Tips to Making Moving Easy (er)
We're almost all moved. I'm exhausted. But happy that the house is sold and we're closing the door and opening a new one. I have to say I'm going to miss our little house and this small town but such is the life when you're in the military. When you're in the military you also get really good at moving. I thought this would be a great time to put together a few tips I've learned along the way to making moving as easy as possible.
Pre-Move
- Plan. Plan. Plan. I love to make "to do" lists. This comes in handy when you're moving. Being organized goes a long way in preventing headaches and fights between you and your spouse, room mates etc.
- Gather up the supplies you'll need. Boxes, tape, markers, bubble wrap etc.
- If you know you've got a few weeks until your move out day you can start sorting though your items and organizing closets. If you're in the middle of the summer you're not going to need your skis or snow boots any time soon. You can start packing up non-essential item
Packing
- Packing well is important as it will prevent your stuff from getting broken in the move. This is especially important if you've got a long move ahead of you-cross country, over seas etc.
- Start with non-essential items. Out of season gear, home decor (frames on the wall, knick-knacks etc.)
- While your packing up the rooms in your house its a good time to clear away the clutter and create boxes for donation or the trash.
- Don't pack things that are dirty or dusty. That's gross. I always like to clean my porcelain, or anything that can collect dust prior to packing. I use a gentle dish soap like Gain (Yes! Gain -the same company that makes laundry detergent now has dish soap! It comes in three great scents. Trust me. You won't mind the extra cleaning because it smells yummy and why bring dusty stuff into your new house?
Moving Day
- Get up bright and early. Have a good breakfast and dress comfortably.
- If you're using movers or have enlisted the help of relatives and friends it's a good idea to have drinks and snacks on hand. Happy helpers who aren't having blood sugar issues are much less likely to drop the box labeled "fragile" of your great-grandmother's china.
- Don't try to move anything heavy on your own. A hurt back does not make for a happy move.
- Rest. Eat lunch and try to take a few moments to enjoy the day.
Kids & MovingIf you have children enlist their help. Have them pack up their own "special box" with stuff they're going to want right away when they get to their new home. If you have an older child make sure you talk to them about their feelings on the move. I always play up the move as an adventure and it helps. Trust Me.Photo: weheartit.com*P&G provided me with free product (Gain), bubbles, t-shirts, and gift cards through MyBlogSpark.
60 Second Cocktails
I love a good cocktail. I also love one that I can whip up in a snap. I also love supporting the men and women of our armed services. As an Air Force wife the USO is a program that is near and dear to my heart. Which is why I just had to share with you a very easy way you can support our troops by simply clicking "like".BACARDI USA’s “Salute to Summer’s Best 60 Second Cocktail Program,” will be donating $1 to the USO for every new facebook fan they gain up to $100,000. That's right. For each person who "likes" the 60 Second Cocktails facebook page Bacardi will donate one dollar. How awesome is that?Very. Very. Very awesome!"In honor of the program, celebrity chef John Besh and celebrity mixologist Bryan Stowe have created an exquisite new menu of cocktails and grilled dishes that utilize the delicious flavor of Bacardi products. Besh and Stowe, both former Marines, prove that cooking and mixing cocktails can be a great way to give back this summer!"Here are a few of their 60 second cocktail recipes. You can download a copy of the recipe book at www.facebook.com/60secondcocktails While there be sure to "like" the page!BACARDI® Hand-Shaken Daiquiri3 parts BACARDI Superior Rum1 part lime juice1 part simple syrup(or 2 Tbsp. Sugar)Directions: In a shaker with ice, combine ingredients. Shake and pour into rocks glass with ice. GREY GOOSE® Fresh Berry Lemonade1 ½ parts GREY GOOSE VodkaFresh-squeezed lemonade5 raspberries1 tsp. sugarDirections: In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, muddle raspberries with sugar. Pour into a tall glass over ice. Top with GREY GOOSE vodka and lemonade. Present with raspberries and a lemon.CAZADORES® Margarita 3 parts Tequila CAZADORES Reposado2 parts premium triple sec1 part fresh lime juiceServe blended with or over ice. Garnish with a lime wedge. BACARDI® LIMÓN™ & Iced Tea1 part BACARDI LIMÓN Flavored Rum3 parts iced teaPour over ice and garnish with a lemon wedge. DEWAR’S® CALLAWAY® Cocktail2 parts DEWAR’S® 12 Blended Scotch Whiskey1 part fresh lemon juice1 part simple syrup1 part ginger aleLemon wedgeThese cocktails are sure to be a hit at your next party!
House for Sale-Shortly
I'm totally stressing out. We are putting our home on the market this Tuesday and we're no where near being ready. We're half way there-but the perfectionist in me wants it to be as nice as possible when my Realtor comes to photograph. I've got loads to tell you but I'm not going to be able to concentrate until it's ready. I think after I'll be stressing to keep my house absolutely perfect for showing. But I'd rather stress on that then on getting it ready to show. I don't mind cleaning and half the time it's perfectly clean anyway.
In the meantime I'm focusing on how great I'm going to feel when we do sell and on finding a perfect new home for us to live in (that is not in the country-and very close to a mall worthy of the word or at-the-very-least a Marshalls!). Of course a little cottage like this one from The Holiday is my idea,l I don't think we'll find one like that in metro D.C., instead I'll settle for a nice townhouse with a basement and a garage!Although we don't have orders yet this market and the fact that we might not sell right away has us trying to stay ahead of the game. Plus at the moment we're hoping that the hubs will get reassigned someplace in the area (I'm not going to say where) otherwise I'm hoping for orders to Spain or Florida!Oh and before your write me about Military moves and horrible places to be stationed, I realize we have absolutely no say in where the hubs will next be stationed, but instead of focusing on possible horrifying orders I'm focusing on our dream sheet*! :)Toodles for now!
Freedom Isn't Free
Freedom. Yours, mine, ours. It belongs to us. It's our God given right. Our freedom thought-isn't free-there is a price. As an Air Force wife I can give you a long list of the sacrifices my husband and our family make on a daily basis so that he can serve. Serving our country is an honor and the sacrifices we make we accept as part of the job.I am mortified, angered and saddened by the horrific events that occurred yesterday at Ft. Hood. I don't understand it. I never will.
I'm also pissed off that it takes a fucking tragedy to get people to pay attention to our men and women serving. All over Twitter and Facebook people are all "thank a solider", blah, fucking, blah. What they don't realize is that they could have used their gratitude and thanks, and attention last week, last month, last year. I'm not pissed off at everyone, because I know of plenty of people who do appreciate our military who go out of their way to thank them. I'm not even really pissed off at the people who are blasting twitter with "God Bless the US Military" in a sea of caring now-because I do realize that they cared before-I'm just pissed.What you may not realize is that our men and women appreciate a thank you-but they don't need it. It makes them feel like a million bucks when complete strangers shake their hand and say thank you, but they don't ask for it. They do their jobs because it's in them to serve. They do their jobs because its an honor to serve. They do their jobs because they love the United States of America and all that we as a united nation stand for. Our liberties, our rights, our...freedom.I'm pretty sure however that they didn't think for one moment while doing their job-on a military installation that one of their own would attack. It's un-fucking-believable.My son says regularly that he wants to be a "doctor and an airman" like his daddy when he grows up-because his daddy helps people. My husband isn't a doctor-but my son at the ripe old age of five years old understands that his daddy's job helps people. His daddy's job helps people. People. People all over the planet. People for whom freedom is a dream. People who aren't free. No my friends freedom isn't and never was free.
I'm Going to See Blue October!
I'm so happy right now! I want to scream, cry, and laugh all at once! I just purchased my tickets to see Blue October! [Insert me doing my happy dance]Haven't heard of Blue October? Gasp!Check 'em out supporting the troops! Yet another reason for me to ♥ them!They sing their song off of the Approaching Normal album called Kangaroo Cry. It came about because while touring Justin Furstenfeld- he's the lead singer witnessed troop after troop saying good-bye to their loved ones as they head off to serve. As a wife who's had to make a number of good-byes in airports I know first hand what he's talking about. Watch it! You'll love it! I swear!The hubs and I haven't had a REAL date in over five years. Considering that he actually introduced Blue October to me (Blue is my most favorite band!) I think it's awesome! You can watch me doing my desk dance and gushing over this fact here.
Supporting Troops Through Books
Want to Support our Troops but don't know how?
Books A Million offers a cool way to do just that through their Books for Troops Program.
Their program allows you to purchase books for our military members currently serving overseas. All you have to do is buy the book, Books A Million does the rest and doesn't even charge you for shipping! How cool is that?
I can say that when ever my husband has been deployed he always enjoyed receiving books.
Armed Forces Day– Air Force Song
Happy Armed Forces Day!
As a proud U.S. Air Force Wife I leave you today with the Air Force Song.
by Robert Crawford, reprinted with permission
courtesy USAF Heritage of America Band
Off we go into the wild blue yonder,
Climbing high into the sun;
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,
At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun! (Give 'er the gun now!)
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
Off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!
Additional verses:
Minds of men fashioned a crate of thunder,
Sent it high into the blue;
Hands of men blasted the world asunder;
How they lived God only knew! (God only knew then!)
Souls of men dreaming of skies to conquer
Gave us wings, ever to soar!
With scouts before And bombers galore. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!
Bridge: "A Toast to the Host"
Here's a toast to the host
Of those who love the vastness of the sky,
To a friend we send a message of his brother men who fly.
We drink to those who gave their all of old,
Then down we roar to score the rainbow's pot of gold.
A toast to the host of men we boast, the U.S. Air Force!
Zoom!
Off we go into the wild sky yonder,
Keep the wings level and true;
If you'd live to be a grey-haired wonder
Keep the nose out of the blue! (Out of the blue, boy!)
Flying men, guarding the nation's border,
We'll be there, followed by more!
In echelon we carry on. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!