Moving tips from Dad

My long-suffering father has put up with many "creative" building schemes as designed by his crazy, yet undeniably endearing, only daughter.

There have been successes -- a geometric bookcase and matching TV stand -- and failures-- the TV stand that looked more like a 1950s robot. Through it all Dad mostly smiles. He explains to me the faults in my lackluster drafting skills and ill-conceived plots. And he helps me build it or fix it anyway.

I'm his work in progress.

Some of my favorite times with Dad have been hanging out in his shop. When I was a toddler, I would sneak around and touch all the tools I wasn't supposed to play with. As I got older, I would "help" him with his projects, mostly by squirting glue in the wrong place or hammering his fingers.

And yet he still lets me come back. He still lets me use his shop. He still listens to all of my ideas and puts them in realistic terms.

This is never more helpful than in the summers when I do most of my flea market shopping and moving. Two heads are definitely better than one when you're trying to move furniture in a Chevrolet Prizm.

So, in honor of Father's Day, here are some tips from Dad to move just about anything in a compact car.

Size does matter

Always know the dimensions of your car. Especially important are the measurements for your trunk, backseat and passenger seat. It's also good to know the height from floorboard to roof and seat to roof. I also know the length from dash to back window and front passenger window to rear window behind the driver. It sounds ridiculous, I know, but it saves you a lot of work and keeps you from purchasing something that you can't get home. Note: Make sure to have your tape measure with you when you purchase a large item or those measurements are just numbers on paper.

Diligent disassembling

When you find an item that's too large for your vehicle assess the assembly. Can the legs be unscrewed? Is there a cushion that can be removed? Break the item down into smaller parts and see if that doesn't solve your problem. Remember, though, there are no instructions for reassembly. Bonus tip from Dad: Number the pieces that go together so it's a simple process of matching to put that table back together. Leg 1 needs to go back in slot 1 or you may have a lopsided table when all is said and done. Also, bag all small parts (i.e. washers, screws, nuts) and tape them to one of your pieces to keep everything together.

Too long legs

If that table you crave has the legs of a Scandanavian supermodel you might be in trouble É especially if you can't figure out how those legs are attached. In this case, it's time to pull out the saw. First make sure your cuts will be covered (by the dustruffle of the chair or side panel of the table) so you don't mess up any clean lines. Then saw all of the legs off at the same height. Don't forget to label the legs as you work so they go back in the correct spot. To reattach drill matching holes in the center of the leg and base. Screw a hanging bolt into the leg and then screw the leg to the base.

Casting away castoffs

Sometimes height isn't the problem with an item, it's weight. The heft of a table, for instance, can be combated by attaching locking casters. It still might not fit in your car, but at least you only have to ask to borrow Dad's truck, not break his back. Being able to roll your furniture makes changing your floor plan easier as well. Locking casters attach to a base with screws and might replace short legs on couches or chairs. If you go for the cheaper non-locking casters be ready to chase chairs and tables around the house as you bump into them.

Just remember: A work in progress isn't an unfinished project, it's a constantly evolving masterpiece. All it takes is some creativity, a little work and a lot of help from Dad.

Vanessa Cook is a former copy editor for the Southeast Missourian who dabbles in decorating.