by Hope
Today is moving day. So needless to say, I am not in front of my computer. In fact, my computer is probably already packed up in our van, ready to be taken over after we unload the moving truck.
Here’s how I’m predicting the day is going…written one week in advance.
Last night we loaded the moving truck with everything that was already in the garage along with the remaining furniture from the house aside from our mattresses.
We all showered last night for the last time in our home, taking down the shower curtains after we were finished so they are ready to put up at the new place.
Since we are down to three outfits and we sold our washer and dryer over the weekend, we are on our last clean outfit. Thank goodness our new apartment has a washer and dryer ready for use, and we can unpack the rest of our clothes later today.
We pack the last remaining items into the truck…mattresses, suitcases and bedding. Whatever doesn’t fit in the truck can be thrown in the van to be brought over later in the day along with the computers, tvs and other electronics.
Our kitchen was packed this past weekend, and the refrigerator cleaned yesterday so no eating breakfast at home. So as soon as everyone is up and these tasks done, we head out for an old fashioned, cheap McDonald’s breakfast.
We arrive via moving van at the apartment complex, I do the walk through, hand them some money and get the keys….moving time has begun.
Since we have so little now and it’s been well packed and organized, I anticipate unloading will take no more than 45 minutes.
I will leave the twins here to start putting together our two bed frames and I will, hopefully with a neighbors help, return the moving truck and pick up our van.
I will then return to the apartment, picking up lunch somewhere along the way and we will spend the next couple of hours unpacking and organizing.
I know shelves will need to be hung, etc, but I’m not sure of measurements until we get there, so those things will happen over time.
By 2pm I anticipate us being done, the twins showering and the little ones resting. Then we will begin the rest of our lives in our new tiny space….twins will head to their competitive robotics teams meeting and little gymnast to his four hour practice.
I will return to our old home to say goodbye, to cry and to store in my heart all the wonderful memories we have made there. It was a sanctuary as my marriage failed and ended, it is where I found my best and truest friends, it is where I regained my sense of self and learned to stand on my own two feet again, it was where the twins joined our family and became a permanent part of my heart and so, so much more.
I don’t think I’ll be ready to cook dinner tonight either, so that means three meals out today. To me, this is really unavoidable. What do you do when you have those days where you just have to make do?
Hope is a creative, solutions-focused business manager helping clients grow their business and work more efficiently by leveraging expertise in project management, digital marketing, & tech solutions. She’s recently become an empty nester as her 5 foster/adoptive kids have spread their wings. She lives with her 5 dogs in a small town in NE Georgia and prefers the mountains to the beaches any day. She struggles with the travel bug and is doing her best to help each of her kids as their finish schooling and become independent (but it’s hard!) She has run her own consulting company for almost twenty years! Hope began sharing her journey with the BAD community in the Spring of 2015 and feels like she has finally in a place to really focus on making wise financial decisions.
Good luck! Hope everything goes smoothly. As for the 3 meals out – I would just make my peace with it, and try to find some semi-healthy and reasonably priced takeout. Dinner seems like your only real option to not eat out, but by then you’ll be exhausted and also probably not have any groceries yet. Another cost of moving!
Regarding the meals, I would try to plan at least one of them as something that needs no refrigeration or cooking and pick it up at the grocery store versus a restaurant. I think if I had McDonald’s before I had to move all day I would not feel too well! Breakfast would be the easiest for me to skip/make do. Muffins or 1/2 dozen bagels at the grocery would be much cheaper than 6 fast food meals and would take the same amount of time.
Usually on moving day we are way too busy to eat so lunch is almost always skipped. Start at 7am and are usually still unloading the truck much into hours of the night. Now we pay for movers but will move easy and fragile stuff ourselves which still takes most of the day (musical instruments and electronics are a plenty around here!). Always end with delivery for dinner! For lunch though I would think subs from a grocery store to split as they are usually larger, cheaper, and just as good. Also allows you to get drinks much cheaper!
Totally agree! McDonalds for that many is not that cheap, even confined to the dollar menu. Grocery deli food is more healthy, you can buy fruit and drink water. Dinner can be a frozen pizza and pre-made salad, or a rotisserie chicken dinner. Paper plates, or if you’re unpacked, your own plates, and you’re ready to go.
I’m with you. A meal of cheese and crackers and pickles is a nice break from fast food, and it’s still fast.
Happy Moving Day! I will be praying that your new home brings you as many sweet memories as the one you are leaving. On moving day, take out or ordering in is a great option. The good thing is that having downsized, it won’t take you that long to unpack.
My moving days generally look just like yours with regards to food. Something drive-thru-ish in the morning and for lunch followed by delivery for supper! This is a great time to get a couple pizzas and a two-liter of soda from a local place and ask them to throw in paper plates and cups. Any leftover pizza can be eaten for breakfast the next morning before you embark on a big grocery trip.
I love that you are writing this a week in advance – that’s organization!
I hope the move is going well and would love to see a post comparing how you thought it would go, with how it actually went.
I wouldn’t worry too much about the food – eat what is easy, filling, and not too pricey…..for one day it’s not going to hurt your budget or your health.
Hi Hope – You have handled this entire situation with grace and understanding. Many people could have let their anger take hold but you have been an example to many readers. Wishing you the best as you begin making new memories in your new home. By the time you read this, I am sure your move will be completed and hopefully as smooth as you had hoped. As far as food goes, there are only a few fast food restaurants I will eat at so I rather like the idea of a grocery store deli stop – healthier, probably cheaper and maybe even have some leftovers. Can’t wait to hear about the adventures of the move today. Do what you have to do today and get it done (eating wise)…tomorrow is another day.
random- posting this since it’s the latest thread….any updates on steph? she and her family are in my thoughts every now and then and I am hoping they are all doing okay