Anyone moving soon and want to join me in an overwhelmed by packing thread?

[listsandbudgets]

I've been at it almost solidly except stopping for a quick sandwich since 10am and not yet finished the cellar. One blooming room is taking me hours. I'm covered in dust. There are boxes packed up everywhere and a huge heap of stuff for the skip which is being delivered tomorrow. Another heap for the charity shop.

However did we acquire so much STUFF.

I'm exhausted.... I don't think I can do it.

JamesBlonde the removals men we had quotes from told us to pack our clothes in suitcases or bin liners. Hanging stuff can go straight onto carboard temporary hangling racks in the removal van on the day.

I'm wondering about lampshades. I just can't remember what we've done with those during other moves. I think fragile stuff like that we'll pack in a car and take ourselves.

We have around twelve fish in our pond that we have to transport, which is feeling like a difficult job at the moment. There is no pond at the new place, so we'll need to get digging fairly promptly. Until then, I think the fish will have to live in the water butt, if we can rig up the filter and pump in it. It's a shame there's no equivalent of kennels or cattery for pond fish .

I agree to putting fragile items in the car Agatha. My lampshades won't be going on the lorry.

Yes I'll use bin bags with stickers on for clothes.

Oh god started on the food cupboards today. We seem to have so much food. A whole sack of nearly finished / outdate jars and packets in the bin and a big plastic box packed to go.

I found some pickle labelled best before March 2007

Also found a bottle of wine I'd forgotten about :)

I just can't motivate myself to get started. I am a very last minute person but when we moved last time I made a good head start and we lived with boxes for ages as I packed up unnecessary stuff. This time round I just can't get started!

My house goes up for sale next week. I'll be going from 5 bedrooms to three, and rented.
I have cleared so much stuff. Tip, charity shop and recycling. I actually feel there's nothing else I can get rid of so feel quite calm

Am going to be at it again tomorrow ( was planning today but forgot open morning at school!)

I've done the loft ( at least it's in boxes)

Head down and keep ploughing on hopefully we will have a date soon.

I'm starting to think about packing, but I might just go for a packing service as I had to pack the downstairs up for some building work last year and it took ages.

The one thing is I have no idea what's a decent price for a removal firm. I've had a rough quote of £1600 including vat to move from SE London to Liverpool, I'm moving from a two bed house. Does that sound expensive or about right?

I've been wondering what to do about picture hooks (or nails in walls ). Is it better to leave them in the wall, or remove them. I think these days that if they're removed, then sellers are supposed to 'make good' the wall, which obviously involves filler and paint. What's everone else doing about this?

Loft done - most of it went off to charity shop and some in the skip. Rest got boxed up.

Southwest1 I've never done a long distence move but that sounds expensive to me for a 2 bed. We re moving from a 3 bed and its about £450 but we are only going a few minutes down the road. I would suggest getting a second and even a third quote. It seems to be a competative business judging from the amount of post I've had from removal companies since we put house on market.

You are supposed to remove picture hooks, nails and screws and make good. You need to read the fixtures and fittings form your solicitor provides for details. However, if you don't have any leftover paint to touch up with, I would be inclined to leave the ones that would make a mess to remove - especially things like screws for mirrors above fireplaces, etc.

Made a good start today. DM focused on all of the kitchen cupboards. Some still to go but she managed 6 boxes worth.

My DH focused on taking down the numerous light fittings and replacing them with the small white ceiling roses.

I've been packing records, CDs, DVD's, ornaments, pictures etc. Still loads to go but looking like we're making a dent.

My quote is £500 going up the road from 5 bed detached and includes a baby grand piano so that's not bad. He told us it includes 2 lorries (one on stand by if the other can't manage everything) and 4 lads, and of course insured. They're a well established firm I've used before so I don't think that's bad. I'm in the North East.

I'm exhausted after my first day. Roll on tomorrow. Need to get the laundry done too!

You're all doing well by the sounds of things. It is exhausting isn't it?

DP has just packed practically all his clothes except what he needs for work this week and over the weekends. He did it by taking everything out the wardrobe and shoving it in the suitcases Whole wardrobe empty in about 2 minutes and draws took another minute or two. Now I have 4 heavy suitcases to walk around. I haven't even started on my stuff or the DCs :(

Thankfully we've got very few screws in the wall so just going to leave them there - think the only ones are for hanging mirrors on above basins so may as well save them the job of putting them back.

Happy days my mums flying down from Inverness on Monday to help and she's a lean mean packing machine .

Still no date yet but still aiming for next week ....

Have taken dd1's bed apart today ( I made one out if ikea parts ) so she's now on a mattress on the floor but still it feels like progress!

Oh and I filled all the holes in the wall today!