Community Chat

[tansy]

So you got the place! Yay! I haven't read all of the recent posts. You are sure that blinds won't come supplied with the apartment then? Any apartment I remember came with some sort of Venetian blinds.

[Marienkaefer2]

Ford, I.don't know what your budget is, but what I would do (and have done) is this: do you have a local home decorating store? Everyone always thinks of the big box places, but many times (in my experience) you get great service and prices from a smaller locally owned business. For example, several years ago I changed all the window coverings in my condo. I went to this place the next town over from me. A sales rep came to my condo with some samples for me to.look at. She helped me with recommendations. She measured the windows, including my sliding glass door, I picked out what I wanted, and ordered it. In a week, they were in, an installer who worked for them came out and installed them. It was easy and the price was great!. I know that sometimes you can save some money by doing it yourself, but honestly not everyone can do that or has a friend or relative to help. A "one stop shop" is very nice, especially if you have to have it done quickly. Also, the big box stores are not always the best route for price or convenience. This sounds like a very nice apt. You should get something you like and will like to.have for awhile. Jmo.

[LilacTree]

On 2/4/2015 pink-rainbows said:

Ford,

Congratulations! So happy for you.

There is going to be a LOT of stress and so much going on to get moved.

Here's my best tips--

Get a notebook. Keep DETAILED notes of Everyone you talk to, their name, what you discussed, phone #'s etc. This will save tons of time looking up phone #'s repeatedly.

Also, use the notebook for your "checklists" deadlines, "things to do" example--getting mail changed, notify important places like Social Security, IRS, Car Insurance, Banks, Doctors Offices, etc.

When moving I keep a small plastic box on my table for the days mail. I make lists from that pile of who to notify. I keep doing it once I get into the new house to catch any stragglers.

And, everywhere you go, and every worker who comes to your home--GET THEIR BUSINESS CARD! Get a rolodex folder and keep them long-term. Now days you must have that card for multiple cell #'s, fax #'s, email addresses, business days/hours, names of associates. Those are vital and real time savers.

Be careful of mover scams. Try and get a good reference from a realtor or neighbor. Don't just go by price quote. Sadly some are liars and frauds. I had better luck with small locally owned ones.

Be sure to have a "last packed" "first needed" box of your essentials. Your meds and comfort items. You will be exhausted on moving day and don't want to have to be searching a bunch of boxes for your vital things. And, keep your purses locked up as people are in and out on moving day. Safety deposit box for precious items, jewelry, etc.

I wish we each could come and pack a box for you. That would just about get it done and we could all support you in the effort. Heck, I'd pack a dozen boxes for you!

Take care. Pace yourself.

Best of luck.

Pink

What a nice and helpful post! I copied it into Word and printed it out and am keeping it in my folder. I am using a calendar for most of the things I have to do, but you have some things in this post I hadn't thought about. Fortunately, we do have two full weeks to move stuff over there since we are renting from March 15 and not moving until the end of March. Our paintings will not go on a moving truck!

I have a mover lined up. He's local, but I called the Property Manager and asked her for a few references and she immediately recommended him because over the years this company has done hundreds of moves into that community and they are obviously very familiar with the apartment layouts, etc. They will do an estimate around the end of February because my daughter has a lot of things she wants to sell and dispose of, so an estimate now would not be accurate.

I still have work clothes in my closet here which is walk-in and I don't have walk-in there (I'm taking the smaller bedroom because my daughter has a king-sized bed and I have just a regular full-sized bed) but there are other reasons too (no, no boyfriend!). Anyway, one of my other daughters is going to come over and she's going to put probably two-thirds of those work clothes and other stuff I never wear into big bags and take them across the street to the thrift store. They will then go through it all and what they don't want to sell, they give to Catholic Charities. Pretty convenient!

I will make it a point to do all the non-physical stuff. Fortunately I can still do that!

Thanks again for your very helpful post!

[Marienkaefer2]

Adding to my post #141: is the apt empty now? maybe you don't have to wait until you move in. Could you make arrangements to have it measured for window coverings any time now BEFORE you move in? And have them installed before? This sure would save you stress around moving time and afterwards.

[LilacTree]

On 2/4/2015 tansy said:

So you got the place! Yay! I haven't read all of the recent posts. You are sure that blinds won't come supplied with the apartment then? Any apartment I remember came with some sort of Venetian blinds.

No, Tansy, as you will see if you do read some of my posts today, the window treatments are up to us, and I'm kinda glad they don't have blinds in there because I do not like blinds. If they were there I would feel obligated financially to keep them. I have them here where I now live, but I only have one window in the bedroom and they have those plastic vertical blinds on the patio door, my only two sources of light.

Thanks for the "yay," YAY!!

[LilacTree]

On 2/4/2015 Marienkaefer2 said: Adding to my post #141: is the apt empty now? maybe you don't have to wait until you move in. Could you make arrangements to have it measured for window coverings any time now BEFORE you move in? And have them installed before? This sure would save you stress around moving time and afterwards.

That's exactly what we are going to do, Marien. We will be renting from March 15 and not moving in until the end of March, so that's the timeframe, which is why I'm looking now. I have to get the windows covered before we move in. The only thing bad about that is paying for the half month of March while still paying full month's rent here, and then a security deposit and April's rent right on top of that. I'm surprised they are only asking for one month's security, but it still comes to a lot even for the two of us.

[LilacTree]

On 2/4/2015 Marienkaefer2 said: Ford, I.don't know what your budget is, but what I would do (and have done) is this: do you have a local home decorating store? Everyone always thinks of the big box places, but many times (in my experience) you get great service and prices from a smaller locally owned business. For example, several years ago I changed all the window coverings in my condo. I went to this place the next town over from me. A sales rep came to my condo with some samples for me to.look at. She helped me with recommendations. She measured the windows, including my sliding glass door, I picked out what I wanted, and ordered it. In a week, they were in, an installer who worked for them came out and installed them. It was easy and the price was great!. I know that sometimes you can save some money by doing it yourself, but honestly not everyone can do that or has a friend or relative to help. A "one stop shop" is very nice, especially if you have to have it done quickly. Also, the big box stores are not always the best route for price or convenience. This sounds like a very nice apt. You should get something you like and will like to.have for awhile. Jmo.

Another good idea! You folks are great! I will check the yellow pages today. There used to be a Calico store where I have had some reupholstering done right down the highway, and I think they sold window treatments. They were expensive though and I have no idea if they're still there, but I will check it out. I'll also look for something smaller around here, this is a highly populated area and I wouldn't be surprised to find that kind of store.

Thanks, my friend!!

[pink-rainbows]

Ford,

I remembered one more tip.

I use clear bags a lot.

Small ziploc bags to group small items together. These can also be labeled with a fat black Sharpie marker. IE: junk drawer, office supplies, bathroom items.

And, I bought CLEAR trash bags, kitchen size, from The Container Store. I use those for many things, like washcloths, kitchen towels, Winter/Summer clothing, even books if they are going to be stored to keep dust away.

By using the CLEAR bags I don't have to open and look inside to figure out what is in each bag. And, some can be put on closet shelves for the season "as is" without unpacking.

I also made one medium sized plastic tote and put all "ELECTRICS" on the label. In there I put charger cords to cameras, computers, cell phones, ipad, extension cords, night lights, flashlights, --you get the idea. That really helped when DH would ask "where is the so and so cords" I knew it was in that box. You'd be surprised how many cords are in our homes now and how they all look the same! If you have time, it's good to label the cords so you know what goes to what.

It does get overwhelming.

Be careful of the dust. I don't know if you have any breathing/lung issues, but a dust mask can be helpful.

Delegate all you can. Your strength is limited and you need rest breaks.

I hope you have plenty of helpers.

I say it's always hardest getting out of the old house. Once you make that deadline and are in the new house, you can go slower and take time to do a little each day.

I'm so happy for you. Your place sounds beautiful and I know you will enjoy being with your daughter. You are strong women who love and help each other. That's the best part!

Pink

[LilacTree]

On 2/4/2015 pink-rainbows said:

Ford,

I remembered one more tip.

I use clear bags a lot.

Small ziploc bags to group small items together. These can also be labeled with a fat black Sharpie marker. IE: junk drawer, office supplies, bathroom items.

And, I bought CLEAR trash bags, kitchen size, from The Container Store. I use those for many things, like washcloths, kitchen towels, Winter/Summer clothing, even books if they are going to be stored to keep dust away.

By using the CLEAR bags I don't have to open and look inside to figure out what is in each bag. And, some can be put on closet shelves for the season "as is" without unpacking.

I also made one medium sized plastic tote and put all "ELECTRICS" on the label. In there I put charger cords to cameras, computers, cell phones, ipad, extension cords, night lights, flashlights, --you get the idea. That really helped when DH would ask "where is the so and so cords" I knew it was in that box. You'd be surprised how many cords are in our homes now and how they all look the same! If you have time, it's good to label the cords so you know what goes to what.

It does get overwhelming.

Be careful of the dust. I don't know if you have any breathing/lung issues, but a dust mask can be helpful.

Delegate all you can. Your strength is limited and you need rest breaks.

I hope you have plenty of helpers.

I say it's always hardest getting out of the old house. Once you make that deadline and are in the new house, you can go slower and take time to do a little each day.

I'm so happy for you. Your place sounds beautiful and I know you will enjoy being with your daughter. You are strong women who love and help each other. That's the best part!

Pink

More good advice! Yes, we are close knit, the four of us. I wish it was five, but that is not meant to be.

[KathyPet]

Home Depot and Lowe's too carry temporary shades. These are very intensive paper pleated shades that come in standard widths and lengths. They have heavy duty stick on backing so tou just peel off the tape that covers the sticky stuff and up they go. They come with plastic clips that you use to keep the blinds up to let in light. You may want to consider these as a temporary window covering.