Can it really only be Thursday? I’ve been on overdrive since Monday morning, and it feels like that could have been weeks ago. But all the hard work is definitely paying off. More on that later.
Now, a look at moving day:

they're here, they're here! (and on time too!)
Mover’s, Not Shakers! arrived promptly at 8:30. I signed some paperwork (we opted not to purchase extra insurance by the way) and from that moment on, our team of 4 guys got to work emptying the apartment.

hauling boxes, wrapping furniture - these guys were HARD workers.

within an hour and a half, the apartment was already this empty.

and in the bedroom - there was nothing left but the mattress.

well - empty except for that TV (with a note on it for someone to take it and keep it!)

11:30 am: we say goodbye to 201 E. 19th Street. It's a bit of a sad day for RB and me, Scott and Sue, and maybe most of all, Usdin.

here we come.

we meet the van in Brooklyn at 12:30 to begin the load out.

getting the last boxes out of the truck - and the view from our new bedroom.
While I continued to supervise the load-out, RB went back over to the old apartment. Our team had no problem getting the anxiety-inducing armoire out the door and down to the basement. All that was left was to get it uptown to Aunt Linda’s. Once again, Ross (resident man with the van – and all around great friend) saved the day. He and RB loaded it up and brought it uptown – crisis averted.
Movers, Not Shakers! finished at around 2:30 – 6 hours to move us start to finish. And that’s when the real work began. (and when we got so busy that there was no time for picture taking).
Within the next few hours our helpers arrived. JoePa, Barbara, Mark and Linda were STARS. With their help, we got all this accomplished on the first day:
- New TV installed (JoePa & Barb picked it up for us on their way to BK, Mark set it up)
- Kitchen entirely unpacked (and pretty well set-up!)
- Dining Room laid out – and half unpacked
- Bedroom completely set up
- Clothing unpacked
- Living room furniture secured to the walls
- Empty boxes/packing paper stored in the basement (we’re saving these for Jared and Tara who are moving in the next few weeks)
By midnight, RB and I were basically zombies, but a good night sleep brought a fresh wave of energy (and fresh set of help – big thanks to Jeffrey and the Tanta!). RB went back to work, but I pressed on — books unpacked in the office, desk set up, living room tchotchkes and picture frames displayed on the shelves, utility closet on its way to organized…..and finally, cable/internet/and phone installed. (p.s. – in the old apartment, I made a list of all the shows I had programmed on to record on our DVR — and re-set it up on the new box immediately).
Those first two days did a lot to help us feel settled. We would not be so far ahead if it weren’t for the help of our families – so I want to thank them all again.
I hope The Moving Diaries gave you some good info on how to prepare for your own move.
And now I’m going to take some time to take care of the rest of it — I’ll be back to the blog soon to update you on our progress — with plenty of before & after pictures, tips and tricks to organizing every area of your home!
Until then – happy organizing!