Overwhelmed from the thought of moving?

[soxbox]

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Now that school is, gulp, just a smidge more than a month away, I am sure many of us have either moved or are in the process of moving... I have finally really just started the process today... my pod comes in about 3 weeks...

so I was wondering, has anyone become somewhat overwhelmed with the amount of stuff you have collected over the years??? I moved out of an apartment 4 years ago and into a decently sized house... and somehow I have filled basically every room with crap... It never really dawned on me until now that I have to downsize my entire existence into one little box to move across the country with.

The salvation army is going to be getting a huge donation from me pretty soon!!! I am having a moving sale and whatever doesnt sell is getting boxed up and dropped off at the local salvo...

I know this has zippo to do with vet school, but I am hoping others out there are in the same situation as me and I am not alone 🙂

PS: If there are any soon to be Tufts students moving to Mass and you need any furniture/treadmill/snowblower/desk/you name it I am sure I have it, PM me and I will let you know what I have 🙂

 

[Max Power]

yeah...especially when it's your moving from West Virginia to Grenada lol...

I'll have both middle fingers flying out the window on my way to the airport, F this place

 

[QTkitty]

haha I'm already through with my move and I'm still overwhelmed. I posted before about what a bad idea it was to pack 2 days before moving, so kudos to you for packing ahead! I also donated a ton of stuff to salvation army. Packing right before leaving doesn't really allow for having a moving sale either 🙄 Now I have stuff in boxes in my new house that I can't seem tofind a place for. It's funny how everything seemed to have a perfect place in my old condo that has no place in the house. Anyway, I'm sure it'll get better... see you when you get out here!!!

 

[nyanko]

I'm not starting vet school but I am moving to Davis in September. It is very overwhelming - I defend my undergrad thesis in 2 weeks and then I have to start concentrating on moving. One thing to another, I swear...

 

[critterfixer]

Oooohhhh yeah. I have um...nine years of stuff in this house from 19 years of marriage, two teenagers, 4 dogs, 2 cats, a guinea pig, a snake, 3 hermit crabs, and a 10-year-old catfish. I haven't even called for moving quotes.

How's that for head in the sand?

 

[soxbox]

Oooohhhh yeah. I have um...nine years of stuff in this house from 19 years of marriage, two teenagers, 4 dogs, 2 cats, a guinea pig, a snake, 3 hermit crabs, and a 10-year-old catfish. I haven't even called for moving quotes.

How's that for head in the sand?

you just made me feel a bit better about my move 🙂 I know how much I have accumulated being single and having only 2 cats.... good luck!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[critterfixer]

Thanks! Can someone help me move now? 😉

 

[pressmom]

I'm getting my third moving estimate next week and it's going to be crazy moving less than a week before school. Ahhhhhh!!! And all the estimates are coming in so high! Life just keeps getting more expensive. (And it doesn't help that I just spent $30 on the best single piece of fish I have ever eaten tonight!)

 

[silverelf]

for those of you that have a lot of clothes, those vacuum bags (where you suck all the air out) are MAGICAL. i had a friend who went to grenada for vet school, and that was the only way she could make it without paying out the bum to ship stuff to the island. Well, she used the bags, and she also hid her textbooks in her dog crates...the airport guy looked at her 30 lb pothound and was like "Gee he looks like such a little thing...I can't believe he weighs 80 pounds!". Hah, they never caught on.

 

[4theanimals]

Hey Soxbox:

I graduated Saturday and left Monday. Boy was that fun! But I am admittedly one of those anal retentive people. I had been eBaying stuff since April (smaller items). That gave me some great money - much more than I ever would have got from a garage sale. Then, one luxury of living in a complex, I sold a bunch of the large stuff there via flyers. Then a truckload (and a couple of carloads) to the local thrift. Given all that, I would say I had definitely built up some stuff. It's definitely stressful but just keep your eye on the prize.

little tip: since your "podding" don't pack any towels, pillows, clothes, etc. Or if you feel you must put them in garbage bags. You'll want to use that stuff to fill in all those little spaces in the pod. 👍

 

[wildfocus]

I graduated Saturday and left Monday.

little tip: since your "podding" don't pack any towels, pillows, clothes, etc. Or if you feel you must put them in garbage bags. You'll want to use that stuff to fill in all those little spaces in the pod. 👍

congrats on graduating 4theanimals!! and nice suggestion on the pods.

soxbox, i totally feel the same way, but include DEPRESSION! everyday i meet up with someone who says how much they are going to miss me, which just reminds me just how much i will miss them PLUS i have so much work to do for my job and only four weeks left PLUS my replacement now has to have sx and i have to do the work i had set aside for her PLUS whenever i get geared up to pack, i just feel like crying. i am an emotional wreck 🙁 and can't seem to get out of this funk.

 

[Nexx]

I'm taking a break from packing right now. I had the bright idea to work until the day I leave to drive across country and then I've kept procrastinating on painting, packing, and cleaning. Now that it is crunch-time, I'm a bit behind. I need to finish the trim on painting, go visit close family friends this weekend and then I have monday and tuesday evening to finish everything up and drive to California, then fly out to Perth. 😳

As a side note... for those of you dumping everything and fitting whatever you can in your car I recommend those banker-boxes. They are small and compact enough to fit in most car trunks.

Now.. back to packing 🙂

 

[mochavet]

Ha! Try packing for a move to Australia when all the airline allows is two 50 pound suitcases and one carry on that can't be more than 15 pounds. I leave in two days and haven't even begun to pack. Plus, every time I begin to think about packing, I break down and cry instead. I never imagined it would be this hard to leave everyone and everything behind. I have to keep reminding myself why I am doing this and keep my eye on the prize. So far though, I am quite certain this is the hardest thing I have ever done. Does anyone have any words of advice to help deal with the surge of emotions?😕 I could really use some at this point.

 

[GallopRealyFast]

While on the subject of moving....I am just curious and trying to plan for myself (nobody in my family went to college so no advice coming from them)....How are you guys paying for your places? Is there enough time to work while you are in vet school? Why/why not live on campus?

 

[critterfixer]

Ha! Try packing for a move to Australia when all the airline allows is two 50 pound suitcases and one carry on that can't be more than 15 pounds. I leave in two days and haven't even begun to pack. Plus, every time I begin to think about packing, I break down and cry instead. I never imagined it would be this hard to leave everyone and everything behind. I have to keep reminding myself why I am doing this and keep my eye on the prize. So far though, I am quite certain this is the hardest thing I have ever done. Does anyone have any words of advice to help deal with the surge of emotions?😕 I could really use some at this point.

No words of advice, but I want to give you a virtual hug. You're going to be alright, honey.

 

[chris03333]

I just moved from CA to MI about two weeks ago and got my stuff from the mover about a week ago. There are still the last few boxes to unpack, but man I feel lazy!

For those of you considering movers make sure to check www.movingscam.com BEFORE you sign any contracts. The were a real great help in my finding a good company.

 

[QTkitty]

Ha! Try packing for a move to Australia when all the airline allows is two 50 pound suitcases and one carry on that can't be more than 15 pounds. I leave in two days and haven't even begun to pack. Plus, every time I begin to think about packing, I break down and cry instead. I never imagined it would be this hard to leave everyone and everything behind. I have to keep reminding myself why I am doing this and keep my eye on the prize. So far though, I am quite certain this is the hardest thing I have ever done. Does anyone have any words of advice to help deal with the surge of emotions?😕 I could really use some at this point.

I've been going through the same thing since I moved. Granted I didn't leave the country but moving out of state has made me really depressed. I think the only thing that's really helped me has been to keep myself busy and my mind off of being so far away. I got a job and I try to get out of the house as much as possible. Try to make some friends and get a hobby to keep you from thinking about it 24/7. I actually think we are lucky to have such strong feelings for our families, some aren't so lucky, and I don't want to be rid of these feelings all together... I just can't live with it all day, every day. On a separate note, have a safe trip and a great time in Australia!

 

[ri23]

QTKitty - Just curious, why did you move so early? When do your classes start?

 

[QTkitty]

Classes start aug. 20 (mandatory orientation week starts the 13th). I decided to move out early so that I could get settled into the house before school starts (unpacking, relaxing, etc.). When I moved into my condo for undergrad it was like 2 weeks before school started (escrow took longer than expected) and I was sooo stressed with getting the house and myself ready. I just didn't want to go through that again. Another reason I moved out early was to facilitate the selling of the condo. With my 2 cats I didn't want to have to up and move if someone put in a bid, and I didn't have anyone else I could move in with in the mean time (no room for me or my stuff and/or had dogs). I kind of regret moving out SO early, but would have been out here by now anyway.

 

[Capella]

I empathize with everyone's clutter situation. I've never thought of myself as a materialistic person or someone who buys a lot of stuff, but having to move or dispose of 20 years worth of possessions has led me to realize, I DON'T NEED ANY MORE STUFF!!

Answers for GallopRallyFast:

How to pay? Many if not most vet students pay for school partly or fully with student loans. Scholarships help a little.

Why not live on campus? Undergrads are annoying. But seriously, most schools don't have specific housing for vet students. We're kind of on our own. I guess you could live in grad student housing if you can afford it.

Enough time for work while in vet school? I of course don't know yet from experience, but the only answer I've ever heard to this question is NO. Still, a lot of students I know have part time jobs, usually at the university. Some schools such as the University of Missouri offer part time jobs to students.

 

[jfitzpatri8]

Lots of my classmates have "jobs". A few work for the vet med library, a few work in the undergrad tutoring center, and lots work for the drug companies as "student reps", scheduling speakers, making room reservations, and coordinating meetings. They get paid a stipend that is not stellar, but helps them with pocket money (I think its about $900/semester). I don't know anyone who has a job off-campus.

When I was working in SD, one of the interns had worked all the way through vet school as a tech in a SA practice. She was one of those super-smart people who didn't really have to study, and one of those super-health nuts who didn't really need that much sleep. She was also the youngest person to have graduated vet school. She was 23. Early HS graduation (with college credits), applied to vet school with "only the prereq's", and an accelerated vet school program somehow.

So there are options, but most of us just live off of loans (and spousal income and the generosity of our parents).

Good luck- and remember, your life insurance will pay off your loans when you die...

Jenn

 

[mochavet]

Thanks QtKitty and Critterfixer for the kind words. I have now succeeded in packing two suitcases, each under 50 pounds. I am now spending the day with my hubby and two dogs, and have managed not to cry, yet. It will almost be a relief to get to Australia just for the fact that all my good-byes will be done with. Anyway, better go. Thanks again.

 

[sofficat]

well, monday I started my 8 hour move which turned into a 15 hour move thanks to a few mechanical problems. Tuesday morning we got our camper set up (my hubby and i live in a 27 ft fleetwood travel trailer) and didn't have electricity (or water, or sewer) until 4 pm. we spent all day waiting for different inspectors and maintenance workers to come by. we literally sat on our porch in the 90 plus degree weather from 10am -3pm.... just waiting. too freaking hot to unpack in our 98 degree camper (literally) and too hot to do any outside work either! i guess it was nice to sit and do nothing... i haven't really done that before 🙂
on the plus side..... we were told that we may not have electricity or water for a few days and we got both on day one ...and... we didn't have our cats with us (that would have been impossible!)
isn't it fun to explore a new town, though? i love it (and southern people are so freaking nice!!!!)
we moved from tampa fl to auburn al.
good luck to all ya'll moving folks out there! (accent courtesy of alabama) any fun stories to share?

 

[wildfocus]

sofficat - are the kitties following, or did you leave them back in fl?

as for me, my pods are sitting outside right now!! i should probably get to filling them up, but i've spent the whole day procrastinating. 🙂

 

[sofficat]

the kitties are coming up later. it worked out VERY well that we left them behind. so i'll see them in a few weeks when i fly back home to drive them and my car up to AL. i miss them so much already i couldn't imagine leaving them behind.
on a side note, my husband and i were watching a pbs show about cats and a lion lost her cubs and the meow she bellowed out was very distinctive. so for the past few days, my husband will let out this meow and it is very cute. our cats are our children and we both miss them a lot. 🙂

 

[cyrille104]

My moving company totally tried to rip me off! They told me that my stuff weighed almost 4000 lbs after giving me a quote of 2500 lbs. Fortunately, I had written down the intital weight of the truck, and was actually able to find it (very uncharacteristic of me), and it was totally not what they told me. So, my stuff only weighed 2300 lbs! This is such a hassle. 👎

 

[critterfixer]

My best friend came over yesterday and forced me to start packing. We managed to pack up all the books in the house--no easy feat. My daughter also got her closet packed. I suppose I shall have to continue the momentum and keep packing today.

I can't believe I am leaving...🙁

 

[wildfocus]

My best friend came over yesterday and forced me to start packing. We managed to pack up all the books in the house--no easy feat. My daughter also got her closet packed. I suppose I shall have to continue the momentum and keep packing today.

I can't believe I am leaving...🙁

i'm packing today (thru sunday) too. good luck!!

 

[twosoakers]

Driving to CA in a week with my two cats, which nixes stopping at all of the gorgeous national parks along the way. I figure we'll leave the truck air conditioning running with one key and lock with the other at the Grand Canyon. Joshua Tree and Bryce for another day...sniffle.

Here's to tenting with litter boxes! Here here!

 

[ylrebmik]

🙁

Thats awesome that you guys get to take your cats with 🙂

I'm dreading moving... i got a puppy.

 

[soxbox]

wildfocus and critterfixer... good luck packing this weekend, just keep looking at the boxes you have done, thats one less box to pack!!!!

cyrille... what was their response when you told them they tried to overcharge you by almost 2000 pounds????

twosoakers... i so hear you about not being able to stop and enjoy the sites... or really even to be able to go inside and enjoy a nice meal without worrying about the kitties in the car

ylrebmik.. ok, give me cats any day over traveling long distances with a puppy!!

my pod just arrived today as well... its a little daunting that my entire life is going to fit into that one little box 🙂 I have to say that so far ABF has been beyond fantastic to deal with... super super friendly and helpful... i hope this continues!

packing is going very very slowly... though i did go to a laundromat today and washed like 5000 loads of laundry... now to shove those into those space saver bags and hook it up to the vaccuum!! I have also opened up the pop up kennel I got for the cats and they LOVE it... for now... once they see that its going in the backseat and they will be in it for 3 days they will surely change their mind

Tomorrow will be spent packing and getting things ready for the 2 day yardsale this weekend... oh boy i just cannot contain my excitement!!

well good luck to everyone still packing, may your yardsales be fruitful and your travels be safe!!!

 

[pressmom]

I finally accepted a quote on moving--$3000 to move one freakin' state. Gees. Two bedroom apt. But I am getting a partial pack--living room, kitchen and artwork. They're coming with a truck to pack the Monday before orientation and (it starts on Saturday) and the truck is supposed to get there on Wednesday. Last time I moved one of the dogs hid under the bed for a full day. (Not like him...) So hopefully it will go better this time.

 

[cyrille104]

cyrille... what was their response when you told them they tried to overcharge you by almost 2000 pounds????

They basically said it was a silly mistake and thanked me for calling back to correct them. I tried to be really nice about it though, because they still have my stuff and I don't want them taking a dump on it.

Good luck with the packing, it'll get done eventually!

 

[sofficat]

$3000?!?!?!?! Do they unpack and clean the new place for you, too? Because they should!

There is not a better feeling then working your butt off for a few days then looking at your new place and saying 'ahhhh... finally starting to feel like home...'

The move will suck- they always do- but look what you are moving for! We are going to vet school!!! wooooooo!!!!!

 

[ri23]

Wow - I certainly don't envy you all! I luckily only have to move to a different place in the same city - so while I certainly never look forward to moving - at least I don't have to go through what you guys are!! Good luck to all those moving!

 

[CookieBear]

My plan is to start the drive out on Monday July 30... one husband, two cats and a cockatoo!

I'll pack whatever is essential in the trunk, and I'm going to ship some boxes out from the post office. I'm semi-moving.. since we're keeping our house here and hubby is staying in NJ. So I don't need to take everything with me... just what I need out there.

I should look again at those pop up kennels for the cats.. maybe they'd be more comfortable that way than in their own carriers?

 

[wildfocus]

i did it! i did it! i packed two stories/15 years worth of junk (oh, i mean stuff!!). never thought it could be done, would be done. those of you still struggling, there is an end. one way or another, there is an end!!

safe travels to all of you setting out on the road.

 

[pressmom]

Congrats wildfocus! 😀 If you can do it, we all can!

 

[soxbox]

i cant wait until i can say i am done wildfocus 🙂 my pod has been sitting in the driveway since thursday and i have put NOTHING into it yet... it leaves Wed morning. I did manage to pack up the kitchen and most of the living room into boxes. Upstairs looks like a tornado tore threw it... and I am not exagerating at all... We had a monster moving sale this weekend and got rid of soooooooo much stuff, yet somehow there is sooooo much left...

At the end of the sale yesterday there were still about 2 tarps worth of stuff and we put up a big free sign, dragged those to the curb and by this morning there was only a small box of stuff left 🙂 Though the couch is still out there... I am so hoping someone comes and takes that away!!!!

I have been sleeping on the recliner chair because I didnt want to dirty any sheets I washed and the couch is outside... oh I want it to be Wed night when everything is done and I can enjoy the last few days before the drive!! (Though we do have to do a mega house cleaning/rug shampooing/toilet scrubbing, etc 🙂 ) I am actually looking forward to that because that means all my stuff is gone!!!!!!!!

OK... so this is really long, I should be packing, but I decided to drink some wine and hop online instead... good luck to those left packing... Im right there with you 🙂

 

[CookieBear]

I went to WalMart last night and bought the medium PopUp kennel. And boy, it sure means "PopUp". I took that little velcro thingie off and SPROING the thing launched into the air over the couch where I was sitting and opened.

Two minutes later, Pumpkin was already inside it, checking it out. It fits on the backseat of the car, beside the bird cage. I wanted to make sure.

As for packing... that's what this weekend is for, right?

 

[Cheska]

One thing that has been a life saver with packing- I got a few of those "Space Bags" to throw clothes and blankets into, then just vac out all of the air (the big totes are kinda pricey @ $20 each, but I can fit sooo much into them! A stack of stuff 3.5 feet high goes down to like 8 inches!). Plus since we are going from CO to AZ, I can throw all winter clothes in one and ignore it until my next winter vacation!

 

[flokemahe]

Step one: choose the appropriately sized vehicle, and make sure the fit is just right (note the tight fit demonstrated by the "fluffier" cat on the right)

Step two: check the rim for sturdiness, ventilate as necessary

Step three: take time to familiarize yourself with the emergency exits

and you're good to go!

MT: Darn all those sardines, I USED to fit into a size four!

 

[Emio]

flokemahe, it has something to do with the link not ending in '.jpg' i think. double check the link that the photo website provides, and try again. there's no .jpg in there anywhere, so i dunno what went wrong. the captions make the pictures sound cute though 🙂

 

[flokemahe]

flokemahe, it has something to do with the link not ending in '.jpg' i think. double check the link that the photo website provides, and try again. there's no .jpg in there anywhere, so i dunno what went wrong. the captions make the pictures sound cute though 🙂

thanks, Emio. After messing around with the pic tags & sources for a while, I've concluded I'm probably inept and I definitely should be wasting my time doing something else! Sorry gang, I'll have to make you all laugh another time!

 

[soxbox]

well the pod was packed at 12:50 and the ABF guy showed up at 1pm 🙂 So my pod with all my belongings is off on its way to colorado... (i hope!!!!)

now the task at hand is to somehow clean out the rest of the house of everything i didnt not take (like 75% of my stuff) and do the nitty gritty cleaning ceiling to floor deal... and finish up my last 2 days of work and get ready for the 3 day road trip 🙂

but right now, im going to have a beer, put my feet up (on my sisters couch in her apartment!!) and call it a night 🙂

ps.... cookie... those pop up things really are no joke... i swear when i opened mine I almost lost an eye 🙂 the cats LOVE it so far... but i have yet to force them in it for 10 hours a day!!

 

[4theanimals]

Congrats on the completed packing. Safe trip!

 

[JIKJen124]

The whole thought of packing/moving/renovating is making my head spin this week... AHHHH! My movers are coming Saturday! Somehow yesterday I adopted a dog... Not exactly the best timing, but what are you going to do? Can't help it when you find the good ones, right?

 

[CookieBear]

Just joined AAA...

AAA has slightly different driving directions from NJ to KS than Mapquest does. So, in case anyone has any input or advice, I'm going to give you two basic routes. If anyone can point me in the right direction (haha) over which of the two you'd choose, just say so.

I mean, basically, I just need to drive west. And... keep going. If I hit Colorado, I know I've gone too far. 😀

AAA route: 20 hours, 11 mins. 280 to 80 to 76 to 277/76/224 onto 71 (Cleveland/Columbus), then 270 to 70... 465 thrown in... Terre Haute/St. Louis/Indianapolis x 212 miles. Then 70 into St. Louis/Kansas City, and finally 177 into Manhattan.

MapQuest: 20 hours, 44 mins. 78 to 76 (Pennsylvania), 70 (makes sense), 10 miles on 470 (Columbus), back on 70 ... 270 Kansas City crossing into Missouri, back to 70 again, to 177 into Manhattan.

MapQuest seems so much more basic... but I've known MapQuest to put me on misadventures before on smaller trips.

Otherwise, I'm sure no matter which of these roads I take, as long as I'm going west, I should be fine.

A GPS is just not in my (our) budget right now... besides, when all else fails, I'm pretty handy with a paper map. Just don't expect me to stop for directions.

 

[JIKJen124]

Having driven 76 (the Penn Turnpike) more times than I care in my life, I can tell you going the way that avoids it is probably good. You might want to check yahoo directions too to see what they say. Good luck as you finish packing!

 

[chris03333]

Just joined AAA...

AAA has slightly different driving directions from NJ to KS than Mapquest does. So, in case anyone has any input or advice, I'm going to give you two basic routes. If anyone can point me in the right direction (haha) over which of the two you'd choose, just say so.

I mean, basically, I just need to drive west. And... keep going. If I hit Colorado, I know I've gone too far. 😀

AAA route: 20 hours, 11 mins. 280 to 80 to 76 to 277/76/224 onto 71 (Cleveland/Columbus), then 270 to 70... 465 thrown in... Terre Haute/St. Louis/Indianapolis x 212 miles. Then 70 into St. Louis/Kansas City, and finally 177 into Manhattan.

MapQuest: 20 hours, 44 mins. 78 to 76 (Pennsylvania), 70 (makes sense), 10 miles on 470 (Columbus), back on 70 ... 270 Kansas City crossing into Missouri, back to 70 again, to 177 into Manhattan.

MapQuest seems so much more basic... but I've known MapQuest to put me on misadventures before on smaller trips.

Otherwise, I'm sure no matter which of these roads I take, as long as I'm going west, I should be fine.

A GPS is just not in my (our) budget right now... besides, when all else fails, I'm pretty handy with a paper map. Just don't expect me to stop for directions.

ALWAYS trust AAA directions (I have done many cross country drives this way).

NEVER trust mapquest...........