We have exactly three boxes, two garbage bags, and four re-usable shopping bags packed. To be fair, we’ve thrown away a TON of stuff. I am determined to go to the new house with as little junk as possible. The problem is I am a hoarder and I don’t think anything is junk.
“This could be a gift!”
“Oh, Annie will play with that!”
“Vests will totally come back into style again!”
Mike has talked me off the ledge. I just cannot in good conscience throw away something that is in good condition when I know someone else could use it. I really want to have an epic garage sale, but something tells me moving into a new neighborhood and then having a garage sale wouldn’t exactly endear us to the new neighbors. Goodwill is going to get some massive donations from us in a few weeks.
On the flip side, I have absolutely NO problem getting rid of our college-holdout mismatched furniture. I am so anxious to finally have a matching bedroom set. Mike has sensibly pointed out that if we don’t bring our dressers and the like, we will have no furniture other than our bed – which is just your basic frameless bed. I personally don’t see anything wrong with only bringing the bed until Mike reminds me that we need a place for the TV. He knows my weakness.
The good thing is that Annie’s room is complete and perfect. We’ll repaint the walls in her room (to a violet shade, of course) but then she’ll basically be all set. The guest room will be filled with furniture my parents have generously been storing since I moved to New York City eight years ago. I’m sure they are thrilled I’m finally taking all that off their hands.
I’ve been looking for lots of do-it-yourself ideas for storage, laundry space (our machines will go in the garage), and home office. If any of you have great resources for this sort of thing, please pass them on. Seriously! I might have to blow my reputation and get crafty on you all. Watch out, if this is successful, I might start cooking.
I know, now I’m just talking crazy.
I had finally resigned myself to the fact that for a while, we’re going to have a lot of makeshift stuff – folding tables for desks, a deconstructed sectional couch, etc. We’re moving from a two-bedroom place into a house, and it’s normal to take a while to fill it all up. And I want to do it right. But I have no patience. AGH!
And then, we saw a commercial on TV for a contest being held by a local furniture chain. All we had to do to enter is submit a video of us singing the company’s jingle. The video with the most views by May 18th at 9pm Eastern will win – wait for it – TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS IN FURNITURE. Places 2-20 also walk away with some pretty cool furniture prizes. There are some pretty awesome entries, but we figured it was still worth a try. And by we, I mean Annie and Rigby.
Behold, 37 seconds of awesomeness:
if you can’t see the video above, click here.
And you know, if you like it, pass it onto your friends, and tell them to each watch it 87 times. At the very least, we can buy a rug for Annie’s room! And that will make me happy.
You all are amazing.
{ 85 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m on it!!
Dude, this contest is totally in the bag!
Also, while I’m here. In case no one else has said this. Come moving day, have a babysitter in place. Someone who can not only watch the munchkin but can do it out of the house. For reals! Park, zoo, whatever, just far from the action. Less stress for her, and less stress for you. Watching your entire world come apart is stressful for an adult, muchless a child who that’s all she knows. ” Momma where is my crib going? What the hell?” Granted, showing up to a new house with a new room at the end of the day will be, well, scary, but the process makes it all the worse. Also, you you probably know this, her room needs to be first priority of set up. She’ll totally need that sense of sanctuary and normalcy.
Moving with kids is hard. Even more so when they have no clue what is happening.
Maybe even a sleep over with grandparents. After the actual move you’ll probably be exhausted and not really up for baby wrangling.
Heather, is viewing it on your page counting toward your winning? I will share on my facebook with my 600ish friends, but is it better to share youtube or your page? GOOD LUCK, it’s adorable!!!!
You can share either one, both count!
Oh the joys of moving! Good luck honey… You own this contest girl! I shared it!
Do views on this embedded player count, or do people need to actually go to the video on youtube itself? The one here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77depWewuzk
either one counts, as long as you watch all the way to the end!
Whoa, one of the responses has 39,000+ views. That’s quite the head start. Lets get a move on!
You’ve definitely got the cute factor here. How could you not win?
For cool diy furniture and stuff, I recommend http://www.ana-white.com/ otherwise know as knock-off wood.
Good luck with the move. I had the same urge to have real furniture in the bedroom after seven years of sleeping on my husband’s futon when we moved into our house.
That video is awesome, I hope you guys win!
Oh, yeah…Priceless!
Don’t forget to get donation receipts from Goodwill!!
Oh,,you guys are sure winners with this one!!!!!!
Omg! You guys are totally gonna win!
My husband and I are moving in two weeks. I feel like I have been packing for 10 years already and I’m still not done!
Good luck on the contest (I just watched the video twice for ya!)
A TV in the bedroom? No! You’ve got a whole house now! Reserve the bedroom for the S activities
Do we just have to watch the video as you’ve posted it, or through the furniture store website? Good luck!
TracyKM´s last [type] ..Things That Make Rob Go Whhaaaatt
I was wondering the same thing! I will get everyone I know to watch, I SO hope you guys WIN!!!!
You can watch it anywhere, it all counts!
You will love http://www.younghouselove.com
This site has great DIY ideas: http://www.younghouselove.com
Enjoy the new house!!
I keep watching the video (which is darling), but the counter for the number of views doesn’t change. I sure hope they all count!
Yeah, YouTube is weird and they don’t update their video counts right away. But keep watching, they all count!!!
Congrats on the house!! I am also in the process of moving and while this makes my 9th move it never gets easier! We sold our house after being on the market for only 16 days and had nowhere to go. What does one do?? Oh yes, moving back in with my parents-me, husband, toddler, and 2 dogs. All while getting our house packed and having to be out 2 weeks after we accepted the offer! Oh, and did I mention I’m preggo. The fun never ends
Vietnam Vets of America is another great organization that loves to get household goods and clothes. If you are short on time, you can call them and schedule a pickup at your house and they will come by and pick it up with one of their trucks too. I usually spread the love after garage sales to Goodwill, Salvation Army and VVA, but the fact that VVA picks up big household pieces makes it so much easier sometimes. Just a a tip.
Watched the video like 6 times already myself and I will certainly spread the love. Good luck!
(((HUGS))) from Florida
Rate My Space on the HGTV website gave me so many great ideas when we bought our first home. It actually led to quite a massive, unplanned kitchen renovation after I found a post titled “Kitchen with 2 Islands”. Now, we have 2 – Sexy Nerd jokes that it’s an archipelago!
I don’t know about your new neighborhood, but around here most people love garage sales. It would be a great way to meet your new neighbors
Lamb´s last [type] ..Blog Hop! Not Baaad Sundays and Award Nominees
Heather when we moved from our apt into our house I kept EVERYTHING. Then we got a mouse. In order to catch said mouse, we had to get rid of things. I’m a hoarder too, I get emotionally attached to stuff, so I let my husband do the throwing out. He was oh so happy to. If he ran onto something questionable he asked first, but it was the way to go for sure. Can you go shopping with Annie and your mom for a day and leave Mike in charge? It will be a huge weight off your shoulders, and if Mike is anything like my husband, he will be happy to do it if it means not moving all that extra stuff.
House is beautiful btw.. Congrats!!!!!
Hey Heather,
Love the video. We voted a couple of times last night and again today. You and I are so much alike when it comes to throwing things away until…this weekend!!! We worked the whole weekend debulking our house and ended up with 12 garbages full of junk and children’s clothes my kids have outgrown. I feel like I can breathe again!
I totally understand why you would want all new furniture for your new home. I must say though, we got some amazing tables from garage and estate sales. We also got some amazing items from the sale sections from the Pottery Barn.
We also found some great and inexpensive storage units at Ikea. I’m sure you have an Ikea in CA?! Yes??
I can’t wait until you get your new house!!! I’m just waiting to send you things!
You’ll be in your new place before you know it and I know your new neighbours are going to LOVE yourself, Mike, Annie and Rigby!!!
Because afterall…. what’s NOT to love?!?!
So cute!! Does it count if I watch it on your website or do i have to watch it on youtube? I want to play it all day!
I hope you win! It would be fun to see what furniture you choose. I opened a gazillion tabs of your video and played them all several times. Good luck!
Lora´s last [type] ..Turned Around
I so want you guys to win! I’ve watched it several times already and the counter doesn’t seem to be changing. Do the views have to come from unique IP addresses?
no, youtube is just really slow to update their counts. All the views count!
Oh someone above mentioned but I thought I would say it again. http://ana-white.com/
She has the greatest projects and ideas. Goodluck with the move.
Done! I love it! Hope you win, because I need a bed to sleep on next time I’m there! Or you know, a really nice couch to sit on. Either way is a win for me!
AmazingGreis´s last [type] ..Because I Love Her…
Read the contest rules again! You aren’t qualified unless you include the lyrics too… so you might want to put them in the info box… I want you to win!
thanks for the heads up!
Oh goodness the packing. I searched craigslist for boxes and was pleased that many were free for the taking. Woohoo! But yeah, that part was difficult, and then unpacking boxes….almost made me want to just buy all new stuff. SO, what you should do is pack two or three really big boxes of MUST HAVES and then sell the rest…..open your home to a home sale, everything for sale………..and buy new.
Rebecca´s last [type] ..About Thirty Seconds of Bliss
I moved from a 2 bedroom apartment to a 3 level, 4 bedroom townhome. Don’t worry, you will fill it up!!
Do you live near an IKEA? I just purchased and installed this shelving unit in my garage yesterday, very easy to install and inexpensive. Store the junk in your garage so the rest of your house can look nice, because everyone needs a junk room
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/range/10364/10896/
This is a fun design blog, she finds cheaper versions of designer home
decor items:
http://www.copycatchic.com
I also love to shop at Home Goods and World Market. Good Luck, I hope you win the contest!
I posted her Video in my FB page so my friends and family can see her cute Video. I hope she wins!! The video is so cute!!
How could an Amazing Annabel and Rigby performance NOT win?
Penbleth´s last [type] ..Don’t pout- you’re detracting from my ennui
IKEA, IKEA, IKEA. Is all I have to say. We needed to furnish the family room in our house on the cheap. And we bought a small scale couch and love seat, a coffee table and an end table for $800.00!!! Yes, $800.00. Now, they are small sized, which is nice depending on the space, and you have to put it all together (well the men do anyways) and I figure if our 3 yr old destroys it, it wasn’t too expensive anyway. And we got a TV entertainment thing at Big Lots for $130.00 that matched the stuff from Ikea.
So win, win!! Good luck! Lisa
Open up multiple web windows all with the same URL and keep clicking replay each time (so can get 10 views+ at a time if you want).
Here’s a good website for some organizational tips as well as some other goody topics.
http://www.homemadesimple.com/en-us/pages/home.aspx
the video is too cute.
You would be amazed at how quickly a house fills up. We went from a two bedroom 900 sq ft house to a 3 bedroom 2000 sq ft house. I thought it would take us forever to fill it up. I swear the new house shrank when we brought our stuff over.
Well we have watched it 2 times today we will be watching it more of course. I have also added it to my FB page. So Good Luck I sure do hope you guys win.
Kristin (MamaKK922)´s last [type] ..“Ya see that That’s orange juice with a napkin on top…so nobody roofies me”
My boys just sat here and watched it over and over and over some more! Good luck!!
Well, this is @ least giving me something to do for a while this afternoon. …I’m sure I ‘ve “viewed” the video about 100 times already…. How often does you tube’s counter update? I know it’s slow-but I’ve been doing this for about 10 min w/ several windows open and the number hasn’t changed.
ugh, YouTube is annoyingly slow with updating view counts. But they assure me that they are still counting!
Then does the contest end w/ the views that have been tallied @ 9 pm on May 18 or do views right up until the end count?
It’s frustrating not knowing how you are doing compared to the other contestants. (boring day @ work…so I’ll keep playing the video for you)
I am trying to find out from YouTube if they can get their rears in gear, because I have the same worry!
I’ve noticed that the number on the actual page of the video hasn’t changed in forever but on the page that lists all the entries you are up to over 2,000 views!
i don’t know if someone mentioned this already, but if not, have you ever tried taking your stuff to a consignment store? i’m in love with consignment stores. i have the same problem of not being able to just throw something in the trash that is still very usable. i’ve been consigning old clothes and household items for a few years now, and i’ve gotten quite a bit of money from it. i love it because it’s like free money! my latest scheme is to start taking my payouts in cash, putting it in a piggy bank and using that to save for the new couch set i want. this way i won’t have to take anything out of my paycheck, and i can still save! that is of course if i can get out of the store with the cash without spending it on clothes. most stores in my area will do a 50/50 split with the consignor, and if your stuff doesn’t sell then they donate it to the salvation army or goodwill, so it still has the opportunity to be used by someone.
and i totally HATE moving. i’ve done it several times, and every time i see just how much stuff i have that i don’t use. i had a friend who had moved so many times that she eventually got all her stuff down to one pickup truck full and could move all of it herself…even her mattress!!!
Samantha´s last [type] ..Present Day- Mothers Day- The Good- The Bad and The Ugly
With that video, you guys *have* to win!
we can do this replay… replay… replay…
Try subscribing to unclutterer.com–if you’re not a dejunker like me it can be a little odd, but they really talk you through WHY are you holding on to it? What is the purpose of the item? All that jazz. And besides, this is a whole new start to your lives as a family, wouldn’t you want to feel unburdened of a few things? It also might help dealing with some of those down days (months?) a little easier too just because (weird analogy) the mental space and heart space is more freed up to help you cope. (at least that is how i feel when banging my head against the wall of heartache)
Want you guys to win, win, win!!!
Good Luck!!
Super cute video!!
I hope y’all win. I’ll be sending some views your way to do my part.
Tracie´s last [type] ..Go Short – How to Give From the Heart and the Head!
BEST FURNITURE VIDEO EVER!!!!! They are insane if they don’t flat out sign a contract. In fact I am not sure their prize is big enough. You need an agent ASAP. ( glad I made it home to be able to see this) good luck in the new place.
Love the video! Annie is soooo adorable! Good luck with the move. My dad built and sold many houses while I was growing up and I moved no less than 18 times by the time I was 21 so I know just how much “fun” it is!
)
So. Cute.
That face alone would win it for you!!! I viewed it and I’ll try and pass it around as much as possible. Good luck!!!
If you haven’t seen this blog yet, you MUST! I heart her…
http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/
And if you don’t find anything that she has SPECIFICALLY done, she has a lot of sites with linkies from other folks. I have gotten some freaking awesome ideas from these people!
Oh the cuteness in that video. Hope you win! I’ll be viewing it as many times as possible.
$20,000 for furniture?! INSANE!
Seriously watching this video over and over…and over… good luck!
XOXO from GA,
Nikki
Don’t forget to remind us again tomorrow and Wednesday. Your views multiplied fast, but a couple of those entries have like 20,000 views. That seems. . .um. . . unlikely!
Good luck. I hope you win something! Annie is adorable!
I’ll be re-playing the video all week…hope you guys win!
A cosy bed
A comfy chair
A place to cuddle up without a care…..
I live all the way over here in Australia and cant even purchase from this company and yet after the number of times I have watched your jingle (at least 150) I am going to be singing that song all day, in fact it was in my head when I went to sleep last night. Good luck.
Make it a happy home….
Watched many times and posted it on my (still new) blog! Hope all 13 of my followers check it out!!
Mommy´s last [type] ..Babies and Dogs
If you’re still trying to get rid of stuff, sign up for your local freecycle group email list. I just moved two weeks ago, and gave away a ton of stuff. It’s great because Goodwill and other similar charities have strict rules about what they can and can’t accept, and if it’s not on their list, often it will end up in the trash.
Freecycle is great because you know that it’s going to a specific person who needs what you’re giving away, plus people will take all of that random stuff that you’re not even sure is worth taking to Goodwill. Seriously. I always see notices for like, expired pantry items and people snap them up with a quickness.
So many important things to say, such little space to say it…
1. You are doing some awesome advertising these days! I am happy for you! It is awesome you have found a way to keep your dream alive and make some cash in the process
2. Stealing and idea from the old TLC series “J__ & K___ plus _”. (Didn’t want to get in trouble by using names) But how about finding a place nearby that will allow you to use their parking lot for a garage sale with proceeds donated to the March of Dimes? I am all for a donation to Goodwill but you also might think about that idea
3. Last but not least, you really should have the furniture contest in the bag! Just be sure to remind us to view the video
)
Good luck!
Help me! Help me!
I have watched the video several times over the last hour and is still says 2512 views like it did the first time I watched it!
Does it not help to watch it several times????
Oops! I meant 2312 views!
For some reason, youtube is REALLY slow to update views. It’s making us crazy. But every view is still being counted!
I was just out to CA visiting friends of mine and I loved something she did … her bath isn’t too big and the hall closet is right outside the door. Hung a full length mirror on the outside of the door and put an electric strip in the closet. Her dryer, flat iron, etc. are all plugged in, in the closet, along with all her makeup, etc. Made me wish for a hall closet that close!
The pix of your home are great and the pix of your daughters are even better. Good luck with the contest and I hope you guys win!
We just moved into a new house, and I have been using these websites for room design ideas and diy projects:
http://pinterest.com/ (you may need an invitation to join, let me know if you do and I can invite you)
http://www.designspongeonline.com/ (great diy projects and tons of inspiration)
Good luck with the move!
I recommend the Young House Love blog. They do some really great and creative DIY stuff that looks amazing and is durable for not much money. I would seriously love for them to come decorate my house!
I think you are going to win – such a great video. Good luck with packing and the contest. Take care.
amourningmom´s last [type] ..Heart Ache
I watched your video several times, hoping that it’s counting the views because the count doesn’t change for me!
Another link to help you with the dejunking (as if you have time to read stuff…..)
dangit, forgot the link
Another link to help you with the dejunking (as if you have time to read stuff…..)
http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/blog/2011/05/get-organized-with-this-declutter-mantra/
For DIY storage, laundry, and any other type of furniture you can think of, go to http://ana-white.com/. That girl shows you how to make EVERYTHING. Good luck on the contest!
Mary´s last [type] ..11 months
http://organizeinstyle.typepad.com/organize_in_style/
An organizing guru and AWESOME woman in Portland. She used to charge $45 a year for this site and information, but after surviving breast cancer last year, she decided, what the heck, all women need this so FREE IT IS!!!
Sign up, take her tips, and RUN with them!!!
Congrats on the House, Mike and Heather. So awesome.
We are using dressers that we bought at Ikea in 1999 in NJ that have moved with us 4 times. The day when our beautiful home has matching furniture….
However, in the mean time, our bedroom stays low on the priority list…so a white target shelf as my night stand it is.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the video. Annie is my son’s girlfriend and he always loves it when you post new videos with her.
He was wondering if she could do something with the Mickey Mouse Hot Dog Dance coming up soon. It would really make his 17 month old day. MMmmmmK? Thanks!
Jenny´s last [type] ..Happy Easter!
I’m way behind in posting my comments (sorry), but I just wanted to share a couple of helpful hints about “laundry in the garage.” That’s where mine is.
1) Put the units as far back in the garage as possible, preferably in a corner (if at all possible), so that you can actually still use the garage to park your car. My car literally comes right up to my washer, but there’s room for both. It’s nice.
2) If you’re 5’6″ or taller, you should be fine putting up a shelf over the washer/dryer, on which you can store detergent, fabric softener, bleach, etc. However, I’m short and I find that my stomach is pressing against the washer every time I reach for something. I’ve been doing the laundry like this for almost 3 years, and finally, four days ago, I forced my husband to pick out some simple $30-$40 shelving units from Target. They’re still not assembled, but the goal is to put them next to the dryer, put my detergent on that shelf instead, and also use lower shelves to hold things like my laundry baskets.
The nice part about having laundry in the garage is that there’s typically extra room (compared to a laundry room) to put that extra kind of shelving up.
Good luck with the new house!
Sara´s last [type] ..The Unknown- and a Twisted Sense of Deja Vu