Yeah, and check craigslist's free section. There are almost always some folks on there trying to get rid of their moving boxes.

I did not know there was controversy about Jon and Kate!

I didn't either. It seems to me like they do a pretty good job in a situation that would make me lose my mind.

Yeah buying boxes if you have much to move is expensive. There are so many ways to get them for free. Target is happy to give away boxes, though theirs are large and flimsy (but perfect for clothes). To keep hanging stuff from wrinkling I have sometimes found it worthwhile to buy one or two wardrobe boxes, because I did not trust my movers to keep unprotected clothes undamaged.

I hear ya, msbelle. Lack of neighborhood friends is a big drag, between the driving forever for a playdate (which tends to mean I'm sticking around too), and the lack of nearby friends to help out in an emergency (and vice versa, of course). The biggest plus of Franny being in a neighborhood school is that her friends live closer to us.

Liquor store boxes are often double-walled, which makes them nice and strong.

When I was moving, I got all my boxes from the cardboard recycling bin at work. Since our office was in a building with a luggage repair place, I got quite a few luggage boxes which were tall, broad and narrow. They were great for pictures and posters, and any longish things (like my camping equipment, curtain rods, cookie sheets). I also got a lot of big CRT computer monitor boxes, which were great for clothing, bedding and towels--nothing too heavy. Mostly I got photocopy paper boxes, which are great because they have handles and lids. I found them especially great for kitchen stuff.

I passed most of my boxes off to a co-worker who moved shortly after I did, but I kept a bunch of the photocopy boxes. I find them very handy.

Of course, for us, we have bought dozens and dozens of those rubbermaid blue bins over the years and those are mostly what we move in now. I have little pockets on the front that hold tags with my little moving items codes and the room they're supposed to go to. And then I use them for storage.

...

Would you like to see my collection of different colored pens?

I have little pockets on the front that hold tags with my little moving items codes and the room they're supposed to go to. And then I use them for storage.

Oh, my god, that's so hot.

We also bought a lot of those plastic bins. We used regular boxes for books and clothes and the bins for breakables. Now they store stuff on shelves in the garage. They could come in handy in your new basement!

Many moving companies will provide wardrobe boxes. (Ours did, so we just left the clothes we needed for that week hung up and when the movers came they grabbed everything in the closet, shoved it hangers and all into the boxes and took it out at the other end.)

I usually buy boxes. I never start with enough notice or foresight to go get them for free.

I have been pretty much foetal for days now. I don't know why this headache is so bad and tenacious. I'm paranoid that it had something to do with the cold medicine I took (and mostly barfed back up) or pre-menstrual, which is the last thing I need, since I keep having those pesky periods.

My sister has sent me a small freelance job in her field (anthropology, specialty in AiDS-related issues) and just reading of recs makes me feel stupid. Since she offered it to me there's no way it requires her level of knowledge of methodology (she's a PhD), but I know she overestimates my intelligence and I'm worried about letting her down/bursting that bubble.

I guess I gotta go read the reqs again.

Good luck with the date msbelle!