BusyBodyBook Blog

Movin' Out: Week 3, Part 2 - Reflections

We've lived on our street in South Orange, NJ for nearly 20 years. Jake was born here and nurtured by our loving neighbors and the friends he grew up with.

We decided to sell our home after realizing that the maintaining of a larger home than we need was becoming a burden. The decision to stay as long as we have had to do with our love and attachment  to our neighbors and the 'hood. Needless to say it was a very difficult decision. While I have managed to become more detached from our actual home as the weeks go by, our deep rooted love of those we have lived near, shared and celebrated holidays, birthdays, graduations with, run street fairs, garage sales, "porch" parties, carpooled with, tugs at my heart.

Our neighbors will be in our lives forever but we will still miss the early morning coffees at the bus stop, the commiserating over lawn (weed) care, the concerns about our children, about each others extended families, pets, our laughter - the truly wonderful love of one anothers families.

Hillside Place is a much coveted street in South Orange because of us. While it's a most gorgeous street with century old homes and just a walk to the park I am so grateful to all who have made our lives here so full of beauty.

Movin' Out: Week 3 - Dumpster Diving! ME?

Oh yes. I was actually dumpster diving today in back of my local CVS.

Tuesday is the day they unpack and shelve new merchandise and at 8:30 AM  I asked the manager for empty cartons to pack up my house. With that he gave me "Left, and then Left" directions to the back of the store and there I hit "corrugated gold." Huggies, L'Oreal, Cheerios, and Sally Hansen gave back!

Fabulous, sturdy, clean-ish (they were in a dumpster, after all) boxes to pack up our stuff.

Nothing PBS Road Show quality about them but I saved a fortune! Going back again next week - Friday is MOVING DAY!

I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL THIS IS OVER!

MOVING is positively exhausting.

TIP 'O the Week:

* Use the larger cartons for the bulky but lighter items: pillows, blankets, linens...

* Smaller boxes work for books - books are heavy, so the fewer per carton the better.

* Label, label, label! Identify each box by room and then contents. Per room, number each carton AND...

* Create a MASTER GRID LIST using our 7 column BBB GRID Pad: Per room, per box, ie.: When you're  moved you'll easily find what you're looking for with your Master List in hand.

Kitchen      Dining Room     Living Room    Master Bed   Bed 2      Bed 3      Office

1. Pots, pans   1. China - platters     1. Books                   1.                                1.                    1.                    1. Files

2. Bake pans  2. China - plates                                                                                                                                     2. Stationary                

 

Simple packing, unpacking -  sanity on a GRID!

* Don't forget to devote a column in your BusyBodyBook the last weeks before and weeks after to manage your ToDos: electrician, cable, plumber, call school - meet w/teachers,....

list of Todos.

Movin' Out: Week 2 - Moving Kits

The MOVING KIT

Oh boy! Moving is definitely NOT easy or fun.

To make sure that you have everything you need for the last days before moving out and the first days of moving in readily at hand, pack a carton for each - a Moving Kit. Having the essentials is what's going to make those days a lot less frantic and aggravating,

A little common sense is really all you need but sometimes that's the first thing that gets taped up in a carton. So here's a list to help guide you:

The MOVING  KIT

1. Paper Towels
2. Toilet Tissue
3. Wipes
4. Disposable plates, cups and utensils for two days
   
5. Pens/pencils/pad
6. Key chains w/ new keys
   
7. Telephone/Address book - realtor, locksmith, emergency #'s, convenient  restaurants for take-out or delivery
   
8. Scissors, safety razor
9. A few small hand towels, bath towels
   
10. Toiletries: Bars of soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, band-aids
    
11. Imp't prescription medicines (individualized baggies for each family member)
12. Cell phone chargers
    
13. Quick breakfast foods
    
14. Snacks: small bags of chips, cookies, juice boxes...
15. A few favorite things for each kid to keep them busy, whine-free
16. And speaking of wine...if you're toasting to your new home don't forget the cork screw!
    

This is just a basic list - the bare necessities. If you're adding more just remember to keep it light and accessible.

Put your MOVING KIT in the car - not the truck!

TIPs:

For  "greener" and less expensive cartons for your entire move you can order on line at UsedCardboardBoxes.com. Free delivery in just days!

The manager of my local CVS is saving their cartons for me - find out what day they receive their merchandise deliveries. The BEST cartons and FREE!

Local storage facilities will often sell moving supplies including newsprint for good wrapping, packing tape... Your local Staples will have supplies too when you run low but not as economically packaged.

Movin' Out: Week 1 - Take a deep breath and purge!

Whether it's spring cleaning, packing for a vacation, or now, packing up my house to move I'm always thinking, "Purge!" Toss, donate or garage sale becomes my mantra and I begin one room at a time. Since I have an attached garage (that by the way, has never met my car) it's here that I'll be designating the spaces (toss, donate, garage sale) where each rooms' bags or cartons end up.

It makes sense to start with the bedrooms and then move along to the rooms you are least likely to be either using the most or those that will induce the most whining (leave the kid's rooms, playroom, TV room for last!)

So rather than fully engage the rest of the family at this point I prefer to begin with my own stuff.  And as with each room to follow, I set up 3 cartons or large, sturdy garbage bags (toss, donate, garage sale) in the master bedroom. As they fill up out they go to the garage.

Moving on to the kid's bedrooms, and once again before inciting a riot, just go through the clothes that they've  outgrown and start "picking away" at all the games that are in the back of the closet or missing vital pieces,  junk they don't know they have or will never miss.

My next stop is my dining room or wherever you store those pieces of "vintage" tablecloths, stained and never-to-ever-be-clean-again linens, the garage sale "finds" that I've never used. How many bowls and vases does one really NEED! If I don't use it - out it goes!

TIPs of the Week

Plan your Garage Sale: Give yourself about 2-3 weeks. Invite some neighbors to join in on the "fun" - setting the date is a great motivator.

Town Hall: Find out when the dump is open, where to dispose of electronics; will they pick up heavy metals, furniture? Need a permit for your garage sale? Need your own dumpster?

Salvation Army: Schedule a pick up! It can take a few weeks for an appointment.

Moving Companies: Get referrals from friends (or your real estate agent) and schedule them to visit and estimate.

Try not to pack heavy cartons (nothing over 30 pounds.) When lifting, bend at the knees. BREATHE!

And, of course, designate a column in your BusyBodyBook to help organize your tasks. (Download free Weekly GRIDs if you need extra planning space.)

More to come!

A Peculiar But All Too True Time Management Tip

"Pretend you’re going on vacation!

Have you ever noticed how much more productive you are on the days just prior to going on vacation? You’re busy tying up loose ends and making last minute preparations." Dana Warren, senior vice president of staffing provider Kelly Services

How true is this for you?

I happen to find myself most productive when there's a deadline looming and much more on my plate.  And yes, just before I'm preparing to leave for a few days I'm like a whirling dervish. Everything gets planted in its right place, projects are suddenly and completely under control,  phone calls and emails are returned, and my office is pristine.

What's that all about??? The antithesis of procrastination! I think I'll ask my boss for some time off (lol.)

Family Holiday Traveling Tips

 

Traveling during the holiday season?

Prepare yourself and the kids for the trip with simple LISTS.

Whether you're traveling by car or plane, considering weather and accommodations, create a basic five column check list for EACH family member and you'll be guaranteed to pack all that you need:

Column Headings: Documents * Clothing * Toiletries *Amusements *Misc. (phone chargers, extra batteries, snacks)

And, just some useful tips & links!

Documents: Carry a sturdy envelope, folder or document holder containing:

1. Passports
2. Driver's License and one credit card (in your wallet)
3. Airline tickets
4. Itinerary with reservation confirmations
5. Car rental, taxi or limo info
6. Handy list of contact info for: emergencies (doctors, pharmacy), hotels or family you're visiting, pet sitter, house sitter...

* Make a copy of all documents and leave with a friend or relative at home.

Carry-ons for the kids: Tote or one of the kid's small suitcases with:

1. a quick change of clothes for those just-in-case moments (spills, diaper leaks,...)
2. activity books, crayons, picture books, DVD player (favorite DVDs), deck of cards, mini-games
3. diapers, pacifier, bottle, sippy cup, "blankie", PJ's, light sweaters, bib, wipes, medications
4. favorite snacks in plastic baggies

* Check carry-on regulations at Transportation Security Administration

For your toiletries:

1. Pack liquid medications and a few plastic spoons in a separate baggie.
2. Pack each the kid's toiletries (tooth brush, toothpaste, brush, hair doodads,...) in their own separate and labeled baggie.
3. Extra zip lock bags for just about anything - wet bathing suits, diapers, sticky stuff,...

Instead of lugging awkward or heavy baby equipment check out these rental sites:

• Baby's Away
• Baby Equipment Rental by State
  
• More by state

Visiting a friend or family member? Thank them for their hospitality with a family gift!  A beautiful picture frame or album, treat them to dinner or movie & popcorn, take charge of breakfast each day, take the girls out for a manicure, the boys to the batting cages, a BusyBodyBook??? Why not!

Tie the same color ribbon on all luggage pieces. 

Count and recount all the pieces you're carrying.

Leave your work behind and enjoy a safe and wonderful holiday season!

Economy 101: Give YOURSELF A Raise

So the bad news is that we are, indeed, in a recession.

But here's the good news... whatever goes down, always goes back up.

So, while we're awaiting the upswing, since we won't be seeing our employers handing out raises when so many are actually losing their jobs...

there's so much we can do to help ourselves - to give ourselves a raise.

It's  just a matter of putting pencil to paper and taking a close look at where we are putting our dollars, each dollar.

Discretionary spending: how many dollars have been literally flying out of our pockets without as much as a thought?

SHOPPING

• Shop the sales and stock up.
• Make lists and use those coupons but only shop for what you NEED! Buy in bulk and freeze.
• Go shopping with a friend and alternate cars.
• Brown bag it!
• Take your own coffee. I would conservatively say we spend between $10 - $15 a week just on caffeine to go. Instead, invest in a coffee mug to go and make your own. It costs cents a day. If you want a personal reality check use this calculator.
• Recycle: This also means looking through your closets and instead of tossing, wear it. Re-heel  and shine up your shoes.

ENERGY

• Wash only FULL loads of laundry and ALWAYS in COLD water. I promise it works. Cleans everything AND costs less.
• Walk around your home feeling for drafts and plug them up. Call your local energy provider or search online to learn about energy saving tips.
• Save on gas by managing your time and your trips to the grocer, the bank, the dry cleaner, school...
• Turn off the lights. Use energy saving bulbs. Unplug appliances that you don't use often.
• Check out this site for more....

The HOLIDAYS

• Instead of giving individual presents get creative and give a family ONE GIFT. 
• Send e-cards or design a card on your computer with your own message and print it. Take out the markers, paint and paper and have the kids design some.
• Bake, don't buy store bought cookies.

MISCELLANEOUS

• Create a change jar. Dump all of your change (maybe dollar bills too) in a jar each day and watch how quickly it adds up. Several banks will allow you to turn in your change for free.
• Use your local library - what a concept! The library, though another stop along the way, lets you BORROW: books, cds, tapes, ... It's also a great place to sit and  find some peace and quiet to read your own or from their extensive magazine collection.
• Cold weather activities. When the kids aren't signed up for activities after school or weekends create a revolving weekly or monthly playdate with friends that involves a home activity - craft, cooking, or bundling up and just taking a walk (to the library???)

      Managing your money also means managing your health and time. Take care of your health by scheduling your family's checkups at doctors and dentists.

      Be sure to schedule time to relax too! Take a bubble bath, a ladies outing (at one or anothers' home, walking, sharing, laughing), research or start a babysitting co-op in your area - they're free and give you free time, cook a special meal, yoga - whatever you need to manage your turmoil and alleviate your anxiety.

       Think first before reaching into your wallet. While the word budget can sometimes feel painful, it quickly becomes a really good habit, a lifestyle  to be proud of. I know personally!

Give yourself a raise! Then give yourself a pat on the back!

Halloween Candy

Whew, Halloween candy's expensive! And always around this time of year - DUH!

We have dozens of kids just in my neighborhood and scores pouring in from others. Past holidays we've had to run back to CVS to buy up the last of the not such wonderful selection.

But this year I was in Costco and found the perfect best buy. A 150 piece bag of assorted and favorite candy for about $12.99 (no Milky Ways :( , but the Hershey's are plentiful - and yummy.)

I know it's kind of late but you never know - try one of the superstores early this week!

BTW - if you live anywhere near Maplewood, NJ, Halloween has become quite the small town event after school. Bring all of your little goblins and fairy princesses!

Voter Registration Link - Do It NOW!

Moved to a different town, city, state, country recently?  Got an 18 year old?

Please Pay Attention!

You can easily access  your state's information and download forms at the League for Women Voters website. The deadline for each state is different and approaching quickly.

No Excuses!!!

Voting is our personal right.
Our vote is precious,
Our responsibility
and preserves our rights!

A GREAT Idea to Pass Along - ICE Campaign - "In Case of Emergency"

The "ICE" Campaign - "In Case of Emergency"

We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.
If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call.Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency?

Hence this "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) Campaign. The concept of "ICE" is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations.

As cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name "ICE" (In Case Of Emergency).

The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose.

In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and Hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as "ICE". 
For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference! Let's spread the concept of "ICE" by storing an "ICE" number in our mobile phones today!

Please forward this.
It won't take too many "forwards" before everybody will know about this.
It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest.

"ICE" will speak for you when you are not able to.