Moving tips to help you have a successful move

These moving tips to help you have a successful move were employed in my latest relocation. After eight years in the same home, my husband's company decided to move us to another part of the state. To say that we didn't want to move is an understatement. We set about contacting moving companies after the shock wore off. We also pulled out some of the tips for moving that we've used in the past. They made the move much simpler. This video has some ideas. I'll type a few more in below.

See my YouTube video Moving tips for an almost stress free move

• Evaluate your assets.
• The first thing you need to do if being relocated is look at your assets. I'm talking about making a written list of everything from paydays to people. It makes relocating much less stressful after you see where you stand.

• Don't buy boxes.
• Buying them will put a hole in your pocketbook. Using free boxes will help you save money on a move and recycle at the same time. We talked to Walmart, dollar stores, grocery and liquor stores and a couple of gas stations. Friends brought us boxes from work. It all helped us save money and was better for the environment.

• Contact several movers
• The prices quoted varied. One wanted over $5,500 to relocate our furniture while two others were in the $3,000 range. A couple of companies were only interested in giving us an internet quote. We nixed them and also the one that stood us up. Boundless Moving and Storage did the job and did it well. So, my big recommendation is to hire good help!

• This is where looking at all your assets come into play. The advantage of a corporate relocation is that they pay for it. A DIY move is usually less expensive but more stressful. Don't be shy about bartering. Ask friends to help in exchange for helping them when they need help.

• Cleaning
• If you have advance notice, start socking a few dollars back each week. Contact a cleaning company to see what they'll charge. If you have a friend that might help make her or him an offer. Just say, "I have $50 bucks. Can you help me clean?" So far, I've not been turned down. The extra hands to help clean up after a move are a godsend.

• Food
• Meal costs add up fast when you're eating out more often. One of the best moving tips is to save the coupons that you can. Look for deals on pizzas and drive-thru ordering. I was thrilled to find out that my Straight Talk Wireless rewards offers promo codes for restaurants and other companies.

These are a few moving tips to help you have a successful move. Check out my video through the link above for more ideas that can make your relocation a little smoother.

One more thing...
Treat yourself after the work is done. Go to a park, movie or take a day trip. After all the boxes are unpacked, you deserve to  have a nice relaxing day.

You got this!

Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cake!

My husband and I are foodies – yes we are and we admit it.  We are not afraid to say we enjoy a good pie or cake.  While some cakes are ‘from scratch’ recipes, I prefer to find a recipe for a good cake that has the basis of a mix.  I don’t have a well stocked pantry with all kinds of flour and other baking necessities, so a mix is more my style.  This Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cake uses a mix with a few added ingredients, perfect for me!

One reason I stopped making the basic pineapple upside cake was the recipes were for the 9 x 13 pan.  You know how messy that is to turn one of those out onto a decent looking serving dish.  I have a Tupperware rectangle cake server that was the perfect size, but it was always a guessing game if the cake would come out of the pan in one piece!

Scrolling through the internet one day I saw that photo – it was called a Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cake and the photo drew me in!  I saved the recipe and recently purchased the cake mix and other ingredients and went for it! 

Follow the step-by-step instructions in the link and your cake should come out looking like mine – or better!  This is a super moist cake and it’s very rich and filling.  I would suggest making it for company if you don’t have a large family or a few neighbors to share it with.  It is way too much for two people to finish. 

When I made the cake in a 9 x 13 pan I usually needed my husband to help do the flipping.  Not so with this Bundt cake.  While he was outside doing his thing I turned the cake out all by myself!

Click this link for the recipe!

A few tips that I discovered:

• It calls for 1 stick of butter which I used, but next time I would cut that down a little.
• They don’t tell you to drain the cherries, another slight change I would make next time.
• I used Pam and it worked perfectly.
• My cake took about 50 minutes to bake, so don’t base baking time on what they say!

Photo belongs to AbbyG

Thrift shop finds make unique vacation souvenirs

Thrift shops and travel can go together like a hand and a glove. People are beginning to shop in thrift stores to look for unique souvenirs and inexpensive items when they are on vacation

My daughter and I have been scoping these stores out as we prepare for her wedding and all important honeymoon. Talk about some cool finds! We picked up a Lorton China frame, a silver plated tray by Gorham and a very special souvenir. It's in the video below.

I would be glad to tote any of these finds home from a getaway, vacation or honeymoon. How about you?



Shopping at thrift shops on vacation is a good way to pick up things you need but couldn't fit in the suitcase. Are you going from a warm climate to a cool one? Pick up a couple of long sleeve t-shirts, wash them and donate them back.when you leave.

I was a few thousand miles from home when I pulled out my camping gear and realized that my cookware was back home. A thrift shop hooked me up with a $2.50 saucepan that still travels with us. Then I noticed some souvenir mugs in the corner, and well, you know how it goes. 😃

Our bathroom remodel is still going strong

Before my health set-back I had big plans for redecorating this home. We live in job provided housing and I am very fortunate that our committee has given me the freedom to make upgrades. Not everyone in this situation is so lucky.

Our first project that we tackled was to redo the bathroom. This was a very minor project. I removed the cabinet from over the commode and took the light fixture off of the wall. The formerly peach colored room was given a few fresh coats of white contractor paint.

This proved to be ideal to make the small space look larger. It's easily something that an Oakland contractor or other professional could have done. But, I wanted to try tackling the project myself and had a great time doing it.

Moving Now!

Guest post by Gerard Mcdaniel

I’m moving. I’ve never lived more than a few miles away from home in my life and I have to admit, I’m terrified. I really thought I would get to stay near mom and dad longer but since I’m graduating early at the end of the month I’m going to have to be a big girl and deal with the fact that I got a great job offer in a great city.

Mom’s been busying herself with things like closing on the condo they bought me in Dallas and dad’s been doing all the dad stuff like going to http://www.electriccompaniesindallas.com to get my utilities all set up – I’ve been pretty much inconsolable about having to leave the only life I’ve ever known behind.

I’m really excited about moving to a new city in that I get to try new restaurants and make new friends but at the end of the day I’m going miss Jersey because it’s the only place I’ve ever known. I’ve lived in the same house my entire life and without my parents around to handle all my issues I’m a little worried I’m going to fall flat on my face.

I know moving away is usually part of growing up, I just didn’t know I’d have to do it when I was only 21 years old. A lot of my friends moved away when they went to college, though, so I think it’s time I got out on my own and really made a life for myself that didn’t have anything to do with being near home.

My mom is so incredibly supportive and she’s been a good listener for the times I really freak myself out – I hope she remembered to upgrade our phone plan to unlimited because I plan on calling home about ten times a day when I first move! I really thought I’d be better prepared for this…when I was in college all I wanted was my freedom. Now that I’m facing it, though, it seems decidedly less glamorous.

Home upgrades

Preparing for the holidays has put me in mind of some home upgrades that need to be done. We have made progress but the home could use some paint in a couple of the rooms. Getting everything done when you are down in your back is not easy. I have spoken with a guy who is willing to help me with the painting. He said that all I have to do is buy the paint and he is ready to go. I am looking forward to it.

Recently painted bathroom.

We are fortunate to live in a home that we can upgrade. It hasn't been possible in all of the places that we have lived and I'm grateful for the opportunity. My main concern is that the committee won't like the changes. Things are looking good so far.

Although we live in Tennessee, I have heard about custom cabinets Jacksonville. They are said to sell cabinets at wholesale prices and to have a large inventory. If we tackle cabinets, I hope that we will be able to find someone like them in our local area.

Right now our goal is to make it through the holidays and then make plans for upgrades. I'm looking forward to getting back to work on the house. Although, I have to admit that it has been nice to have a short break.

Recreation and nature can aid in recovery process

Did you know that one of the best paths to recovery from drugs or alcohol is to get back to nature? I used to work with a nonprofit who taught clients how to live in tents. They went hiking, spent time with horses and learned how to build a campfire!

Old Copper Road Trail, Tennessee

It wasn't all fun and games. Serious recovery work and self-esteem soared as participants learned new skills. This half-way type of environment isn't for everyone. However; several people reported that hiking in national parks or similar surroundings helped them maintain recovery.

Some places, like the treatment center tailor a broader approach that can meet the needs of more people. Recreation activities, training in life skills and they also offer treatment that is faith based.

My Black Friday shopping experience in Cleveland, Tennessee

Black Friday 2012 is now a day of the past. How it went for retailers nationwide is still being tabulated. I went out today to do my Black Friday shopping. Hubby and I whipped into the parking lot of Lowe's Home Improvement and snagged a coveted parking space next to the building.

Poinsettia

It was the Black Friday Field of Dreams. The bases were loaded at the Lowe's Home Improvement. We could hear the crowds cheering and we were off! We wrestled into position and grabbed the last poinsettias off the shelf. Our next move was to dodge the other shoppers and slide into the home base checkout line. It was our first Black Friday homerun of the season! We sprinted out the door at lightning speed as the stands went wild!

Well, umm... The shopping scenario might be slightly exaggerated. The truth is that we did actually go to Lowes. The story departs from reality after that. In reality here's what happened for us on Black Friday 2012.

How I stay organized (most of the time)

One thing that I have noticed about my new job is the need to get organized in a big way. Work, church and travel writing sometimes overlap but each job has its own level of time involvement. My best days are when I can leave home to visit a church member, drop off copying that has to be done for work and review a restaurant for dinner. Making that happen takes some organized advance planning.

Tools that help me get organized

My top organization tools are my netbook, phone and bulletin board. Of these two, my netbook and board are my favorites. Email reminders are easily set-up but one of the handiest tools to combine travel and work  is trip planning software. Several websites help me plan the quickest route and optimizes my stops so I save fuel.

Why I need a bulletin board

Combining these tools with an old fashioned bulletin board can work wonders for staying organized.

California bungalows - trendy again

Do you need to update your insurance coverage for your home in CA? Home insurance experts at our agency may be able to assist you with your insurance coverage needs. No matter where you reside, whether you overlook the beach in Laguna, live in the mountains at Big Bear or in a comfortable cottage in Pasadena, we may be able to help you with your home insurance coverage requirements.

In fact, in case you reside in a cottage in Pasadena, you would know that your homes’ unique architectural type is enjoying a quiet resurrection in popularity. The California bungalow, incredibly trendy between 1910 and 1930, is really a testament to the Arts and Crafts movement that was born from a wish to welcome simplicity and reject lavish Victorian décor. They appear to still hold their allure nowadays.

The bungalow of the Arts and Crafts era was developed to blend pleasantly with its natural surroundings using and incorporating local materials where possible. In California, this included river rock, redwood shingles, clay tiling and clinker brick. It further borrowed from the Spanish and Mexican architectural heritage of the state and included those distinctive design features into the evolving California bungalow style.

Bungalows appear to still be a well-liked housing option. With a mixture of simple functionality and a direct design connection between house and natural environment, bungalows could still appeal towards the mass market that initially made them fashionable.

Should you need CA home insurance for your bungalow, our agents are delighted to assist you. Call our company now to speak with one of our insurance specialists.

Update on furnishing our home

If you follow my blog,then you already know that most of the places my family has lived has been fully furnished. This house is the exception and I'm having fun furnishing the home. It is taking forever but the empty rooms are a blank canvas upon which I can decorate. For the first time, I am able to purchase furnishings that I think my family will enjoy without the worry about what anyone else thinks. 

It is a rare opportunity and I am glad to be able to do this. It is my first experience in decorating an entire house from the flooring up to the ceiling. (We get to paint too!) Up until last year, I have only been able to make selections for a single room.

When visitors first enter the home the first thing that they see is our dining room. A new set is on the list of possibilities. Our current set came from the thrift shop. I decorated it with travel brochures and we absolutely love the pieces. However; it only seats four and we can use something larger.   I mentioned to a friend that we might need something larger and was surprised when she told me about ordering dining room tables online.

Any set that I buy absolutely must mix well with the family heirloom china cabinets that we inherited from Hubby's grandmother. The dining room table set must also seat at least six people comfortably. I looked at the link that my friend passed along to me and am intrigued by the company. Several of the dining sets look like they might fit our needs.

The only downside is that everything from the company comes disassembled. There is the option to pay extra and have someone assemble the pieces. I can barely put a cardboard box together but Hubby is pretty good with tools. However; of the two of us his time is more limited. Assembly is definitely a consideration so I don't know about ordering off of the internet.

Finding the right pieces for our home is a painstaking process. My goal is to combine aesthetically pleasing thrift shop pieces with newly purchased home furnishings for a mix that works. So far we are happy with the results in the other rooms. I'm looking forward to seeing how furnishing the rest of our home works out.

How to keep laminate flooring looking good

We have been enjoying the laminate flooring in our home. The church installed the floor right before we moved in. I like the durability and it just looks beautiful. We have lived in homes with hard wood floors before but never one with laminate. I have been researching care techniques on the internet. This is what I have found so far. But, if you have other ideas or suggestions please do chime in.

Felt pads
To minimize scratches, we've placed felt pads on every chair and under our couch. These let the furniture scoot without leaving damage. They are easily picked up at Wal-Mart or the hardware store.

Use a soft broom
We purchased a soft plastic one and also a dust mop. My vacuum has a hardwood floor setting. The attachments help me get hard to reach spots. I use the suction power to remove dirt that I've swept up. It works much better than a dustpan.

Wipe spills promptly
The laminate is throughout the house and it includes the kitchen. There haven't been any big spills but there have been drips here and there. We wipe up every spill as quickly as we can.

Use a special cleaner
A friend warned me against using vinegar or soap. These can dull the surface and ultimately damage the floor. I picked up a special cleaner at the hardware store. It's specially designed to clean and polish the surface of the laminate.

We've lived in the home for a year and the floor still looks great. Everyone who owns laminate has her or his own favorite tips. These work for me but I'm open to other suggestions. Please feel free to leave a comment to add your care suggestions.

For more information on how to care for laminate and other types of flooring visit rusmurfloorsmoontownship.com/.

Making your room storm resistant

Do you live in an area which is vulnerable to severe hurricanes and windstorms? A storm can devastate a home in a very small space of time so it’s vital that you ensure that you have the highest possible degree of protection. In addition to getting windstorm insurance to help you withstand the financial aftermath of a storm, it’s worth paying some mind to the roof of your house.

Roofs are exceptionally vulnerable to damage during a storm. Loose tiles or weak roofing materials can all add to long-term storm damage so it’s important that you keep the roof well maintained and if you are building or thinking about a new roof, use storm resistant roofing materials. During a storm keep the windows and doors closed as a sudden change in air pressure can lead to further damage. 
It is a good idea to ensure the roof is well attached to the body of the home. Additional bracing may be necessary if you live in an area which is at risk of severe windstorms. As damage from hurricanes and windstorms probably are not integrated in your homeowner’s insurance policy, make sure that you have further windstorm insurance to protect your house in the event that a windstorm should result in considerable damage.

Establishing a home financial plan

With the present economic times many people are seeking methods to cut costs. A budget is a good way to help you detect where your weekly check goes and keep the spending under control. You might even find there are ways to trim your usual costs along the lines of utilities bills and Connecticut homeowners insurance premiums, providing you with more to spend on the luxuries and fun things in life.

Setting up a budget is generally as straightforward or as intricate as you like.

• First you will need to figure out your monthly salary. As well as your regular wages don’t forget to take into consideration any other income such as investments.
• Next work out your monthly expenditures including bills, rent or mortgage and groceries. Don’t forget to consider a budget for entertainment and a couple of little luxuries.

Establishing the budget is often the simple part, sticking to it may be harder. Setting savings goals can make it easier to stay on track. Envision the purchase or vacation you are saving for and remind yourself of it whenever you happen to be tempted to go on a blow out; you may also try putting an image of your holiday vacation spot or desired purchase on the fridge or notice board as a reminder. Look for ways of economizing on standard expenses - for example increasing the deductible on your Connecticut homeowners insurance policy generally means paying lower premiums overall.

Picking Sufficient Home Insurance

Have you been looking for the most suitable Ohio home insurance? Picking the right policy for you shouldn’t be a long and exhausting process. For the time-poor - or for anyone who would prefer to simplify the process of finding appropriate insurance coverage - our agents are available to assist.

Do you know what sorts of coverage you need and the amount of it you need? Most homeowners need the standard property and personal possessions coverage. Some will have one or more expensive items that wouldn’t be properly covered without an endorsement - high quality or designer jewelry pieces, pricey electrical appliances or home based business equipment are a few illustrations. It is wise to think about any specialized coverage you may need and make arrangements for it when you take out your policy - putting it off could lead to it being forgotten, until the unfortunate incident that you need to make a claim.

If you're searching for the best Ohio home insurance policy, an agent could be of great help. Help understanding policy inclusions and exclusions, and the necessity for any specialized endorsements is just a phone call away if you have an agent taking care of your policies.

Comparison between Direct TV and Cable

Satellite television via DirectTV was already installed when we moved into this parsonage. Hubby was almost beside himself with glee. He liked cable but really liked the idea of satellite. That is, until he remembered that I re-homed our television set before we moved in here.

We had cable for awhile at our previous address. I'm not huge fan of television but I am a huge advocate for keeping the peace. To make Hubby happy, even though my feelings on tv aren't great, I did a quick comparison between cable and dx3direct tv.

Comparing the two services isn't as easy as it should be. On the surface, cable seems to offer a little less than satellite but the wording on each became confusing pretty quickly. The frustrating process resembled a comparison of apples to oranges.

I looked at www.dx3.net and saw several packages listed. Of these, the Premium Package has the most channels. It comes with 285 channels and includes 170 + HD channels. If you sign a 24 month agreement, the cost for the first three months is $44.95 per month. I couldn’t find any place on the site that tells me what the cost becomes after the introductory period nor could I find information on installation costs.

The next thing that I did was to check with our local cable company. The Digital Preferred package offered by the cable company came in at $81.95 for 160 channels. It also tells you that not all channels are offered in all areas and that there is a $500 installation fee.

Both types of television service have their pros and cons. It looks like buyers would do well to first consider what they really want and make their decision from there. Packages and prices can vary. Above all, potential buyers should read the fine print before signing any agreement.

Affordable art makes a unique travel souvenirs

Our repaint on the kitchen is coming along slowly. We are going from a yellow-tinted cream to a deep rich brick color. To further accentuate the room, we on the lookout for some affordable art while on one of our road trips.

I began the travel theme while working on the dining room. At the time, table that we had came from a thrift shop. It was sturdy but needed some heavy work. I knew that the top needed to be covered and our travel brochures from our road trips were perfect for the job!

We also took an old map book and cut that down along with outdated state maps that we picked up. I made sure to have something that would commemorate each of our big road trips. Alaska, Colorado, Montana and Florida were covered along with everything in between.

Next, I added the travel brochures. We have taken a lot of road trips so there was plenty to choose from. The entire table top was covered with a heavy clear resin. Now we have a durable and permanent scrapbook to remind us of our road trips.

Searching for the right artwork to go in the kitchen is going to be like a giant treasure hunt. Every time we gas the car and hit the road we find something new. There may be a shop that we haven't visited before, or a scenic overlook that we missed. Sometimes, tucked away and off of the beaten path, is just the right souvenir to take home. Our road trips are like that. How are yours?

Our bathroom remodeling project

Why not try a travel theme for home decor

SAME weather radio at home; pocket alert radio for vacation

The National Weather Radio Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) is one radio that I think everyone needs to have. Our SAME radio came from Amazon.com but they can sometimes be purchased from a local Radio Shack.

March 2, 2012 TN tornado damage
Copyright Gayle Crabtree

Severe weather and tornadoes do more than ruin vacations. They can cause severe property damage and worst of all, they can cost lives. The National Weather Service does their best to get word out, but even the most accurate warning is worthless if the message is not received.

A SAME radio can make sure that you get the alerts. It is enormously helpful for staying on top of alerts from the National Weather Service. For the home, I couldn't be happier with the  Midland WR300 that Hubby bought and feel that it is worth its weight in gold.

Athens, TN ominous clouds 3.10.12
Copyright Gayle Crabtree

In addition to the SAME feature, it also has AM/FM, time and date and an alarm clock. A battery back-up insures that the equipment will sound off. The alarm will be overridden in can the National Weather Service issues a bulletin. 

This model is small enough that we can travel with it. All we have to go is go online, the SAME codes for where we are staying and change the programming. It is easy to change it all back after vacation.

March 2, 2012 TN tornado damage
 Copyright Gayle Crabtree

I prefer a pocket weather radio for vacation. Mine buzzes loudly any time National Weather Service issues an alert (day or night). It isn't SAME programmable so the messages are for the general area where I am traveling or camping.

When on vacation, it can be difficult to discern my location in relation to the alert. I always carry a paper map. When an alert is received, a quick consult with the map tells helps me decide if action needs to be taken on my part. 

I have found both the SAME and pocket alert radios to be invaluable. Having one at home and one in the vacation camper gives me peace of mind.  Most importantly, it helps keep my family safe.

Winter weather preparation tips
Storm damage scattered throughout much of East Tennessee

Hubby wants a television set

Well, after blissfully living without television for a few years Hubby dropped the bombshell tonight. After we pay for our daughter's big white wedding, he wants a TV. We used to have one. He misses it and he wants another one. It's rational but I'd rather take the money and travel.

Mind you, I'm not anti-television. It's just that I have neither the time or inclination to watch it. Icky news reports are not enticing and the internet carries the most up-to-date weather information. Except for the Travel Channel, Hulu and Netflix suit me for everything else and work on my schedule.

Would you like to know how many years it's been since we bought a tv? We picked up a used one a few years ago at a yard sale. It only needed a remote and worked great until the broadcast signals changed awhile back. In all my travel destinations, I never could remember to pick up one of those converter box things before they disappeared.

Without a box our tv became useless. We kicked it to the curb before we moved to our current home. It sat there for almost hour before the big 'FREE' sign on it caught someone's attention. The guy who stopped had a converter box and a couple of tv stands but no tv. It was the ideal match.

The problem is that although I've been happy, Hubby has been dreaming of a newer and bigger tv than ever. Where we'll put it and when we'll get it is anyone's guess. Next he'll probably want cable. Then he'll want one in the travel trailer. After that he'll want one in his truck and in my PT Cruiser!

I have to draw the line at putting one in the PT Cruise with no worries.  I simply travel too much for it to be in the driveway long enough for a tv to be installed. For once,  it looks like that's a good thing.

Moving and pianos

The husband of a friend of mine is in the military. She said that there are two things about the su that she can count on. Moving and travel (aka moving). It was only a few months ago that she bought a piano for her daughter. I understand that it's one of the older upright styes and is very heavy to move. Her daughter loves it.

But guess what, now they are moving across town before they do some traveling. We've been in a similar predicament so I wasn't surprised when emailed me to ask about the best way to move the piano. My suggestion was to call one of the professional movers Dallas.

We've found that hiring someone to move the piano was the best way to go. The instruments are heavy can be awkward to lift. It has to be packed carefully so it can travel in the van or truck and not get broken. Looking up piano movers dallas texas is also a good option.

Normally, I'm a fan of DIY packing. However, I draw the line at pianos (and also grandfather clocks).Basically, it's like finding a travel agent, looking for a plumber, auto mechanic or roofing contractors fort worth You want to get the right people for the job. That's about the only way that I've been able to survive a move with my sanity intact.

Does anyone have another suggestion? Leave a message to let us know.