Packing, packing, packing - translation HEADACHE!!!!

Oh boy - here we go again....

We have started the packing process. Interesting that looking around you don't really think you have that much stuff. We're REALLY careful about bringing/having more stuff down here than we need but then it's also hard to balance that with LIVING someplace and having a home. Add to that homeschooling (BOOKS - which are priceless in my opinion), tools (because Alan is basically his own shop), some toys (really - the very basics), and you have an interesting dilemma.

These are the boxes that we have to pack in:

These have been a HUGE goldmine in storage issues for us. I found them through suggestions of other international friends who have been there, done that and found these that really hold up and don't cost the earth. The cheapy (not cheap in the sense of inexpensive mind you...) storage tubs we moved down here with just didn't hold up to the drastic temperatures that we have and structurally they weren't as 'compact and packable'. We have to keep most things packed away because of bugs and other natural enemies such as mice and moisture. The other great thing about these is we'll be using them as our bed frame when we get down there. See, even the 'stuff' has to multi-task! So for the last year we've worked on replacing the ones that have basically become destroyed in our 5 moves in 3 years. One plus with driving is we don't have a weight limit! (Do you know how easy and fast you can get to 50 pounds when you're stocking up on things for 6 months to a year at a time???)

Now we need to get our lives into these little bins. So far I have school packed and it's 5 bins....eeeeeekkkkkkkkssssssssss. This is a non-negotiable for me. This is my kids' education and we don't have libraries where we are. (PLUS - I need books. I'd rather leave clothes out. :)) But, I did realize that I could bless on the cores (levels) that we're done with. Normally I would've held onto these as those are good friends and not just books but we only have so much space. Sigh. :)

Today is 'pack the rest of the books in the shelves' day and that should take one more bin total. Clothes: 1 bin each.
Kitchen: 1 bin
Office stuff: 1 bin
bathroom/rest of house misc: 1 bin possibly 2 with bedding.

Yep - on paper it looks pretty darn simple doesn't it? Why do I feel like I need another aspirin???