Moving Tips

I’m writing to you today as an official resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where the clams are tasty, the gays can marry, and the Red Sox . . . well, ask me again at the end of the season. Thanks to the scheduling savvy of my sweetie and the heroic efforts of John the Verizon Man, we had Internet access an hour after we closed on our new house. This means I can not only blog but can look up how to get to any one of the three nearby Home Depots.

In order that this post not be completely self-serving, however, I want to share with you a few items that made the move easier:

Spackle: This wonder substance patches all kinds of flaws in the home you’re leaving. It’s also a sign of maturity; when I was in college, we’d cover up holes in the wall with a combination of toothpaste and white-out. I hate to admit it, but the real stuff works better. I’m partial to Drydex, which goes on pink and turns white when dry. Spring for a plastic putty knife, too—at less than a dollar, it’s a good investment.
Electric screwdriver: Infinitely useful for tasks such as taking the ten thousand baby-safety latches off your old kitchen drawers and putting them onto the new ones.
Large felt-tip marker: Mark your boxes as you pack, or make sure your movers do the same. The last time we moved, the packers labeled almost everything “Misc.” This was arguably not entirely inappropriate, but still made it hard to sort things out when we unpacked.
A lawyer who understands LGBT relationships. Do you know the difference between writing your deed as “Joint with Rights of Survivorship” and “Tenants in Common”? You should, and your lawyer should help you decide which is right for you. (See the helpful interview of gay real-estate guru Jeffrey Hammerberg at Queercents.)
Grandparents (or other nearby family or friends): If you have small children, having them stay with family or friends for a few days can not only make the move less stressful, but also give you time to secure hazardous cleaning products and install safety devices (outlet covers, stair gates, etc.) My son is with my folks right now, and having a grand time. I have, however, promised I’ll build him something out of empty boxes when he arrives. (I was thinking a simple box castle; he suggested a forklift. We’ll see . . . .)