So I guess you’ve all been holding your breaths ever since I moved and are dying to know how many boxes I ended up using?
Before starting to pack my own guess would have been around 40 but my friend Anne urged me to get a hundred. I was like, “No way I’m going to use one hundred boxes!”.
Um. I packed. Packed. Packed. And then packed some more.
I USED ALL ONE HUNDRED + THREE! 103!!!
The three I didn’t have to begin with but our movers got them from their van to protect the microwave, a large lamp shade and something else which I’m not sure about.
I still can’t believe I used that many but I’m blaming it ALL on the movers wanting EVERYTHING boxed in uniform boxes so I packed my plastic bins in their boxes kind of thing So they weren’t really filled to the brim. Excuses, excuses. Anyway, I urge you to get twice as many boxes than you think you’ll need when moving. AT LEAST!
So who won? Remember I said I’d send a little something to whoever guessed the correct amount.
We have three winners!
Meghan who said: 103 is the number that keeps coming to mind... good luck... we packed up our life a year ago and i swear no matter how many boxes we had we always needed more!
Notablogger who wrote: We packed our house for storage last year - 103 boxes inventoried and color-coded for rooms should we ever get to unpack them. So... 103 for you, too!
Stephanie in Seattle who guessed: 103 boxes :D Congratulations on your new house, by the way!
Congratulations! I’ll be in touch to get your snail mail addresses!
And HAPPY WEEKEND!!
Ps. Where those boxes are is where the Expedit stands now.
duly noted! x
Posted by: elisa rathje | June 17, 2011 at 03:09 AM
I don't want to be smug and say "I told you so"... but I did, didn't I (she sad in an unpleasant smug way ;))
Posted by: Anne | June 17, 2011 at 03:19 AM
You did...
Posted by: Carlos | June 17, 2011 at 03:23 AM
... sorry, I am such a petty person... :D
We will be home a LOT on our vacation (no money) so if you let me visit you I can make up for my pettiness bringing gifts (i.e Chardonnay).
Posted by: Anne | June 17, 2011 at 03:55 AM
I will be at home ALL THE TIME on my vacation so come on over!!! Jag har prel semester v.28-31...
Posted by: Carlos | June 17, 2011 at 04:20 AM
Whoa. I think I guessed somewhere in the mid-60s so 103 is a big surprise! Congrats to the smart ones who guessed right!
Speaking of boxes, when we moved last summer I discovered a new source of utter joy: the feeling you get when you empty yet another box and get to fold it up and get rid of it (or store it, which we're doing for our on-the-move kids). It's just a little easier to breathe when you gain that extra space the box had been taking up :)
Posted by: Judith | June 17, 2011 at 04:28 AM
I know that feeling! I was lucky to be able to stash them all in the small pantry space below the stairs but they took up all that space so once the movers came back to pick them up I got a whole extra room!
Posted by: Carlos | June 17, 2011 at 04:39 AM
Oh, heaven!!
Posted by: Judith | June 17, 2011 at 05:30 AM
Wow! I never expected 103!!! PS I love that chair you have there!! What type is it?
Posted by: Siri | June 17, 2011 at 06:55 AM
Me neither! The brown chair used to belong to Wille's great grandfather.
Posted by: Carlos | June 17, 2011 at 07:22 AM
Will you do a room by room tour when you`re clompletely done decorating? I`m SO curious about what it looks like now!!! Can`t wait to see everything!!!
Posted by: Siri | June 17, 2011 at 07:46 AM
You will see everything, I promise! But I'm no where there yet so for now there will be little snippets as I go along. I don't have a single room that's completely done...
Posted by: Carlos | June 17, 2011 at 08:25 AM
My sentiment exactly! I moved recently too and, oh those boxes! We even recovered some boxes that had been in storage for a few years, and getting back prized stuff (non essential but loved nontheless) feels like coming back home!
Posted by: Julia | June 17, 2011 at 08:36 AM
Benita, I have a suggestion for a list... my apologies for also blowing my horns here, but how about a list of things you recognize as typical swedish (in brand, design or use) in your kitchen or home? I made that list for an uruguayan kitchen last monday and thought it was an interesting exercise: http://crossingsofmymind.blogspot.com/2011/06/whats-cooking.html
(boo boo, posting a link to my own blog in Benita Larsson's... I've got no shame! ;-) )
Have a good weekend everyone!
Posted by: Julia | June 17, 2011 at 08:40 AM
VERY true! We've moved what feels like a hundred times over the past decade and have lost a couple boxes along the way, and when something pops into my mind that I figure must've been in those boxes it's very sad knowing I'll never see it again.
Posted by: Judith | June 17, 2011 at 09:32 AM
Oh Judith! When I can't find something I don't remember tossing I try to console myself thinking that I know I can live without it. I'm joyous to reunite myself again, finally, with my CD collection. Not so much of my VHS, which I really don't know what to do with.
Posted by: Julia | June 17, 2011 at 09:51 AM
I wish I could ever say any room in my home is done...
Posted by: Julia | June 17, 2011 at 09:52 AM
i play lotto 103 !!!!!!!
Posted by: Cristina | June 17, 2011 at 09:53 AM
Boy was I off- I really thought under 70.
We just moved about 2 years ago, I guess I am blocking certain things from experience (ie packing) out.
Posted by: homestilo | June 17, 2011 at 10:15 AM
Congrats on your new house! And good luck with all the boxes :)
/Frida
Posted by: Frida- trendenser.se | June 17, 2011 at 12:40 PM
103 boxes is a lot!
My son, daughter-in-law and I moved from Southern California to Oregon almost 2 years ago. It was 2 households, mind you ~ and we had 279 boxes ~ plus lots of furniture! We packed them all with family and friends and movers moved us. We'd thought of trying to do it ourselves, but I'm really glad that we had those wonderful movers. Hope that I never have to move again (but I probably will, teehee).
Posted by: elsa | June 17, 2011 at 01:29 PM
Just wanted to say HI! I still read in here, but I don't say HI so often. :)
As usual I can't resist your cat pics! Lovely! And I'm one of them who actually likes "Ölandssten"...
Have a nice weekend!
/helena
Posted by: enannanhelena | June 17, 2011 at 05:30 PM
Benita, did you know that you are in issue 2 of the new 'Mollie Makes' magazine here in the UK? There is a short piece about the way you used maps in Willes old room - on the wall, lamp shade, a book cover and pillow / cushion covers. Its great to see you on paper!
Aqeela xx
Posted by: Aqeela | June 18, 2011 at 07:08 PM
Would you please consider doing a how-to/organizing post about moving? I'm sure you have lots of good tips to share!
Posted by: Patia | June 19, 2011 at 12:20 AM
Fantastic - I'm a "never win anything" girl and delighted to win this one. We're having a mover come tomorrow morning to talk about our next move. It's a move back to our stuff, so fewer boxes this time!
Posted by: Notablogger | June 20, 2011 at 01:31 AM
Thanks for the suggestion!
Posted by: Carlos | June 20, 2011 at 08:18 AM
I did know but I haven't seen it yet. They promised to send me a copy so hopefully it's on it's way :)
Posted by: Carlos | June 20, 2011 at 08:19 AM
I just got rid of the boxes and at the moment I'm happy not thinking about the move but instead of all the fun stuff to do in the house. Maybe a little later when I have more time!
Posted by: Carlos | June 20, 2011 at 08:21 AM
Don't forget to e-mail me your address!
Posted by: Carlos | June 20, 2011 at 08:21 AM