We really valued your organizational abilities when planning both of our daughters' weddings. The way you turned a 3-ring binder into a "wedding organizer" was a work of art. Your creativity helped make things less stressful. The event coordinator at our country club was so impressed, she asked to use some of your ideas at future events. Best of all, I was able to take some of the things I learned from you and incorporate them into my everyday life.
Pat Carney

Do you have a move related organizing tip that has helped you and would like to share it with us? E-mail your organizing tip along with your name, city, and state. My tip is...

Order labels. For little cost, you can order address labels before you move for many uses besides the post. They can identify boxes or stray items. You can leave them with trusted neighbors to forward any mail or forgotten items. When you make out new paperwork they make it as easy as sticking a sticker!

Get a sitter. When you are seriously packing, loading or unloading, it pays to have total focus and attention. Hire a sitter or recruit family to keep the kids for you.

Create a sanctuary. Unpack one room fully right away in which to escape the chaos elsewhere and collect your sanity.

Make a survival kit. What would you need in a pinch if the movers don't show or it gets too late to do any more? Get it together now before you lose the chance.

Pack by room. If you pack items from one room into a box, it makes labeling, sorting boxes and unpacking much easier.

Be kind to your back. Use small boxes for heavy things like books and large boxes for the lightest items such as linens and small, wrapped fragile items.

Get in the habit. Every time you pack a box, have a marker at the ready. Immediately list the major items placed inside and put the name of the room or area it will go to in the new home. You will be glad you did when you arrive and can't find the ______.

Label like you mean it. Record the list of what is inside a box on the side you see when it is stacked. Put the room it heads to on the top of the box so people carrying it can see it at a glance.

Protect your property. Do a good job wrapping fragile items you care about. Mark the outside of the box clearly to clue in your helpers to the use of care.

Compare cushioning. Look at the different options for protection and decide the optimal choice for your needs. You might use a mixture of newsprint, newspaper, "popcorn", Styrofoam sheeting or the like.