Saturday, July 20, 2013

We've moved....and other news

I mentioned moving on Facebook, and said that I thought I knew the meaning of the word exhausted, but I found out on Thursday that I didn't know the full extent of it. I awoke at 5 am, and when I went to bed Thursday night in the new home, I think I fell asleep on the way down to the bed. The box spring and mattress were on the floor, because the movers didn't pack my bed frame.

Little by little I have unpacked boxes and tried to find a place for everything, but clearly, I have not gotten rid of enough stuff. How is that possible?  After an estate sale, a garage sale, 3 pick-ups by charities, a drop off to another one and several trips to the landfill - I still own too much stuff. My husband says we are trying to put 15 pounds of potatoes in a 5 pound bucket. 

I have three metal cabinets that had belonged to my mom, and they have been in my other garage for quite a few years, and were very beneficial for storage when I operated my business. I moved them here to the new place, so I could store things that didn't fit in the kitchen; such as seldom-used appliances and extra paper products. The current problem is that I locked the cabinets prior to moving so the doors wouldn't flop open - and now I can't find the keys. I know I will find them eventually, but it would be so helpful to have them now. How stupid of me not to put them in my purse. 

The office and the garage are total chaos; the kitchen and bedrooms are fairly well set up by now. But that doesn't mean I know where anything is. I shoved stuff in drawers and cabinets just to get it off the counters and floors, but trying to find something specific is truly like looking for a needle in a haystack. 

There was/is a silver lining to all of it:  the movers couldn't have been nicer, more accommodating, or more polite. Two of them were so skinny that it appeared they couldn't lift a sack of potatoes, but they each proved to be as strong as an ox. I thought the four of them might kill each other when they had to move out the existing refrigerator and put mine in place. The one that was here was not suitable, so I brought my freezer-on-the-bottom fridge. They took out the one that was here; down 7 indoor steps and 8-9 outside steps. It took Herculean effort and they did it without damage to either appliance, or to the walls or hardwood floors.

They also managed to move (without damaging) my pride and joy: a tiger oak antique china cabinet with 4 glass shelves, a mirrored back and curved glass sides and door. I think if it had broken, I'd have had a heart attack on the spot. I can hardly believe it is okay but I see it with my own eyes and it's nearly a miracle. My daughter found them through the truck rental company, and I am so pleased with all their services. 

My daughter-in-law's mother passed away last week. She was a wonderful woman whom we admired a great deal. Despite dealing with cancer off and on for the last 7 years, she never lost her sense of humor or her sunny disposition, although her memory was affected.  After the first day in a Hospice facility, she told family members they "had brought her to a first-class hotel", and she enjoyed the service she received.  We could all learn a lesson from her. It really is too bad that she was taken from our lives and those of her four grandchildren too early. She was a terrific role-model. We applaud her husband, who proved to be a loyal and long-suffering care-giver extraordinare. Bravo, Frank! 

Another death is affecting me too. I learned today that my employer's Maine Coon cat passed away today from a heart attack. Chester was the shop mascot for a while, when Mel was between homes and kept Chester in the shop. I got to know him quite well, and I will miss seeing him. I know Mel is devastated.....and I know how it feels to lose a treasured pet.
Rest in peace, Chester, and be secure in the fact that you were greatly loved. 

8 comments:

Arkansas Patti said...

Aww Judy, I so don't envy you. To me, your hard part is beginning. That 15 pounds of potatoes thingy.
I am so sorry about your daughter-in-law's mother. At least her final surroundings did not frighten her but were pleasant.
My thoughts go out to Mel. Losing a long time pet is awful. They become so much a part of our lives.
Get some rest lady. What you have to do can wait a bit. The part on a time schedule is over.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Judy, My Dear....CONGRATULATIONS on being in your new home....I know there is a huge amount of work left to do---But, you are in! The movers sound awesome!!!
So sorry to read of your recent losses....your DIL's mother sounds like she was a very special woman....And dear Chester...a beloved four footed family member--gone---So very sad for Mel and for all of you who knew and loved him, too.
I hope you will be able to get some rest now---I know there is a lot of work ahead, but, at least, you can sleep in your new place now....!

Florence said...

Oh my, you have been through the wringer!! Be patient with yourself, things will gradually sort themselves out in your new home. Congratulations on your new abode.

Gilly said...

Took us a year to get straight in our new house! And it was bigger than the one we left!!

You and the removers seem to have done a wonderful job - good luck with finding the keys you have mislaid!

Sorry about Mel's cat - when much loved pets die it is so hard.

Granny Annie said...

Your experience with the movers is unheard of. Bless their hearts for respecting your treasures. Soon it will all be ship-shape and you will be loving your new digs.

Celia said...

It takes awhile to get moved in, maybe a locksmith could free up your cabinets and give you new keys. Take care of yourself, such a lot of physical and emotional work going on. Hugs.

sage said...

Wow, I bet you are exhausted. Sorry about your daughter-in-law's mother.

Anonymous said...

Moving is such hard work. But truly, unpacking is much easier than packing. At least you can take your time. No rush.

My condolences to your extended family on the loss of you d-i-l's mom.

And, from one Maine Coon cat lover to another, a sad farewell to Chester.