THE BIG MOVE (Part II)

We woke up in the new house. Despite the lack of heat, it wasn't unbearably cold, but definitely not something I could deal with during the work week. I had agreed to house sit for my mother (hence not prioritizing radiator hook ups), so it was all good.

The agenda: finish cleaning out apartment, head to storage, take it all back to the house, and meet Andrew at my Mom's house around 3 to load up the stuff I have there, and unload for the final time.

It was raining, but I figured if I can close in a snow storm, I can finish moving in a rain storm.

We came to realize that in order to pack the truck in a way to keep the stuff from the apartment from sliding around, we would not be able to make the apartment/storage space one load. While we were in the apartment, taking the packing process very seriously...




...my friend Pat called. Brendan was very optimistic thinking we would be back at the house in an hour and a half. I thought two hours would mean we really rushed. Three hours later, we were still at the apartment, a little dumbfounded...




We bid a final farewell to the apartment grounds. The rain, thankfully, had begun to abate.






Weary and a little wet (more me than Brendan, he was mainly packing the kitchen up while I was running back and forth to pack the truck), our apartment lives were OFFICIALLY over.




Brendan would get his due (as if he hadn't lifted enough yesterday). We got to the house around 3:00 pm, where Andrew and Pat met us. This meant it was unlikely we would get everything we wanted done, but with the three guys there, we managed to unload the truck, drive to Mahwah, reload the truck, drive back, and unload it again all within 3 hours.


Brendan, Pat, and my brother Andrew got my long dresser (kind with the vanity mirror) up the stairs and made it look easy! Andrew pulled from the top of the stairs, Pat took the middle platform, and Brendan lifted from the stairs base.




It was very cool to watch. Sadly- Andrew had to go home and do homework, but Pat, Brendan, and I went to Heritage Grill for some burgers and appetizers.


Lastly we said goodbye and Happy Birthday Eve to Pat!




And off we went to spend the week at my Mom's with my brother.

THE BIG MOVE (Part I)

So Saturday morning comes, and I am quite certain that the state of my apartment is an insult to those coming to help. It is really barely ready for the move, and my only defense is those fracking carpet guys messed my groove thing up! They called 7:30 again, on their way to the house. This time, I was like "No, no one is there, you said you would come in the afternoon. There is no heat in the house still." Thankfully they agreed to come later.

On top of that, Lauren's husband (not me in third person but my friend Lauren from second grade), Steve came with their two kids: almost 3 year old and a almost 3 week old. It was either no Steve (which mean my Dad and Brendan moving all the heavy stuff) or no me (which meant a lot of the smaller organizational things, as well as the 'power packing'* would be left undone till Sunday).

*power packing: a term I made up just now to describe my ability to pack misc stuff in an organized manner faster than Brendan. I might be faster than a speeding bullet as well but it has never been tested.

In any case, I tried to at least make paths to the heavy items, and before I knew it- it was time to pick up the truck. When I got back, my Dad was there moving things already, I brought with me some Dunkin Donuts bagel goodies which was not the tastiest but least destructive thing I served (will go in to that more later). After Steve arrived and helped wrap up some of the truck packing, our caravan was off!

Top Right: white truck is my Dad and the budget truck is Brendan.




Steve was behind me, and I wasn't about to get in an accident turning around for the photo, so I used the rear view mirror to help me aim the camera, and he's in it- so great success!



As we were almost there the carpet guys call again asking where I am. AGAIN they went to the wrong address. I give them the right one, warn them that we have a big truck coming, and arrive with them puzzled as to how to get the carpet upstairs. According to the one guy, the people from yesterday must not have wanted to bring it up, because it was plenty warm to install. AKA I took off a day of work and some jerk was too lazy to not waste my time. Anyways, Steve and my Dad offered to help bring it up, since they were like 70. I think Steve made a new friend (George).




I largely spent my time watching the children. I had made a promise not to let Gianna get hit by a car or dresser, and again- great success. Also, changed my first newborn diaper since Andrew (my brother who's 17.5).






My first guests to hang out and watch TV!!!




Action Shot:




Lauren came by after class, and soon she and the fam had to go. (Isn't Steve and she cute?)




Went to an Italian deli (Sergio's) to get sandwiches for Brendan, Dad, and I. Their food is awesome.






Only problem came from a sandwich that had an eggplant caponata or something like that on it. It didn't tell me there are pignoli nuts on it, and my Dad is allergic.




After some brief relaxing, (and trying to make sure I didn't feel terrible about having him come up to help and then poisoning him), Dad headed home.




Brendan and I took a moment as well to enjoy the handiwork.




And then it was back to work. We purchased (not picked up) a split box spring, which turned out to be courtesy of m grandmother. (THANK YOU NANIE FOR THE HOUSE WARMING GIFT!) Then we went back to the apartment to pick up the kitty and whatever else could fit in my car.

We took a few last moments in the apartment, remembering the brief time we had in a well done, newly renovated living space with one set bill that paid for everything, and a landlord to bring upon all our woes.






Also last minute decided to bring this chair. 1) no idea where to dump it, 2) it's been every where else Brendan's lived in the last 3 or 4 moves. It should at least see the house.




Here is how the house ended it's night...

Kitchen:


Office:


Bedroom:


Our clothes:



And here's where we ended ours...

Living Room:



Good night!

The Day Before Tomorrow (Friday)

The Plan: Wake up. Send Brendan off to work after he loads the boxes I have already packed. Pack more boxes. Drive each load over. Go to Lowe's and finalize vanity plans as well as check out shelving options. Be at house between 1:45- 3:45 for the washer/dryer delivery. Make sure I am in and around the house from 10 am on so when the carpet guys call I can get to house within 30 mins. Get carpet installed.

What happened: Wake up. Get phone call from carpet guys that they are on their way @ 7:30 am. Panic. Call Mom to have her or someone go by the house. She sends Dad. Carpet people call- no one at the house. They are at the wrong house. Dad calls, they won't lay the carpet without heat. He starts space heaters, but they refuse to come back later. Bedroom remains carpetless.





I run to Lowe's and yell. Spend next few hours trying to get a plumber to attach radiators and or a carpet installer to,... well install carpet. Eat left over indian food at like 10 am.



Pace through cold house. Freak out in warm car. Washer and dryer arrive 45 mins early. Dude refuses to push it in all the way, plays the "language card", until it comes time to explain how I can rate him afterwards, 5 is the top rating. Dad shows up and pushes it in for me. Washer/dryer dudes leave.



Later I find they broke my screen door frame. I unpack boxes that are in the car. Discover and kill nasty bugs.



Brendan arrives. We go out to dinner. (I swear this is the last time my fridge looks like THIS on the inside.



Determined to do SOMETHING productive and right, I prime the bathroom while Brendan does work in his office.





And then we go home to the apartment for the last time.

P.S. This is all from LAST Friday (04/23/10). I am just a week behind in posting.

Packing? or Something Like That

Brendan sweeping the mountain of dirt left behind from our carpet we brought to the house.




A few last looks at the yard I will soon be leaving.






Gaining closure...

...and besides, my new yard has charm.

New Pics & Updates coming soon!

So this one time Brendan & I were driving our friend to the train station after he had come to visit. It started out well but we ended up dealing with some bizarre intermittent rain storms that were so heavy, the highway of traffic slowed to like 5-10 miles an hour due to lack of visibility.
For hours we were in that car, continually on the brink of being late- then making up time. We dubbed it the lamest race against time ever. We lost it. Had to drive him all the way into the city to catch his bus.
But this feels like that. I have all the stress of running late, lacking time, needing to get things done... but I can't really do anything until Friday. So every day I come into work exhausted and moderately panicking and can't do anything about it. I've been distracting myself googling bathroom vanities. LOTS and LOTS of bathroom vanities.

Booked the moving truck. Budget (name of the brand): 250$ with tax and all for 2 full days, unlimited miles. I think that will work well. I was going to use U-Haul but it was like 130 for the truck and included 48 miles for one day. Just the trip from my apartment to the house is greater than 48 miles, never mind storage space or making more than one trip, ... so I went with Budget. Doesn't come with the dolly cart like my UHaul one would have, but I can try to get one of those myself.

Anyways... back to work. :)

This Is How Big It Is