.............And So it Begins!

Hey everyone!   Hope you're having a great Friday & that you aren't the brunt of too many "April Fool's" jokes today!  I don't usually play that game, but I used to when our kiddoes were, well, little kiddoes.  They thought that was really fun.  The Man may or may not even remember what day it is, but I'm always a little bit ready for any jokes he might have up his sleeve.  We'll see how the day goes.

A couple of weeks ago, I shared a photo of the new house we are buying & that I would be taking (or dragging) ya'll on this journey with me.  I thought today would be a good day to start some of that.  We should be closing on the new house at the end of April, so I am getting really excited & a bit anxious about all that has to be done.  Over the last few weeks, I've been getting estimates on moving & that's been a real shocker.  I'll share some of that in a bit.

First, let me show you where we are right now & where we are moving.  Yuma is point A on the map & Gilbert (our new home) is point B.  Gilbert is a suburb of Phoenix.  Between Pt. A & B is about 200 miles or approximately 3 hours driving time.  Yes, if you are wondering, Yuma is super-close to both the Mexico & California borders.  Super-close!

I have gotten four estimates on moving.  I had them figure for two ways -- we pack or they pack.  I won't even tell ya' what it would be if they pack!  The estimated poundage for our "less than 1700 sq. ft. home" has varied from 10,000lbs. to 16,000lbs.  Seems like a BIG difference to me.  Charges have ranged from, get ready, $1000 to almost $6000!  Can you believe that?  The real kicker is that the lowest estimate is from a Gilbert mover who will drive to Yuma, pick up & drive back!  Now, if you are thinking that maybe this Gilbert Co. is so much less because they aren't reputable, I questioned that myself.  I checked them out with the BBB & they had an "A" rating with no complaints.  They've also been in business for over 20 years, & they are family-owned.  I intend to check out references, but they are looking pretty good to me. 

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=809

So today, after The Man gets home from work, we are off to pick up a few of these.......

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=659

.....and some of this.  Well, actually, I'm getting a few rolls of unprinted newsprint from our local newspaper.  I've been told this is the best paper to use, because then I won't have to wash everything when I unpack it.  Yay for me!

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=1674

This is where I plan to start the packing process.  This is my sunroom decor closet, so lots of glass & small items.  I plan to use boxes that, once packed, The Man can slide them back on the shelves.  I have this aversion to having moving boxes stacked here and there in a home that's for sale.  That being said, I am willing to have some stacked in the garage, however.

I'm really anxious to get this process started, but will probably wait until next week to actually begin since we have another Open House scheduled for Sunday.  Last week's Open House was cancelled due to our realtor having a family emergency.  So, once again, I'm off to do some "spiffin 'n polishin" but The Man is helping with some of that tomorrow.

In all this "hubub & chaos" that IS my life right now, I realized I reached 200 followers last night!  Actually, my 200th follower shared that with me in an email.  

She is Martina at Northern Nesting, & you should definitely check out her nice blog.

All I can do right now is say "THANK YOU" to all of you who follow my blog.  It still amazes me that so many of you are interested in what I have to share.  I am truly flattered & hope I can do something nice, in the way of a give-away, in the future.  I count so many of you as really good friends, & if even a few of you feel that way about me, then I am very lucky!

I am happy to link up to these wonderful parties:

Inspiration Friday

Fridays Unfolded

It's A HodgePodge Life

Feature Yourself Friday