support thread for serious decluttering/moving? - Page 11

[LitMom]

 I'm so sorry, Worthy, that sucks on the underwater thing. I hope it works out. Maybe someone will fall in love with it and you'll get what you need to! I'll be thinking of you!

We are getting close to listing too. Listing sometime this week, realtor paperwork tomorrow, photos Monday. First open house is next Sunday I think. DH is making a last run to storage with the rest of the stuff we cleared out for staging. The bathroom regrouting is finally done. I have a big cleaning day tomorrow to prep for the showing, and a cleaning service is coming this week before the open house.

The market in our area has been good lately (well, relatively speaking anyhow!) and we've owned for a long time, so when we got numbers from the realtor finally last week, they'll work for us. We're renting next, because I want to really know the area before we buy. The rental market moves fast here, so the first step is getting an accepted offer on our place, then while the buyers are talking to the board (apartment in a coop building) and all that stuff before closing, we'll look for a new place to rent. 

It is so sad to think about too, though. We've been here a long time. My kids have never lived anywhere else. My son was born here! Lots of good and bad memories both! But I do think it's time to move.

[worthy]

Originally Posted by LitMom 

 I'm so sorry, Worthy, that sucks on the underwater thing. I hope it works out. Maybe someone will fall in love with it and you'll get what you need to! I'll be thinking of you!

Thank you so much.  I am realizing now that without hope of making any money on this house, or even likely selling it without a huge bank challenge, I'm not as motivated to get it ready to sell -- and I have less than a month, OMG.  Here is my to-do list:

Still need to:

Finish repairing downstairs bathroom floor tile (stick-on)

Sand and paint laundry room, one wall in playroom, and about a dozen "patches" in other rooms

Wash many windows

Paint the shutters and outside trim

Rototill and plant the veggie garden

Completely finish cleaning out the garage

Paint kitchen baseboard heaters

Patch and seed lawn

Re-caulk tub

Patch and paint one small area of basement wall

Remove damaged wallboard from basement

Replace mismatched kitchen switches and outlets with white

Clean some areas of house exterior (aluminum siding)

Patch a couple of cracks in brick fascia

Clean all carpets

Declutter to the point of "ready to show"

Assemble interior/exterior photos for realtor

Put together an album of sunrise/moonrise/landscaping photos (need to choose photos and have them printed)

Finish landscaping -- turn muddy puddle into frog pond, plant herb garden, etc

Fix closet door in boys' room

Fix outside light that is crooked (friend will help with this)

Fix compost bin

Finish stacking fallen wood

Septic inspection

Get landscaping repair quote (to include in package)

Bleach light mold off bathroom ceiling

Scrub stains inside of toilets

Scrub stains on aluminum siding

Pack up non-essentials

Sort CDs

Declutter art supplies further

Keep up with:

househunting

mowing the lawn

weeding

sweeping patio, walkway, driveway

wiping down all surfaces (countertops, cabinets, appliances)

vacuuming and mopping

cleaning the bathrooms

mirrors and windows

laundry and dishes

staying decluttered

Edited by worthy - 5/22/12 at 6:09am

[worthy]

OMG, the property we looked at today is amazing. Absolutely amazing.  Like a geode - ugly on the outside and beautiful on the inside.  And the land is gorgeous.  At this point, my job is done for awhile -- I want it, and we just have to do the legwork and research to find out if it's worth trying to buy.  The waiting will be very hard for me, but I will manage.  I realize I'm in a sort of luxury spot with regard to the new house.  My parents will be buying it for me to rent from them (they will later build a house to retire in on the same property).  So I don't necessarily have to wait for my house to sell before I move.  But it just helps to balance out a lot of crazy awful hard crap I've gone through this year.

And for now, back to all the house projects here...maybe with renewed enthusiasm at the prospect of possibly moving before winter!

[LitMom]

Yay Worthy! That sounds like fun research and dreaming to do!

We are now officially listed with the broker. Photos tomorrow. Place is spotless except for mopping, which I'll do after kids are in bed. First open house on Sunday!

The kids are still wacky misbehaving. Sigh. I think it's the strangeness of the whole situation with a lot of their stuff packed up. And I think DD at least is under slept. Hopefully we can catch her up a bit on that. 

[LitMom]

Well, mopping is done now too. Yawn! I should get to bed. I have groceries being delivered at 6:30am! (Motivation for me to get up and workout, and this way they're here early enough to prep DS' preschool lunch and snack for the class.) DH will go teach at the co-op preschool with DS while DD hopefully helps rather than hinders photo-taking for the listing that will go live in a few days! 

[phatchristy]

Congratulations Zebra on all the hard work.

Nobody ever answered about if I could join LOL.  So, I guess nobody noticed?

The first trimester stuff is wiping me out....sigh.

I'll be thrilled if I find enough energy to clean the kitchen and bathroom today.  Sigh.  

[DTmama1]

Congrats to everyone! It sounds like things are moving forward! 

It was a busy busy weekend. I graduated! Yay! So glad to be done with that school and able to move on. 

Sooo tired of craigslist people! Thankfully I am just about done with it. Yesterday my dresser was picked up along with some of the Trofast pieces, and a cubicals storage unit. Supposedly people for the bookcase along with the rest of the Trofast pieces are coming today. 

We'er also switching over to disposable dishes and getting everything packed now. Started that yesterday. Also worked on the kids room a bunch now that DD is back from her dad's house. 

Home most of today, here are my goals:

Rip rest of CDs from Box 2

Scan rest of my photos

Sort physical copies of scanned photos by: Keep (very few, mostly prints of professional photos), give to exh, give to my parents, and recycle

Catch up on email inbox

Do initial sort of friend's papers I'm being paid for

Make bread

Clean up kitchen

Finish box of dishes I'm working on packing

Either start taxes or start scanning DP's old magazines so they can be recycled. About 2/3 done. Going well.

Edited by DTmama1 - 5/7/12 at 10:23pm

[LitMom]

Originally Posted by phatchristy 

Congratulations Zebra on all the hard work.

Nobody ever answered about if I could join LOL.  So, I guess nobody noticed?

The first trimester stuff is wiping me out....sigh.

I'll be thrilled if I find enough energy to clean the kitchen and bathroom today.  Sigh.  

I'm certainly happy to have you jump in! Sorry, it seems to move fast on here, didn't notice your original post. Good luck on kitchen and bath!

I'm packing up for the office, with a ridiculously immaculate house from the photo session this morning. It's freaking me out a little with how perfect and impersonal it is, all our pics etc off the fridge etc. I'm sure the kids and sitter will take care of that for me while I'm at the office!

[DTmama1]

Feeling quite productive today! I was supposed to work and ended up with the day off. Not good money-wise, but I definitely didn't mind. 

So far I've:

Finished scanning DP's magazines

Ripped 100+ CD's. Goal is to get through the first 1/3 of the last box today. Really would like to finish this project by Thursday night if I can, but it isn't seeming likely

Finished initial sort through of friend's papers

Filed about 2/3 of friend's papers. Spent two hours on it today, probably another hour to finish it up. 

What I'd like to do still today:

Catch up on email/social networking inboxes, and send out a few needed emails as well

Clean up kitchen- poor DP has been doing far more than his fair share of this lately

Finish box of dishes I'm working on packing

Go through DD's clothes. Pull out too small and winter stuff, get out summer stuff for her

Finish filing project

After CD's and filing projects are done I can focus a lot more on my own stuff that needs to be done. Packing, taxes, and more scanning for DP.

Edited by DTmama1 - 5/8/12 at 4:24pm

[worthy]

Woot! I have a burst of energy and took a (short) nap earlier, and I'm RARING to go.  Tonight is the night.  I'm cleaning out my garage FOR GOOD.

Earlier I already dug out more of the backyard pond (landscaping project) and carpet-cleaned an old but pretty braided rug that is going in the girls' room (to cover up the icky carpet).

Gotta get these kids tucked in and go to town in my garage!! Yes!  Dump day is tomorrow!  Go me!

Also, tomorrow is the day my dad is looking in-depth at the property we think we want to buy.  I am a nervous wreck but trying to stay steady and remember that if this is THE house nothing will stand in our way -- and if it's not the house for us, best to find out ASAP.  Wish us luck.

----------------------------

Update (3 hours later...)

There is more "floor" showing in my garage than the day we moved in.  One-half is completely organized and packed.  One-fourth is completely decluttered, just needs organization.  The last fourth has about 6-8 boxes full of random stuff that will not be hard to sort through, but that is a project for a different day.  Also the slate for a 9' pool table - ugh.  XH left me two 9' slate pool tables, which I now have to dispose of somehow.  I was hoping to get some cash for them but it's not looking good.  I'm at the point where I'm getting close to giving stuff like that away for a song or nothing at all, just to get it out of here.  Wish I could get some cash though -- that is what I really need.

This weekend I'm freecycling a microwave, dorm fridge, and Little Tykes picnic table.  Also taking a load of stuff to the swap shop.

Anyway, I'm off to bed feeling like I accomplished something great.

Edited by worthy - 5/11/12 at 8:28pm

[zebra15]

You go girl!   and everyone else, my quote thingy isn't working correctly!

we arrived at our destination and it's obvious the post office damaged every box I sent with them, however Fed Ex seems to have gotten stuff here just fine... I HATE THE POST OFFICE for so many reasons.  (50 lbs of books went missing and the box had a purse instead  ugh)  

anyway... here's to starting over!

Originally Posted by worthy 

Woot! I have a burst of energy and took a (short) nap earlier, and I'm RARING to go.  Tonight is the night.  I'm cleaning out my garage FOR GOOD.

Earlier I already dug out more of the backyard pond (landscaping project) and carpet-cleaned an old but pretty braided rug that is going in the girls' room (to cover up the icky carpet).

Gotta get these kids tucked in and go to town in my garage!! Yes!  Dump day is tomorrow!  Go me!

Also, tomorrow is the day my dad is looking in-depth at the property we think we want to buy.  I am a nervous wreck but trying to stay steady and remember that if this is THE house nothing will stand in our way -- and if it's not the house for us, best to find out ASAP.  Wish us luck.

----------------------------

Update (3 hours later...)

There is more "floor" showing in my garage than the day we moved in.  One-half is completely organized and packed.  One-fourth is completely decluttered, just needs organization.  The last fourth has about 6-8 boxes full of random stuff that will not be hard to sort through, but that is a project for a different day.  Also the slate for a 9' pool table - ugh.  XH left me two 9' slate pool tables, which I now have to dispose of somehow.  I was hoping to get some cash for them but it's not looking good.  I'm at the point where I'm getting close to giving stuff like that away for a song or nothing at all, just to get it out of here.  Wish I could get some cash though -- that is what I really need.

This weekend I'm freecycling a microwave, dorm fridge, and Little Tykes picnic table.  Also taking a load of stuff to the swap shop.

Anyway, I'm off to bed feeling like I accomplished something great.

[worthy]

Good to hear from you, Zebra - how is it going?  I guess it's Fed Ex for me from now on.  Ugh.

I am SO on a roll.  Wish I didn't have to work this weekend.  I have just one clump of things to go through in the garage, and that task is done. 

I added to my Freecycle list for the weekend -- two grills, a futon, and a large piece of wood.  Just waiting for the SLOW freecycle mod to approve and post my listings.

The car is loaded to the gills and ready for recycling/swap shop.

It's a gorgeous day!  If only my lawnmower was working properly, I could mow.  Grr.
 

[sk8boarder15]

We went on vacation, so I ditched this forum. Originally we were supposed to move YESTERDAY, but when the home sale fell apart well... so did moving. Now we are sitting on the market and now that its finally nice out, I'm working my butt off to get the outside looking nice. I've spent last two days working non-stop in the yard. But it looks AWESOME. Tomorrow, my goal is to find some plants to put by the front door and get some grass seed to fill in the bare patches in the yard. 

[lunarlady]

Sorry to hear about the boxes going astray and getting damaged. I'm sure it is frustrating after getting rid of so much to have things on the "keep" list get lost.

I am seriously struggling to balance work and moving. So much to deal with. And I'm having some emotional upheaval too feeling homeless and uprooted. I wish I could just fast forward six weeks to being all moved in at our new home. Everyone expects me to be all excited and joyful about moving, but instead I just feel stressed, overwhelmed, and lonely as I say goodbye to friends and turn my face toward a new home town full of strangers. I'm a quiet and introverted person and it is hard for me to make friends. I'm trying to keep my emotional upheaval from the kids since they are struggling too with moving from the only home they've ever known, but it isn't easy. Everyone is tired and cranky in our family right now.

On the plus side we finished burning all our music to digital format and sold our records & CDs. We didn't get much for them, but at least they are out of our lives. I need to tackle and pack my craft closet, which is hard since I never have time for crafts in my life right now, so all the supplies sort of bring me down with longing.

I know this is all temporary stuff, and that we will be in a much better place in so many ways after we move, but right now I'm just struggling to make it through day to day.

Everyone's progress inspires me. Good work ladies!

[zebra15]

Today was/is a new day and things are slowly getting better.  All the computers are hooked up, the Nook reader is happy, the cell phones are happy, I have a card to the local grocery store (yeah for local fuel points) and DS has food in the fridge he will actually eat.  

I am slowly accepting the lost books, I will deal with the post office next week.  No insurance, book rate so I'm kinds SOL but ... the clothes, legos, shoes, and KITCHEN AID made it.  I can get DS new books or replacement books.

I am slowly educating my mother on the finer points of nutrition. What 'dairy' actually is, what WHOLE GRAINS are, and veggies are LOL.  I never thought I had a 'picky' eater but obviously I've raised a HEALTHY eater. - and now living in the Midwest/great lakes region meals of meat and potatoes just won't cut it.

I will be checking in to wish you all good luck.  And to continue on my saga.

Happy Mothers Day everyone!

[worthy]

I'm gearing up already for a weekend full of painting and tidying, staging each room and taking photos.

Someone inquired about my house via zillow.com.  Sounded very legit.  I hadn't posted photos yet, so I did that this morning.  Some are old; I need to update them.  Two bedrooms have zero photos.

I just got rid of the two gas grills today, and hope to get rid of a futon soon also.  I Freecycled a microwave, small fridge, large piece of wood, and kids' picnic table this weekend.  I also did some landscaping - finished building the waterfall and pond, spread topsoil and grass seed so the rain would hit it yesterday and today, decluttered the patio, finished painting the bistro set, tidied up the shed.

I'll spare you the details just yet, but THE HOUSE that I want to buy is going to require some persistence and creativity.  Working on that.  Easier would be a boatload of money, but without that, creativity will have to do.  When I have a solid update I'll post one.

This weekend's work will be: interior prep and painting, and then staging and photographing each room.

[DTmama1]

Time is passing quickly! We were out of town the last 4 days. Got back last night and including today we have 11 days until the move. Ack! Plus I work 3 of them (took next week off!)

Got some list making done while we were on the road (approx 20 hours of driving total) for tasks that need done once he gets there, once I get there, and while I'm still in Chicago after he leaves. I also emailed exh with a specific task list of things I need from him.

Found out while we were down there for the memorial service that we have a huge amount of stuff coming from stepdd's grandmother's house (where she lived for most of the first 8 years of her life). In particular, binders chronicling stepdd's life.... Enough to fill the width of a pickup truck! We had no way to take them back with us, much less do anything with them before the move, so we left them and will be stuck paying her relatives to ship them to us in Seattle so I can scan them and get rid of the physical copies.

My brother was supposed to come out tonight, but is coming next week instead and should be able to lend a hand while he is here.

For now, list for tonight and tomorrow:
Laundry- done with air drying until after the move, just paying to dry things in the shitty pay dryer downstairs.
Finish CDs (1/3 of last box left!)and return setup to the friend
Go through DD's clothes
Pack up girls room
Take apart our bed
Clean up kitchen
Make bread
Pack most of kitchen stuff
Work on scanning
Futon should be getting picked up
Start packing up my part of the closet
Find box to fit figurine being shipped to a friend in MO
Edited by DTmama1 - 5/16/12 at 2:55pm

[worthy]

zillow guy fell through.  At least it got me motivated to post pics of my house. 

Two dear friends and I are going back to "THE house" for a showing with the realtor this evening -- a very brief walk-through the house and identification of the property boundaries.  Then this weekend the three of us will go back and walk the land more leisurely (realtor is out of town for the weekend).  If the building site on the land meets my friends' needs and approval, we could subdivide the property and buy it together, which would fill the financing gap for me and make them our neighbors, which would be a win for all of us.  Fingers crossed.

So today I'm not doing much except that.  Yesterday I picked up paint chips to figure out the laundry room color (has to match existing wallpaper) and some radiator paint for the kitchen.  The septic guy came to do an inspection as well -- new is not great but not terrible either; more info to come from him, something in writing to include in the packet for prospective buyers.  The septic system is old and manageable but needs work and may fail if not handled carefully, and I'm not fixing it but a buyer will need to know about it.  Tomorrow and the weekend: paint paint paint.
 

[DTmama1]

Arg! I worked my behind off all day, and DP came home and told me how overwhelmed he felt by the giant mess the house is! 

Granted, the dining room is a giant pile of stuff at the moment, but the girls room is sooo much better and our room looks much better than it did at least. Just different (bedframe taken apart, so just a mattress on the floor, and bins of clothes against the wall). 

He said he knew I had done a lot, and recognized it, but still felt really overwhelmed by the mess. *sigh* now I feel overwhelmed! Lovely way to spend our second anniversary. pretty sure he didnt even remember, even after discussing it three days ago. I had a small smidgen of hope that he might do something unexpected and sweet for it since he ignored mother's day, as he feels it is just a hallmark holiday, and I told him the next day I felt disappointed by that. 

[worthy]

Oh, DT, that is such a downer.  I would be clear with him that you need him to be positive about your efforts and keep quiet otherwise -- if he is overwhelmed he should find a way to dig in this weekend and take care of what's bugging him -- himself.  IMO.

Friends and I saw the property last night. The house is better than I even remembered -- {sigh}.  I need to fill that $100K gap...  Our friends are intrigued by the land and giving it serious consideration.  The wife is in love with it or on her way to that point.  The husband needs time to digest and figure out practical considerations and be sure "this is it"...so it will take some time for that.  We are going back on Sunday to spend time exploring and hanging out on the land (not the house), and I need to step back and let their thoughts develop in whatever time they need to.

It's not like I have any other option anyway.  Fingers still crossed.  The property has some challenges (not the house), primarily that a long driveway would have to be laid through a wet field, and it just takes time to figure out if it's worth it.  Patience, patience...

I bought some paint yesterday and I am READY to dive deep into all the painting stuff.  The kids will be at their dad's for three nights starting tonight, and I can totally hyperfocus and get it done (or as close to done as possible.)

Note to myself of the order of things:

1) bedroom patches

2) laundry room

3) living room and hallway patches

4) playroom

5) basement (if time)