xmas tree dismantled for another year

[bunrab]

I got all the ornaments packed away - I packed them for moving, in fact, using a larger plastic storage box and lining it with bubble wrap, and then layering ornaments with more bubble wrap, so that what used to take up about a 30-quart storage box now takes up about a 60-quart storage box. It just seemed silly to have to pack them twice; why not do it right the first time? Which led to the thought that I might as well get a storage unit rented next week, and ferry the ornaments over there rather than back up to the attic. Same for the tree. After all, we know we won't need it again before we move! And I can get the rest of the boxes out of the attic too, then. The exterminator does his final inspection of the attic next week, so if I clear the attic out, I can start stapling in hardware cloth and replacing insulation while the weather is nice and cool still. Plus, spreading the putting-stuff-in-storage load out over more time makes each load easier. So I dog-eared half a dozen storage places from the yellow pages, ones that are convenient to our house, and will call them Monday to get prices.

One of the things I'm doing is starting a "moving notebook": first page will wind up being all the quotes from storage places. But it will include a list of boxes as I pack. One trick I learned years ago: number each and every box, and have a list of how many there are. That way, you know INSTANTLY if one's missing when the van gets unloaded. I will also, next to each number, have a one-line description of the contents and the room the box goes in.

So, find storage unit; attic stuff out to storage unit; purchase hardware cloth and a couple rolls insulation; attempt to corral cheap handyperson to do the actual work up there for me... Plus of course sorting and packing some yarn.

Meanwhile, next week I also have to update my syllabi for my courses, prepare all my first-day handouts; prepare stacks of papers explaining the semester project; buy brightly colored paper, as I seem to be about out. Classes start Tuesday the 18th.

We're picking up Cindy at the airport tomorrow evening; she's been in Albuquerque at a nephew's wedding. Her cats will be glad to see her back, as neither we nor the cat sitter are willing to overfeed them the way she does.

I think I've found a living-room wastebasket that the cat cannot tip over. That has been bugging me for ages; although I'd be against buying anything that then would have to be moved, at this point, I think having that wastebasket helps my sanity. I can sell the old one at a garage sale...

Comments

[avanta7.livejournal.com]

I think I missed the "we're moving" entry. When/where are you going?

[bunrab.livejournal.com]

We aren't moving until June, but we're moving from Austin to the Baltimore area. And we have 3000 square feet in this house, every single bit of it full of stuff, so now is NOT too soon to begin dealing with it.

[avanta7.livejournal.com]

Baltimore, hmmm? That will be different from Texas! As the time gets closer and you plan your route, let me know if you'll be passing through Little Rock. Maybe I can meet you all for a cup of coffee on your way through town.

[bunrab.livejournal.com]

love to! Yes, our route will include Little Rock and Memphis - the drive from Austin to Memphis is a very nice one-day drive, and Memphis will be big enough a city to find a motel that accepts pets. We'll have all the critters with us!!

[bunrab.livejournal.com]

I checked back - it's the December 19th post

[covenantofgrace.livejournal.com]

At leat you will have one more semester at St. Ed's right? Do you know if Dr. Cassandra is taking a semester's leave or toatlly going to stop teaching CS at St. Ed's? He sent me a email, along with fellow students, stating that he is no longer our professor, but he can still spam us with CS news stuff.

[bunrab.livejournal.com]

As far as I know, Dr Cassandra is gone permanently, or at least that's what we heard. They've got his position posted in the job openings, so I guess that confirms it...

Yeah, I will be at St. Ed's all spring, lucky you. I am teaching 2 sections of 1318 and one of 1301, and am looking forward to it, as ever - I still keep having new ideas every semester, to try out and see if they help more people understand.

[stylizedboredom.livejournal.com]

Really off-topic....I LOVE your icon.

[avanta7.livejournal.com]

Thank you!