We both know I’m not asking for a friend. I just want someone who reads this blog to make me feel better after having moved into a house one year ago this week with boxes still randomly sitting about. Most things are unpacked, but my sewing room is a maze of boxes. The sofa that belongs in there is in our neighbor’s garage. The table with built-in lamp that belonged to my sister is still in a giant box. I’m not quite sure when I’ll get around to unpacking that room. Not all the pictures are hanging on the wall yet.
I just celebrated my 69th birthday and I’ve lived in 22 places.
1. Greensboro parsonage #1
2. Greensboro parsonage #2
3. Galax parsonage
4. Woodlawn parsonage
5. Abingdon parsonage
6. McComb parsonage
7. Sabina parsonage
8. Columbus/rented a room from aunt & uncle
9. Columbus/German Village
10. Columbus apartment
11. Wilmore trailer #1
12. Wilmore trailer #2
13. McClure parsonage, which was an apartment in the church building
14. Dryden parsonage
15. Ft. Oglethorpe parsonage
16. Radford parsonage
17. Alcoa parsonage that we liked so much after 10 years we bought it!
18. Cleveland purchased home
19. Kingsport parsonage
20. Kingsport purchased home
21. Maryville purchased home
22. Alcoa former parsonage that we bought from the man we sold it to!
My daddy was a minister. The first seven moves in my life was with my family, growing up in the south, then moving north to Ohio. My mother did most of the packing when I was little but when I was 9 years old, she taught me how to pack up my bedroom. She didn’t help me, but sat down with me, making suggestions on how to keep things from being broken in the move. Who knew that pajamas and nightgowns wrapped around lamps and jewelry boxes would protect them! Underwear was good for my little breakable things on the dresser. And rolls of toilet paper could make a great box filler!
Now I’m a grown-up, married to a minister, and know how to pack really well. I kept a list of numbered boxes on my computer, with the contents of each box listed there. Each room had their own boxes marked with the rooms they belonged in for our movers to take care of. Signs were hung above each door to each room and we did great! My organizational skills were put to use and worked extremely well. Most of our moves were done this way. (Pre-computer, I used a notebook and lined paper for the same information.)
Those methods worked extremely well until this last move to our forever home.
Because we lived in the next town...boxes were packed and brought over periodically. Nearly every time we came to the house while it was being remodeled, we’d carry over some boxes and stick them in closets. No numbered boxes. No lists. I’m really regretting that now. Hard to find what I need out in the garage which is still FILLED with boxes.
The next time I move, I won’t have to pack anything!
Next time I move...it’ll be feet first!
If you have a pulse, you have a purpose. Make your life count!
