Maura: At Your Service

Returning to my green roots

2012-01-21T23:10:00.001-05:00

I choose the door on the left, Monty!

When my son was growing up I cleaned with only 100% natural products like baking soda and vinegar-- only the best for little hands that like to put things in the mouth ...

Somehow over the years-- laziness? media influence? --
I began using a variety of chemicals-- different ones for the floor, counter, windows, walls, wood .... and in foams, sprays, crystals...

Returning to my senses--
maybe they were clouded by the fumes of cleansers?

Going Green

Baking soda, vinegar, lemon ...

Better for you, your children, your pets, the environment AND for me!

If your family and your world being healthy matters as much as your house being clean, give me a call!

Did you resolve to get organized in the new year?

2012-01-01T21:13:00.005-05:00

Is one of your New Year's Resolutions "get organized"?

Do you have any idea where to even begin?

Before your neighbors submit you
to be on Hoarders
give me a call
together we'll make sense of it all!

Nothing I Can't Organize

2011-12-18T20:09:00.002-05:00

Have I mentioned how much I love helping people unpack?

This was probably the coolest closet I've gotten to arrange:

HEADS!

.... kept thinking of Mombi's heads in Return to Oz

Give the Gift of ME!

2011-12-03T22:22:00.017-05:00

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Don't make your loved ones
Pretend to like your gift

Make them truly happy
by giving ME this year!

Or, shall I say, a Gift Certificate for my services...

(please, pretend there's a ribbon
on the box, I couldn't figure it out)

No wrapping paper needed

One size fits all
Easy to mail
Redeemable throughout the year*

No returns

(but I can be re-gifted)

*Gift certificates cannot be redeemed before January 3, 2012
**Yard Work not available with gift certificate

Christmas Preparations

2011-11-29T18:50:00.007-05:00

Family coming to town?

Clean the house before company arrives
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company proof your home, too!

need time to put up the lights?

always busy at your own party?

Errands, driving, cleaning
so you can string up the lights

Prep cook, Serve, Bar Tend

Clean up during and after party

so you can enjoy your guests

Ready for Thanksgiving?

2011-11-19T11:25:00.003-05:00

Five days till Thanksgiving, are you ready?

is your dining room ready for all these people?

Dining room table covered with kids homework and mail you mean to sort?

has your "guest room" become
nothing more than a large closet?

Is the guest room ready for the in-laws? or is it filled with stuff meant for the attic?

Last minute Thanksgiving cleanings in Massachusetts can be pencilled in until Tuesday night (heading north to work in New Hampshire) ... let me know soon!

Oscar is back on the job!

2011-11-08T19:17:00.003-05:00

Oscar tying down the truck on a storage unit close out
(he cut his hair since this photo, by the way)

My number one (and much missed) assistant has agreed to come back and help me.

This week while I do my thing down home in Massachusetts I will have Oscar with me.

Prince of Polish.
Wizard of Windex.
Vacuum-er extraordinaire!

I am so happy!

Nomad, Vagabond ... call me what you will

2011-11-07T18:40:00.000-05:00

This 200 mile swath through New England is what I call my work route

Often I go even further north towards Canada and south to Cape Cod and Rhode Island

Even (imagine that north/south line as a T) east and west into Maine and Vermont

Wherever the work is, there I'll be

Especially till ski season (tourism) starts in New Hampshire

Hire A Sitter Who Has Actually Raised A Child

2011-10-29T17:05:00.007-04:00

Teenager who will talk on their cell phone all night and let kids run wild? Not know what to do in an emergency?

Or experienced mom, aunt, daycare provider who'll treat your children like her own, do homework with? Turn off TV, play outside ...

all right, i'll admit it--
i'll eat your food ...

Don't want a baby in my 40's
Not ready for grandchildren...

Living vicariously through your children for pay.

Think of it, once the kids go to bed I can cleeeaan!

Mature woman is also a good fit for parents of teens and tweens who are not ready to stay home alone yet but who cringe at the idea of being watched by someone not much older than they.

And for teens/tweens with activities I could even drive.

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Insulation Removal

2011-10-24T20:12:00.014-04:00

Before

Not my favorite kind of work,
but it was fulfilling to
accomplish-- Hooah!

During

and work is work

and will not be turned down!

Blair Witch-ish self portrait
(goggles and mask obscure face)

Bagged the insulation,
stacked the wood
vacuumed the crawl space

Voila!

After

Enjoy your own party!

2011-10-22T15:03:00.007-04:00

For once would you like to enjoy your own party? Sit down to dinner and enjoy the food and conversation without worrying about refilling guests' glasses or wiping up spills?

And when they're all gone home, go to bed instead of doing dishes!

i KNEW taking silly self portraits
would come in handy some day!

I can come early and prep,
dote on you and your guests,
serve the food/drinks
and clean up.

Showers, holiday parties, client dinners, family celebrations....

Bartender, Server (fancy talk for waitress), Hostess, Coat Check, Busser, Dishwasher, Prep Cook ... I've done it all. And done it well-- even at New Hampshire's only four diamond resort. (photo above)

AND, don't forget, I can clean the house before and/or afterward, too!

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Floors Washed The Good Old Fashioned Way!

2011-10-15T18:16:00.002-04:00

C'mon, mops just move dirt around and,

no matter the model, don't quite get into the nooks and crannies.

I do my floors on my hands and knees. Bursitis be damned!

Before: dim light and cheap cell camera don't do
justice to the liquor and grease and feet marks

After: Considering the floors are 131 years old,
not too shabby at all (floor is shiny clean, black marks are wear
from being used for decades as a college bar and kitchen)

Clown Car without the Chaos

2011-10-07T13:16:00.006-04:00

How much can I fit in a car?

All of it!

Even small moves need help.

This is my own car. I was to transport my son's things from old apartment to new one, things I brought from NH to a friend in MA ... Plus my own items needed for the trip to BrockWater

AND the things a friend was chucking during a pre-move purge to pass on to others.

All of this fit with room to spare and each recipients' goods was neatly stored in sections, nothing crushed.

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Packing is a skill and I LOVE to do it ... moving, too!

2011-10-02T18:37:00.010-04:00

They say to do what you're good at (whoever "they" are)

cute, but cluttered

Packing/moving was already on my resume
but in the past 27 months I have personally
moved 6 times and have streamlined the process!

I'd love to show off for you

ready for the next tenant

Seinfeld-esque door less cabinets

all gone!

I will box your things in sturdy, stack-able boxes

Clearly labeled, and leaving your important stuff

to last -- no searching for your cell charger in a box!

I don't own a truck, but if you rent a U-Haul

I'm happy to drive it

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My happy place: I LOVE cleaning garages, it's really my favorite task

2011-09-29T11:38:00.004-04:00

PRE MOVE GARAGE CLEAN OUT

half decade of clutter and drier lint

All the same items

no more lint or cobwebs
and all organized

(of course,

some rubbish tossed out)

but organized

so homeowner will have

an easier time packing for upcoming move

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Your Wish Is MY Command! ... enjoy!

2011-09-19T10:59:00.001-04:00

Before:
It looks like a Salvation Army exploded!
And it was not all toys in the toy room.

After:
Not only is junk gone and keep-able toys
off the floor, every drawer and cubby is
organized (barbie in one, barbie clothes
another, animals another)

Use the bureau to the right to see that this is indeed the
same room, photo taken from same vantage point.

Board games and puzzles painstakingly reassembled, all toys sorted, behind the closet doors is dress up station.

Empty totes set aside so toys can be brought to another room for play, but easily returned to toy room when finished.

And I LOVED every minute of this job! My favorite kind.

Got a room for me to declutter?

Yard Work, la la la la Yard Work ...

2011-09-06T13:53:00.015-04:00

Don't break your back,
let me make the stack!

Before

After

First just a bunch of overgrown bushes

Hey, look! Landscaping rocks!

Splitting and Stacking Fire Wood

Weeding, Weed Whacking

Mowing, Pruning, etc...

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Delivery and Shopping in the North Country

2011-08-14T09:52:00.001-04:00

Picking up your own pizza or Chinese food should be outlawed. Every good American knows those foods are to be brought to your door so you can answer in your pajamas while the kids clutch paper plates waiting for their share.

Call on me, I'll pick up your order and bring it to you.

Grocery shopping can be so time consuming and a hassle.

With small children it can be at outright war. Give me your list, I'll do your shopping, deliver it to your home and even help put it all away!

Cat costs extra (bag not included)

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Where do you put your CAR?!

2011-05-31T13:08:00.001-04:00

How's your garage looking?

Are you like most people in winter?

Quickly toss things in the garage, too cold to give storage thought?

Now it's a wreck and you can't find anything?

I can help with that!

Let me clean out your garage for you.

Organize what you want to keep, help dispose of what you don't

(yard sale, charity, dump)

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Hosting Easter this year? Make sure the house is up to par!

2011-04-17T06:30:00.000-04:00

Have fun coloring those eggs?

Now who's cleaning them up?

Before the family comes over for Easter dinner

and friends pop by for dessert~

Have me come by and spruce things up

Spring Cleaning (pay no attention to the snow flakes)

2011-03-29T18:59:00.007-04:00

Yeah, yeah, there's a few flakes falling

but it is indeed spring

time to get cleaning ...

... better yet, get ME cleaning

you go on outside and start your garden

go for a walk in the sun

Oh, so much you could do!

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Save Money AND Hire A House Keeper

2011-03-04T13:14:00.003-05:00

Money's tight all around. Everyone's tightening their belts.

You may think you can't afford the house cleaner you want,

but you can!

Most people loath cleaning bathrooms and tackling a messy kitchen

but don't mind keeping the living and bedrooms tidy.

No need to hire me to clean the entire house,

let me do just the bathrooms and kitchen.

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Babies & Moms Should Come Home To A CLEAN Home

2011-02-16T11:50:00.005-05:00

While pregnant the last thing she wanted to do was bend and clean.

Perhaps she worked outside the home right up till delivery.

Maybe there were other little ones to tend.

Now the bundle of joy has arrived and she does NOT want to come back to a mess.

Hubby is too busy going back and forth from the hospital to bother with a broom.

So have ME clean the house while she's in the hospital. She'll be thrilled and feel like she can relax more.
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Back to Main Page

2011-01-18T15:21:00.004-05:00

After waitressing for a year I'm back to cleaning full time.

Mostly in New Hampshire's Coös and Grafton counties,

but also in the Brockton & Bridgewater areas of Massachusetts.

House Cleaning, Pet Care, Driving--

anything you don't want to do for yourself.
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How To Get A Hold Of Me

2010-12-25T23:50:00.001-05:00

Been a while since I updated my blog.

To refresh memories, my e-mail is

MauraAtYourService@gmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you

and to working for you and your friends!

Christmas amd Chanukah Celebration Cleanup

2009-12-04T11:33:00.011-05:00

Having family and friends

over for your celebration?

Want your home to look its best?

Have me work my holiday magic

Junk room clean outs, too,

so there's room for your guests

(the little girl in Chanukah book

"The Gift" is my niece Lindsey)

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Post Thanksgiving Cleaning

2009-11-24T13:56:00.003-05:00

How many people will you cram into your home this Thanksgiving?

What kind of mess do you think will be left behind?

Don't stress, you've done enough of that getting ready for Thanksgiving in the first place.

Call on me to come in and clean it all up--

your place will look better than it did in the first place, I'm that good!

I can take jobs in Bridgewater AND in Lancaster.

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Look what one sedan can hold!

2009-08-08T12:50:00.004-04:00

Have a bike you travel with? Lots of luggage? No problem.

I can bring my roof top box and my bike rack if you need.

I would have to charge a few extra dollars for bringing my racks to cover the increased gas use.

Three bikes can fit on rack.
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Have Passport, Will Travel

2009-08-03T16:21:00.008-04:00

Offering rides to anywhere you want in New England

all the way to Canada and New York

I have my valid U.S. passport at the ready to take you over the border

(just make sure you bring yours!)

Dog friendly (but anti smoking) car.

Put a CD on, play a few road games

who doesn't love License Plate Alphabet?!

and the trip flies by.

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Hikers: Don't Hitchhike Home!

2009-07-27T16:52:00.002-04:00

Don't let this be you at the end of your hike

When your adventure is over, have me drive you home

You'll be in your own comfy bed before you know it,

dreaming about the mountains you climbed

I have a current passport, so if you need to be picked up or dropped off in Canada, that is no problem

Dogs are welcome!

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Would you let just anyone into your home? I wouldn't!

2009-07-22T10:43:00.007-04:00

Yes, I'm new to northern New Hampshire.

In an area where everyone seems to know everybody, people see my name and think, "Who?!"

So I offer you my background and a little of "who" I am.

Transplanted from southeastern Massachusetts I have been a CCD teacher, lector, flutist at Mass, led youth groups, served food at homeless shelters, helped stock food pantries, coached youth sports, played women's league sports, led Scouts, tutored ESL to new immigrants and GED to the homeless.

Because I volunteered an inordinate amount, I have been CORIed (Criminal Offender Record Information) and cleared innumerable times by the town of Bridgewater MA and the Archdiocese of Boston.

I am also an easy Google search-- learn about me in just minutes at your computer.

Better yet-- talk to me, I'd love to hear from you!

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Mow Your Lawn AND Clean Your House

2009-07-22T10:27:00.010-04:00

Who wants to come home from a long hard day's work and clean the house or mow the lawn? or waste their precious days off (perhaps the only sunny days of the summer!) doing such chores?

Not you! You'd rather sit back and relax with the kids or grandkids.

Go fishing. Go shopping. Go swimming.

Leave the house to me! And I can mow the lawn while I'm there, too.

Imagine.... pulling into your driveway and seeing your trimmed grass and clear clean windows on your house! It could only be better if I had supper waiting on the table for you!

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Packing & Moving Pics

2009-07-20T09:29:00.038-04:00

Storage unit jammed with stuff from a move,

brought in two trips to be stored at a home.

Trip number one:

what was left in locker after trip one

first half at new location

Trip number two:

emptied unit

all the stuff at new location

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Oven Cleaning

2009-07-17T10:43:00.022-04:00

On right and below,

before and after

Apartment oven, used five

years and only cleaned upon

moving out

On right and below,

before and after

Summer house oven,

cleaned once a season or so

Invisible Fence Training

2009-07-16T15:30:00.005-04:00

Want to go away, but don't want to interrupt your dogs training with the new Invisible Fence you just paid for?

Fret not, I can care for your dog(s)

AND keep up the fence training while you're gone.

A safe dog, is a happy dog.

Pet Care

2009-07-16T13:25:00.002-04:00

This is my baby Squee, one of my four beloved cats.

I treat all animals as my own.

So when you go away and can't bring your furry friend (or scaly or feathered ones!) along,

you can leave them in good hands with me.

My care is beyond feeding and taking a head count.

Dogs are played with and walked. Brushed as needed.

Cats are played with and brushed/petted.

I even will set a spell and allow the animals relax with me and sleep in my lap if they like.

Birds, fish, rodents and reptiles are fine by me.

I've never cared for a pig or the like, but bring it on!

I will tend to all dogs, but with breeds known to be aggressive I prefer to meet them in your home with you so he knows me and to walk him together so I can see how he handles and gets on with other animals.

Their feeding and potty areas are kept clean and so is your home.

In fact, many people hire me to clean their home while they're away.

They get a clean home and the animals get a little extra company.

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Meet Maura and her "Staff"

2009-07-16T13:24:00.000-04:00

Left: Maura with a puppy on Honduras mission trip (most dogs in Guaimaca were scrawny street dogs, this was a rare pet)

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On Right: Maura's son Oscar (master of Pledge & Windex) at Making Strides for Breast Cancer walk. Box lifter like no other.

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A Fact of Life Is...

2009-07-16T13:21:00.002-04:00

... death ... it is sad, but also inevitable.

So I offer dual services:

If you're having people back to the house after the funeral, you want it to look nice. I can clean it for you.
The second part is a precaution against an unthinkable crime-- house break ins while loved ones are at a wake or funeral. A despicable act, yes, but read the papers and you see it happens. I can sit at the house while you're out and can even do my cleaning during that time.

I can also set the table and heat a casserole so the food is all ready when you get back.

Rates can be discounted for the elderly.
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Diabetic Pets

2009-07-16T13:18:00.001-04:00

Does your beloved cat have diabetes? And you are uncomfortable leaving him with a sitter, afraid he won't get the care he deserves?

Allow me to tend to your cats while you are away, insulin shots are no problem for me. I can come to your home as many times a day as you need.
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As always, my care wouldn't be limited to giving an injection and pouring food into a bowl.

Your cat will be fed, their environment kept clean, and they will be played with and brushed.

All pets are treated as if they were my own.
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Dog owners: I am confident in my abilities, so if you have a dog in need of injections, just teach me and I'm happy to help you out.

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Testimonials from Happy Customers

2009-07-16T13:11:00.005-04:00

From Colleen: Maura is amazing. She cleaned my house on Friday and it looks great. If you have not had her to your house, you should. It was a mothers day gift for me from husband and it was the best gift ever

From Kevin: Thanks so much for the great job, Maura! There is nothing better than walking into the house after a long day of work and having that freshly cleaned scent welcome you in. Place looks great and I would recommend to anyone!

From Rob

Thanks for going above and beyond and taking such good care of the cats. They seemed really happy when we got back.

From Rose
Even though I knew you were coming over it was a pleasant surprise to come home to a tidy house. We have such a busy lifestyle it was nice to have something taken care of for once and not by me. Thank you for your help.

From Kathy
Maura, Thank you again for driving me into Boston. I'm glad you suggested we leave early as to try and avoid too much traffic. Your familiarity with the city took a lot off my mind, since I am not familiar with it at all and refuse to drive in myself. I would recommend your services to anyone who needed a lift. You're prompt, courteous and I thought your rate was completely reasonable. Thanks again.

From Liz
Hi Maura! Thank you so much, the place looks great!

From Gary
The house looks great! Thanks! I was so happy to come home to a clean fresh smell!

From Tim
Maura did a great job cleaning my house, and was much more reasonably priced than I expected. Thanks Maura!

From Cristina
Hi..I found Maura on craig's list..yes, craig's list. I was initially looking for someone to pet sit but at the last minute I needed a ride home from work. I contacted Maura and she was great, she was on time and super reliable. I feel much more at ease about my upcoming vacation knowing that I have someone trustworthy to watch my pup. I would recommend her to anyone!!!!

From Colleen
I can not tell you how happy I am right now. My house is so clean. I am sure that it was very dirty....... I am truly grateful to you. If you ever need a recommendation, please feel free to call. My clean house has made my stressful week become so relaxing. Thank you so much.

another one from Colleen after I'd returned: You are the best. The house looks great. Thank you so much. It has been a really stressful week and with my back being out of commission, the house work has added up. Thank you so much.

From Marie
....... You do a great job cleaning, and our house is so full and cluttered!!! You are trustworthy and easy to be around....big plusses!!!! .......again, I think you are great...

From Leah
Thank you so much, you did a fabulous job... All I can say is coming home to happy pets, clean floors and a clean bathroom is soooooooooooo awesome! I will definately be recommending you to all my friends and family and will absolutely be a customer for a long time to come! Thanks neighbor:)

From Kevin
The rooms look great! Thanks so much!

From Kelly M

Maura, Your cleaning was superb!! ....... Thank you again for all you have done.
(and from a separate message) You really did a wonderful job last time!! Thank you

From Eileen
Everything that you were able to do looked great! I would love for you to come back.

From Diane
Maura Thank you sooo much for all your magic. My bathroom looks Wonderful and you did it so fast!! Hopefully you can come back...

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Gift Certificates Available

2009-07-16T13:04:00.001-04:00

Baby Shower? Have the new Mom's home cleaned while she's in the hospital
A loved one in the hospital with an illness? All the better to get rid of all the germs before they come home
Friends adopting a child? Welcome them to a clean home
Birthday? Such an easy thing to wrap (and mail, too)
Bar/Bat Mitzvah? Clean up before and after the party
Your anniversary? C'mon, give her the gift she truly wants-- someone else to clean the bathrooms!
Wedding Shower? Hire Monk O'Phile to clean the house the bride gets dressed at so it looks spectacular in the photos, or the new couple's home while they're on their honeymoon
Hosting a shower? Why should you have to make it look nice for the event and clean up after it?
Were you a guest in someone's home? Thank them by having me clean for them.

Gift certificates can be for any service, not just cleaning. Are your parents going away? You can have me watch their pets so they don't have to worry (and so you don't have to do it yourself!)

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Bartering Is An Option

2009-07-16T12:57:00.004-04:00

Can you change the fluids in my car?
Rotate the tires?

Got a canoe or kayak for me?
A clarinet or saxophone?

Tickets to a good show?

Found a Piano Tuner-- thanks, Beth!!
Amie gave me a great haircut!

From Kevin I got some blog space
and Lyndall printed my ads for free

Jodi sewed my blankets
Larissa cut my hair, too

Think of something!

I'm tidy, but I'm not handy. I could use your help, too!
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Driving Services

2009-07-16T12:48:00.000-04:00

This is "Big Ben" (as we named the Taurus) on the lot when I purchased him last November.

Allow me to drive you to work, airport, train, school, church, doctors, social visits

or your children to orthodontists, dance, sports, rehearsal or whatever they have to do that starts before you can get out of work to take them yourself

Seats 4 passengers, all of whom must be in seat belts or car seats (appropriate car seats are the responsibility of the child's caretaker)

There is No Smoking in the vehicle, but pets are okay.

Obviously cats and such must be in carriers.

If you have a dog that tend to slobber, please bring your own throw cloth to cover the seats.

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Have a Mom & Pop or small business?

2009-07-16T12:43:00.000-04:00

Dirt and sand trekked everywhere?

Bathroom not so fresh?

Tired at the end of the week

and too busy to clean?

Operation is not big enough

to warrant hiring a company?

Call on Maura!

Moving But Hate Packing?

2009-07-16T12:31:00.001-04:00

Using only sturdy, matching and clearly labeled boxes for easy and safe stacking, I'll make your move all the easier.

Easy loading on the truck, easier unloading at the new place.

Plus easy unpacking once it's all unloaded.

You won't find your DVD's in a box labeled "kitchen".

Commonly used items are left till very last so you are not without them (no searching boxes for your cell charger!).

I can unpack at your new place, too

* Note: I am not a "mover"

~I do not own a truck (but I can drive a Ryder/UHaul if you rent one)

~I do not lift/carry heavy boxes

(but I can bring my "staff" if you want help moving out and in)