We are finally in our new place, and it has already been eventful. Since Thursday was signing day, I took off Thursday and Friday from work so that we could move in easier. Wednesday, we rented a 10 ft. U-Haul truck and loaded all of our stuff from Mount Dora. We spent all of Wednesday evening packing the truck, and realized two things about the truck that we didn’t like: first, the truck had no ramp, so we had to lift everything up to and down from it, and secondly that it was too small for everything that needed to come here. So, Wednesday night, we packed until about 10 pm and went to sleep. We finished up Thursday morning while they were working on the roof (so we had to dodge roofing nails and debris). We managed to get everything from Mount Dora in there, but instead of being able to just go straight from there to the storage unit and then finally to Bionca’s mom’s for some furniture, we had to first drop off the stuff from Mount Dora, before getting the rest.
We started off-loading the stuff by ourselves, and had a real hard time with it, since there was a lot of stuff, and the two flights of stairs made it all the more difficult. Luckily, Dana came over to help not too long into the process, and made it go a lot smoother. I was really having a hard time. Since I was the one with the most upper-body strength, I got the be the one that brought up the heaviest stuff, and it really wiped me out. It was getting so bad that I was having trouble just walking up the stairs empty handed, and when I got there I would have to sit down for a few minutes. (I’m pretty out of shape; that is something that I plan on taking care of now that we have access to a fitness center.) Despite the trouble that I had, I managed to do something that I didn’t think that I would be able to. For instance, I was able to carry the mattress and box-spring up by myself (two separate trips) and the bookshelf.
Speaking of the bookshelf… I managed to get this thing up the stairs (just barely), and was exhausted by the time that I made it though the front door, so I decided to lower it to it’s side and slide it into position, since the side was smooth. I get it down, and push on the top part, when I hear a crack, and the top part moves independent of the bottom. Since I stopped quickly, I thought that I could salvage it, and tried to square and right it, but as I tried to pick it up it completely collapsed (and I almost did the same). Talk about heart-break. Nothing to do but to chuck the pieces down to the bottom of the stairs.
After the bookshelf fiasco, we decided that we were not going to bring up the entertainment center, since it was made of the same material (particle board) and was out in the same environmental conditions. Instead we left it out for someone to take, but later decided not to do that to someone.
Later that day John came over, and that it really when we got going. John was amazing! Not only was he really experienced with packing, but he had the strength and stamina to probably do the job himself. He was able to bring stuff to the second floor fast enough so that Dana, Bionca, and myself could just keep up with him. Some of the furnature, he actually carried up himself. The one thing that he needed help with was the couch that Bionca’s mom gave us. It’s leather, and a sleeper, so it was really heavy. We did make it easier by removing the cushins and the mattress, so it wasn’t too bad. Unfortunately, the feet of the couch didn’t make it. They were plastic, and since they were old, they had deteriated so that the slightest bump and they would crack. No worries though, since they are easily replacable.
Friday was when we really got to start opening things. We made some good progress, and both Friday and Saturday I spent a lot of time washing dishes. Yesterday is when the place began to look like someone lived here. Bionca’s mom came over, and she helped quite a bit with getting things organized and cleaned.
One bad thing happened though. Yesterday, our A/C went out. I called the front office, but since it was after-hours it was supposed to go to the answering service. Normally that would be fine since they have emergency maintance that can be called from there, but they are aparently having problems with it, and all that I got was a busy signal. I tried calling again today, but I am not expecting it to work. The A/C isn’t out completely, but it isn’t blowing as cold as it should. We were comfortable last night for sleeping, but we left the apartment for dinner because it was so uncomfortable (We went to a nice little Thai place, where I had Pineapple Fried Rice. Very good). Right now, it is getting a bit warm, but since we are not doing load after load of laundry and dishes, I am hopeful that it won’t get too bad.
There is still more to do, but we are at a point where things are functional. There are things that we need to get for the new place, but it will come a little at a time. We just made a list of our priorities based on need, cost, and whether it is replacing an item or is currently non-existant.
Charlotte is doing well. She still isn’t eating quite right, but she isn’t just moping around. She seems generally happy and playful. Sha’Vonne is supposed to be coming over today with Niobe, so I am sure that she will like that. She didn’t really get the stairs at first, but I think that she has the hang of them. Once they get the back stairs cleaned up, I think that I will try to let her go out on her own so that we don’t have to walk down there and back up. She has gotten really good about being outside and not running like mad.
So, here we are. A Sunday. A day of rest, and life starts to return to the new normal. I made breakfast for Bionca this morning (it wwas supposed to be breakfast in bed, but by the time that I was done, she was in the shower). I am looking forward to just taking a day off, since my legs are still recovering. Maybe today we can go for a swim…
We started off-loading the stuff by ourselves, and had a real hard time with it, since there was a lot of stuff, and the two flights of stairs made it all the more difficult. Luckily, Dana came over to help not too long into the process, and made it go a lot smoother. I was really having a hard time. Since I was the one with the most upper-body strength, I got the be the one that brought up the heaviest stuff, and it really wiped me out. It was getting so bad that I was having trouble just walking up the stairs empty handed, and when I got there I would have to sit down for a few minutes. (I’m pretty out of shape; that is something that I plan on taking care of now that we have access to a fitness center.) Despite the trouble that I had, I managed to do something that I didn’t think that I would be able to. For instance, I was able to carry the mattress and box-spring up by myself (two separate trips) and the bookshelf.
Speaking of the bookshelf… I managed to get this thing up the stairs (just barely), and was exhausted by the time that I made it though the front door, so I decided to lower it to it’s side and slide it into position, since the side was smooth. I get it down, and push on the top part, when I hear a crack, and the top part moves independent of the bottom. Since I stopped quickly, I thought that I could salvage it, and tried to square and right it, but as I tried to pick it up it completely collapsed (and I almost did the same). Talk about heart-break. Nothing to do but to chuck the pieces down to the bottom of the stairs.
After the bookshelf fiasco, we decided that we were not going to bring up the entertainment center, since it was made of the same material (particle board) and was out in the same environmental conditions. Instead we left it out for someone to take, but later decided not to do that to someone.
Later that day John came over, and that it really when we got going. John was amazing! Not only was he really experienced with packing, but he had the strength and stamina to probably do the job himself. He was able to bring stuff to the second floor fast enough so that Dana, Bionca, and myself could just keep up with him. Some of the furnature, he actually carried up himself. The one thing that he needed help with was the couch that Bionca’s mom gave us. It’s leather, and a sleeper, so it was really heavy. We did make it easier by removing the cushins and the mattress, so it wasn’t too bad. Unfortunately, the feet of the couch didn’t make it. They were plastic, and since they were old, they had deteriated so that the slightest bump and they would crack. No worries though, since they are easily replacable.
Friday was when we really got to start opening things. We made some good progress, and both Friday and Saturday I spent a lot of time washing dishes. Yesterday is when the place began to look like someone lived here. Bionca’s mom came over, and she helped quite a bit with getting things organized and cleaned.
One bad thing happened though. Yesterday, our A/C went out. I called the front office, but since it was after-hours it was supposed to go to the answering service. Normally that would be fine since they have emergency maintance that can be called from there, but they are aparently having problems with it, and all that I got was a busy signal. I tried calling again today, but I am not expecting it to work. The A/C isn’t out completely, but it isn’t blowing as cold as it should. We were comfortable last night for sleeping, but we left the apartment for dinner because it was so uncomfortable (We went to a nice little Thai place, where I had Pineapple Fried Rice. Very good). Right now, it is getting a bit warm, but since we are not doing load after load of laundry and dishes, I am hopeful that it won’t get too bad.
There is still more to do, but we are at a point where things are functional. There are things that we need to get for the new place, but it will come a little at a time. We just made a list of our priorities based on need, cost, and whether it is replacing an item or is currently non-existant.
Charlotte is doing well. She still isn’t eating quite right, but she isn’t just moping around. She seems generally happy and playful. Sha’Vonne is supposed to be coming over today with Niobe, so I am sure that she will like that. She didn’t really get the stairs at first, but I think that she has the hang of them. Once they get the back stairs cleaned up, I think that I will try to let her go out on her own so that we don’t have to walk down there and back up. She has gotten really good about being outside and not running like mad.
So, here we are. A Sunday. A day of rest, and life starts to return to the new normal. I made breakfast for Bionca this morning (it wwas supposed to be breakfast in bed, but by the time that I was done, she was in the shower). I am looking forward to just taking a day off, since my legs are still recovering. Maybe today we can go for a swim…
The moving part always sucks, but the move is usually worth it. It sounds like it was quite the adventure, but I am so happy for the two of you to have your own place! That is such a great thing!
Congrats again on the new place!
Posted on June 1, 2008 at 4:44 pm.