Moving Tips

So, first of all, No, we are not (at this time) moving. At least, not that I know of, not this month anyway. You never can tell and I've learned NEVER to say never.

(A very dear friend of mine is. In fact, she was my first friend here when we arrived 2 1/2 years ago. We Stuckeys were quite alone and went for several months feeling that way. That January, we joined a new small group and I *bravely* went to a Tues. night Bible study. That night I met her and we ended up bonding for about an hour afterwards as we shared how we had both gone through miscarriages around Thanksgiving. We immediately learned that we moved here in similar circumstances around the same time and that our husbands worked together and had already met!  Lance and I have both said time and again how much they mean to us. God, in His faithfulness and perfect timing has provided a wonderful promotion and fresh start for her husband and so as we hate to see them go, (Oh, how we hate it) it is a great opportunity for him.  So, they will be leaving us soon. )

As they have to move somewhat quickly,  she and I were talking about moving and I've been trying to remember all the things that we learned when we moved here-- so I thought I would write them all down here and you can feel free to comment with any of your tips!! Some of you have moved A LOT!!!


When preparing to move:

* LABEL, LABEL, LABEL. Don't just write what room, list some of the contents (if not all!) It will help you immensely in those first few days. We wrote on index cards and then packing taped them to the boxes. Number your boxes for any room which you have multiples, such as the kitchen.

* Don't be afraid to donate and throw out when preparing to move. It really doesn't take all that much longer and you will most likely be "paying" to move every little thing, so if it doesn't serve a purpose (and if not sentimentally important) get rid of it!!!

* Use all your space! Use space in dresser drawers, pots and pans, (for small kitchen tools and spices)
*Get some of those colored dot stickers from the office supply section and devote one color to each room/ area of the house-- then mark the boxes that way.

*Have a supply of cheap zip-top bags in varying sizes. They are indispensable for collecting small things like the magnets from your fridge, cleaning out your medicine cabinets, removing all child-proof locks, etc. Also, when you take things down and apart--such as drapery rods-- just put all the small pieces, screws and such inside and tape it to the curtain rod.

To make the transition easier for all of you:
* Make a cleaning bag that rides in the car with you and you can take in first. Obviously, most places will be only surface clean and you will probably want to wipe down bathrooms, kitchen sinks and counters, etc before using them.  I used a canvas 31 bag with lots of pockets. I had paper towels, windex, basic all purpose cleaner, magic erasers, dust cloths and I stuck a roll of garbage bags and a couple rolls of toliet paper down in it. You don't want to have to search for these.

*Pack a suitcase (if moving several hours away) with your pajamas, extra clothes, toothbrushes, contact lens cases, etc. so you don't have to search through boxes.

*To make the transition better on little ones, especially toddlers, make every effort to set up their crib right away and have their linens clean and all ready to pull out of a clean garbage bag and put on their bed. Make sure you have their favorite toys close by for bedtime to make the difference bearable. I avoided changing any other major things for several weeks prior to or after. I would not recommend encouraging any major transitions during this time, i.e. crib to toddler bed, bottle to sippy cup, etc.

*Unpack your basics in the kitchen within the first 24 hours. Once you have your kitchen set up, you will feel much more able to tackle everything else, and it works as a great command center.


 These are things I've noticed on Pinterest that seem to be great ideas and I'll try to give proper credit.

This Post contains many tips and a printable moving checklist!

We did the garbage bag thing over hanging clothes and the styrofoam plates between breakable plates tip is genius!!

Also, Check out these Great Moving Tips HERE

**Please share your own moving/ packing tips in the comments!!**

Sprucing Up Our Nest

One of our recent house projects has been a re-do of our foyer. We painted it a beautiful soothing grey (It took WAY longer than we planned because of the condition of the walls--but then doesn't everything home-related?) Lance did an AH-Mazing job and I promise to post more pictures of the Foyer once we finish hanging everything on the walls!

And then there was this little unwanted night stand I procured from family-- the little drawer made it perfect for a foyer table!

So I started sanding... and sanding. And sanding. And I did end up priming the piece even though I failed to snap a photo of that.

Before.. or rather, during. 

                    Then came the paint. Valspar's Golden Spell at Lowe's. There was actually a slightly different shade I wanted but Lucy put her 3-year old foot down once she heard the name of this color, she said it sounded "More Magical!!" So, we went with Golden Spell and I really love it. I had trouble finding a handle to fit, as in I went to Lowe's THREE different times with a tape measure and the measurements, but each one I chose was either too big or too small. So, I'm considering taking the original handle and spray painting it. But what color? Should it be yellow to match? (I know you all have tons of time out of your day to ponder this silly little question. Ha!) So without further ado, 

After. 

Magical Indeed. 

I posted the *Ginormous* size because I Love it. 

My "New" Wreath

                        I bought this large Oval grapevine wreath because I loved the different shape and had intentions of making a fall wreath... in 2011!!!! Since then, I have done the extent of attaching a Red and Green Plaid bow at Christmas and taking it off the rest of the year. Sad. So a few weekends ago when a lifelong friend who is practically my sister came to visit for the weekend, she helped me do this wreath. And when I say she helped me, I mean she did it. While I watched her and fixed us sweet tea in Mason Jars... And I oohed and aahed. And every time she said, "Do you want it like this?" "Or like this?" I said, "ummm... whatever you think, I trust you." I knew I wanted the chevron bow. It's Chevron Burlap. Love. (One of these days when Burlap goes out of style, I'm going to be out of luck. I loved it way before it was chic and it. is. everywhere.) Have I mentioned I love this wreath? Not as much as the amazing girl who made it all happen, but almost. I smile every time I pull in the driveway.

             A few other little newer touches in our home:  On a recent weekend trip to Wake Forest, where we as a family began,  I picked up a few little cute souvenirs.

 I do. I really do. I am a firm believer in "a little bit of the real stuff" is so much better!
This little wooden sign is green and yellow and matches my kitchen perfectly.
 (Note to self: clean windows would match even better.)

Ahhh! this little one was a gift our sweet friends who still live there and have (since we left) given birth to the most adorable Red headed baby boy. We love them! And I will always treasure this sign! Although, I must say, I have recently come to the realization that Home is where you are. Period.
Contentment.
 It's a beautiful thing in the life of this girl. God has been doing great things in our hearts
and we are SO thankful!!!

And... our other little souvenir from NC, Curtains for our Kitchen!!
The photo is a bit dark but I'm so happy with the way they turned out.





So.. here are the details should you want to replicate (or completely avoid at all costs) our look.
Foyer Wall Paint: Valspar Grey Tempest
Foyer Table: Family Cast-off
Table Paint: Valspar Golden Spell
Orange Lamp with Burlap Shade: Hobby Lobby
(whose lamps are great but WAY overpriced unless you go on the weeks they are half off!)
Grapevine Wreath, Chevron Burlap and Flowers: Hobby Lobby
(The wreath was maybe $5.00 regular price? I love their wreaths.)
Signs: Old Magnolia Trading Company and Cotton Company in Wake Forest, NC
(Both stores are amazing for unique gifts!)
Floral Kativa Curtains: World Market-- They were 50% off so snatch them up if you want them!

House Update: Oh what a difference Pressure Washing makes!

A couple of weekends ago, my amazing in-laws came and helped us pressure wash and remove the massive amounts of mildew from our new nest. This was one of the first major projects that HAD to be done. Enjoy the before and after photos! (Cleaning the gutters made a big difference too!)

 Before

After