fairytalebaby, I did the long distance move 2 TIMES in the past 2 years!! It's hard, very hard and you will be tired! I am probably older than you, and that does make a difference!

It sounds like you are in pretty good shape. I wouldn't worry too much the first week about cooking! Just make sure you have a TV and video's for the kids - that was important "babysitter" during the move.

We just moved in 12 days ago - and it was a much easier move being 3 miles away from our rental. GOOD LUCK... don't forget to post lots of pictures when you are settled. BTW - I HAVE been hanging pictures and SHOPPING! I still need to finish unpacking about 15 more boxes!!

tinker, I've been thinking about you! I snuck a peek over at the Home Decorating forum (while dilligently packing, of course) and saw your gorgeous furniture pictures! Everything looks so beautifully put-together already.

As for our move, I'm 29...but the little teething baby monster who keeps me up all night (she's a night-nurser) makes me feel like I'm at least 80yrs old!

We have furniture arriving two days before us...as well as the cable company so there will be at least one tv installed and ready for the 6yr old to watch Noggin while we work!

As for my cookbook---y'all are going to think we're crazy but...........................we are expecting my Dad & Stepmom (along with all my Aunts & Uncles) to come and visit exactly 7 days after we arrive to our new home. My Dad & Stepmom own their own business and haven't been able to travel to meet their latest Granddaughter yet...and the only time their relief-manager could take over the store for them is at the end of June...a week after we move in!
Everyone will be staying at a hotel, but will be hanging out at our house for a BBQ and I can't wait to try out my new kitchen with people that I love so much (and haven't seen in so long).

Put those family members to work! :) Just pace yourself, you cannot possibly be company ready in a week so don't kill yourself trying. Just try to enjoy your new home and the process of getting settled in and then enjoy your family when they arrive. You get to start making wonderful memories in your new home right away. Congratulations and of course post lots of pictures!

fairytalebaby, oh to be 29 again!! (I am turning 47) LOL

Thank you for the comments on the furniture. Amazingly (I worked my butt off) I was pretty much unpacked after 1 week. I *COULD* have been close to all unpacked if I wasn't obsessing about furniture!! LOL

Our 6 year old is in summer camp and I would not have been able to get done what I got done had I had him here, so it will be a challenge especially with 2. But don't worry a thing about it! Your parents want to see that baby more than anything else! Just work on the kitchen and main room, leave the bedrooms, dining room to last.

I will tell you I LOVE living in our new home and waking up here. It feels perfect! I know you'll be feeling the same in just a week! I am addicted to this site and alays found time to read between a few boxes! LOL

The move 500 miles... is it to move closer to family?

First-aid kit with a medic-spray on top. Container of handwipes. Scissors. Insurance information. Your address book. Pen and paper notebook for notes [or for the kids to play with]. Books, magazines, and games for the kids. A roll of trash bags. A spray bottle of 50/50 alcohol/water for quick clean-ups. Terry hand towels, at least one for each sink.

Put a case of bottled water in the car. If you drink coffee, put the coffeemaker, filter, a couple pre-measured bags of ground coffee along with the mugs, spoons, sugar, etc in a box to be brought in the car. A box of breakfast fixin's along with bowls and plasticware. If you possibly can, the crockpot filled and ready to cook a one-dish meal, for the first real meal. You can prepare the crockpot in advance and freeze it. Carried in a cooler, it will very slowly defrost during the trip, and will be ready to plug in upon your arrival. A new broom and dustpan. The vacuum [if you don't have whole-house].

Remember that it is not a waste of time to label each box, in detail. Be sure the movers put the boxes each in the assigned room.

If it is at all possible, hire a babysitter to watch little kids while the actual moving is underway.

Everyone has their own method, but I found it easiest to unpack in this order (assuming rugs and carpets are placed): Refrigerated and frozen foods. Beds set up and linens put on the bed. Bath towels hung [everyone can unpack their own toiletries]. Kitchen utensils; pans, plates, silverware. Pantry supplies. Help kids hang/drawer clothing. Hang/drawer adult clothing. Put away the rest of the bathroom supplies and linens. Once the basic living needs are in place, THEN one can unpack and place furniture for everywhere else. Don't remove the furniture's bubblewrap/quilting until it is in the place you want it. Keep handy a misting-spray bottle of water to counteract static as you remove the plastic-wraps. Vacuum everything [yes floors and walls too] after the furniture is unwrapped. After the furniture is placed, the accessories and books can be done, but allow yourself to take time with them.

Let others help you. Young folks can stack the linens on the shelves and arrange the canned goods (you can always alphabetize later). Have a big folk do the unwrapping and final placement of furniture. Have another big folk wash windows and sweep the sidewalk and driveway. Have a sure-handed person unwrap delicate items. Have a strong person carry all the boxes of non-seasonal and holiday stuff to the attic [or where ever]. Put a kid in charge of wiping up fingerprints from the doors with the alcohol/water spray and a soft towel; same kid can wipe down the dressers, tables etc with a soft clean cloth. A kid can line the drawers and shelves. Put another kid in charge of [a copy of] the to-do list ~ pre-teens are great at this.

Enjoy your new house.