY.  At my church if you heard that they were selling Mrs. Little Chocolate cake everyone went running and I am sure they still do.  The recipe is very simple but VERY VERY SATISFYING.

1 Package of Duncan Hines Deluxe Devil's Food Cake Mix
1 Package Chocolate Instant Pudding (any brand) - I used Jello Pudding
4 Large Eggs
1 1/2 Cups of water or 1 Cup of Milk &1/2 Cup of Water
1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil

Add
1/4 Cups of Sugar
1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1/2 Cup Hershey Cocoa or Nestle NesQuik Chocolate MIx


Combine Cake Mix, Pudding Mix, Eggs, Milk, Water, Oil, Sugar, Flour, Cocoa/NesQuik in a large mixing bowl.  Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer for 2 minutes.

Pour cake batter into 3 9 inch floured baking pans.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cook for 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean...
Frost with Betty Crocker's Chocolate Frosting (1 1/2 to 2 cans)

I never said I was a cake decorator....but it tastes delicious

Try it out and let me know what you think.  In the meantime, let me know what you eat when you need to satisfy your sweet tooth.

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4th of July...rain or shine

Sorry for the delayed post but with the storms my connection has not been the best but I still want to give you an update on my 4th.

Although it was raining cats and dogs here in the Peach state (Georgia) the kiddios still created their own fun and enjoyed a traditional 4th of July feast.  Unfortunately, most of the fireworks were cancelled and we stayed in our neighborhood but it was still a great 4th of July with friends.

What activities did you enjoy in your neck of the woods this 4th of July?

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Take Time Tuesday......pedicure with the girls

Yes, it's still the beginning of the week but what better day to take the time out and appreciate all that is.    Most people spend the entire week working (either in the office or carting the kids around) and on the weekend they catch up on housework, run errands and/or once again cart the kids around.  So on Tuesday take some time.......

Although I am not a great supporter of painting little girls nails at such a young age I caved in as my 4/5 year old begged.  So in the midst of getting ready for my move next week I took some time out.  I explained that this would not be a regular occurrence and that only Mommy can paint her nails.  In addition, I made sure she knew that she could not wear nail polis to school.  She understood.  As you can see it drove my son crazy!

What did you take time out to do today?

Welcome to my world

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First of the Month/Week

I love days/weeks/months like this.  Why? Because I am a little OCD and I love to start new ventures at the beginning of the...... month and/or week.  I know that is also a form of procrastination but who's really paying attention.  So July 1, 2013 is not only the beginning of the month but I love the fact that it falls on a Monday.  Therefore, I have every reason to be productive in every way.  That includes sticking to projects that I want to start, eating right, exercising and all other promises similar to the ones made for New Years.  So I say to you all!!!

Happy Monday and Happy July! 

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