This client recently began working from a home office and although the design of the room and built in desk are beautiful there were some issues with the functionality. The clients punch list included one part design and remodel and one part organization and efficiency. At our first meeting I took an assessment that included the following: [Read more…]
Moving Monday::New Routines
We’ve been here for about 3 weeks now and it’s funny how some new routines have already been established and some old one’s have maintained. One routine I’m having a hard time re-establishing here is blogging so bear with me in my absence please!
We are now officially residents of South Carolina having made multiple trips to the DMV, courthouse and Social Security administration. You wouldn’t believe all the documentation required to prove you are who you say you are here! Anyways, that’s behind us and I’m looking to plant my feet as firmly in the sand as I can now. Hum, sand shifts around a lot and that’s a perfect analogy for how I’m feeling about settling in here. I’m not quite there yet!
I miss my three times a week yoga class, my monthly meetings for volunteering and organizing, my regular client appointments and visits with friends and my local food/farm sources. I’m loving my new routine of going to the beach in the morning to watch the sunrise, write in my journal and walk. I’m not doing this daily but a few times a week so far. I also love going to watch the sunset on the Waccamaw river.
I’ve scouted out a few sources for locally grown food, one road side stand is just a few minutes from our house. I’ve already got my local library card and checked out a stack of books. I’ve made contact with the local NAPO Charleston chapter and plan to attend my first meeting next week. I’m also currently working on getting involved with the local Master Gardener program.
I think it’s funny how easy it is for some routines to follow you wherever you go and other routines are more difficult to re-establish. I’m looking forward to both establishing new routines and carrying on with the best of the old ones.
Moving Monday::Where to Begin with Packing
Okay, it’s time for my weekly check in on our moving progress. I’m excited to share that the house is on the market and has shown a few times. It’s got to be kept spic and span which is a challenge in this state of affairs but it’s kind of nice! I’m enjoying having things looking neat and clean for our last amount of time here.
A few more items have made their way onto Craigslist and the flea market is behind us now. It was a wash out but we made a little money before it started pouring and the remaining non valuables went directly to donation. So, what’s the next step? Packing of course! When it comes to packing I wanted to share a little of my strategy. I have a list week by week of what I will be packing by category. I’m sure there will be a little overlap but it’s a plan and it creates weekly goals for our packing which will help keep us on track and feeling less overwhelmed.
- Pictures and artwork, especially personal photo’s (those came down before we started to show the house). Next, all the small artwork come off the walls. I pack smaller photo’s and artwork in medium size boxes with newsprint wrapped around each and bubble wrap or cardboard between them.
- Small decorative non function items. Otherwise known as Nicknacks:)
- Formal china, stemware, crystal and serving pieces. I’m not planning to do any formal entertaining before we leave so these things won’t be needed. We don’t have a lot of it but what there is will go in boxes this week.
- Any books I know I won’t be referring to.
By next week it will begin looking a bit more bare around here. This is the part I don’t like very much but I’m hoping to embrace the empty space and enjoy the simplicity of living with less.
Related articles
- Moving Monday::6 Week Countdown (hkpowerstudio.wordpress.com)
- Moving Monday::House Tour (hkpowerstudio.wordpress.com)
Follow this Friday::Reuse and Organize
Here are a few favorite things I found this week that fall into the categories of reuse and organizing. You can’t beat that combo!
Suitcase Side tables from Cupcakes and Cashmere
Crate’s are popping up everywhere and here are a few ideas for their use.
Crate Side table from Neet Magazine
Crate Shelves from Design sponge
Various shelves and organization by way of re-purposed crates, suitcases etc from Recreate
To see more ideas for re-using everyday stuff check out my Pinterest Re-Use It board. If you would like to follow my boards click Here.
There is a lot of discussion these days about how images collected on Pinterest are attributed, in my case I always try to link back to the original makers. In some cases, these items are for sale but may not be available. In other cases, they are simple ideas that no one would mind you reusing in your own way. In any case, I hope you will give credit to the creative makers who inspire us with their DIY inventions!
Moving Magement Countdown
It’s official: we found out today that we can leave the DC metro area by the end of October. This is about a month sooner than anticipated, but it’s PERFECT! It seems like things are falling into place, that this move is meant to be. I can’t wait to move forward, but right now, I’m looking at all OUR STUFF, thinking, “I hate moving.” That is not going to be the case this time. I’m embracing it, and I’m going to love it! I’ll check in each Monday here on the blog to tell you about the move management process. So, this week is the first week. Here is what we are doing to plan and organize our move, and maybe it will be helpful to some of you at some point.
- Start a “Moving” binder or expandable file folder to keep all the information in one location. Include everything related here (e.g., the moving information, donations, sales and giveaways, storage, lodging, and other information for the destination location).
- Use food, cleaning supplies, and other perishables or consumables you don’t want to move.
- Check pricing on moving companies, trucks, and storage facilities and be ready to book in 1-2 weeks. There are several options: DIY, hire a service or a hybrid (you pack, they move).
- Make decisions about large items to sell, donate, or give away. Collect items to get rid of (for donation, sale, or throw away) throughout daily routines; keep an empty box and bags in one location and place items to get rid of.
- Research hotels or other temporary housing and book as needed.
- Enlist or hire help for the day of the move and unpacking the following days.
Packing Supplies:
- Locate and purchase boxes and other packing supplies. Determining the number of boxes needed is a bit tricky, but a moving supply company can help you calculate this based on how many household members you have and how large your home is. Supplies will include the following:
- Boxes in various sizes, specialized wardrobe boxes, china and silverware boxes, flat boxes, and cardboard for artwork.
- Equipment such as dollies and hand carts will make moving large items much easier and safer.
- Packing tape (and guns), markers, labels, box cutters (or other such knives), bubble wrap/packing peanuts, and newspaper (or unprinted newsprint, which is much less messy).
- Packing pads, blankets, sheets (the old ones you don’t need anymore), and plastic shrink wrap (which is not very eco-friendly but sometimes is very helpful!).
Lists and Inventory:
- Number each box and add it to the list
- A short description of the contents of each box, making special notes of valuable (sentimental or monetary) items or general contents by Category ex. Lampshades, pillows, linens, china, clothes, etc.
- Label the box with the DESTINATION room location
- Work alongside packers (if you’ve hired a moving company) to be sure boxes are labeled accurately (even if they don’t have a description, you can add a number and room)
Packing-Where to start:
- Pictures and artwork, especially personal photos
- Next, remove all the small artwork from the walls. Pack smaller photos and artwork in medium-sized boxes, with newsprint wrapped around each and bubble wrap or cardboard between them.
- Small decorative non-function items. Otherwise known as Nicknacks:)
- Formal china, stemware, crystal, and serving pieces.
- Books of anything you won’t need to refer to.
Since the move is going to take up a lot of my time, I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to commit to blogging, but I’ll be popping in to share our progress and any other helpful or interesting things that come up. I am SO excited!! Can you tell?