Packing (again)

Yep, we're packing again. We are moving in less than two weeks and I feel pretty good about the packing progress. Our living room is overrun with boxes but it feels good, you know?

I've been pretty ruthless about purging this time. If I don't like it or haven't used it in the last year, it doesn't get to come. And as I pack more I get more selective. I guess you should always pack your favorite things first.

Every time I move I stress about having too much stuff. I'm always worried that it won't all fit in the truck and I will be standing there opening boxes trying to get rid of stuff. I'm also worried the generous people who help us move will think ill of me for having so much stuff. So I purge and I purge a lot. I love it when people walk in and say "oh, that's all". I get great joy in knowing I don't have anything I don't use or doesn't serve a purpose.

Our boxes are pretty much shot. There are a few that are held up by tape alone. This will be the last move for these boxes. They've served us well. We've had some of them for the 6 years we've been married. We won't have space next year to store them and they really aren't worth storing anyway. Lets just hope they make it through one last move.

It's a little sad and a little fun you can watch Calder grow from year to year as he sits on mounds of boxes. He has definitely changed while we've been here in Columbus. I promise I do put pants on the kid every once in a while, just not on days when he sits on boxes apparently. It will be fun to see how he changes in DC.

We Made It

*This picture doesn't have anything to do with this post, but I can't very well post without including a picture of Calder.

Well, we made it. We're 90% unpacked and we LOVE our house. It is so cute. Once we get 100% unpacked I'll post pictures. Everything fits so well and Calder has been sleeping pretty well in his own room.

The trip was uneventful for me. I drove with Jason's mom (Kathy), Calder and Deebo in the car. Jason drove the truck by himself. He actually beat us to the hotel on Friday night. He made great time and I think we would have made it there at the same time if I didn't have a few errands to do before leaving Hyde Park.

The second day we were getting on the freeway and I was following Jason. He didn't seem to be accelerating much but he was in a massive truck. We passed him and didn't think anything of it. Well, apparently he wasn't accelerating past 40mph and his check engine light was on. He got off at the next exit and was sure he was going to have to call Penske and wait forever for them to come. He tried waiting 10 minutes for the engine to cool (even though he had just left the hotel and it was a cool morning). Then he warmed the truck up for 10 minutes and the check engine light went off! Yay! So he drove until he had to get gas and the stupid check engine light came on again and he couldn't accelerate past 40mph. He tried the same trick and it seemed to work. I'm so glad it was him not me. Our house is on a narrow road and there was a sign that says 'no trucks'. Jason drove right down and parked on the sidewalk in front of our house. We didn't get towed.

We had 5 guys here to help us move in. It was so quick since they didn't have to carry everything down 3 flights of stairs. The couple who own the house were also here doing yard work. How sweet is that? They are the nicest people. It's nice to have a great yard and flowers (and a guy who comes to mow the yard). I'll post pictures of that too.

It was so nice to have Jason's mom here. She made the move so much easier. Otherwise I couldn't have really done much. She took Calder and Deebo for long walks almost every day she was here so I could get everything done. She is fantastic!

Productivity

(I know it looks like Calder is the one doing all the packing, but I promise I help!)

I had a very productive day. Calder, Jason and I woke up, had breakfast and got dressed. Jason went to school and Calder and I had friends over. Calder played with his friend. I sewed an apron with sleeves with my friend. It was fun! Since I packed my crafty stuff a few weeks ago I haven't done any crafting and I really missed it. It felt good. All my creative juices are going towards getting many things in not many boxes.

Calder enjoyed two beautiful naps today and I used my time very wisely. I did ELEVEN loads of laundry and packed 3 boxes. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that there were 11 loads of laundry to do. Every linen in my house is clean and many are even packed.

After a productive afternoon I made dinner, fed and bathed Calder and put him to bed. Now I'm going to work on a presentation for work. Yep, I'm going to work tomorrow! Just for a meeting so I can give a presentation, but it will still be fun! I'm looking forward to it. Calder gets to come with me.