Sunday, May 15, 2011

The System

So I don't believe I've mentioned the system I developed for keeping organized during our move. I think Diane at Tomato Soup Cake would approve.

My niece took pictures to show the receiving end of the system. You see, each box was marked with a color coded, alpha-numeric label. That label was recorded in a spreadsheet which listed the contents of the box. This meant that at any time, I could look at a box and identify the contents by looking in the spreadsheet. I was also able to keep track of which boxes I wanted to open first.

On move in day, I labeled each room so that the folks helping to carry boxes could tell right where to put the boxes based upon the color coding and alpha designation.

It worked quite well. Overall, the system was worth the little bit of extra time it took to label the boxes and record the contents on my laptop. I also put together a kit that I could take from room to room as I packed. Among other things it contained the prepared labels. Additional labels for "fragile" and "climate controlled", scissors, packing tape, duct tape, paint tape, box cutter, and markers.

So here is the bathroom marked for the stacking of boxes for cleaning/laundry/bath.


And the boxes that were carried in and stacked there in an orderly fashion.


And boxes bound for the kitchen


And the sewing and craft room.


Val was pleased that when I asked her to find some cleaners, she was able to look on the inventory sheet and immediately locate the supplies.


It facilitated the unpacking, as well.

3 comments:

Mary said...

so nice and tidy! I love tidy. :)

Red Hen said...

Amazingly organized! What a neat idea! I was no where near that organized with our move.

Diane Shiffer said...

Oh, be still my heart! Kristine.. I actually got a little rush-y sort of thrill when I first saw the picks of all those boxes so neatly stacked and labeled and color coordinated! Sigh.... It's almost enough to make me want to move just so I can replicate the experience.
Almost, but not quite;-}