Have Arrived, Haven't Settled In....

THANK GOD the move is over. We had the truck for 2-24 hour days, so technically we had it for 3 days, as we didn't pick it up until noon. The first day we loaded up all the small boxes from the office, all the books, the bookcases, and anything else that would fit. Actually, Loren loaded the truck while I kept packing. The truck was full. We unloaded, and planned to get everything we'd hauled put away. NOT! By the time we got the stuff off the truck, all we wanted was to relax and get ready for the next day.

A nice Mexican couple and their two small children came by to buy the bed and the table we've been using for a desk. They wanted the desk I had for sale, but we told them I'd promised it to someone else that was picking it up Wednesday morning. After they left, I sent an e-mail to the couple saying they ABSOLUTELY had to pick up the desk, as I'd turned down a chance to get rid of it!

Before we went to bed, we were looking at all the stuff that still had to be moved, and began wondering where it would all fit. Oh well, we thought if we went to sleep, either some marvelous idea would present itself, or someone might break in and relieve us of half out possessions (the half we aren't attached to, ha!ha!ha!).

Morning came, and with it came the realization that we'd gotten ourselves into this mess (literally) and would have to get ourselves out. Two guys came to help Loren load the furniture. Mostly it went well, until they had to move the sofa. When we bought it last month, Loren and the seller moved it into the house with just a minor hiccup, which was quickly resolved.

Moving it out was a Keystone Cops Caper for sure.
It took all four of us, and the couch was lifted, and shifted, turned and tossed. Eventually it got stuck in the stairwell, dimpled the wall, and after much cussing and sweat, was finally tortured out the door and onto the truck. There was only a small footprint for it to fit in, and of course, it didn't fit. I went back inside and the guys spent another 20 minutes doing the hokey pokey with the couch, until it finally turned itself about and fit. That's really what it's all about!

While that fiasco was going on, the couple ABSOLUTELY came to get the desk. They also took a bookcase and a few little odds and ends. We put LOTS of stuff out on the sidewalk and 90% of it found a new home within hours.

Eventually, most of the stuff was out of the house and on it's way to the new apartment. We lifted, toted, and hauled until I was worn out, and Loren ached in muscles he'd forgotten he possessed. Since we'd sold the bed, we made up beds on the floor and fell into them, exhausted.

The third day was nearly the worst. What was left in the house was the sort of stuff you just don't know what to do with. Loren took 3 loads in the car while I started cleaning. It seemed like an Aegean Stable sort of nightmare, in that I couldn't see an end to it.

Finally at 10pm, the old house was clean, the last load in the car and my bed was calling my name in a very convincing voice. I had to be at work at 7:30am, but it's only a 5 minute drive now, so that is good.

The new house will be wonderful when it's finally organized. Just now there are boxes and piles and clutter everywhere! I took pix, but can't find where I packed the cable to transfer the pix to the computer...so just use your imagination. It's a real mess!!! While I was at work, Loren unpacked and organized the kitchen. He did a great job, and I'm not going to change it, much.

It's a lot of new things all at once, especially for the Buy Guy (Loren). New apartment, new car (new to us), new job (Loren got hired at Whole Foods in the Bakery. He'll be learning how to make bread!!!!). Best of all, a new future for the country! Happy Days are Here Again!

The Move is On!

Now that we're writing 11/01, I realize that we have 5 days to accomplish this move!! Did I mention that I HATE the physical part of moving? I do, truly. I've been trying to pack, but I haven't accomplished anywhere near enough.

Selling off our excess furniture is going well. Thank goodness for Craigslist. I'd taken pix and listed several items. The e-mail response was good, and the first week saw half our postings find new homes. Then we realized that the desk we'd listed for sale was injured, and needed to be given away rather than sold.

I e-mailed all the people that had wanted to buy it, told them it was now FREE. None of them wanted it. So, I put an ad on the Free list at Craigslist, and had 47 responses the first day! More responses keep coming, and I just want someone to take it off my hands so I can delete the post!

Guess the bed may go today. We'll be sleeping on the floor until we move, and then possibly on the floor at the new place until we find a bed. I made an offer to someone else from Craigslist, but haven't heard back from them.

Yesterday I went by the new apartment. The woman has moved to CA, and the painters had been busy. I was looking in the windows (yes, I've turned into a Peeper!) and realized it is MUCH smaller than I remember. Could be it looks that way without any furniture to give it perspective.

No more procrastinating, I've got to get packing!

Wisconsin Weather

One thing I can say about Wisconsin Weather is IT'S NEVER BORING! We're at that time of year when I'm not sure whether to get out the cold weather gear, or wait a bit. It's warm, then it's cool. Then it got positively hot and humid when the weather came our way from Hurricane Ike. In the morning, driving to work I sometimes turn the heater on. In the afternoon, coming home from work I roll the windows down. So far, I'm still sleeping with my summer blanket, but I know where to find the warmer bedding.
Fall is definitely in the air. A few trees have begun turning, and the trees that are green don't have any life in them anymore. You can see them gearing up for cold weather. The flowers that are alive are all cool weather specimens. The mums are lovely, the snapdragons are putting on their final show of color, and the zinnias are in their glory!

We're thinking of moving across town, closer to work. The apartment we're considering is much smaller than where we're at, but how much space do we really need? I would be able to walk to work (7 minutes, I timed it!) and we'd be close to Sundance Cinema and the Hilldale Mall. The main thing that keeps me from jumping on the opportunity is that we'd have to pack up our stuff and physically move it!!! I HATE the physical act of moving, but I adore being in a new space. Time will tell.

Change is in the Air....

Can you smell it? Fall is in the air. I can smell it in the evening, as the day cools. I can see it in the colors of the trees. They are not an "alive" green anymore. They are still green, but it is not that intense, growing green color. Some of the trees have even begun to change color! I've seen a little yellow and a smattering or orange. I'm excited for the color change. It's my FAVORITE time of year. Since my birthday is the last day of September, when I was young, I always thought that this color display was put on for my benefit. Now that I'm older and more mature, I KNOW IT'S FOR ME!!

Today, one lone yellow leaf fell in front of me while I was driving. I smiled for the next mile.

This year, I'm having all sorts of Fall changes. I've given notice at my job. We've alerted the apartment complex that we're vacating, and I've begun looking for where we'll go and what I'll do. If I allowed it, I could get a little anxious about what's to come, but I try to head that emotion off at the pass. I truly believe that just the right living situation will come along, and the perfect job is just waiting for me to fill it. If we do it right, the move could be easy and stress free, so that by the time Fall is over, we'll be settling into our new lifestyle.

My plan is to allow each day to unfold with only a little manipulation from me. My job is to be aware and present and make each decision when the time is right. There is so much to see and feel and smell and experience. I'm praying for the patience to let it be what it is, to enjoy it as it unfolds, and to not hurry any part of the process. Wish me luck.