Next Chapter: Moving Tips

We sold our first home, you guys.  We have lived here for 5 years, and during those years a lot has happened! College graduation, marriage, babies, holiday and birthday parties.. the list goes on.  I, surprisingly, haven't cried yet.  But, I am sad to leave this beautiful place.  It has been a good first home to us and we will cherish the memories that we have made here!

The reason that I haven't shed a tear yet, is because I am actually REALLY excited to move! I know that isn't the case for all of you, but, thankfully, those are my feelings about our next chapter.  We are closing on both houses in just over two weeks! Let me tell you something though, this whole process is not for the faint of heart! This is the first time I have been seriously involved in a moving process. (When we first bought this house, I was still in college, so Chris handled everything the first time around.)  In hind sight, I took that totally for granted! Thanks, Babe!

There are some things that have made the moving process (selling, packing, buying, etc.) easier.  Notice that I didn't say "easy", but rather, "easiER".  We still have two toddlers running around, in the midst of the chaos. But, I'd like to share with you a few things that I have learned throughout this process, that will hopefully help you in some way.

✔ START PACKING NOW
    
- The first time either you, or your significant other, speak a WORD about moving, start packing instantly! We knew we wanted to sell for quite some time, but once we were serious about it, I started packing.  Chris thought I was nuts, and didn't understand why I was in such a rush to pack everything, but wowzers, I am so glad that I did! I knew we wouldn't actually be moving for about 3-4 months, but, I PROMISE you, there are things around your house you will not need in the next 3-4 months! Get a storage unit or use your in laws barn (both of which we did 👊) and get packing. You'll thank me later.  We are 2.5 weeks away from moving and I have all but the necessities packed up!

✔ OPEN UP YOUR MIND(S)

- So, funny story... the house that we bought has been on the market for a long time (years).  I am the type of person who browses Realtor.com every day, just to see what's for sale and to be nosy! I came across this particular house about a year and a half ago and I clicked on the link and laughed.  It was nothing that I EVER saw myself buying or living in. So, I clicked out of it and continued my search. I viewed this house about 8 times over the months and had the same reaction every time.
Fast forward several months, Chris and I found what we thought was "it". The perfect house. We scrambled to get our ducks in a row, and our house on the market ASAP and during that time, somebody else bought it.  That put us right back to square one: house searching. We looked at several others and nothing jumped out at us. We were losing hope and were about to forget the whole idea of moving.
Well, you know what they say, "the 9th time's a charm"! I was desperately searching for a place to call home. I was afraid that we would sell our house and not have anywhere to go. So, I called up our realtor and asked to look at the house that I've been cackling at. YOU GUYS! God has a sense of humor, because we walked in that place and practically fell in love instantly. Yes, it needs some cosmetic upgrades (anyone recommend a good wallpaper removal technique?!), but it's just perfect for us. NEVER in a million years would I have thought I would be calling a place like this home! So, write a list of ABSOLUTES, like number of bedrooms or acres, but leave the rest on your "wish list". You never know what you might stumble upon!

✔ GOOD GREAT COMMUNICATION (WITH EVERYONE)

- I feel like this is the key to success in just about everything, except maybe a quiet contest. Moving is a daunting thing. It's stressful just thinking about it, let alone being in the midst of negotiations, repairs, packing, etc. We have 2.5 weeks to go, but up until this point, Chris and I haven't argued about anything. NOTHING. Prior to moving, we sat down and made a list of things we wanted to do to our house before listing it.  We also, reviewed our finances and came up with a number that we could comfortably afford, as well as, made a necessities/wish list. We openly expressed our thoughts and feelings to each other, and our realtor, about questions or concerns throughout the whole process.  It's a long process and you cannot prepare for everything that will be thrown your way.  We are through the thick of it now, but there is still so much to be done.  But, remembering to keep open communication will help you tremendously!

Stay tuned for pictures! 👐

Easy Ornament Storage

It's that time of year. The time when the holidays are over, the Christmas decorations get put away, the tree gets throw out the window and the next thing we have to look forward to is the first day of Spring. 

This year, I decorated my home for Christmas, before Thanksgiving.  Needless to say, I was ready for the Christmas decor to come down as soon as Christmas was over.  It is sad to see all of it get packed up, but the thing I look forward to the least is wrapping everything back up and storing it away until next year.

Last year, when we were taking down our tree, I was SO sick and tired of trying to fit all of my ornaments back into their original boxes, and pack all of the boxes away into a bigger box! Chris, the boys and I all get several new ornaments each year, so it was getting harder and harder to store all of them conveniently. That's when I decided to work smarter and not harder. I trashed all of the ornament boxes and made my life 100x easier!

I used the same storage boxes that I kept all of my ornament boxes in.  I replaced the little boxes with plastic cups! Not all of our ornaments are fragile, so I will put 2 or 3 in each cup.  For the fragile ones, I simply put one in each cup and don't need to worry about paper or bubble wrap to protect them.  It's so easy the next year when we're decorating the tree! The hooks are still attached and easy clean up and storage. Does it get much easier than that?! Nope.

Supplies needed:

- 1 or 2 large boxes (I use small plastic totes)
- Plastic cups
- Ornaments

  Step 1: Line the storage box with plastic cups. 

                                                      Fit them snug, so no cups tip over.

  

Step 2: Put the ornaments in the cups!

 

Step 3: Trash your empty ornament boxes and relax! 

 

 Happy New Year everyone! May it be filled with less clutter and more time spent with family and friends! <3