We have had two moves with our cats (15,14,14,12) and one of those has a "very low stress tolerance" in other words is a bit neurotic. With both moves I've given the cats a mild sedative/antianxiety medication for the first 12-36 hours (depending on the cat) and kept them confined to smaller areas of the house until they seem adjusted then let them gradually explore more areas. This process took different amounts of time per cat. The oldest "kid" only took a couple days to get used to the new place each time, the middle two about a week, and my nervous nellie about 3 weeks. Our move is anticipated to be next summer (start construction this fall) and I just hope all the furry kids are still with us since they are all getting up there in age. My real kids (10 and 6) are a little stressed about changing schools and losing any of the pets will be very hard on them. The dogs have only been in the current house but they both adapt pretty easily to new situations--going with us camping, visiting friends and families houses without stress so I'm not too worried about them. Cats are much more territorial creatures than dogs are and have a harder time adjusting to moves in general--but it really depends on the temperament of the individual pet. Cork--anti-anxiety meds (Xanax works well in cats-talk to your vet to see if it's appropriate for yours) might be a good idea for your kids if they have some aggression issues between them. If they don't get along very well it might be a good idea to keep them in separate areas for a while (1-2 weeks) until they are both relaxed in the new environment. More space will probably help also. Another idea is to have at least two or three litterboxes (general rule is 1 more box than cats) and maybe put them in different areas of the house. Potty areas are important territorial areas and it sometimes helps to have separate areas for this too--they may both use both boxes but the spacial separation sometimes helps. Kitties are complicated--that's what I love about them. Dogs are much more interactive and will follow directions--that's what I love about them. I'm a veterinarian--working emergency medicine now, but did a lot of behavioral consulting when I was in general practice. I wanted to add that so you would know I wasn't just randomly giving advice and drug suggestions :)

I agree with kptwin...the more specific you can be, the better and more accurate your bid will be. And it will send a message to your GC that you know what you want, and tell him not to pull the wool over your eyes. Be very careful out there...there is more shoddy work by contractors than ever before. Take your time finding someone, get at least 5 bids, including design/build (but they are usually more expensive). Hold firm to your wants and needs, and don't budge if the GC cannot or will not give you the exact fixture or appliance brand you want. Just have him pull it from the bid or give you an allowance for it...then go and buy it yourself. In fact, you may be able to get most things cheaper than your GC can. Many GC's are heading in that direction nowadays...with the internet and GC supply houses that are open to the public, you can usually get his discount without his markup...all for being willing to do the research, pay the invoice, and bring the materials back to the job site. Saves him a lot of work and paperwork. Even if he doesn't charge you markup on materials, he'll make it up with higher labor charges. They will try to get their money somehow. The bigger stuff...like windows, doors, etc...you can work with him and see what he recommends. Be careful of certain large companies like Milgard which pay the biggest commissions and kickbacks to GC's. They are not necessarily the best windows, nor the cheapest. As for flooring, if it's wood, know exactly what species you'd like, as well as what grade and stain/finish. For other solid floorings, know what brand and color. Same for countertop materials. Check out Costco if there is one near you...you might be able to get cabinets/countertops, windows, blinds, closet systems, etc...much cheaper. And know exactly what paint brand and color you'd like him to use. The more you know, the less likely you'll end up with builder-grade materials.

Kate, I'm sorry for what you are being forced to go through right now. Very hard. Sounds like you started clearing out, next step is to take a deep breath. What worked for me was to go to Target or Walmart, I bought various sized plastic bins. I collect Barbies, so that was where I started. If the bin had more room in it, I found other collectibles that would fit in the bin. For his sheet music, they also sell a bin that is great for something a little bigger then magazines, so it will be protected. You want to invest in bubble wrap. Uhaul was cheap for moving supplies. They also sell boxes if you want to use them. For my more valuable or sentimental I did not box. IMO, getting a storage unit is the best thing to do. We were going to get a medium sized one but after realizing how much we had we got a garage sized one and it was perfect. Yes, it's a bit pricey but what choice do you have? Are you going to throw out, donate or yard sale your whole life? I was not willing to do that, nor was I willing to lose money on stuff I love. The other option is to ask family to hold stuff for you if they are willing. So, 1st you pack collectibles, or in your case the hobbies you listed. Next the extra stuff laying around, nick knacks, pictures. I did not put away every family picture, left one collage frame in each kids room, a table top wedding pic and a Christmas pic when my dad was still alive. It's a peeve of mine seeing no family photos in houses for sale & opinions vary. I've read posts where sellers missed their family photos so much. Leave out the most special ones to you, just don't over do it. Next, pick a room. I used to start in my daughters room. I took everything she didn't use. Clothes got put in bins & into storage. Everyone had a few long sleeves, a jacket and some summer clothes. The bulk went to storage. With the books, call your local school system, they might take some. I've donated stuff like magazines to guidance or the child study team. You can also go as far as donating other things, one used to love donations of beads so that when the kids went down for cool down time they had something to do. If you want to post where you are located, someone might be able to suggest specific places to donate stuff. I'm leaving a link to a post I started way back when, lots of good info in it Here is a link that might be useful: Sellers, what are you doing to prep?

It's a leading question, methinks! The answer is (or should be), that every strong and enduring architectural design grows out of its site and climate analysis. For example, one seldom builds an atrium-type home in the middle of Manitoba, or two-story and basement house in south Texas. That said, exteriors are not some sort of cosmetic stage set with magenta lipstick and pink rouge which one simply throws over a floor plan. Floor plans and exteriors are only strong if developed together simultaneously, since they are inextricably linked together. What happens on the inside directly affects the outside and vice versa. One of the biggest mistakes many consumers make is to spend inordinate amounts of time trying to develop the "ideal", "forever" floor plan and then ask an architect or builder to throw some roof trusses over it to keep out the rain! If one has an early preference for a type of architectural style--colonial, federal, mission, etc.--then that will have great impact on how the floor plans may or may not be developed. For example, true colonial houses were only 1-2 rooms deep and organized by climate. In the colder northeast, the fireplaces were centrally located in the middle of the house, with 1-2 rooms on either side. In the more moderate Mid-Atlantic and southeast, a central entry hall, providing access and ventilation might be located between the 1-2 rooms on each side. The rooms on each side would share a fireplace for winter warmth. Thus, if one wants a strong and enduring design for their home, they will consider site, climate, the type of architecture which is appealing if any, and the relationship between interior and exterior. For those who may not care about any of this, just make the exterior pink. The neighbors will never bother you...