We’re about 90% packed, which is a relief with moving day just around the corner. We’re loading the truck on Sunday and hope to officially move on Monday afternoon—fingers crossed our closing doesn’t get pushed to Tuesday.
Here’s the progress on the to-do list we shared on Wednesday:
- Remove every item from the walls and patch/paint nail holes (this turned out to be much easier than expected: remove nails all at once, spackle everything at once, then paint room by room).
- Transfer utilities so they’ll be active at the new place on move-in day.
- Pack the entire bathroom, except travel-sized shampoo and conditioner, toothbrushes, and the shower curtain.
- Pack frames, mirrors, books, ceramic pieces, and most breakables (dishware is still left to do).
- Rake the yard so the new owners don’t inherit a giant leaf pile.
- Oversee completion of a few inspection items (a professional handled some flue work).
- Get our heating oil measured for closing (the new buyers pay for whatever remains in the tank).
- Say goodbye to our tan slipcovered Pottery Barn sofa in the den (someone from Craigslist is picking it up).
- Pack the remainder of the kitchen and finish about 10% of other rooms that are still unpacked.
- Clean the oven and fridge (these will be done right before we leave).
- Vacuum and sweep before locking the door—likely with a tear in my eye.
Not bad, right? Just the last 10% of packing and some cleaning remain, then we’ll head to the new place—probably not springing if we’re carrying heavy boxes, but excited nonetheless. Yesterday was long and stressful with last-minute closing paperwork, so to lift our spirits we drove by the new house and sat in the car just looking at it. Even Clara and Burger peered out the windows. It really rekindled our excitement for the next few hectic days. Ah, new house—let us count the ways.
For anyone who enjoys seeing a home mid-transition, here’s how things look right now:
Several readers asked what is conveying with the sale of our house, so here’s a clear list of what’s staying:
- All kitchen and laundry appliances.
- Basement storage pieces and built-in cabinetry.
- Built-in wardrobes on either side of our bed and the bed frame.
- Floating shelves in the dining room.
- All hardwired light fixtures and the bedroom’s plug-in swing-arm lamps (except the chandelier from Clara’s room, which we swapped for a standard fixture).
- All blinds, shades, curtain rods, and curtains (we’re taking the curtains from Clara’s room for sentimental reasons).
- A folder of manuals and house information plus interior and exterior paint cans labeled by room.
We’re happy to leave those items behind: they helped the sale go quickly and contributed to an offer above asking price. Below are a few packing strategies that worked well for this type-A move:
- We used blue painter’s tape to mark boxes with breakables so those can be handled with extra care.
- Painter’s tape also marks kitchen cabinet doors that aren’t empty yet, so we don’t keep opening every door to check.
- We labeled nearly every box with a Sharpie so essentials—like Clara’s bath items—can be located instantly.
- We borrowed sturdy free wine boxes from a local shop; many have built-in handles and are perfect for glassware.
- We packed a “vacation stash” with clothes, toiletries, and baby supplies to use for the last few days here and the first few at the new house, so we won’t need to frantically unpack essentials.
- We also prepared a “first-day” box to keep in the car with toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, cleaning supplies, disposable cups, and a few items to welcome helpers and make the first hours easier once we arrive.
So far, everything’s on track. Eye on the prize—the new house—and counting down the final tasks before we move in.