finish packing

Everything has been boxed up except for the stuff going with me in my suitcase, and one last box of stuff that is needing an actual BOX to go in.

While cooking dinner tonight, I was constantly zapped with a reminder ping of “Oh yeah, I packed that away”. Doh. Had to strain pasta the old fashioned way (using the pot lid) and eat from a disposable tupperware bowl.

Next step is moving it all into storage and I am SO looking forward to that.

tooting my own horn here, but damn I am good at packing. I cannae believe the amount of stuff I can get into a tiny box. Lil’P brought me two small boxes and I managed to fit all the knick-knacks (paddywhacks) and kitchen stuff from the dining table into those wee boxes.

I also got the two mirrors bubble-wrapped and covered with brown paper, and managed to secure my clothes rack rods into an easy to carry parcel.

Taking a break to watch “Dirt” now…

Good gawd, I needed an entire box just for my bags! Two backpacks, 6 purses (assorted colors and sizes), two camera bags, three carry-on sized bags, a messenger bag, two briefcases, and various other travel containers.

I also needed a whole box just for shoes.

Maybe I should re-think over what I’m keeping and see if I can part with more for charity.

When I moved to Scotland two years ago it was just me and one giant suitcase, and yet I have somehow managed to accumulate a lot of shit.

Looking at my stuff, I guessed I’d need 10 boxes but estimated 15 to be on the safe side [this is my 28th move, so I’m pretty good at eyeballing these things]. I received 5 boxes from a fellow bookclub member, and that seemed to do the trick. I packed up most (I thought) of my stuff, and was uber pleased to be ‘done’.

Then my flatmate moved out and I started cleaning the place and I’ve realized that I have a lot more stuff than anticipated. Like the hooks on the doors, the curtains, the curtain rods, the assorted kitchen utensils and so on.

I’ve also had to unpack and reorganize as my moving plans have changed. Instead of going straight to another flat at the end of the month, I’ll be storing my stuff until I get back from the States. I’ve also written out box labels because I don’t trust myself to remember what’s in each box.

I’ve filled three large IKEA bags with items to donate to the charity shops; and because I pack so unbelievably well I’m going to need help carrying these bags.

I pulled out the last of my containers, washed and dried everything and have collected it all in one spot waiting for the arrival of more boxes.

When all is said and done, I’ll think I’ll hit my estimate—but I’m still shocked at how much stuff I have.