Rhonda's blog

The First Snow

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST

I would hate to have a job as furniture movers during the past few days. I am sure the amount of snowfall we have had is fairly minimal compared to alot of places, but it still makes a forty mile commute difficult. At least when I finally do make it to work, I get to sit in a nice toasty warm office.

Storing Christmas Presents

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Several people I know utilize mini storage units to keep their Christmas gifts in until the big day. My advice on this would be make sure the facility you store at will let you have access during the holiday. Most places close so that their employees can be with their families, so you might want to think about getting everything you need out a couple days in advance.

Busiest Time Of Year

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST

My coworkers and I were discussing moving companies , and what their busiest time of the year may be. It seems just about any time would be hectic, since no matter what is going on in the world, people will alway be in the process of relocation. Time waits for no man, so when the opportunity comes along, most people jump and go.

East Coast Snow

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST

As soon as we opened today, we started getting calls from storage facilites on the east coast who were closing today because of all the snow they are getting. I know that here in the midwest our time for all of that is on the way. we could wake up anyday now to several inches of snow. That really makes the commute to work a good time.

Mastering The Art Of Frying Turkey

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

My family fried our first turkey this past Thanksgiving, and it was a wild success. We are going to do it again for Christmas and try some Cajun seasonings. I wish we had known that we could save and reuse the expensive peanut oil by filtering it and keeping it in big storage containers .

Thanks, Friend

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:00:00 EST

One of my favorite coworkers was in the midst of making some more storage space in her home, and decided she would bring in some books for me to read. It has been a little slow at work, so something extra to do was much appreciated. It is pretty cool to work with thoughtful people like that.

Access Hours

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:00:00 EST

When you sign up for a storage rental for the first time, be sure to know what your access hours are. These are the specific times you can be in your space. For security, most gates will automatically lock at a certain time. If you are unfortunate enough to have lost track of time while in your unit, it is possible you could get locked behind the gate.

Second Unit Discounts

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST

Did you ever think you would end up having so many things that you would actually have to take out a second storage unit ? What most people do not know is that the more reputable facilities offer a second unit discount. So when you find yourself in need of even more space, be sure to ask about the possibility of saving money.

Shopping For Friends

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:00:00 EST

I get alot of calls from people who are shopping for self storage facilities for family members or friends of theirs. That is a really great thing to do for someone to help them out. Some people are even kind enough to use their own financial information to secure a space for whoever they are calling for. That is a good friend.

I Hate The Dentist

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Today is my first day back to work after some considerable dentistry work. I was kind of nervous coming back after a week long absence, thinking maybe I had forgotten how to talk about storage . Once I got back into my cubicle and got my headset on, I started to feel much better. I hope I do not have to visit the dentist again anytime soon.

Wait, Do Not Hang Up

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST

When you are calling around for moving quotes , you will probably talk to a wide variety of people and hear all sorts of prices. Give everyone a chance to tell you everything they have to offer. If you do not like what you are hearing, please do not just hang up. Chances are, you might miss out on a really good deal.

Pawn Stars

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST

I have recently become addicted to a show called Pawn Stars. It is about a huge pawn shop that deal with anything from huge boats like you used to see on Miami Vice to two thousand year old Roman coins. It is always entertaining to see what people pull out of the storage boxes they have laying around, and bring in to sell.

Black Friday Shopping

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Several members of my family work at one of the biggest retail department stores in the nation, so black friday is a day of dread for them. The stories they bring home every year are truely amazing. I can not believe the lengths some people will go to for a flat screen tv or an xbox. The managers have to come up with some crafty storage solutions for the sale items on pallets.

Talk About Planning Ahead

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

I had a call from a lady today who was looking for a storage unit for January of 2011. Now that is what I call organized. It seems she was going to be relocating to the area and was planning her budget. Since I never know what I am going to do from one minute to the next, I felt a certain admiration for her. But who knows how things will change from one year to the next.

New Puppies

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

My brother has a schnauzer who just had a litter of 6 puppies. There will be quite the demand for the puppies since they will be ready around Christmas. Since his house is pretty much the size of a matchbox, I am worried about what he will do for household storage since little puppies need so much more room than you think.

Trunk Of Treasures

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

My dad gave me a storage trunk full of memorabilia of our family recently, and I am still amazed at all of the history it contained. He said it was time I became keeper of the archives. Some of the stuff I had never even seen before. There were letters from my great great grandparents to each other that dated back before the turn of the century.

Bullwinkle Lives

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

We have an absolutely horrible christmas decoration in the form a of huge moose that lights up at night. I have kept it well hidden in a storage space over the last few years, but unfortunately while cleaning the garage the moose and my husband have found each other again. Now light up Bullwinkle is standing proudly in my front yard, mechanically nodding his big head at any luckless traveler that passes by.

Small Town Historical Societies

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

I grew up in a small town where everyone knew each other. I recently had the good fortune to revisit when the local historical society was open. I was amazed at how far back the history actually went. It was literally a storage house for the history of my family. We were able to see old photos of our property and learn about the people who built the house I grew up in.

Another Year Gone

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

It is hard to believe we are already having people shopping for a storage unit for next year. It seems just last night I was filling up the hummingbird feeders and trimming the lawn. Where did all of the warm weather and sunny days go? I guess time flies when you are having fun talking about storing things.

Instant Storage

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

I always like to read the latest trade news for the business, and I came across an interesting article. It seems mobile storage has gone one better, and there is now an instant storage unit. You can take it with you wherever you go, and it actually is broken down and assembles in about fifteen minutes. Now that is what I call handy.

Up Goes The Christmas Tree

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

I am getting the fever. I have gotten my Christmas decorations out, and I am madly draping holiday cheer throughout my home. The hardest thing is moving my furniture all around, and making sure all the house plants have the right amount of sunlight. The house will be in a constant state of upheaval until after the holidays are over.

Man Bags...Dont Hate

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

I think guys get to hard of a time when they carry a bag around. Everyone needs portable storage , even guys. I think my husband is a prime candidate for a man purse. Between his wallet, his Mt Dew, his cellphone, and various other must haves he can not live without, his life would be so much easier with a nice bag to haul it around. He could have a really masculine one in black leather. Sounds like a plan to me, but unfortunately I think his coworkers in the construction field would not go easy on him if he started to carry a murse around.

I Shall Learn Spanish

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST

I have decided that I am going to look into learning Spanish. I would love to be able to talk about storage in several different languages to help any caller. Not only would it help the caller, it would make me a valueable employee. I am lucky I have several coworkers who speak this beautiful language, and I am sure they would help me with any questions that I have.

Car Storage and Maintenance

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

I was talking to a gentleman the other day who was looking for car storage for several classic cars. During the course of the conversation I realized that he wanted a space where he could actually perform mechanical work on his vehicles. Unfortunately, when you a rent a space to store a car, mechanical work is not allowed for safety reasons. The caller was really understanding and had to look for an alternate solution.

Happy To Be An Organ Donor

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Organ donation is something I have always strongly believed in. If something ever happens to me, it would bring great peace to know a part of me might help someone else live a better life. I am proud of my daughter for taking this stand as well. Although, I am amazed that they actually use small coolers for storage for the organs during transport.

Crazy Dreams Again

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

I had a dream last night that I was locked in a storage unit and everyone was aware that I was in it, but nobody would let me out. I was yelling and beating on the door, and could hear everyone laughing. I do not know what inspired such an odd dream, but who knows what goes on in our subconsious when we are asleep.

The Making of Christmas Fudge

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

My grandmother passed down her fudge recipe to the women in our family, and it literally has no equal. Around the first of November relatives start hounding me for the first batch. We make ten pounds at a time and it takes three people to take turns at stirring. I have to schedule help for this, sometimes bribery is a must. By Christmas time, it is not unusual for my family to have made fifty pounds of fudge to give away. Another challenge is to find attractive, food friendly storage boxes to keep it all in.

Helping Out A Friend

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Whenever you are the proud owner of a large garage, there always seems to be a friend who needs to store something in it. Usually it is not a problem, since we are always happy to help a friend. But sometimes what is meant to be temporary actually ends up turning into long term storage . Before you know it your garage does not even have room for your own things.

That Stupid Donkey

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT

My husbands mother gave him an old stone donkey that is meant to be placed outside, and he has a place on his back that you plant flowers in. It is the oddest looking lawn ornament you have ever laid eyes on, resembling a small goat from outer space. We always have to explain to newcomers just what it actually is. But, it is from his mom and she has been gone for a long time, so I deal with it and dutifully plant flowers in it every year. It has begun to deteriorate, so my husband mentioned bringing it into the house to live out its remaining years. I wonder if they make boxes that big.

A New Space

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT

It has happened yet again. My husband and I have outgrown our garage. We have already priced materials for him to build us a new mini storage building and unfortunately it will not be cheap. It will probably have to wait until this spring, but at least we can save money on labor since he is a skilled carpenter.

The Free Life

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:00:00 EDT

So now that my uncle has retired, he is traveling all over the United States in his new motorhome. I get souvenirs and gifts in the mail from all over the place. Now that winter is looming ahead, he has settled in Florida and put his camper in rv storage , until next year when the adventures will begin again. I plan on joining him on a trip or two next year.

My Husbands Sister

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EDT

My husbands sister lives in North Carolina, but has a storage unit here in Missouri. Recently she called us and asked if we would clean out her space and move it to her friends garage. We were happy to at first, until we got there and saw just how much stuff she had. It ended up taking all of our weekend. I hope she is grateful, because I plan on calling in a favor the next time I need help.

Preparing For Winter

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EDT

One of my favorite hobbies is working around the yard, planting flowers and making things pretty. It is a great way to decompress after a stressful day. In the fall we usually do alot of mulching and cleanup to prepare for winter. We have some bulbs that do not weather Missouri temperatures well, so we dig them up and put them into household self storage so they will stay warm and toasty till next spring.

New Family Member

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EDT

Ok, anyone who knows me well, knows I love dogs. My oldest is a little schnauzer named Cozmo who will be 11 people years old very soon. He is one of those dogs who only come once in a lifetime, who other dogs will never quite measure up to. My brother has one of his granddogs who is pregnant at the moment. This will be a fourth generation litter, and I would really love to have a new puppy to carry on Cozmos line. I am afraid, though, that I just do not have enough household storage to accomodate another family member.

Wintering Your Car

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EDT

People are really lining up in Canada to get their cars into vehicle storage before the winter really hits. This seems to be almost every other call that I take these last few days. We are even offering discounts for the next few winter months to help save our callers some money.

At Your Service

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EDT

Alot of the callers I talk to are amazed to see just how far we are willing to go to help them out with anything. In some cases we can help out with moving supplies, free trucks to use, or even just to make a payment over the phone. The term storage services is so much more than just a space to keep your belongings.

It Will Be Snowing Soon

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EDT

I was amazed the other evening while watching the weather channel to realize snow will be flying in Canada and our northern states already. Our friendly neighbors to the north are probably heading to their storage facility right now to get out all of their winter things. It seems just a moment ago that we were watching all of the spring flowers pop up and bloom.

Interesting Facility

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT

I took a really interesting call for a facility the other day who had steel storage containers in their mix of units to choose from. It seems to me this would be the way to go. I bet mice could not get in there, and any kind of would be robbers would think twice about messing with that one. I wonder if these were the kind that could be delivered to your home to load?

Like Fish In A Bowl

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EDT

My friend and I were sharing a laugh the other day about how strange it is, no matter how much closet and cabinet room we may aquire, we always seem to outgrow it eventually. It is kind of like small fish in an aquarium, they will grow as big as the tank allows. The same is true of storage space , if you have room left over, your belongings will grow to fit.

I Wonder What That Is Like

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EDT

I have always wanted to be able to travel all over the country. I think it would be cool to work for some of the reputable and most dependable nationwide moving companies so you could get a chance to really check out the scenery. The chance to deal with people from all walks of life would be awesome to.

Messy Daughter

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT

Even though my daughter has been out of the house for quite sometime now, she still has not unpacked everything. I was at her place yesterday and was quite shocked to see all of the moving boxes still lying about, with clothes and debris hanging out. So, I fear I must sacrifice a day off to go help her reorganize. Although chaos does not seem to bother her, it will make me insane until I know it is taken care of.

Halloween

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT

I love Halloween and all of the kooky cartoons that start airing on tv. Some of my favorites are The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. As soon as the first leaf turns brown, I am the first to dive into my holiday indoor storage closet and pull out the DVDs. Much to my husbands dismay, this gets in the way of UFC fighting, but oh well, Halloween is once a year and he can watch guys pummel each other year round.

Comic Books

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT

I never had any idea what the draw of the comic book was until I watched a special on television documenting the matter. People who are collectors are pretty serious about their hobby, and judging by the prices of some of the rarest books, it is pretty lucrative as well. I am sure the most dedicated people utlilize some sort of climate controlled storage to keep everything pristine.

Clean Freak

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT

I am a huge fan of cleaning products. I know that sounds weird, but I am truely addicted. Whenever a new product comes out, I am the first in line to give it a try. Some work better than others, so those that are less efficient get crammed into a cabinet and forgotten. This is not usually a problem until the cabinet doors quit closing. I do not think anyone ever feels like they have enough convenient household storage .

Arrowhead Collector

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EDT

My uncle is an avid arrowhead collector. When I was a little girl, one of my favorite things to do was walking creek beds with him, hunting arrowheads. Since he has done this since he was a little boy, his house is lined with shadow boxes full of priceless arrowheads in all shapes and colors. Recently, he sold three of his rarest and netted enough to pay off his mortgage.

Before The Internet

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EDT

In the days before time began, when there was no internet, my brother and I had to look things up using an old set of encylepedias. They were old and tattered and dated back to the sixties, so more often than not, the information was outdated. After I left home, I never gave those old books another thought. I was at my moms house recently while she was reorganizing a storage closet. I could not believe my eyes when I saw those old books lying on her bed, it was like revisiting old friends.

Carry It Along

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EDT

I used to drive a pickup truck during my younger years, so I did not have alot of room inside the cab for shopping bags or anything else I needed to carry with me. There was plenty of room in the bed, but weather and wind were always factors. I was really sad when I had to retire that truck due to gas prices, and started to drive a car. But, it had the unexpected advantage of portable storage by way of having a huge trunk. Now weather is never a factor on when I can go grocery shopping.

Landmark Birthday

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EDT

My daughter has her twenty first birthday coming up soon. Since she really has no interest in celebrating in the usual way with a pub crawl, we are going to get her a popular gaming console. I am talking to a coworker about buying a used one with games that come with it. I will have to find some safe storage for any gifts I get her, since she can sniff out any hiding place.

Storage On Labor Day

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EDT

Here we are, a dedicated team of professionals, at work on the holiday, ready to help our callers with all of their storage needs. Even though most facilities are closed, we can still help our customers by quoting prices and discounts, and getting the units they need on reserve for them so they can relax and enjoy the holiday.

Another Good Feature

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EDT

How often does one think about what kind of door will be on their mini storage building when they finally come down to rent? A good thing to look for is a roll up door. That way the door does not swing into the units and take up any of your space. It makes the entry of large pieces furniture alot easier, since you have the full width of the doorway accessible.

Ghosts Goblins and Bloody Hands

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT

My daughter has an October birthday, so needless to say her party themes have always been Halloween based. I have so many ghosts, goblins and spooks stored in boxes that I could create my own haunted house. I was recently in my garage doing some reorganizing, when I noticed a strange bloody hand limply hanging down the side of a container. I am certainly glad I noticed it first, because it really looked as if I had killed someone and stashed them in my garage.

Cool Weather Approaches

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EDT

There has been the definite nip of Autumn in the air lately. We have had to close our windows at night and put on our jackets in the morning for the ride to work. Over the weekend I will pull out all of my boxes of winter clothes and boots to get everything washed and freshened up. I have a feeling winter will come early this year.

Lock It Down

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT

So, now it is time for you to utilize a mini self storage unit for the first time. There are several aspects to consider, including size and a convenient location. But what most people do not think about is the proper lock. If in doubt, go with a disc or cylinder lock. Most reputable facilities will have these on hand for you to purchase. They are alot more secure than your average padlock and work great for storing spaces.

Friendly To The Environment

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT

It makes my heart glad to see that the world of self storage has joined the green movement. I am reading more and more articles on how facility owners are trying to make their buildings earth friendly. Some are going as far as installing solar panels to help with electrical usage. Just another reason to be proud to work in this industry.

Guilty Pleasures

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EDT

I have a confession to make. I am totally addicted to fashion and gossip magazines. I am one of those suckers standing in the check out line thumbing through the articles and holding up the progress of others. I recently put packed all of my magazines and books into storage boxes and had no less than twelve completely full. I think someone needs to stage an intervention.

Family Antiques

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EDT

My father is the caretaker of all the antique heirlooms in our family. These include a handcarved jewelry box made by my great great grandfather and and several items from turn of the century Scotland where my ancestors are from. I am sure before my father entrusts these things to my siblings and I he is going to want to know we have safe storage for all of these priceless items.

Getting in Shape

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EDT

I do not always recognize the person staring back at me when I look into the mirror. It seems when I went to bed last night I was twenty one years old and when i woke up I was thirty nine. I have decide to pull the exercise equipment out of storage , and get myself into shape. It will be a long hard road, but hopefully I will feel like my old self again.

Storage for Everyone

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EDT

One thing I have learned from speaking to callers throughout the day is that people who need storage encounter all types of situations. A person may have dire need of a unit, but no access to an appropriate vehicle to move their belongings. The best way to go is a good, reputable moving company to help with the hard stuff.

Spring Storage

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EDT

Warm weather is upon us again. After months of being indoors, the balmy weather of spring puts many of us in the mood to clean. A good way to expedite the process is to utilize a mini storage unit for holiday decor and seasonal items. This is an excellent way to free up some extra room for the good times of summer.