whine whine whine

[verbicide]

Feeling a bit overwhelmed with all that's to come in the next two weeks. I have to start packing. Tonight. I can't put it off anymore and still get things done.

My apologies in advance for the whining bitchfest this journal is soon to become. Well, even more so than it already is.

Jeff is doing his persuasive best to convince me to kill the cookie box project this year. But because of the timing of the move, I already feel like some of my Christmas fun is limited. No tree, no decorative lights. Packing boxes instead of gift-wrapped boxes. (I know, boo hoo. I'm getting a condo, you'd think I could survive the lack of blinky lights for one stinking year.)

But I really love making cookies! And I finally got him to admit that as much as I over-extend and stress out, I'm always happy about it when it's over. So there's that.

And! This year I'll have two elves in my cookie workshop, both Emily and Sarah will be there with their boundless, youthful energy and love of making cookies. I think if I just plan things carefully, the execution will be fine. I also bought a decent hand-mixer (still too cheap for the Kitchen-Aid). I just have to plan more cautiously this time. Last year I ended up not making enough and having a second run after the first, and that's what was really tiring.

As grinchy as I feel about it, I also have reduced the number of boxes this year. And I can make less varieties of cookies, and pick slightly easier variations. Life will not end. And I don't have to entirely give it up. I still have two full weekends before I move. It's not like the move is next week. Okay, end rationalizations.

And NO! My decision to go ahead with the cookie project doesn't mean I don't get to whine, Jeff.

So back to whining about packing. Sarah has generously agreed to donate some of her time this Thursday, and I finally yelled at myself to suck-it-up and will get started tonight. Even if it's an easy start, like books and movies.

Five boxes a day isn't hard, and bit by bit, starting two weeks in advance, will make it more organized and less miserable. *chants this at self*

Anybody have any brilliant tips on packing/moving? Small details that have really saved you time and misery? Don't hold back!

In my fancy plan of "Whine Less, Do More" I called U-haul and reserved an in-town truck for Sunday the 18th at 10am. I've called Comcast and scheduled my disconnect for both tv and internet from my current flat and an install date for Monday, December 19th. Happily it's only a two-hour block, from 8am-10am. I can easily just go into work an hour or so late that morning. And maybe I can get the locksmith scheduled that morning, too. I'm a fan of multi-tasking.

Whee! I just called Bergman's Locksmith (highly recommended by Jeff) and they can, in fact, come out on Monday, December 19th between 8am-10am.

What else, what else, what else?

I finally scheduled a vet appt for Hobbsie and need to pick up his prescription of Prednisone. I should have done that weeks ago. Gah. But now it's done and so that's over with, too.

I got some boxes from work, and Jeanne says she can grab some really good ones from work.

My complex manager called and said someone would be looking at my flat on Thursday at 1. It feels creepy to know strangers are going to be trudging through my place. And I'll need to tidy it up.

I also need to:

- deposit the numerous checks from friends and escrow that do me no good uncashed
- call Qwest and inform them of the move as well, schedule a thingie for reconnect
- stop by JoAnn tonight and see if they have cheap Christmas cookie tins

And now I need to dart off to French. For which I am actually ready! Whee!

Comments

[brabble.livejournal.com]

Make sure you can pick up the UHaul the night BEFORE you need it.

Otherwise they may magically not have any trucks in the day you want one. Gosh, so sorry! But there might be one in Alaska that is available right now, if you want to drive up there and pick it up.

I'm still bitter from last year.

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

You really have every right to be bitter. The fucktards.

We can kick the truck before I return it, okay? :)

[brabble.livejournal.com]

Good.

But you are picking it up the night before right? *worried*

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I wasn't going to. I know you had that awful experience, but even when they've fucked up, they've gotten me a truck. And I'm not moving across the country like you were.

That said, I will call them tomorrow and ask to pick it up on Saturday night, instead of Sunday morning. You're right--it's better to not risk it.

[staceymeimei.livejournal.com]

This is what I did for my ten thousand moves:
1) I packed an overnight bag...as if I'm going on a trip which includes all toiletries and quick access to underwear. Put in car.
2) also, in car... in your laundry bag/plastic thingie or trash can... basically something large but hard to pack: place a roll of toilet paper, all purpose cleaning solution, a rag, a roll of paper towels, and some tools. In the trunk... all hanging pictures and odd shaped things like lamps...make sure you have a working light bulb for the new place
3)save all bulky sweaters and towels to roll more delicate things in
4) label EVERY little thing on the outside of the box (given item number three...this meant kitchen and bedroom closet in the same box). This is especially important for lights and for extension cords.
5) I kept on one peice of paper a long list of phone numbers and account numbers... cable, telephone, DMV, credit cards, magazine subsriptions, car insurance, lights, water, and checked them off as I went to make sure everything was turned on and off or swtiched.
6) pack early but label label label... you'll be surprised how much you forget what you packed.
7) use the time to clean out old things and to reward yourself with buying new things for the new place. Also a good opportunity to reorganize yourself... but don't get bogged down in this...hence the need to start early.
8) when bribing movers... if there is pizza....there must be beer to go along with it... (this is also where the roll of paper towels placed in your car comes in handy...it's a napkin and a plate)
9) it's a lot about speed... unpack as fast as you can in the new place. I suggest the first place should be the bathroom... especially the box with the shower curtain in it. p.s. get a new shower liner
10) as for the cookie project... send cards with IOUs... then send cookies when you are settled. It'll make your place smell great.
11) if I think of more.. i'll write.... crazy that I'm on LJ isn't it?? Staceymeimei

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

It is crazy to see ya on here--but great tips! Thanks, Stace!