9/16/2025 How Not To Move...

Nearly every American has moved at some time in life. I’ve moved a lot when I was younger and a few times after so you might think I am experienced.

Now, after more than 26 years in the same home, storing up STUFF and filling the every room with far more than I have ever needed or even wanted, I'm letting my mind wonder if I should sell and move to a smaller house with easy ways.

My advice to you? Be cautious and organized.

How I wish I’d followed my own advice, but then, I had to learn the hard way.

First of all, moving a whole home is dangerous.

Nearly 70% of homes in Missouri have brown recluse spiders in them.

They don’t bother me.

Or at least, they haven’t until now.

But when I’m reaching beneath a pile of things I haven’t moved in years, I have to consider that some little creature under there might have staked out a claim, and if my fingers try to take it away, those little creatures will fight back. Fortunately, that was one thing that didn’t happen when I left my house in Nixa.

If you move, and if you live in Missouri, wear gloves and be cautious.

Also, make sure you don’t pick up these little creatures as hitchhikers to the next home.

Another danger–falling things.

Things like large rolls of plastic furniture wrap. These rolls weigh probably 15 pounds. When one of these rolls falls on a big toe, you will scream loudly and then maybe faint.

When this happens, after reviving, wrap the wounded area with an ice pack.

Another falling thing: large mixing bowls.

When one is so scattered, moving from room to room in an effort to decide what to do next–it’s called the but-first syndrome–be cautious about lifting slippery things like large, heavy cooking items.

They will almost surely slip from your hand and fall on your foot or you might find yourself slipping off the trailer. And you might scream and pass out.

By this time your helpers might be prepared with the frozen peas.

Expect to have a headache & limp for a few days.

Another danger–constant confusion.

When one goes out to lock the car for the night, and when that remote decides to malfunction, be cautious about holding the door open with one leg while grabbing & pressing the remote as you lean out.

Storm doors that have always otherwise seemed harmless can become dangerous when you are distracted.

They are spring-loaded, and they will swing back and slam into your knee. And...  you will scream and frighten the dogs in the neighborhood for the rest of the night.

Again make sure you have frozen peas ready for the boo-boo. And... be prepared to limp the next day.

When the bruises appear, cover them.

You do not want someone thinking you're being abuse.

This is how NOT TO MOVE belongings in a house you hav lived in for years.

If you’re like me, you won’t pay any attention to my warnings.

So the first thing I advise is that you buy a bag or two of frozen peas and ask for help. Both will come in very handy.

When the helper tries to pick up all the stuff to be moved so that it can sit in your new family room and make it appear the bee's knee... caution they may not move slowly or read directions.

They of course, will not listen and will try to do it the way their sure it should be done, and they will pinch, cut or stub fingers, toes and knees and shout loudly enough to frighten the neighbor's cat who is hiding outside surely snickering.

Get the smelling salts. Males can pass out as easily as female. Get peas for the boo-boo and reassure them they will not lose fingers, toes or kneecap.

Beware the danger of confusion.

Someone I know who is well-versed in moving advised me to box one room at a time…no, wait a minute, more than one person told me that.

I’m thinking maybe five or six people told me that.

Did I listen? Ha! I find myself rambling from room to room in a daze, overwhelmed by all that needs to be done.

You know that thing about how you eat a whole elephant one piece at a time?

Not that I recommend this kind of repast, but still.

My house is like an unruly elephant, and not only have I tried to eat an ear, a tail, and a toenail at the same time, I’ve become so overwhelmed that I could not function with a clear mind. I’m still not focusing.

This is how NOT TO MOVE belongings in a house one has lived in for years. If you’re like me, you won’t pay any attention to my warnings.

So like I advise before you will need to buy a bag or two of frozen peas and ask for help. Both will come in very handy.

Pray for surviving a "Happy Moving!"

Nana