When Moving, Plan Ahead

Now that we're moved, I can laugh a little about the chaos that happens once you get to the new house.  Afterall, it's not just getting out of the old house, closing on it, and closing on the new one.  It's all about getting comfortable in the new house, as quickly as possible.

Especially if you have kids and cats.  (Dogs aren't as smart as cats, so they're ok with the change as along as you're there with them. Just my experience)  So, after you get the litter box and water bowls set up, and then build the kid's beds, you have time to go to the kitchen and think, "uhmm.........." because you have no idea where to put stuff in your kitchen.  And during these stressful times, the last thing you really want to be thinking about is where to put the spoons.

So, here's what I recommend:  On  your inspection of the house, take detailed pictures of the cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms (and laundry room if you have one).  Open them up in Paint or Photoshop and start playing around with where you'd want to put things.  Make yourself a map.  It's especially nice if you have people helping you move in so that they know where to put things, too.  But, really, the best part is that you get to play around in your new kitchen without really being there.

Then, on moving day, grab your pad of sticky notes and label doors and drawers.  You might want to leave those up so that your family knows where everything is, too.

Ta-da, instant kitchen de-stresser.