packing is such a chore!

Before I begin, I wanted to let you all know that the "photos" page has been updated. There are some photos up of places I've been, things I've done, and people I adore. More will be added in the future so keep checking!

Now on to the real post --

Holy moly. I knew packing was going to take some time and some thinking (since I have to fit everything into a one bedroom apartment), but I didn't think it would be THIS tough. I literally have boxes everywhere from years ago. Why?

Well.............

Notice the giraffe toilet brush cleaner! Thanks, Hattie! 

When I interned in Cincinnati, OH during the summer of 2012, I took a lot of stuff. From there, my parents had to pack all of my stuff that I needed to take to Towson, MD for NSE (I went straight from Cincinnati to Maryland without coming back to Iowa).

By the time I left Maryland I had random stuff still from Cincinnati. So I boxed everything up and drove home last December. I never really unpacked because I wasn't sure how long I'd be home and where I'd be going next.

I moved Colorado Springs, CO in January. This time I took even more. I was living with two guys who fit everything in their cars, while I had my car packed to the top and my dad's truck with the whole backend full. Whoops. Anyway, I left Colorado Springs in February. Brought everything home, in boxes.

Once again, didn't know how long I'd be here, so I didn't do much unpacking, except my clothes.

I moved to Cleveland, OH in March. This time I was living somewhere furnished and was going out alone so I had to make sure to fit everything in my car. Not too bad, until I bought some maybe too much stuff while out in Cleveland.

When I moved out of the house I rented from in Cleveland, I was headed to Cincinnati. I packed it all in my car (three different trips on three different weekends) and unloaded boxes, clothes, etc. into Jason's Cincinnati apartment in June.

By this time, I knew I'd be in Cincinnati until mid-August to help with the Western & Southern Open. I flew home for two weeks in July and since I was flying I obviously couldn't take much. I brought enough clothes to look decent in public for a few days, dresses for the two weddings I attended, and a swimsuit for a day in Cedar Falls with my best girls.

In mid-August I came home (to Iowa). This time I had nothing lined up for a next step. I unpacked my clothes and put all of the boxes downstairs.

As I'm starting to pack now for my move to Davenport, I realize I have boxes EVERYWHERE. In my room, in my brother's old room, in the basement, everywhere! I don't even know what's in half of them.... so I dig through and think if I need it or not (I usually rationalize somehow and side with "yes, of course I need it!").

NOT TO MENTION, this is my first "real place" that I will be in for longer than a few months and my first place that is completely unfurnished. I can't thank my parents enough for being so generous in the process and helping me with things such as a couch, chair, bar stools, a bigger TV and SO much more furniture. They're the greatest. On that note, thank goodness we are picking up the couch and chair in Davenport at the furniture store so we don't have to fit it the U-Haul along with everything else! To get a visual, look below.

In terms of decor, I have been working on some DIY projects (thanks to the help of my handy dad) that I am in love with. I will share them as soon as they are all set up in my new digs!

Where my life has taken me so far.... and now I'm going to the little blue X. See why packing has been crazy? ;)