My life couldn't be more up in the air than it is (or maybe I shouldn't say that...)

[thistlechaser]

I think I need to hide or throw up or perhaps both.

Today's happening is in addition to major medical issues I haven't posted about yet. Basically I'm visiting the doctor more times this month than I do in years, and with all sorts of medical tests I never had before. One day I'll write more about it.

Anyway. Woke up this morning. Checked email first thing. Found out I need to move. Owner wants to renovate my apartment, so he offered to let me move into another apartment in the complex, but he raised our rent six times in a year, and I've been wanting to move out. So if I'm going to move, I'm not moving to another apartment he owns.

My blood pressure was already going through the roof, just based on that first email.

I sat down with Craigslist and started going through postings. Found a couple I could live with, then one I liked. 9:30 and I visited it. It had everything I required (permitted cats), and the things I really really wanted (washer/dryer in unit, dishwasher, AC). The location is good, and while it's a big complex, the area is really pretty (feels more like a park than an apartment complex), plus it has a nice pool.

10 AM and I filled out the application.

Today was going to be a big day because I was picking up my first smart phone (an iphone), so I scurried off to the Apple store in the mall to pick that up. Horrible trip, HATE that mall so much (think about every high-end fashion brand on the planet and put them all in one mall, that was this place). I felt so amazingly out of place. Plus I injured my foot a while ago, so I was hobbling around on it through the giant mall. (At least I didn't lose my car. That's one of my biggest nightmares, that I can't find my car. My nightmares really aren't all that creative -- either me doing horrible things to people I like or losing my car.)

Noon I was home with my phone and lunch and got an email that my credit check/application passed "with flying colors" (which made me laugh -- my credit score is nearly perfect, darned straight I better have passed!).

1 PM and I had made a ton of phone calls to movers (phone-phobic me! I hate calling people and talking on the phone). Turned out 8/5 is a really late, bad time to try to book movers when you want to move that same month. I finally found a company that both had a good rating on Yelp and had an open booking.

Now I need to pack. I've been living in this apartment for 13 years, so... I have no idea how I'm going to be ready in time. I have a grand total of 5 boxes to use. Luckily the dates work out well:

New apartment ready 8/28
Movers coming: 8/30
Out of old apartment by: 8/31

I just hope the owner of the apartment I'm in now isn't a pain about "30 days notice" when I'm just a few days short of that.

Must make a list of all the things I have to do. It feels an impossible task to be ready in that short of time.

Comments

[gconnor.livejournal.com]

Something I wish I had done last time I moved. If I know something needs to go into storage, probably would be better to pay extra to get a plastic box with a lid an put it in that now. The stacking bins with the flip top are OK but vulnerable to water damage in case there is a leak in the storage area (this has happened to me before, a sewer drain pipe from some other unit once leaked into my storage area). If you can afford plastic bins with real lids, especially for anything collectible or valuable that is going into storage, get it now.

I recently went through and numbered my bins and took pictures with my phone of the contents of each box along with the label. That way I have a photo album called "Garage inventory" with the contents of each box, and if I take the time to add some captions it would even be searchable ;)

[resonant.livejournal.com]

If you can't afford plastic bins, get big plastic trash bags to line cardboard boxes. Put stuff in the boxes, then fold the excess plastic a few times before you close the top. If the movers let a box sit in a puddle, it'll keep your books from getting damp.

Plastic garbage bags will start breaking down surprisingly fast, especially in hot storage units, so this is only good for short-term protection.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the ideas! I think it will be long enough before I have to put anything into storage that my finances will recover enough to afford them. I hope!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Good idea! My unit comes with a storage area, so I'll get some before sticking anything in there. Bonus: Spiders won't get into my stuff! (I never use my storage space here for that reason. Anything you put in will basically be lost to spiders.)

[tersa.livejournal.com]

Given that he's asked you to move out, I don't think he has much of a leg to stand on to quibble about the 30-days. :P

I don't have boxes, but boxes are easy to come by. If you don't want to ask your local grocery store if you can scavenge boxes from them, hit up a rent-by-the-month storage place or U-haul store. They sell boxes of all shapes and sizes.

If you want, I can come by Saturday afternoons (after noon and before 5) if you think you could use a hand packing. I am, unfortunately, an old hand at having to move. :)

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Ha! That's a good point, yes. He hasn't said anything (either way), so I'm going to assume it's okay. He's so amazingly bad at communication it drives me insane. He wants nothing to do with the residents, but doesn't want to pay for a manager, so we have to email him with our issues and he ignores them. (Phone calls are only permitted for emergencies like fires or pipes busting...)

Thank you! For now I think I'm good extra hands-wise. I'm still in a more... personal? stage right now, trying to throw out as much as I can. Once I'm done with that (and I have enough boxes), I think it should go faster.

I hope to not become an old hand at this! ;)

Want some games/movies?

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Do you have a PS2? (I'm not sure if that's still a current gaming system) or a Nintendo Gamecube (I suspect that one isn't).

I have some Harry Potter/general games I thought you might be interested in:

HP/Chamber of Secrets (gamecube)
HP Quidditch World Cup (PS2)
Kingdom Hearts (first one, on PS2)

HP movies:
Sorcerer's Stone
Chamber of Secrets
Prisoner of Azkaban (two copies! One still sealed!)

Only other movie I thought you might be interested in was Lilo and Stitch. I have no idea why I own that one, I didn't even like the movie.

If you want any/all of these, let me know! Otherwise I'll toss them into the donation pile.

Re: Want some games/movies?

[tersa.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I suppose it'd be polite of me to actually respond to this. :) I think the only thing on that list I don't already own is the Quidditch World Cup game, but I don't think I need it.

But thanks for the offer!

Re: Want some games/movies?

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I did wonder! :) No worries, into the donation pile they go.

[teslanomaly]

Oh my goodness! Everyone I know right now seems to be moving, some after a really really long time where they are. I know how chaotic it is! You sound phenomenally on top of everything - I'm so impressed! Good luck riding the storm and I hope you love your new place.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I think it helps that the new place seems nearly perfect. I'll have a washer and dryer! In my apartment! MINE (sort of)! That alone will be AMAZING.

[ani-mama.livejournal.com]

Good luck with everything! Moving is such a pain.

It might be better for your cat to board her for a week or so until you have moved and things are settled at the new apartment. There will be lots of scary strangers tromping about, and doors opening and shutting frequently. I was always worried we would lose a cat when we were moving.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

That's a good idea. Last time took her to the new place ahead of the movers and left her both in the closed case and in the closed bathroom. I was still paranoid though! I'm going to think about that.

This works for me.

[resonant.livejournal.com]

Have three boxes and a big, open-topped garbage can when you pack.

Put stuff in the first box if you've used it in the last 12 months, will use it again, AND if it's still in good condition.

Put stuff in the second box if you haven't used it in a year, it's in good condition, but can't part with it.

Box #3 is for stuff that you don't need or love, but is too good to throw away.

The trash can is for everything else.

Take box #3 to work, or leave it in your building's laundry room. Put a sign on it saying "FREE STUFF".

Take box #2 and decide if you can't part with the object, or if you can't part with the memory. If it's the memory (an impractical gift from a friend, a trophy from high school), take pictures of the item, then toss it into box #3.

My volume of stuff HALVED doing this.

Re: This works for me.

[resonant.livejournal.com]

Special note for books: when packing reading material, have a "for-friends-to-enjoy" box.

If it's a book you love, pack it.
If it's a book you like, and it's from a small press or didn't sell many copies, pack it.

Otherwise, ask yourself if it's a book you could easily find at a library or used bookstore (i.e. most bestsellers). If so, then give it to a friend to enjoy.

Re: This works for me.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Taking a picture of the things is a good idea! This addresses something I need to handle though. I have stuff I haven't touched in 13 years, but I still want. How silly is that?

[juliansinger.livejournal.com]

Oh, my lord, I /hate/ moving. Best of luck! And I'm glad you found a place so quickly.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I hate it too. I've wanted to move out of this apartment for years, but kept making excuses not to. At least I finally got pushed out of the nest, I guess!

[al-zorra.livejournal.com]

I'm SO IMPRESSED! You are a whirlwind! Wow. That fast you found a new place to live. That would NEVER happen here, no matter how perfect your credit is. Wow.

And I'm sorry about the medical things.

Love, C.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm surprised and amazed (and glad!) it was so fast!

And thanks about the medical stuff, too. One day I'll post about that, once I'm ready to "go public" with it.

<3

[kirbyk.livejournal.com]

Also, for getting a large quantity of boxes, you can get them at your neighborhood U-Haul or Public Storage stores. They both sell moving supplies, even if you're not using their more obvious services.

There are ways to get free boxes, but they tend to involve more social interaction than I'd recommend for the Queen of Introverts that you are. :)

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was thinking about boxes last night. Indeed I am the Queen of Introverts, but I'm also queen of OH MY GOD THERE MIGHT BE BUGS OR COOTIES OR WHO KNOWS WHAT BEDBUGS ROACHES EEEK IN USED BOXES! So I'm going to go buy some new ones. It's a waste of money, but... people cooties in used boxes!

:P

[loup_noir]

The moving thing always sucks. But this move sounds like a truly positive change.

And speaking of changes, please let me know how you're doing healthwise. Really. Send me a LJ Message if you want privacy, but now I shall worry about you until I know what's up.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It's awfully rushed and unexpected, but I think/hope it will be a positive change to a better place!

I intend to post about health stuff soon (or did until this move stuff), I was just getting up my nerve to go public with it all. I'll toss you a PM so you don't worry! (But thanks for worrying, too. :) )