Max the cat taking credit for the packing.
When I moved to New York in 2004, it was for a new job; which means I had about 5 minutes warning before strong men came and packed up my entire place in one afternoon.
Given that Mike and I have one month and 3 days before the movers arrive, we decided to take a slightly different approach this time. We’ve built a database that lists all of our earthly possessions–and as we pack, the database tracks exactly which box an item is packed in. This means I already know that the Joy of Cooking is in box #5. While many might consider this to be a little on the loopy side, it makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. What makes me feel even warmer and fuzzier is the fact that Mike not only accepts these eccentricities, but he embraces them. This is especially important because, back on the left coast, things are a little more. . . organic. This isn’t surprising, since a member of my family was living in the house since 1943. And while my pops is working away at providing us a slate clean of extra possessions and knick knacks–there’s only so much one man (with my brother’s help) can do in one month and 3 days. Therefore, I suspect we won’t be unpacking every box in those first weeks/months after we arrive. So knowing what’s in box #5 will come in handy when I’m dying to make my killer mac & cheese recipe, or it’s time to roast a chicken (because no matter how many chickens I roast, I like having the book open as a reminder of exactly what temperature the bird should be if I want juicy breast meat). Whether or not it really adds value that I also have a picture in the database of the Joy of Cooking and the other books it shared shelf space with here in Queens will be known only by Mike & Denise.
the infamous database