After a move, it's often difficult to find the time to meet new neighbors. We're usually busy settling into new schools and jobs and unless we bump into them while taking the dog for a walk, we can live in an area for a long time without knowing who's living next door.

So, because I've suffered in the past from not knowing who's who on our street, I came up with some easy tips to get to know the people on your block - tips that don't require a lot of time or energy. Exactly what we need when it feels like we'll never finish the unpacking!

How did you first meet your neighbor? Post a comment here - I'd love to add your thoughts and suggestions to our growing list of ideas!

Like most people who share their lives with animals, our cats mean the world to us; fortunately, they're quite flexible and do adjust to the frequent changes we make in their little kitty lives.

Even though some of our four-legged friends have flown and moved more than most people we know, it's still a big adjustment to take them from a comfortable, known environment to a new home. Over the years, and with good advice from various vets, we've come up with a list of tips to help cats adjust to this often unsettling change.

Photo © D. Schmidt

Now we all use our closets as a storage space, the place where all the stuff that you can't figure out where to put ends up. Even though we keep promising ourselves that someday we'll clean it all out, imagining a time when we can actually find something inside, when the shelves aren't overflowing and you're not afraid to open that door...

We keep putting it off. Well, now's the time! You're moving, so what better excuse do you have?

Find out how to organize, clean and pack your closet so you're ready to move.

One of the most difficult tasks when moving to a new community, is finding a good school. It's not that good schools are few and far between, it's just that you know all your child's teachers, have been involved in school activities and are certain your child is receiving a good education.

So why not make it fun for both you and your child by researching options, then taking a tour, asking lots of questions and spending some time in a classroom? Getting your child involved in the process will help them adapt more quickly to the change and will reassure you that this move is a positive change for the entire family.

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