what to do if a move might be imminent?

[cathleenc]

lots of ifs involved.... if my husbands company sells (the company he works for), if the new company offers him an irresistable offer, if...... but those iffs are stacking up to look 75% positive that we may need to move within 4 months. The move would not be too far - 2.5 hours/150 miles away.

We've got sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys - and a super full house, barn, and outbuilding. Only been here 2 years as of this week, somethings never even have been unpacked!

Would you do anything at this point? Or just wait out the uncertainty while starting to weed through and staighten up the junk?

We thought we'd be here for a lifetime..... so many projects started, so much work and materials invested. It's kinda a heartbreaker but the it could also be the job of a lifetime for my husband so, well, we'll roll with the punches. A happy husband with a great job makes for a good life, too.

advice? suggestions?

thank you!
Cathy

[Tricky Grama]

I guess if time permits, I'd go visit the area to scope out homesteading sites. It's not impossible to move everyone & everything. Some here have done it.
At least then you'd know what is available there.
Good luck-
Patty

[ronbre]

winter is the perfect time for decluttering..begin by going through each room and decide if each item is something you want to keep, sell, give or toss..and get into action and do it..start listing the sell items on craigslist or whatever, and each week load up the car with giveables for charities when you go by the place shopping or to appts.

only keep the things you know you would want to take with you if you went somewhere else.

also if you know where you would be moving..spend a little time on that area's craigslist for sale or for rent lists looking to see what is avail and at what price.

also..don't sign any long term contracts where you are now that cannot be moved or changed to another address.

with christmas coming on, ask people to not give you nick nacks..so you aren't accumulating more thing that will have to be moved..

if you have children..start giving away toys that they have ougtrown as well as clothes too..less to move.

also check out things like schools and churches in the new area so you will be aware what you want to lean toward area wise..neighborhood wise..near your church and school can always be helpful...also near shopping that you enjoy etc..

also if you are going to have to be selling your home..begin to get the clean up outside done before winter and you can work on cleaning up each area as you declutter it..pull out the furniture, vacuum, touch up paint, and clean well before putting things back..that will be done .

[ihedrick]

I second the declutter thoought. Start going throough stuff and get rid of what you don't need. Even if you don't move; you'll have more space.

[DQ]

do the same with animals too. we moved fairly recently and did this. it was a good incentive to decide which were really worth keeping and which should go to alleviate any extra headaches. your new place might have limited fencing and outbuildings, and I don't know about you but we could scarcely afford to do anything to accomodate the animals at the new place at first. our new place didn't have any goat fencing or outbuildings. in fact as soon as we knew we were moving for sure I got to work building portable buildings out of scrap wood that could be moved in for immediate shelter for the goats.

[ErinP]

And I'll third it.
We moved our "place" this summer and just the critters, barn and garage were a nightmare. I wish I'd thinned out the house more ruthlessly.
I'm currently doing exactly that actually, now that we've moved and still have lots of things in boxes.

You can't do much about your outbuildings and animals until you know for sure what's going on, but de-cluttering the house can be a blessing whether you're moving or not.

[Minelson]

Oh I know the limbo you are in very well! I have gone through this many a time with my dh possibly getting promoted and reorganization which required relocating. We have relocated 3 times. It's easier for us because we don't have kids. But the wondering what is going to happen and putting everything on hold is very stressful. What I did was concentrate on the new area we might be going to and figuring out where we wanted to live...get a feel for it. I wouldn't start packing or fixing up the house yet. It's always nice to de-clutter...but I wouldn't worry about that yet. (just me) But do keep it in mind when deciding on major purchases. You will find that a lot of things will be on hold until you find out what is going to happen. It's very frustrating...and then having your friends and family constantly asking if you know anything yet...It's hard. But you can do it! I think it's fun looking at different properties and areas seeing whats out there. Lucky for you it's not too long of a distance. Good luck and keep us posted

[Wisconsin Ann]

Oh goodness. wow. well, it would mean living without the constant drone of sump pumps..dunno if you could HANDLE that

If you can, check out what's available in the new area that has a bit of land/barn, etc. to move the animals to. Artificer and I will be glad to help haul animals and stuff, for that matter.

I'd be taking a look at what I needed, and what could go to goodwill, friends, selling....Straightening up the place in case you DO need to sell. Housing market is on the way up here again, so maybe, just maybe it would be quick. You have a great place for anyone looking for a homestead close enough to Madison to commute. Already to go with fencing, barn, etc. Great house. all positives.

We have a big trailer (licensed as a 10,000lb, but actually built for 15,000), the 4x8 that will hold 1800, a van and a F250 that can all help you move. Just let us know when and what to bring. (I can probably find a bunch of college kids to help lift and haul, too...well, Artificer can )

lessee. check out schools in the new place..take the boys along on a weekend maybe? check out the new area? get them used to it, particularly the youngest.

Kind of exciting...although you REALLY put in a lot of work in the place...great garden...and the sliding hill.

[firegirl969]

I know that the uncertainty if very tough on you and your family. I will be praying for you and your family and that God's will will be done in your family's lives. It is wonderful that WisconsinAnn lives close enough that she and Artificer can help you out if need be. Blessings, firegirl

[FarmersDaughter]

Some great advice above. I would only add that you might want to evaluate the things that are still in boxes from the last move. If you haven't needed them in the 2 years that you've been at your current place, maybe those can be the first things that get sold or donated.

Best of luck to you.

Hollie

[Callieslamb]

If we haven't used something in 2 years - we usually toss it as obviously we don't need it. Exceptions would be china and heirloom items, books perhaps.

Decluttering is ALWAYS a good thing.

We found out in Oct last year, we would have to move to MI. But we couldn't even list our home until after Jan 20th. We used the time to organize and repair. We listed our house in Feb and it sold in 4 days. We were fairly ready to go.

[SpaceCadet12364]

Whereabouts in Dane county are you? I might know some people looking for a place out that way (relatives & friends). I'm originally from McFarland.

[deb]

Get a notebook and start making lists as things come up. i tend to obsess about moves and making lists in one place is the way I deal with it. I feel better when I have stuff down on paper.

1 page: decisions about animals
1 page: things to donate
1 page: places to notify about your change of address
1 page: Steps for selling your house.
1 page: What you want in a new house.

Now a plug: I highly recommend donating to the San Vincent de Paul stores in the Madison area. They take a wide range of items, distribute them among their 4 regular stores and they don't throw out a lot of stuff like other thrift stores because they have the SVdP Dig & Save store on Park Street. The Dig & Save store sells clothes by the pound plus other items that didn't sell at other stores. Dig & Save is priced so that anyone can afford to buy clothes. SVdP uses the proceeds from the stores to provide an amazing array of services to the needy in Dane County including running the largest Food Pantry in Dane County.
I'm not affiliated with SVdP in anyway, except as a customer and donor.

[GoldenCityMuse]

Declutter. Now! Or you end up like me..... sigh....

Another suggestion: start eating out of your pantry. You obviously don't want to eat all of it (in case something happens), but you'd be amazed at how heavy and how many boxes you need just for pantry items when you move! If you end up not moving afterall, a trip to the store is all you need to replace what you ate.

A thought on your animals: I don't know how many or what all you have, but it would be wise to start deciding who is coming and who isn't. We moved to our current home last April. It's only a 30 minute drive from our old place, fortunately. In one trip, with only 2 vehicles, we successfully transferred 8 dogs, 4 cats, and a fish tank full of fish. We also made other previous trips early in the day with others things like furniture and clothes. Once we had made all of our trips (animal trip was last one), we obviously had to set up camp. BUT, animals had to be unloaded and put away first. This took hours and I almost killed my fish. By the time we got around to dinner, it was 9pm. I didn't mention it to my husband (b/c he would've killed me if i did), but things would have been A LOT easier if we didn't have any animals! We are now minus a dog, and also have 13 rabbits (and babies). If we had to move now, I'd take dogs/cats/fish and ditch (sell or slaughter) the rabbits. I'd probably try to salvage the cages if possible and then buy new rabbits eventually.

So, basically, until you know for sure what's going on, do alot of mental planning. Once you know the move is for sure, start packing! Good luck!