how do you do it?

[ktmmansgal 0]

Ok well a small trailer is $300, we figure it is going to raise the gas by at least $100 bringing it through the mountains.

So if I figure I was going to bring a bed, a dresser and then some boxes it does not make sense to pay $400 to do that. Now I know $400 is not much but this is tapping me out big time , plus we both just had major car/van repairs that he has put on his credit card.

To get a new dresser is cheap and my waterbed I really can do without.

The other stuff.....just like my grill, my pots, a tea pot and cookie jar I got when my grandma died. Some blankets my grandma made for the kids. My pictures I bought in AZ last year....they are 4X3 and so nice.....I should have left them there in hind sight.

I think we can fit all the really important stuff. I talked to my mom and we are going to rent a little storage room at a storage facility and then she can ship stuff down by bus bit by bit. I think that will take the sting out a bit.

I already got rid of all my books, that was hard lol.

And then there is the issue of selling other stuff....I have so much to sell...appliances and furniture etc... And so little time to do it.

It is getting so close that I am freaking a bit. Casey thought it meant I was changing my mind but it is not that at all. It is just really overwhelming getting rid of all you have accumulated in your life and to leave everything and everyone you have known.

I need a drink. lol

OK --- now you should go and get yourself some of those space bags that compress the air out of everything that is fabric, blankets, clothes etc... if you are going to arizona, get rid of all your fall and winter clothes --- things like those top of the van areodynamic carrier can carry alot of things as well --- you really need some of your things --- I was in that situation once and it really helps to have even little things blended together ---

[nane1104 146]

I got rid of almost ALL my furniture, householdgoods, books, whole bunch of clothes a few months ago when I moved from my appartment back to my parents house.

That saves me a lot of rent money and I got used to be without all my little belongings.

A few boxes I sent to the States by snail mail already and i will send a few more peiece by piece so it won't be too much at once.

I gave away a lot of furniture and stuff to my sisters, mom, friends, so whenever I go there,I see it and see that it's in good use, that made it a lot easier for me to let go.

Now when I go there, I will have 2 suitcases plus my fiance will come and pick me up here in Germany and take another suitcase with my clothes, since he will only take one back over here.

So until I leave, I am sorting out more and more things, just bit by bit, that's the best way for me to handle it.

[tsunamihart 0]

I am the worst packrat, READ, THE Worst PACKRAT. My wife came over from Spain with a minimal amount of things. She's so good! She has this rule about clothes, if she hasn't worn it during the season that it's designed for, then she doesn't really need it and must not LOVE it so she chucks it. She does love shoes and has more then Imelda Marcos though but I digress, this is about how bad I was. About once a month now since August of 2005 we look through my stuff and re-negotiate what is staying and that I NEED and what I don't. You know what, most of it is just stuff as George Carlin says, and I can do without it. When my last marriage was ending and things were getting ugly, I said, " It's just stuff, I can walk away from all this junk and start anew." (ok the pack rat in me was glad I didn't have to) Every time now I struggle with whether to keep some old t shirt or funny looking coat, I think of Cristina coming out of Customs in Detroit, with her 3 suitcases and big duffle bag and I started to cry when I realized how much of her world she left behind to come here and live with me. Toss it