Thoughts on the Move and Reviewing the Printables

The move was crazy!  Crazy exciting, crazy stressful, crazy planned... and now that it's over it is slowly becoming a distant memory, and before it completely dulls and loses its hold on me I wanted to share what worked, and what didn't work.

As you probably already know, I made up a bunch of printables to help keep us organized through this move, and I'm happy to report that, for the most part, they worked just like I hoped they would.  My original plan had been to put them all into a binder with neat, orderly sections ... yeah that one didn't happen.  I ended up putting most of them at the front of my HMB.  Despite not having a home all their own, they worked so beautifully for me, that I wanted to share my thoughts on them with you.

First up, the packing kit I put together I cannot say enough how happy I was with this.  

At first I thought I was just being a little on the OCD side of trying to organize our packing, but it really helped to make things that much easier.  (the post on that is here, if you want to check it out)  A quick summary of what was in it:

• Clipboard:  for holding labels once they're made, and the packing list
• Packing List:  because, this time, I'm determined to have a good idea of where everything is
• Pen: 
• Permanent Markers:  for the labels and/or writing on the box
• Packing Tape:
• News Paper:  for padding
• Plastic Bags:  I use them to cover dishes and breakables before wrapping in newspaper.  Makes it soooo much nicer when unpacking!

It made packing so easy, I could move from room to room, and I had just what I needed with me.  No hunting for anything.  The only thing I didn't end up using was labels.  I ended up just writing on the boxes.  

QUICK TIP:  Label to top right corner on all sides of the box, including the top.  This way, no matter how it is stacked, you can always see what is in it!  Thanks so much for that tip Dad!  It really saves the day!!!!

Next up, was the only real failure of the bunch, the Project List! 

 (find post here)  It was a great idea when I was organizing the house, and I've used it in the new house already for projects I want to tackle.  But when it came to the move itself, it didn't help at all.  

Then I had the Change of Address form.  

This was great, I didn't have to try to remember what was being cancelled, what was being transferred and so on.  And, it's a good thing I had this, because when we were up north at the old house, I looked at it and realized I hadn't called the utility companies to hook up the new house!  Eeek!  Thanks to the form, I had all the information I needed to get it done.  Whew!

QUICK TIP:  If you're thinking about moving, it's a good idea to double check cancellation and transfer policies for all the companies you deal with.  Some might require up to 30 days or more notice.  It's always a good thing to check that out.  Also, if you had to pay a deposit, find out how you go about getting that back.

Move-In Day Checklist!  What can I say about this little baby?

It helped!  Alot! (see post here) We had brought a fair amount of stuff with us to my parents, and thanks to them (I will never be able to thank them enough for their love, support, and for how much they helped us.  I am truly blessed with the best parents in the whole universe!!!) we were able to leave much of it with them when we headed back up north to do the final pack and move.  This little checklist helped me make sure I packed only what we needed to bring.  It also helped with the final packing, and unloading.  I was able to have what I needed at my finger tips!

And finally, we have come to the STAR of the show!  My Packing List! 

I'm going to be super honest here.  When I made this one up, I was thinking in my head, "This is going to be a waste of time for me, but maybe, someone out there will get use from it."  Ha!  The packing list was, by far, the best printable of the bunch. (see post here)  I kept a detailed list of what got packed where, or in what.  I numbered the boxes from each room as I packed, so the higher the number, the greater priority it was to us.  (with the exception of the summer shoes, they didn't get listed on this, an oversight on my part!)  It came to the rescue more than once.  Especially when the inevitable "Do you know where this is?" happened when got back up north, or the "Did you already pack that?"  There were a few times when we needed an item I had already packed, and I was able to quickly find it on my list, we were able to retrieve said items with relative ease, and put them back with no problems. When it came to unpacking, oh my, it was so nice to have an idea of where everything was.  And it was soooo handy to know, just by looking at the list, what boxes could wait to be unpacked, and what ones we needed right away.  Because of this handy dandy little printable, I was able to whip up a simple lunch on unloading day, and not have to resort to paper plates!  LOVE LOVE LOVE it!  I will use it over and over, and not just for moving.  I plan to use this to help keep track of what is stored in the garage, in the garden shed, and under the stairs, if we ever decide to use the crawl space, I'll use it for that too.  If you have a storage unit, something like this would be perfect for keeping track of what you have it in.

And there you have it!   My review of the printables I made up.  All in all, I'm quite happy that I took the time, not just to make them, but to use them.  I hope that some of you find them helpful too, after all, that's a big part of the reason I share them here.  Right now they're scattered through the blog in various posts, and I was thinking that maybe they need a page all of their own, what do you think?  Would it be easier for you if the printables were all in one spot?  Leave me a comment and let me know.  In the mean time, if you would like the full "moving" package, (all of the printables you see in this post)  leave me a comment, (make sure your email is either linked to your comment, or in your comment) or send me a note to:  scatteredsquirrelblog@gmail.com  and I'll send you a copy of all them!  

I hope all of you are having a wonderful Friday!  Have a safe and happy weekend, and I'll hope to see you here on Monday when I'm going to be sharing a new free printable with you!

And so it Begins!

Sort. Toss. Pack. Clean. Repeat!  This is going to be my new routine for the next, however long it takes to sell the house and move!  I have to be honest, packing is not my favorite part of the moving process, and it always feels like there is so much left to pack at the last minute, no matter how far ahead I start.  So, I'm jumping in early, and getting as much done NOW as possible.  I'm sure the kids and I can manage with just the minimum for a while, and I'm sure with careful planning, I can make the last minute packing so much easier.

To help the process along, I've assembled a packing kit!  This way I have only to grab it, bring it to wherever I'm working, and get to work!  Ok, ok, it's easier said than done, but I'm hoping if I keep tell myself it's easy, then eventually I'll believe it. 

Packing Kit

So, let's see what I've got here:

• Clipboard:  for holding labels once they're made, and the packing list
• Packing List:  because, this time, I'm determined to have a good idea of where everything is
• Pen: 
• Permanent Markers:  for the labels and/or writing on the box
• Packing Tape:
• News Paper:  for padding
• Plastic Bags:  I use them to cover dishes and breakables before wrapping in newspaper.  Makes it soooo much nice when unpacking!

And they all tuck into the bag, ready and waiting for me to tackle the packing.

Just Grab and Go!  

It's not a job I'm looking forward too, but at least I'm not fully prepared to tackle it.   Having the packing list might be adding a little more to the job, but when it comes time to unpack, I know I'm going to be glad I have it.  It's something I mean to do every time we move, and never get around too.  Then we get moved-in and start unpacking, and no matter how carefully the boxes are labeled, we always end up having to open two or three to find one item!  This way, I can just check the list and find the box!  Here's what I did:

Packing List

And of course, I have two copies for you, because it's so much fun to share!  

Packing List (holes on left)

Packing List (holes on right)

The packing lists doesn't just have to be used for moving.  You could use it to keep track of seasonal decorations. Or how about hand-me-downs waiting for your little one to grow into them?  If you have items stored in an offsite storage unit, you could keep track of what you have with the list.  Whatever you use it for, I hope you find it useful!

Anyone have any tips for keeping your sanity while packing?  Any tips on balancing the chaos of packing and the need for order for showing the house?  (I could REALLY use some advice on that front)  Leave me a comment, or send me an email (address is on the right hand side of the blog)  I would LOVE to hear from you!

I hope you all are having a wonderful day!  For now, I'm off to get started on packing what I can in the kitchen, oh joy!  ;-)  

We've Got News

Yep, that's right!  We're moving!!!  We found out yesterday that Travis's transfer was approved, and now we're kicking things into overdrive.  To say we are over the moon with delight, is an understatement.  There's a lot to do, and for the most part, I'll be tackling much of it on my own, as Travis will be heading down there ahead of us.  He'll be home for his days off, which is soo nice, but it won't give us much time to work with.  We're both hoping to sell the house quickly, so that the kids and I can head down there too!

I have to admit, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed.  I know it will pass, but to-do lists keep running through my head, and I'm making myself feel like I'm behind, before I've even started.  My around the house idea, is still going in full force, but it's changed somewhat.  Instead of just organizing our things, I'm going to be packing as well, as getting the house ready for showing.  The sooner I get that done, the sooner we can list and get the show on the road.  

Since I'm still battling this cold, and the kids are now under the weather again, today I've decided to just focus on getting the lists done, and working on the normal, every day house work.  The plan is to walk around the house and make a note of what needs to be done in each room, then I'll probably go over those lists and make a plan of attack.  And I'll probably spend some more time working on the Move Management Binder.  So far I've got my projects lists, the move-in check list, and change of address sheets for services (like hydro, cable etc..)  Wanna see those?  Well, here they are!!!

Just like with the project planner, I made two files with the intention that they could be printed back to back to one another, and the side margin allows room for three hole punching!  Here they are:

Change of Address: Services (holes on left side)

Change of Address: Services (holes on right side)

On a side note:  When I checked the links, Google said that they cannot generate a preview, but the files downloaded fine!  

I hope you enjoy!    Are there any other printables you would like?  Leave me a comment and I'll see what I can do!!

Wish you all a very wonderful day!!!

Move-In Checklist Printable

Hi there!  This cold is still making the rounds around our house.  I find myself tiring really easily, but I'm antsy at the same time.  I want to be up doing ... something ... anything... but my body has other ideas lol.  So, I decided to put some of that desire to good use, and whip up another printable.  I can't believe I didn't think of this yesterday, but then what would I have done today?

So, yesterday I shared with you my "Move-In" kit.  Today, I decided to take it one step further and put it all together into a checklist that I can tuck into my MMB, and I'm sharing it with you.

Move-In Checklist

It's a little more specific than my list yesterday, I added a few more items to the list as I thought of them.  The page is, as always, set up so that it can be three whole punched.  

Is there anything I missed on the list, that you think should be there?  Would anyone like a list done up for a family size greater or less than 4?  Let me know, and I'll see what I can do!  :-)  

I hope you all are have a fantabulous day!!!  

Recovering From the Weekend

Don't you just hate colds?  It seems like our whole house got hit with one this weekend.  Liam handled it in his usual way, ran a fever for around 24 hours, threw up a couple times, and then was pretty much fine.  The rest of us are either battling coughs, sore throats, plugged sinuses, or a combination of them.  It wasn't much of a relaxing weekend.  We did manage to get the birthday and Easter shopping done.  I can't believe, that in less than a week, my little baby is going to be 5.  Where ever does the time go?

So, today I'm playing catch up, and I'm taking full advantage of Spring Break and getting our Teen (who wishes to remain anonymous) to help out.  Both the kids have been great at pitching in.  We're just taking our time, doing a little here, stopping for a bit, doing a little there, and stopping again, lol  During my breaks I'm working on planning for the move.  We still don't know when we're moving, but I'm using this time as best as I can to get prepared.  Today I started putting together my moving kit. 

What's a moving kit you ask?  Well, for me, it's basically the essential things we'll need easy access to once we move.   Maybe Move-In Kit is a better name for it?  This is the stuff that either comes in the car with me, or are the last things loaded into the truck, so we have access to them right away.  Using all I've learned from our other moves, here's what I've put together:

Alli's Move-In Kit

Cleaning Supplies:  

• All Purpose and Disinfectant Cleaners
• Dish Soap
• Rags
• Mop and Mop Heads
• Broom and Dustpan
• Vacuum
• Rubber Gloves
• Garbage Bags (big black ones and normal kitchen ones)
• Paper Towels

These are some of the last things to be packed.  I'll put a new garbage bag in our kitchen garbage can, and fill it with all the cleaning supplies that will fit.  That way, when we get to our new place, not only do I have everything handy, we have kitchen garbage all set up and ready to go.  

Meals and Beverages:

• Paper Plates, Bowls, Cups and Plastic Cutlery
• Dish Towel or two
• Dish Cloth or two
• Easy to grab snacks
• Juice Boxes

From previous moves, I know I can easily plan on the first three meals being a little chaotic.  You just never know how much cleaning you'll have to do before you can unpack, and having the disposable dishes can really help.  The kitchen is usually the second area I tackle, and this gives me a little breathing room where the dishes, and daily clean up are concerned.  Easy to grab snacks and juice are mainly for the kids.  Usually the food stuff is easy to get to anyway, but better safe than sorry. 

Misc. Household Stuff: 

• Move Management Binder  
• Home Management Binder
• Important Documents (my accordion file)
• Paper and Pens

You never know when you might need access to certain information.  I think this pretty much covers all the bases.  And having paper and pens handy are great for making out lists and recording any information you want to remember.  Between the MMB and HMB I'll have all the files and info I need to keep the household running.  

Personal Items:                  

• Toilet Paper
• First Aid Kit, (compete with Tylenol and cold medicine, just in case)
• Hand Soap
• Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash
• Personal Hygiene Items (tooth brushes, deodorant etc...)
• 2 changes of clothes per person plus pjs.
• Hand towel, face cloth and bath towel
• Bedding
• Some toys, books, and other entertainment items for the kids

First things that get set up are the beds.  I give the frames a wipe, vacuum the mattresses and then get them made up.  Having somewhere to lay our weary heads at the end of the day is really important.  Most of these items either go in a small bin, or a few suitcases.  Having a couple changes of clothes at the ready gives me an extra day of breathing room before having to unpack the clothes.  

There you have it, my must haves for Move-In day.  I'm really excited about this move. Our last few moves, I've either been pregnant, or had a baby, then toddler to worry about.  lol  And now that our oldest is ... well... older, Travis will have two sets of hands to help!  That's going to be such a nice treat for him!  With both the boys being older this time, they'll each be able to help a little more in their own ways.  Liam is really looking forward to that, and to being able to "organize" his stuff.  :-)  He's a kid after my own heart!

Wow!  I just scrolled up and realized that this is a long post, which means I should probably end it now (and stop putting off the rest of the housework).  I hope you all are having a wonderful Monday!  

Got any tips for being move in ready that you want to share?  Did I forget something important in my list?  Just want to say hi?  Please leave a comment, I would love to hear from you!

Fresh Dose of Reality, and a Couple Free Printables

The reality of this move thing, is finally setting in.  No, actually setting in isn't right, it was a swift hit to gut!  You see, we've been looking into this for a while.  Putting out feelers for employment, and researching housing and all that wonderful stuff.  Haven't really gotten much for our efforts, so it's sort of been an exercise in somedays for me.  Someday the effort will pay off; someday I'll have to start packing; someday we'll have to sell the house; some day we'll move, you get the point.  Well, all those somedays and possibilities solidified into a great big "today" for me.  Travis got a job offer, out of the blue ... I wasn't prepared for that.  My brain wasn't prepared for that.  All of a sudden my heart started racing with excitement and stress.  In my head, to do lists were running through so fast I couldn't keep up.  In a matter of moments I had myself convinced that I'm behind (my big fear, as I feel like I'm always behind).  In my head, the house was boxed up and packed, the truck was booked, and ready to be loaded, and all that wonderful stuff.  I was smothering myself in unneeded stress, and all due to an offer.  We hadn't even discussed it further, he called and told me about it, and we agreed to talk about it later on in more detail, hash out the highs and lows and all that wonderful stuff.  So, really, the "someday" hadn't changed at all.  But this did make me realize that someday could quite possibly become "someday really soon"  and I need to be better prepared.

Here enters what I'm going to refer to as my "Move Management Binder".  It's where I'm going to keep a list of all things move related.  

Project List in the MMB

The sections include:

Project List:  This is where I'm going to keep a list of the projects I know need to be done, whether it's for moving, or getting the house ready for sale, this is the spot for it.  

Packing List/Home Inventory:  This time around I want a master list of what is where, so nothing gets misplaced.  At the same time, since I'm boxing everything up as is, I'm making up the home inventory as well. Once the move is completed I will transfer the Inventory in our Home/Family Management Binder. 

Change of Address: Here I'll keep a list of all our billing companies, financial institutions, and other places to call to inform about the move.  This is also where I'll keep track of what we need to have disconnected from this place and transferred to the new one.  

Rentals:  Since we'll most like rent to start with, this is where I'll keep the info on places to check out. 

Moving Expenses:  Here is where I'll keep all our receipts for the move, as well as info on the moving truck and so forth.

Essentials:  This last one is more for my peace of mind than anything else.  It's the list of things we need to have loaded in the car, or loaded last onto the truck.  The stuff we'll need right away.  That was I don't accidentally pack it away.  

And there you have it.  I'm reusing a binder I already had on hand.  It's a zippered one with a couple of pockets for files, a built in calculator, etc... I think it will be perfect for this job.  For right now, I've just started the project section. (as you can see in the above pic) This seemed to be the most important for right now.  I hopped onto the computer and whipped up a sheet I could print off and use to keep track of what needs to be done.  It's pretty basic, a spot to list the project, area, room, or items that need to be worked on, a space for recording my ideas on what needs to be done, and a space for the supplies I will need.  That part is kind of key for me.  When I go to do a project I find I'm able to get through it much more quickly if I have everything I need, and listing that out ahead of time really helps.  I don't have to think too much about it, just jump in and get to work.  Here's what I came up with:

I made two different files.  The only difference is the extra white space on the right or left hand side (depending on the one you choose)  I made two so I could print them double sided (and save on paper crap lol)  hole punch them and tuck them into the binder.  And I thought I would share them with anyone who wanted them.  :-)  I only ask, that you please, only use them for personal use, they're not for resale or anything like that.  That's it!  Here's where you can go get them:

Holes on the Left side:

Holes on the Right side:

On a side note:  I don't know why, but when I view them in Google docs, the small borders don't show up, but if I click print they do!  I don't know if that will be the same for everyone, but I did want to mention that they don't show up for me, until I click print, they are there though.

Let me know what you think!   

I wish you all a wonderful day!  For now I'm off to finish up that Paper Crap project, and I'll see you later on when I post the after pics!