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OK, Here's the Scoop...{updated!}

...We have a contract on our house!!!! It all just came about Monday morning and I haven't had a chance to blog about it till now. It happened really quickly~and we hadn't had anything going on for 3 weeks. Frankly, I was beginning to think our realtor had lost our number~and then, boom, it all fell into place. We are still in Arkansas, too, and I keep thinking about all the things I have to do when I get back to Alabama. (Kayren, it does feel like we've been gone for a month, even though it's really been just over 2 weeks).

Our trip was extended by a few days since Vince and my dad decided to check out a conference they were interested in down in Little Rock. So instead of leaving this past Monday we aren't headed back until tomorrow (Thursday). Unless they hi-jack that plan, too.....but they'd better not! I'm really tired of the outfits that I brought on this trip~heehee!!

So, yes, I'm very happy about moving back *home*, I'm sad to leave our Alabama friends and I'm excited/scared about all the new plans we are making. I'll share about those more in the future. Of course, our immediate plans are to find a house in Arkansas. We close on our house in Alabama on June 4th, so you see that doesn't leave us much time.

We looked at one yesterday morning and then I went with my sister to look at another yesterday afternoon (since Vince had already left for Little Rock). I really liked the second one and think it could be a good fit for us. But I've got some calls to make in the morning and I definitely want to check out some more options. I can't say that I enjoy doing this by myself, but since I'm the only one here to look I guess I'll do it!

Now it's crunch time. Gotta get busy packing boxes. Those few that I packed last fall are really all I've packed. I just didn't think stacked boxes looked good for house showings. Now I've got to make up for lost time!

So send all of your good moving tips my way, please!! We'll be moving ourselves, so give me all of the best DIY stuff you've got!

***Update***
Our closing date just got bumped up to June 1st!!!!

Comments

Unknown said…
Lora, you bought the house close to Vince's birthday and you sell the house close to Bennett's birthday. Pretty cool!
Ironically, Song, we will be moving right at the same time that we did 3 years ago when we moved to AL--right at Mr. B's birthday.
Kirsten said…
At least you don't have to take all your strawberry jam back to Alabama! It can be waiting for you at your new house on June 4th.
Nancy said…
Congrats! So glad to hear you sold your house, and even more excited to hear that you're moving back this way. Still a little too far away, but closer! ;) Happy house hunting, and I'll be watching for all the moving advice you get so I can use it too! LOL!
Kayren said…
Oh, congratulations!!!!!

Moving advice...get a big enough truck. :) Otherwise, start making your list of things you're willing to part with, in order of priority, because it's a little stressful when it's sitting on the sidewalk and you have zero point four seconds to decide, and you know the rest you'll never see again.

Seriously, pack like things together, in the rooms they go in. Have one box, preferably in each room, that is for odds and ends that doesn't get sealed up until the end. Have a place to put things that you don't want packed and that nobody touches. You know, stuff you have to have with you and you want to find before you unpack it (which would probably be the very last box if it were my luck).

That's all I'll put in this comment. When it posts it's probably going to be kind of long.

Congrats again! So very happy for you guys!
Kirsten~
Yes, I'm only taking a few jars back to give away!

Kayren~
You aren't kidding about a big-enough truck! The last time we moved, the company way under bid the job in way of # of boxes and furniture and didn't bring a big enough truck. It was crazy, we had to rent an extra u-haul and we had 3 vehicles crammed full, too.
Angela said…
Hey there! WOW! So I am so glad the house sold, but WHOA, that is a tight timeframe you are working with!

We always pack/move ourselves (except our furniture and on the last move I let the movers take the non-fragile boxes). My packing secrets are as follows - first, make a list of EVERYTHING that goes in EACH box. This way, you will know exactly where to find it. I number the boxes consecutively. Then, if you keep the list in Word (print a copy occasionally for backup purposes) you can search by keyword if you are looking for a specific item. I also try to pack essentials with essentials and nonessentials with nonessentials, so that I don't have to open a box for just one item. Then you can kind of unpack at your leisure once the immediately needed stuff is unpacked.

Next - last move, we went to Office Depot and got a bunch of those file storage boxes - the kind that you just pull the corners apart and you've got a fully-assembled box. They are a little more expensive, but you can save and reuse them, and they will save your sanity! Plop the top on the box and go!

For fragile stuff, I used bubble wrap inside the boxes and then wrapped each piece in that wrap that is kind of like what you use to separate china plates - not sure if that will make sense, but you can find it at office depot too.

If I think of anything else I will write more, but those are my best tips.
Betsy Brock said…
This is wonderful news! Happy packing!
Lisa said…
I'm so happy for you guys! I know it is both a blessing and a relief to be moving. A blessing because you'll be close to family. A relief because I'm sure you guys have felt as though you're waiting for the next step for a while now.

Would having a dinner delivered to your door help with the moving process? I'd love to free up at least one of your nights from cooking so that you can focus on packing. If so, just let me know.
Lisa~
That is so sweet of you to offer that! I have to say, I'm sure it would be a huge blessing during this crazy month:) Thank you so much for offering to do that!
Lisa said…
You're welcome. You just let me know what day would be good for you!
Laura, please e-mail me with your address. I'm sure you probably know that my family's business is Koller Moving & Storage. I want to send you our instructional packing brochure. It will help you with alot of the little things that you need to know about moving your valuables over a long distance.
Also, if you would like I can call you and do what I call a phone survey. I can talk to you and give you an estimate that will tell you how much weight you are going to move. It will help you and Vince get an 99.9% idea of the boxes you need and the size truck your belonging will require. The office # is (479)783-4679.
Melissa~
Thanks for the help! I appreciate it a lot. I'll email you!
Michelle M. said…
What great news!!! I hope everything goes very very smoothly!

As for tips, I say be as organized in packing as possible. It makes the unpacking so much easier.
Lisa said…
Would next Tuesday or Thursday be a good day for dinner? I was thinking about making Mrs. H's creamy chicken enchiladas. Is that something you guys might like? The recipe is posted on her blog, if you want to check it out and get back to me.

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