I have been writing about leaving, packing, saying goodbye and boxes for months. Months and months. And months. All of this writing means lots of processing. Processing means I am in a good place. Calm. Happy. Excited about what’s new. Able to be okay with leaving.
But, to fully arrive, I need to pay tribute one last time to the moving. This time, the actual move. One box at a time. Yes, again, those boxes!
Forgive me book lovers, posts about books will be returning very soon! But when there are lots of books + a move, the end result = lots of boxes.
And this is something to celebrate!
My old classroom with box towers and stacks of things to move.
This was the major load in the truck. We also took some things in our vehicle and then the truck went back for a few more things. I always have wanted a bookmobile! But this is not exactly what I pictured 🙂
Filling a room with boxes. There are stacks like this along two more walls.
And then the unpacking begins . . .
Every box had a base layer of books in it so I spent some time amassing all of the books in one location. Basically, turning partially full boxes of books into completely full boxes of books. Now that nobody needed to carry them, I could do this.
Setting out the books will be last – once I figure out shelves, systems and spaces.
Of course, this was and isn’t a job for just me! I have lots of gratitude for my family, the movers, the building engineers at either end and my amazing husband. All of them have helped and continue to help. It’s a dusty, dirty, exhausting job and I couldn’t do it without my team!
I continue to unpack, think about room design, source book shelves and imagine how students will share this space with me. I celebrate this happy mess full of all kinds of possibility.
Thank you to Ruth Ayres and the #celebratelu community!
Being part of a community that regularly shares gratitude and celebrations truly transforms my weeks.
There's a Book for That 
Wow! Have fun setting up your new room. I can only imagine the job you have ahead of you, having seen the amount of things in your old room. Let me know if you need a hand.
I don’t think your hands stretch from across the country! But when you are back . . .
Teachers and books and moving oh my! I know with all of the times I have moved my stuff, I could never do it without the help of others. I know how grateful you must be for all of the support with the move. Enjoy setting up your new space! Have fun relishing in seeing and connecting with all of your books as you place them too.
I am looking forward to when I get to the books! It will be a while though. First, I need some shelves.
Congratulations on the move! I can only imagine the work involved in moving all your books! Can’t wait to hear where you’ll be teaching. Sadly, it doesn’t look like my daughter’s school.
No it isn’t . . . 😦 But a great school for me!
Looking at your photographs has me remembering the work and joy of moving many times as an educator. Excited to see and read your new room, thoughts and celebrations!
Thanks! I am slowly, slowly getting it together.
Wow, what a move. I’m so happy to hear that you’ve done it, and are in your new space, Carrie. Congratulations! My whole school moved to new quarters one summer, and you’re right, we would never have made it without so many volunteers. My colleague and I spent the rest of the summer designing our space, as I’m sure you will. But it was exciting, just took a bunch of time. Hugs for this part of your journey!
Lots of time but so enjoyable!
Yowza! That truck! OMG!!
Thankfully you didn’t have to move furniture that you own, too…or did you???
Yowza is right! The board will actually move your boxes but not any personal furniture. I moved my boxes because I wanted it done!
So many possibilities await you and your students. This is a hectic and crazy time, but so exciting too. Good luck on this next phase of your journey.
Thank you Julie!
Glad the boxes are all in your new space. Now it’s time to imagine all the possibilities. Congrats!
It means lots and lots of thinking!
Love the photo of packing the truck! Good heavens, that is a LOT of boxes! Happy unpacking to you,
Just a few . . .