We survived the move but are still sans internet at the new place. Seems like it's always a 50/50 proposition getting things installed properly - either it goes flawlessly and we have internet the night we move in, or it's a total botch and we go for a week with no connection. We should have something by tonight, or possibly tomorrow morning. Hopefully I won't have to spend time on the phone not-quite-yelling at anyone tomorrow.

Thank all the powers above and below for my friends. We got everything out of the old place and into the new in about 4 hours (and that was with two trips!) and the old place has been cleaned and tidied and is ready for the landlord to inspect tomorrow.

The new place (which I am thinking of as Babylon - since it has a fabulous garden and we all know I'd be kicked out of Eden - and which Poeso wants to call the Sin Bin) is a disaster area of boxes and displaced furniture and other stuff, but it's starting to shape up. The kitchen is fully unpacked and restocked. I'll be taking a run at making dinner there tomorrow night. And thanks to Shar, the bookcases are unpacked and the front room is less cluttered than it was.

Of course, I'm 4 days behind on LJ and FB and every other internet sort of thing out there, and will probably not get caught up - so if I missed anything important...well why didn't you call me? ;P

And now, back to digging out my work in-box and enjoying that I'm not expected to lift and/or carry anything heavier than a notepad today.

So, it's supposed to jump from a "balmy" 91 degrees for the high tomorrow to hit triple digits for the first time this summer on Saturday. Then it'll drop back down a bit on Sunday.

Translation: Mother Nature heard I was moving and cranked the thermostat for the moving crew.

Apparently I have a gift for moving on the hottest weekend of any given month. I seem to recall this happening the last couple of times we moved during summer as well.

I'm adding "Get cases of water" to my to-do list for tomorrow - and must remember to find the box where I packed the sunscreen.

You learn a lot of things in the course of packing up all your worldly belongings. You learn how much "treasure" is actually trash, and learn that you save the strangest things in the strangest places (hello 15+ year old vacuum sealed beef jerky in the back of ... a file box?).

You also learn that you shouldn't read old journals - you're not the same person you were 15 years ago and it will only hurt your head to see what a mess you were at 19 years old. (I really shouldn't bag on the heroine of Twilight so much...there's some pretty needy, clinging, obsessive bullshit in some of my old journals from when I was older than her.)

And then there's the little practical lessons, like when AT&T says, "You can switch your service anytime online through our website" what they really mean is, "You can dig through our site until you find the option for moving your service without buying an expensive bundled package that you don't need, but the site won't actually be able to process your transfer without you calling a customer service representative during those business hours that aren't today which is why you're digging through the website to begin with."

Oh, and you can always use more storage tubs. And empty boxes don't always feel empty (apparently I moved two yesterday without realizing it - in my defense, they were labeled from a prior move, I didn't recall unpacking them and they should have been lightweight).

But I should be finding out what I've got stashed in the kitchen that really ought to get thrown out...so back to that.

Still on track for moving on the 27th. The house is partially packed and we've moved a few boxes, tubs and other bits over to the new place. Not a lot though, since we're trying to get the work on the house done before we drag a bunch of stuff over.

Last week we successfully had the floors in the laundry room, downstairs bath and family room replaced. I love how the slate in the laundry room looks and I think we did really well with carpet color for the family room as well.

Friday afternoon and most of the weekend were spent on scraping the "popcorn" (or "cottage cheese") off the ceilings in the entry way, front room, dining room and kitchen. Killian and Thumper were a HUGE assist on Saturday getting the last of those damned boards off the ceiling.

Last night the painting process started. Took me about 2 hours to get 90% of the front room painted, but it's the largest room, so hopefully the rest will go a bit quicker. It's certainly an experience working with a roller on a pole. Much easier than moving the ladder around, but challenging to get the right angle for the rolling to go smoothly, and tiring for the neck and shoulders as I get closer to the top edge of the ceiling.

There will be more painting tomorrow night (game tonight) and then finishing up/touch up work on Friday afternoon - and clean-up as well. Next week will be the big push to get the rest of the house packed up (read: tackle the kitchen) and as many boxes over to the new place as possible before the heavy lifting on the 27th.

Two weeks and I'll be landlord-free! *does happy dance*

- I can always rely on the "family" to have good ideas for how to solve vexing problems. (Thank you Killian and SeaWeasel - between the tool advice and the Dremel advice, I managed to make progress!)

- "Work smarter, not harder" will speed up a project tremendously

- Removing long, heavy boards from a high ceiling is significantly easier and faster with two people, especially when one of those two people isn't freaked by heights. (And another thank you here to Killian for that, and LadyJ for keeping an eye on the munchkin)

- Do not leave hammers on top of ladders and then move the ladder (rubs knot on head)

- No project will ever be as easy as it looks (and 4" long nails are a bitch to extract - but remarkably easy to bend)

- There's a remarkable amount of cargo capacity in a Prius, and an equally remarkable amount of cargo to be extracted from one garage and put into another

- My husband is a strong contributing factor to my sanity. He knows exactly when to tell me to back away from the calendar.

- I have to stop trying to have a life this month. It's just not going to happen.

- Never underestimate the value of "elbow grease" and proper leverage (it's all a matter of leverage)

I've moved enough times, you'd think I'd have an icon for it by now. :D

So, after much debating, going over the calendar several times, going over the task list several times, discussing and then debating again, we've finally set our calendar to answer the big question: When Are We Moving?

Behold - for June shall be busy, but there will be moving and much rejoicing!

( So ... When Are You Moving? )

Between now and the move, in addition to packing, we are having new carpet put into the family/entertainment room and new tile in the laundry room/downstairs bath. In fact, I will be heading out shortly to meet the sales rep to confirm the measurements in the rooms and set up an installation date. That should be complete by the 14th.

I also plan to take a break from packing and lifting boxes to attend the Gaskell's on the 20th.

There's also a number of smaller projects to do - like installing new doorknobs/latches in a few places downstairs (doing that today) - and the bigger project of painting the ceilings in the kitchen, formal dining and living rooms. And that leads me to the other question I've gotten from a few people:

( So...When Are We Painting? )

So that's all that's fit to print. I'm going to get my shoes on now and head over to finalize the details on the floor.

Friday group - I will send an abbreviated version of this to the Friday mailing list later on.

I spent a ridiculous number of hours yesterday trying to sort, organize, package and pack my jewelry making clutter. I've been a bit lazy about putting things away anyhow, but I've also got more things than I can properly store in the organization set up that I have.

The last time we moved, I had three boxes of supplies, tools and equipment, plus my "tackle box" and bead storage drawers. This time, I have a number of smaller boxes and it probably would take five of the boxes I used before to pack everything up.

What this tells me is that I have too much crap and I need to 1) finish the projects that I have sorted into my "pending projects" pile and 2) stop buying more things until I've used up the current things. At some point, assuming I can successfully get through step #1, there may be an open "tell me what to make with < insert list of components here >" request in order to make some progress on step #2.

Don't hold me to it...but we'll see.

Shar and I went to the title company office yesterday at noontime and signed a whole pile of documents. Then I went to the bank and got a very large cashier's check and took it back to the title company.

The loan should be funded today or tomorrow (depending on how slammed the bank is) and we should have the keys tomorrow or Thursday.

We're homeowners. *insert gleeful squealing here*

( The rest of yesterday )

Two posts in one day! What is the world coming to?!

Don't try to fool me, I know you're shocked senseless. ;P

Since I have the time, I thought I'd do a quick review of the house hunting today - partially for those of you following along at home and mostly so that when Shar and I get to the point of having seen WAY too many properties to keep them straight, I'll have some comments to come back to. So without further ado...( The rundown )

And my god is the date changing fast these days. I can't believe we're halfway through December and rolling up on Christmas. It's almost enough to induce a mild bit of panic.
( Two weeks worth of posting crammed into one life update )

Yesterday we conducted our usual "ant swarm" moving maneuvers and successfully packed up ladyofdragons and Gryphon from their place in Fairfield and brought them home to the tri-valley. Turns out, they (along with He-Who-Has-No-Online-Handle-That-I'm-Aware-Of) will be living just a couple of blocks from the Harlequin House where Shar and I were just a couple years ago. (God...hard to believe it's been almost two years since we moved into this place.)

I crashed out around 9pm after the long day of heavy lifting, but I'm pleased to find that I'm not as stiff and sore this morning as I expected to be. Maybe I really am slowly getting into better condition...

But even if I'd woken up unable to walk, it'd be worth it - we're all happy to have them back in the area. And I'm feeling more inspired to get on the ball with my plans for looking into buying a place of my own soon. I've got plenty of contact information and recommendations. I just need to USE it.

But today it's going to be more prosaic pursuits...and possibly some new baubles. I have a set of focal components that I picked up at Golden Gate Faire and I have this idea for a sort of series of necklaces that would use up some of the stash of materials I have. I doubt I'll actually finish three pieces in one day, since I'm getting a slow start and have other things to do, but I'm feeling motivated to do at least one of them.

At the end of January 2009 the two year lease that I was so happy to sign in 2007 will expire, and after two years the honeymoon is most definitely over.
( LONG Ramble About Housing )

Ok, so having Friday off when you already get half-days is, I suppose, a little less exciting, but really any day that I don't have to be out of bed at/before dawn works for me...and since my company seems to go by the rule that if the NYSE isn't trading, there's no reason for us to be in the office, here I am, flopped on the couch with a cup of tea and a computer. =)

Not that the relaxation part of today is going to last much longer. Probably about to the end of this post and the bottom of my tea cup. Shar and I are being ambitious today -- time to sort all of the crap (well, all of OUR crap) in the garage and get it either a) inside and put away or b) sorted and onto shelves (which will come right after re-assembling the shelves). Ideally, this will result in a) more space/better pathway to the side door and thus the trash cans, b) organization (I know...heresy), c) access to the breaker box that doesn't require gymnastics and d) a spot for my bike by the side door so I don't have to open the main garage door to take it out and go riding (which I have every intention of doing more - starting this weekend).

In the realm of actual updates - I have the check from the insurance for the car, and it's in the bank waiting for my federal tax return check and the amount from my next paycheck that would have been a car payment to join it before I blow the whole wad (or most of it) on a down payment.

I think I've narrowed my "cars to look at" list down to three models, which means I now need to test drive them and find out if I like any one of them enough to buy it or if I have to start the whole process over. Assumably, I'll like one of them. =) Hopefully I'll have new wheels by the end of the month.

And I finally got everything sorted with the ex-landlord (aka El Jackass) -- met with him Tuesday night and got a check. Unfortunately, I checked the account that I deposited the check to on the same night and it appears to have been bounced for NSF. Just when I thought I was done with him. So I'll have to call him later and figure out how he wants to deal with this. I kind of like Snoopy's suggestion that I request a money order or cashier's check - although knowing El Jackass and how long it takes him to get things done, that could take another three weeks to get it issued! Meh...first things first - I'm going to call the bank and confirm that I'm reading the deposit adjustment codes correctly. Then I'll call him and complain.

I know, cars and landlords are all I post about these days -- but really, there's not a lot else to say. Life's been good. Work isn't making me crazy, the weather's beautiful, the boys are wonderful...what can I say? =)

Next weekend we're hosting a baby shower for poeso and Lady J, which means I need to get off my ass and go shopping for shower gifts. (Ok, for other shower gifts, since I have a couple small things for them...which sounds sort of silly since OBVIOUSLY most things are going to be small - they're for BABIES. *grin*) Then more BayCon planning with Minx and V., possibly some serious car shopping, Shar's b-day and associated social events, etc. etc. etc. My calendar runneth over...

Alrighty, found the bottom of my tea cup, so now it's time to find the bottom of this post, get dressed and get to work. I can't decide if I want to wake Shar up now, or if I want to get out there ahead of him and organize things my way...god but I'm such a control freak!

I got the check from my insurance company yesterday, so now I just need to make up my mind about what I'm getting to replace the Mustang. I've pretty well concluded that it won't be another 'Stang, but I'm still waffling on what I really want. Maybe if I get some time this weekend (hah) I'll get out and do some test drives. And of course there's the question of whether I bow to the idea of having one "sensible" car and one "fun" car for the pair of us, which would require that the "sensible" car (ie, the one I drive 95% of the time) be an automatic, since Shar doesn't drive stick.

Anyone know of any definitive testing one way or the other on whether manual transmissions really have more power than automatics? I think they do - he thinks the tech has improved to the point where that's no longer accurate. It's an on-going argument, and information is unlikely to change anything on what car I get, but it would be nice to have some idea of whether I'm utterly off the deep end.

In other news -- had a lovely weekend...we got poeso and Killian into their new home, and I got to pay off some of my moving karma, which felt good. blaze619 provided much needed massages after the fact and lairian plied us all with tiramisu (YUM!). Sunday was punctuated by a lovely drive through the mountains to meet up with redminx and va_peterson to plot out BayCon outfits. Bear Creek Road may be slightly unnerving at night in the rain and ice, but it does make for a lovely drive with the top down on a warm spring day. =)

And Shar and I finally went to see 300 on Sunday night - zomg amazing mythical translation! I really enjoyed it, but don't really have anything to say that hasn't already been said.

Tonight I'm meeting up with El Jackass to prove that I bought the microwave and get my check from him, which should add nicely with the insurance check to get me a solid down payment on a vehicle. Hopefully that will go smoothly...

And now...back to your regularly scheduled programming.

HAH! I knew it! I have a post from just before we moved where I noted that I was going to need to get a microwave because Harlequin House didn't have one! *looks smug and vindicated and bloodthirsty*

I suppose I should get back to work now...


{Edit: And I found the transaction on my Visa statements too -- July 2, 2006. I'm certain I don't have the receipt, but the bank might be able to pull up information on what was purchased. *crosses fingers*)

It's been a while since I posted about my horrible landlords. High time I added to the collection of ranting don't you think?

Now before you worry, no this is not the new landlords who continue to be organized, friendly and responsive if I need them. Oh no. This is the Supreme Jackass of Multiple Moves.

We moved over 6 weeks ago. California requires return of the deposit within 3 weeks. You know this already because I ranted about this at just about this time last year when I went after my prior landlord for the deposit on the yellow house.

I haven't got my deposit back on the harlequin house yet. I've been a little slow and lazy about following up with El Jackass as well, becuase I just haven't had the energy to care much, though I should. So he was supposed to get the place cleaned (vacuum, scrub, etc.) which was fine by me since we didn't really do anything on the way out. I have no objection to this getting deducted.

He was supposed to get me the difference before I left for NY. Didn't happen. I forgot to call. He called Sunday...he's working on getting the carpet cleaned as well and will get back to me. I could deal with this.

So a few minutes ago my phone rings...it's El Jackass...he's at Harlequin House waiting for the carpet cleaners to arrive to give him an estimate...

And he's wondering what happened to the microwave that was in the corner of the kitchen. MY MICROWAVE. That _I BOUGHT_ when we moved in because there wasn't one and my old white one was dying.

He's certain he bought a microwave for the place.

Suddenly my level of aggravation has skyrocketed to the point where I'm more than willing to go head to head on this one. I've suddenly started caring again.

He better watch his back...cuz if he thinks he's taking a microwave out of my deposit, I'm going to give him hell. I have every damned legal right to every penny of my deposit at this point due to his delays and I'm being NICE about letting him take out the cleaning costs because I know I left the place a bit of a shambles and didn't really make any serious efforts...but if he tries this, I will have his head. *snarl*

What is this weird sensation? Oh right...RELAXING! =D

Ok, so we're moved in and the kitchen is mostly unpacked (and pretty much full). Today's goals include unpacking the book case and reorganizing things in the garage enough to get to my jewelry supplies.

Originally my goals were to unpack the book case, get the random stuff in my bedroom unpacked/put away, and possibly do some more work on the kitchen, but I'm over come with the desire to have projects to work on and it's causing me to re-evaluate my priorities. (Now, whether I actually stick to my new priorities or revert to being "a good girl" and sticking to my original plans remains to be seen.)

And game today - for the first time in three weeks. Which means I better get to work on the book case and the unpacking and clearing up so that there are places for people to sit.

There you have it - we're alive, me're moved, and we're getting settled.

Icing on the cake? Work's starting to cool off as well - one major project is out of the way and the other one is about to be out of my way...which means that I will no longer have 2 simultaneous obligations taking 100% of my time each. Hopefully for the next month or so I'll be back to only 1 project taking 100% of my time and I can stop trying to find ways to get 200% of my usual work done in 125% of the time. I might even manage to get out of the office at a reasonable time for a little while, which would be nice.

Ok...off to get dressed and unpack my books. =)

Doughnuts for the Moving Crew - $6
26' truck rental from U-Haul - $100
Pizza and soda for the Moving Crew - $75

Having friends who will show up to help us move three times in twelve months and put up with all of our stuff and my bad temper...more priceless than any commercial parody can convey.

Thank you to everyone who came to help, no matter how long you were with us or how much weight you could lift. Believe me, your presence alone was helpful.

And thank you also to adnate, who called to offer a hand, snoopyh42 for trying to come help (work just happens sometimes) and everyone who's been moral support over the last month or two.

General Moving Crew thank yous go to Thumper (and Lady J for loaning him to us), rosered32, keshian, ladyofdragons, Gryphon, ziptie_bandit, blaze613, mshathvri, Killian, poeso, fallen42, jeebachu, Sam B. and deviant. (Hopefully I didn't miss anyone.)

Particular thank yous go to:

- poeso for agreeing to drive my car for a week so I could use her Jeep. (Yes, I'm sure she suffered greatly...she didn't seem to be enjoying that _at all_. *grin*)
- deviant for making the first unload go so quickly and smoothly
- fallen42 for putting up with the second load crew losing him and to keshian for driving about to try to find Fallen and to Sam B. for bringing him back to us. (That one's going in the moving story archives!)
- ladyofdragons, Gryphon, Poeso and Killian for joining us for dinner and hanging out for a while in the evening - the place feels much more like home.

And a sort of general thank you to everyone who was there for the afternoon for not killing me...God knows it wouldn't have been unprovoked. =(

I have a couple other more personal thank yous to deliver, but seeing as the person I should be thanking isn't on LJ, I'll save those for when I have a personal opportunity.

( More moving related stuff below the cut )

And this is the last move for a while. I like this place. I think I'll stay here. =)

On a different note -- chelleann77, I hope you had the most amazing 30th birthday party EVER! I sent kisses and hugs and good wishes through a couple people, which hopefully reached their target, and I'm sure it was a blast. If I'd been able to walk without whining, I'd've made more of an effort... =)

Oh...and:

Happy Birthday poeso!!!

We have the key.

We have a fridge, washer and dryer set for delivery on Friday.

I have clean laundry (all 5 loads!).

The kitchen is almost packed.

A truck is reserved for Saturday.

Mail forwarding has been set up.


So now all I have to do is:
-- finish packing the kitchen (two cabinets left and some things on the counters)
-- put away my laundry
-- pack the stuff in the master bathroom
-- arrange for the cable, phone/DSL, water, power, newspaper and garbage services to get transferred
-- schedule a special pick up for the deader-than-dead recliner and random trash stuff
-- sweep through the house for miscellaneous stuff that was missed
-- mop the kitchen floor
-- send change of address forms to the DMV

(And yes, the boys have their own to-do lists...I'm not doing everything. I swear!)

I think I'll go see if Comcast and SBC customer service are available on a Sunday evening. If not, I know what I'll be doing on my lunch break tomorrow!

We pick up keys this morning and hand over the lease and a check.

I'm almost ready to believe it's official. (I know that it _is_ official - but the paranoia is STRONG at this point.)

And I swear to you, this is IT for at least 2 years. We have a 2 year lease and we're not going anywhere until it's fully up and done with, and then only if we've found somewhere we love enough to buy. Until then, I'm staying put.