A moving experience!

It frazzles everyone, drives the most devoted close to divorce and it can make life unbearable for days ... all this for such a small word known as moving! There are ways to ease this trauma and it all starts with good planning. To help you avoid the many pitfalls here are some suggestions.

1. First, get rid of all excess baggage. Sift through drawers, closets and toy chests. Hold a garage sale or give away what you do not need to charity.
2. Prepare packing paper, pad for inventory and marking pens.
3. You will need boxes or containers, heavy twine and tape.
4. Mark cartons clearly as to what contents and room to be put in.
5. Mark cartons you want loaded last to unloaded first.
6. Keep one container with cleaning supplies and load it last so it accessible first.
7. Point out and mark fragile or delicate items.
8. Do not pack cleaning products in the same boxes as food.
9. When packing dishes wrap each dish in its own piece of packing paper.
10. Purchase containers that have hanging rods for packing clothes.
11. Tie furniture pieces together but be sure to insert cloth or old clothing in between the furniture pieces.
12. All flammable or explosive items should require special attention.
13. Disengage and tightly cap your barbecue gas containers.
14. Empty the gasoline from your lawn mower.
15. Pack all aerosol containers in one box and mark appropriately.
16. And lastly, the day before the big move. Pack an overnight bag with toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoo, soap, towels, pajamas and bedding. This way at the end of exhausting day ... you do not have hunt for them!