So I'm moving this week. We knocked out a bunch of packing on Saturday. Any moving tips? What about the stuff that doesn't fit easily into boxes? This is where I seem to struggle- then I get down to moving day and I think I'm ready to go and I've got a bunch of stuff left over. Tips? Tricks? How do you get unpacked quickly and efficiently?

Make sure you pare down as you pack. In other words, pack nothing that you don't want to unpack into the new house. Dejunk, declutter, make those hard decisions now. Moving is such hard work! I box up everything that can fit into boxes, and then everything else I put in a huge pile in the garage and let my husband find a way to fit it in the truck. Does that help?

You've just given me an idea for tomorrow's blog entry, Amber! I am practically a professional mover, since we move with my husband's job every five minutes or so. In fact, my last move was December 5, 2006, and I will be moving us again on November 13th -- a mere month-ish from now!

I can pack ANYTHING! Tell me a few odd-shaped items you have to pack, and I'll give you some specific tips on those.

As for unpacking, it's less art than muscle. Make sure you've set aside a few boxes for necessities (toilet paper, paper towels, toiletries, etc.) Unpack this FIRST. I like to pack a suitcase for every member of the family to get them through a solid week, that way I don't have to worry about where Kiddo's diapers are or Hubby's suits. After that, start with the kitchen stuff, because it's the most time-consuming. It's all fragile, so it's been packed in TONS of packing material (I hope), and that's the most labor-intensive part.

Okay, I'm off to start drafting my blog entry. Thanks, hon!!