MOVING ADVICE 101

1. Construction Deadlines are BUNK!
First of all, when building a home, please take my advice and add a minimum of 60 days to the expected completion date just to be safe. Nate and I were gullible and gave notice at our condo with the "initial" date in mind. But as it turns out, our house won't be anywhere near done by the end of the year. So, if you don't want to be homeless, add 60 days and plan for even more {get a list of friends and family willing to let you bunk at their place for a while}.
Nate and I will be spending the month of January at an extended stay apartment unless we have any takers - we do dishes.

2. Builders are BUNK, too!
You meet a representative of your builder. They seem honest, possessing integrity and wisdom. Then they start to build your house and you get to hear every excuse in the book. I visited our house on Saturday and its only progress was a hearty Taco Time dinner someone must have eaten in the great room. There were wrappers and bags strewn everywhere but still no roofing, no dry wall, do flooring. Just take my advice and assume that everything they tell you is a big fat lie. Then you won't be disappointed when it ends up being a big fat lie.

3. Get a POD.
Portable On Demand Storage {PODS} are a wonderful invention I wish I had thought of. You simply order a pod {various sizes} which is delivered to your old place. At this point you can slowly move your belongings into it. Rather then cram your move into one hairy weekend you could pack with peace of mind throughout a week's time. The pod people will then pick out your POD and store it for you if needed {Nate and I will need}. Finally, once you have a home secured, the pod people will deliver your pod and you can move your things in at your own pace. Nate and I thought about living in our pod but realized it will get awfully cold in there. Plus, I get claustrophobia.

4. How to Pack?
Check our Martha's suggestions for packing all your pretty things here.