A moving experience!

  Jan. 2nd 2010 posted as General It frazzles the unflappable, drives the most devoted close to divorce and makes life unbearable for days ... Moving!

But there are ways to ease the trauma.Good planning of each phase will help you avoid many of the pitfalls.Here are some suggestions to help you with the packing phase:

1. First get rid of all excess baggage. Sift through drawers, closets and toy chests. Hold a garage sale or give away what you don't need to charity.

2. Prepare packing paper, pad for inventory and marking pens.

3. You'll need boxes or containers, heavy twine and tape.

4. Mark cartons clearly as to contents and room to be put in.

5. Mark cartons you want loaded last, unloaded first.

6. Keep one container with cleaning supplies (broom, sponges, detergents, etc.) and load last so it can be accessed 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 need special attention.

13. Disengage and tightly cap Bar-B-Q gas containers.

14. Empty the gasoline from lawnmower. Pack all aerosol containers in one box and mark for contents.

15. The day before the move, pack an overnight bag with toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoo, soap, towels, pajamas and bedding.That way at the end of the day, you won't have to sift through boxes before you fall exhausted into bed.