Have you ever moved?  If you have, you know that it is not an easy feat.  I recently moved after living in the same house for over 15 years.  To reduce the chance of losing my mind during this arduous process, I did some research on organized packing and moving.  I implemented my plan effectively and efficiently.  I moved an entire house and only a light bulb broke during the move.  Now let me just say, you can’t control everything, some things about a move or anything else, happens well outside your control.  But planning and proper preparation is always the best way to go.  So just in case, you are contemplating a move, I’d like to share with you some surefire tips to make your packing, moving and unpacking easier.

Like most people, I had a few concerns: theft, broken or damaged items, including furniture.  I also wanted to ensure that I didn’t have to drag boxes from room to room afterwards.  I didn’t want to spend a trillion dollars on boxes and other moving essentials.

1.     Start going through your things one year in advance.  Sought:  keep, throw away or goodwill items.  It’s make no sense to pay to move things you are going to throw away later.

2.     Create an inventory months in advance.  Take pics of your valuables with your phone.  You’ll need it to ensure your items with the moving company. 

3.     Collect free boxes. Have friends and family hold boxes for you from shopping on Amazon or other mail order purchases.  You could also check the supermarket and large stores like Walmart.  If you work at a school grab those Staples boxes and other boxes from purchases. I started collecting a year in advance I placed the boxes in large black garbage bags for long term storage.

4.     Purchase colorful packing tape.  Use regular masking tape to close your packed boxes.  Color code your boxes by room. Place one strip of colored tape vertically across the top of the box.  Don’t label the boxes, no one needs to know what is in them but you.  Keep a key to your color coded boxes (i.e. Orange – kitchen, red – living room, blue – office etc.)  It’s easy for someone to open and re-tape a box when you are not looking.  That’s impossible when you have a variety of colored tape not stocked in the truck.  Lock your colorful tapes in your car.

5.     Number your boxes.  If one is missing, you will know within a day.  What I did is this:  Orange is kitchen so the orange list started with 100.  First box 100, second box 101, third box 102.  The living room was blue.  The first living room box was 200, second box 201, third box 202 etc.  I also listed in my log some of the main items in the box so I can find them easily when needed.  Let’s face it, I can’t unpack a house in a day, but I need my toaster right away.  Store most of your boxes in your living room for easy and quick moving.  Time is money. When it is time to unpack have a family member stand by the door with a prepared key.  As the movers come in they can call out their number or color and be directed to the proper room.  You won’t have to lift a thing to unpack.  Boxes will be placed exactly where the contents will be housed.

6.     Pack your plates with Styrofoam plates.  Between each plate, place a Styrofoam plate for cushion.  Cheapest method ever and it’s the best padding.

7.     Collect free bubble wrap.  You will need to wrap your glasses and other breakable items.  Have your buddies save the packing including the packing paper from TJ Maxx, Amazon and other stores.  If you have to buy any, buy it at Walmart, it is the cheapest I’ve found, or simply shop around in advance.

8.     Have a furniture layout plan.  If you plan in advance, you won’t have to waste the mover’s time figuring it out.  Their time is your money.  You won’t have to be dragging furniture around afterwards.  For a few tweaks, buy sliders and give your back a break.

9.     Purchase glass packing dividers.  If you like glassware like I do, this is the only way to go.  You can find them at home depot, but if you plan in advance, you may be able to find them cheaper by shopping around.

10.  Purchase furniture blankets.  Movers will never have enough – I don’t want to see a scratch – I know – a little anal but that’s fine.  Purchase them on Amazon, you’ll save a bundle.  Sharpie your initials on yours so they don’t get mixed up with the mover’s blankets also number them so you get them all back.  You can easily store them away in a bin in the basement or resell them.

11.  Have bottled cold water for your movers.  They can get more done if they are not dying of thirst.

12.  Purchase plastic totes/bins.  They are good for protecting china and other breakables.  Take a drill and drill holes on each side so that you can zip tie the cover to the bin.

13.  Pack a suitcase.  You’ll need pj’s, toothbrush, paste, deodorant, undies, at least three change of clothing etc.  You’ll be too tired to dig in boxes. 

14.  Pack a food box.  My sister gave me this idea.  What good is cream cheese, if you can’t find your bagels?

15.  Pack an open first box.  This box #1 should have your cleaning items, bucket, sponges, soap, disinfectants etc.  Put boxes 13 – 15 in your car.

16.  Zip tie your hanging clothes in the closet.  Then use Hefty garbage bags like clothes bags put two or three sets of zip ties clothes in each bag. Move the bags from one closet directly to the other.  All you will have to do is untie the bags, cut the zip ties and wa-la.  You can reuse the bags for trash later on and avoid the folding an unfolding.

Last but not least, remember to pack big boxes with light items like clothes and pack small boxes with heavier items like books etc.  If the box can’t be safely carried, items will get broken, including the movers back.  Once you are in your new home, smile – home at last.  Now diva, the new journey begins.

You are too short.  You’re too tall.  Your hair is too curly.  You hair is much too straight.  Is that your natural hair color?  Is that your real hair?  Your nose is too big.  Did you have a nose job?  Is that really your eye color?  Your lips are really big.  You don’t have any lips.  You are really fat.  You are way too thin.  You are really black.  Boy, you are really white.  I have a question, why do people ask these questions?  Are they really stupid?  Do we not recall that curiosity killed the cat?  Okay so that wasn’t a real story but come on…

You have to know me pretty well to ask me any of these questions.  And some of these questions, if you know me pretty well, you know not to ask.  The thing to understand is, if the person wants to tell you, you wouldn’t have to ask.  Unless they make their business yours – oh it’s not.  Surely there are more important things on your, “must know list” than the above.  Let try, “How are you today?” The other thing is that judgmental stuff, too this, or too that – girl bye.  There are just way too many people who think they are the beauty police.  Having seen them, I’m not sure why they are so misguided.  Who decides if you’re too short or too tall?  Whose job is it to determine if you are too black or too white?  Who decides if your lips are too big or way to small – who decides?  Certainly not the person making the statement or anyone like them.  Who gets to decide - you do.  And don’t let anyone perpetrate their hate on you.  If they have self-esteem, issues they need to fix it.  Putting you down cannot be the solution to making people feel better about themselves.  And…then there are the haters, you know – those that buy everything that they (pretenda’) hate about you. 

What is the point of this line of questioning, who really cares and why?  What is the motivation for asking these types of questions? Some may say, well they just want to know?  Well, it’s none of their business unless the other person decide it is.  At the end of the day, it’s all up to you how you handle the probe of life or the “too” statement.  When it comes to matters about you, you are the expert.  Take a look in the mirror and know that you were perfectly made.  You have to live with you every day.  You must know the value of you.  Diva don’t let anyone else paint your picture.  Pick up your paint brush and just know that you are making a one of a kind original.  You don’t have to be or look like anyone but you.  You also don’t have to answer probing questions about yourself or anything else for that matter.  If they don’t like the painting, they can move on and choose another.  Boop!

Just remember the people that matters, none of this stuff matters to them.  And if it matters to them, then they shouldn’t matter to you.  It’s far better to live your life being the best that you can be instead of worrying about what other people think about you.  Spread the love, reduce the hate, especially to yourself.

Have you ever had someone say hello to you and you pleasantly responded?  Then you walked away and instinctively looked back, just to find them making a face behind your back?  Yep, the mean girl syndrome in full effect.  What is also in effect is a coward.  Fantasia sang a song and some of the lyrics to the song are, “If you don’t like me, don’t talk to me, go ahead and free yourself”.  If only the “mean girl” would take this advice.  Life is too short to get caught up with people who don’t even know how to behave.

I simply don’t understand two faced cowards.  Have the guts to say what you have to say to the person's face or simply free yourself of their company.  I truly don’t understand what people get out of catching someone else’s eye behind your back and making a negative gesture about you.  Does it make them smarter, taller, cuter, gets them a raise?  What did you say, none of the above – ding, ding, ding.  That is the correct answer, the person who this gets nothing tangible out of it – unless, they have low self-esteem.  Then of course it makes sense that behaving this way, somehow makes them feel better about themselves (bigger).  Unfortunately, this truth takes place only in their minds.  This reminds me of an incident that I witnessed in high school.  In the 11^th grade, there was a girl with long absolutely beautiful hair.  She was such a nice and friendly girl. That seemed to be a problem for, “the mean girl”.  So she would pull the girls' hair, knock her school books out of her hand for months.  But one day the girl with the long hair had her hair in a bun, no earrings on but certainly sneakers.  And this day, as soon as  “the mean girl” stepped in her direction she was met with, let’s just say mush hostility.  Although I don’t condone violence, I guess old girl had enough of the nonsense.  It’s amazing to me just how many “mean girls” grow up and never correct their misbehavior.  Too many of them grow up to be “mean women”.  Girl, “get your life”.  There are therapists and psychologists on every corner.  Get the help you need and leave everyone else alone.  I for one being the Diva that I am, will not be making eye contact with the person who behaves poorly behind someone else’s back.  Divas don’t condone inappropriate behavior, we certainly won’t be a part of it.

The truth of the matter is, we don’t have to like everybody and if it pains you to say hello - don’t.  But do grow up.  This isn’t high school.  No one’s afraid of the “mean girl” anymore honey.  And divas, well they see your pain and hope you get the help you need.  But just know, if you try this stunt with a diva, there is a strong chance that she will call you on it.  Yep, be prepared to be confronted.

Vacation is calling and I must go.  Where, you ask?  It doesn't really matter where.  When time off rolls around, it will be a wonderful experience based on my vaca needs.  Sometimes it could be an island paradise, sometimes Virginia Beach, other times a local hotel or even at home. 

The only thing that matters when I go on vaca, is that I get what I need and do what I want.  Actually, it’s more like don’t do anything.  I’ve been to Paris and England, the West Indies and a few local spots.  Sometimes the best vaca of all is right in my own bed – go figure.  It’s like…sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t.  Sometimes you want to be a tourist, other times you’re in beach bum mode and then there is relax on 2000.

As you plan your vaca, decide what you need and do that.  If you have to consider the wishes of other family members, then make sure you at least have one day off to do you.  Chillin’ 2000.  Divas need R&R too you know.  Luv the kids, but it’s not just about them…hello, can I get an AMEN.

So if you have been following my posts, you know I wrote an article about the fabu new look of fitbit.  Well, there is more.  So my daughter purchased one and created a few group challenges.  Everyone that she invites to this group has fitbit and can compete against each other to see who has the most steps at the end of the challenge.  You can literally see each group members step total.  This particular one is for a week.  The software comments about the race, much like texting, but you also get to add your own texts as well. 

You can cheer on a buddy or simply talk smack, which is, of course, what I like to do.  I constantly threaten to dethrone the queen (person with the highest score) or threaten to win even if it mean my feet falling off.  All in fun, of course.  The wonderful thing about this is, it forces you to be accountable for the goal you set and if you are a competitive person like I am, you will certainly….get to steppin’

There is no down side.  You’ll make a few new friends, have fun and be encouraged to run or walk you race.  So diva’s if you haven’t joined a group yet, you're missing out.  Join the fun, walk to good health.  

Sometimes work and life, in general, can leave you stressed to the core.  Regardless of how you are generally enjoying yourself, sometimes just the sheer burden of responsibilities can leave you overwhelmed and exhausted - it’s all part of life.  Every once in a while, you have to carve out a little time for yourself and simply relax.  This week was a rough week.  Deadlines in the workplace, a shortage of staff and personal deadlines makes for both a tired body and mind.

It was very necessary to use my secret stress buster.  I pulled out my weapon of mass happiness.  I filled the Jacuzzi with my favorite bubble bath, put on my fav music, and yes brought in the chocolate covered strawberries.  With my bottle of Evian water, I was good to go.  It was awesome.  Every couple of months this is my get away, but this week it was my nightly ritual for 3 days.  Well chocolate covered strawberries was just one night.  You know, a girls got to watch her waistline.  Hey, a diva’s got to do what a diva’s got to do – relax when necessary.  Deadlines will be met and I will certainly get through my crazy busy week, but I knew it would be at a cost.  So, I made sure, I paid myself first each day by relaxing the night before.

As I always say, preparation is everything.  If we don’t take care of ourselves – who will.   Be your own best friend and not your own worst enemy – always plan to take great care of you diva.

What would you like to know more about?  Have you ever thought about taking a class simply to get more knowledge in the area of your interest?  Classes that help you improve the way you conduct your personal business, should not be overlooked.  So if you need to broaden your knowledge base on a particular subject, then diva get to it.  Most colleges/universities have adult classes you can take fairly inexpensively.  There are quite a few classes you can even take online.  From photography to computer literacy, there are a variety of classes - enough for everyone.

A great class to take is financial management.  We all have some knowledge in managing our personal finances, but if you have holes in your knowledge, now is the time.  Understanding where your paycheck goes each week is important to your future financial success.  Learning how to create systems to help you organize and analyze your financial data, is the only way to go. It's all about making good decisions to help improve your ability to save for your future. But of course, there are so many other classes you can take.  You would be surprised how many people use windows and don’t know all of its features.  Make your life easier – take a class.  Remember, knowledge is power girl.