Kathy, thank you! There is a B&N just up the road from me! I remember the book boxes from when I worked as a temp filling a new Waldenbooks way back when. Perfect boxes.

I am so hiring movers, though. I have one too many heavy/unwieldy pieces of furniture. And maybe just 3, but...I've helped friends move themselves. I hated it. Not doing it to them. (Except maybe my precious stuff and cats and that isn't unwieldy. Except for the puker/pooper. I'll transport him myself.)

::high-fives Jen::

If you're hiring movers, don't worry so much about the weight. Those guys can load up sooo much on their backs with no problem! I remember being blown away when I saw this little older guy (must have been 5'5" and 60plus years old) taking three of my very heavy book boxes on his back and carrying them down two flights of stairs without using the strap that the other two (young) guys were using. They were in awe as much as I was!

I've had movers every time other than the first, and it is so worth it.

When I moved two years ago, I put Amarna in the carrier when the movers showed up and listened to her bitch for the three hours it took them to load everything up. Then, after I got her up here, I turned her loose in the bathroom and shut her in. She complained about that, too, but at least it was better than the carrier.

Does anyone else feel proud?

I would, but I have no idea what tentacles have to do with manga.

The last time I moved I loaded all my electronics and cat supplies into my car and let the movers do the rest.

So now I'm curious as to what the ACTUAL strip club story ended up being, and whether it involved tentacles. Or how the manga was actually involved...

Good movers are worth every penny you pay them. I wish Gentle Giant was in Baltimore, because I'd recommend them without a single reservation. I'm sure you can ask around and get some good movers.

Also, moving companies will sell/rent you boxes, including those big plastic ones with hinged lids that stack. My ex-company used to use those for moves, and they were really useful.

OK, stayed up way too late on the phone with mom. Woke up late. Shot cat late. Read paper. Futzed. Debating taking a nap on the couch.

Timelies all!

Last time we moved we packed our own stuff and hired professional movers. Then again, we have two peoples worth of accumulated stuff. (When I moved into G's condo we got our friends to help, but that was less stuff)

I used movers when I moved and it was so worth the money. And I have this big desk, and one guy just hoisted it on his shoulder and took it up the stairs.

I moved in August and it was really hot. I'd advise having some water around for them to drink, especially if it is hot. The movers I used didn't bring enough water/gatorade and luckily I had some plastic cups handy at the new place and so I filled those with water and cooled them down in the fridge and the movers were really appreciative.

meara, she was starting with what the strippers looked like -- basically like young girls wearing a lot of eye makeup. Apparently the traumatic part was how serious the other patrons were and how basically there was no fun. And the room was really cramped. Oh, and the polaroid-taking part.

Also: tentacles.