The move from hell!

The absolute ease of the sale of our home (with thanks for that to Team Diana) was more than counter-balanced by the everything-that-can-go-wrong-will aspect of the move itself. The mover, who had moved us into our Three Rivers home, arrived only to decide that while he had made it down our steep gravel drive with a loaded truck, he didn't think he could go UP that way. This necessitated a last minute rental of a small U-haul to do transfer loads up to the movers truck and the 26' truck we had rented. There was a delay of a full day. That was OK, 'cuz at the last minute the appraiser at the new house (and apparently they now hold much more power than they used to) decided a railing at the top of a spiral stair case THAT WILL BE TORN OUT nonetheless had to be re-done before closing could proceed. So, the loading/driving finished on Thursday.

Might I say that we have waaaaay too much stuff? This is in the packed up stage:


Upon arrival in Grass Valley with 2 26-foot trucks, the mover looked at our steep, but at least paved, driveway and didn't think he could get down it in the full sized truck. Sure enough, it caused him to high center, and I had to go rent yet another small truck. The 3 guys doing the moving had to once again do transfer load after transfer load, finishing at 11:55 p.m., with the U-Haul still to be returned. Just to do this required that all the boxes be unloaded into the one downstairs room, meaning I was going to need help getting everything up to the main level. This was after my 5 hour drive with 2 dogs and 2 cats - with my old cat being sick much of the way, a lovely smell in a small car. Since I'd left home at 4:15, that's AM, it was way too dark to stop and clean out her carrier without risking her running off. I had to drive over an hour with the mess until it got light enough to clean. By the time I stopped, let's just say that poor Lucy was a mess. Thankfully I'd brought cleaning supplies and was able to do a minimal clean up. Yuk.

Meanwhile, back in Three Rivers, Scott's truck, which was to have been done Tuesday in time for our projected Wednesday move - wasn't. He was stuck in an empty house, truly, literally empty. The promises on the truck kept being not met and he was left behind when the critters and I left on Thursday. He was still there on Friday when I got a call on my cell - I'm just getting up from the horrible drive and move in - from the folks who were to clean our house in 3R (and who clean for friends of ours) saying it was too far up Mineral King - 1/2 mile - and they wouldn't do it! We were left with a dirty, empty house there, Scottie still didn't have his truck, and the mover who moved us to GV was coming back there on Saturday or Sunday with the belongings of the people who bought the house. After a bunch of phone calls to friends and the cleaning people who work for friends, there was no one who could come that day. Scottie ended up calling a professional service who charged about four times what we would have spent with the original people. So much for dependability.


On Saturday Scottie's truck was "done" at least per a phone call from the mechanic, and Judy drove him to Visalia (MANY thanks to Judy!); only the truck wasn't done! Back to 3R. New folks' stuff to arrive Sunday 8 AM. Yikes!!! At about 6 o'clock that night the mechanic called back to say the truck was now really ready and Judy, ever the good friend, drove Scottie to Visalia again. He had to come back to 3R, load up garbage in the truck and deal with all that, load all the stuff like guns and propane, etc., that the movers wouldn't take, sleep on the floor and get out of there at dawn for his 5 hour drive.


I did what I could on Friday, and had found a guy who was willing to come on Saturday to help move boxes, etc. He turned out to be a gem! All the boxes - roughly 300 - got put where they go, and he even moved all Scott's tools, etc., into the storage under the house. After the week Scottie had been through I didn't want him to arrive only to have to get out of the truck and start moving things! So, much progress was made on that day. The new dishwasher got installed. Sears called to ask if I still wanted the new fridge that had arrived with a dent - I think not, so that's being installed this week. The phone people who I'd been trying to line up before we moved finally came today & we have both cable internet and cable phone. I'd say we are at least 85% moved in with the kitchen and all the parts that need to function done. The current stack of boxes, not including those unloaded downstairs and outside:


Oh we have to have an outlet changed in the laundry room, needing an electrician. Darn. Fortunately the realtor here has come up with someone for us, and that guy arrives today. Also due in today is someone to look at a couple of old pieces of furniture, family pieces, that need some repair. Not the movers fault, these were pieces that were fragile and needing repair prior to the move; it's just prompted me to get it done.

Buck has run off 3 times before I could finally get the electric collars working properly again. Through him we've met a nice neighbor who has a certified habitat yard, something I want to do also. Cocoa has been really good. She's needy as always and sticks close to one or the other of us.
They have declared the spot at the top of the stairs that lead down to Scottie's office their spot to lie around and guard. They have a view out the big windows to the front, and if you turn the other way there are big windows and a sliding door off the dining room:

Lucy Cat seems to have recovered from the shock of moving. She's entered the stage of dropping huge clumps of hair, something she does every time she is stressed. After spending two days shut in a small room to give her time to adapt, she's now exploring the house, here checking out the dining room. Both my super-sized table and the big ol' chest from New Mexico fit!!



Ellie rolls with the punches. Among Ellie's favorite spots so far is the living room where I need to get an area rug to cover an extension cord and ground the furniture in the big room and some sort of sun control for the windows. As a temporary measure I've put a cover on the small worm-wood table that I don't want to ruin:



When Scottie did finally get here on Sunday, all the animals greeted him very enthusiastically. In their own way, I think they were convinced I'd taken them and all our "stuff", which is way too much, and left Scottie!


The one downstairs room has been dubbed The Boo Room for my Sweet Babboo, aka Scott. He's getting it set up with desk, books, computer, tv, bikes, his own private bath, even a day bed. I may never see him upstairs. Oh - he did his first ride here last evening, long, hilly, and just what he loves.



So we are in, and the first visitor is due to arrive in little over a week. We'll be ready.

Although I've always loved to move, longed for new places and new vistas, I think I've had it. This move may be the Universe telling me it's time to stay put. Plan your visits! I'm not going anywhere for a while.