Tag: Moving

Sigh of Relief, Broken Mirror, and Settling In

On By BackporchwriterIn Uncategorized8 Comments
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Good morning (afternoon/evening). I can’t tell you the ::sigh:: of relief we ALL feel for move #1, Phase #1, of Project Momma. We still have the truck to take back and then the final sigh can be had. All went well but…the mirror in the back of one of the China cabinets broke when George had to set it down hard as it shifted from the dolly. It is a straight piece and can be replaced and we will do so after Move #2.

The final day at the house was a bit hurried, harried, and tense. We grabbed chic fil A on the way out of town to go to clear out the final things from Mom’s house in Columbia. Mom and I thought we had plenty of time to pack and clean, but as my car quickly got packed, we realized it wouldn’t hold my vacuum we had brought for the ride back. I was NOT donating my vacuum for the cause – although I dream of a new one – lol! So we had to hurry and only got to halfway clean the house for the new owners. We had to stick remaining items on the truck, that was about to pull out, including my vacuum and cleaning supplies. My car had no more room. George encouraged us to leave the house as it was as the new owners were probably going to completely redo and rip out and replace. I’m sure he’s right but I don’t half “ash” do a job. I like to be thorough. So we hurried. George and the truck was about to pull out as he needed to be on a timeline to be able to have help in Mount Juliet end of unloading at the storage place.

Oh, and the guy that was to help on Mom’s end didn’t show. I was almost in tears. George couldn’t easily move the remaining china cabinets by himself. Mom got on the phone to call for help. We have family there but that was not an option as they are not there for Mom on a normal day, much less in time of urgent need. But there was a Christian couple Mom goes to church with that she called and said “is there any way you can help?” And the man said “I’ll be right there”. I was trusting God would provide. Mom and I were both praying. We are so thankful for this man coming to help. No excuses, no pausing, just “I’ll be right there”. They don’t make ’em like that anymore!

We through remaining items including the vacuum on George’s truck which also had Mom’s freezer on it and he was wanting to get that moved and plugged in as well. Then Mom and I grabbed a few things left I knew would fit in my car and drug some things out to the road for the city to pick up.

I did a final walk through in the house. I did find a few things – mostly cleaning supplies, a bottle of lotion, and some very nice Tupperware or Rubbermaid containers that were way back in the cabinet.

As we were backing out, neighbors ran over – three of them in unison to say goodbye. Wow! Their timing was spot on. One had a card for Mom. I know this jerked at Mom’s heart. How sweet of all of them to run over in her last moment of leaving the house. Wonderful neighbors. I let them talk for as long as they wanted. But after about 40 minutes I suggested it was time we headed out. lol. Mom was ready as I could tell her body language turned all the way into the car instead of sideways. So I knew she was ready to go. We were both famished as it was after 2 and we’d not had lunch after working hard.

We went to Sonic and got the best Coney Chili dog and onion rings and cold Dr. Pepper on ice, and we vowed to eat better next time. lol lol lol We had to wait for it. No one has proper help these days! I’m sure you are experiencing that too. Here in the states people prefer to stay home and get unemployment it seems. No one wants to work for a living as we were brought up to do. As they say “we work for a living so we can pay taxes so we can pay for you to stay home”. I saw a shirt with that on it last week! Isn’t that the truth?

Once home I unloaded Mom, and the boxes for upstairs. I had one big heavy box I could not get to until the stuff on top was removed for the basement. So I pulled the car around and unloaded and then I didn’t want to move the car again so I put the heavy box on an rolling office chair and rolled it up the sidewalk, with another little box on top! It worked. Caught it on the nest, LOL.

Then George and our wonderful neighbor David, drove up in the big truck. We all had a beer in the basement. His wife MaryAnne came over and met Mom. I thought it would be good for them to meet b/c she is so close and if Mom fell or got in a jam, someone could come to her help. That way they would know each other.

George requested Chinese for dinner. A man that has worked so hard deserves to have whatever meal he wanted. I crossed my fingers and asked Mom if she would be hip for Chinese. She quickly said “yeah”. No pause or hesitation! George really wanted to go out though – that was his first request. However, I told him Mom was done for the day. He said we either all go or all stay. I knew he didn’t mind staying in though b/c he was whooped out. He said he’d go get Chinese and bring it back.

We set it all up on Mom’s lazy Susan which works out well for our meals. Isn’t this great? We just turn it like a wheel and serve ourselves instead of driving one another crazy with pass this and that! I think we never were good at passing from left to right or vice versa. It had always been “pass me this or that” and you’d often not even realize if you missed anything so this works great!!!!

WE all slept good last night and are making plans for Phase #2, which is Momma living here with us. Mom is still getting settled, working on her clothes and we are bringing things up from boxes from downstairs as she needs something. Most everything has been accessible and found.

George ordered himself a surprise! The little ukelele on the right. When a man works as hard as he has with the move, he gets to order whatever instrument he wants! lol lol He already had the guitar on the left.

Anyway he is waiting on me to take the truck back. So I’ll be back as soon as I can with further updates. The main thing is WE ARE OUT OF THE HOUSE and Mom is here! And the move #1 is over.

Happy Father’s Day! We are going to return the truck and grab a Father’s Day beer, and then go get fresh groceries and staples we are out of and get Mom’s favorite items she likes to have for the week ahead and while we work.

Ya’ll take care and have a happy day!

Big Honker of a Truck and Getting Mom Settled In at the House

On By BackporchwriterIn Uncategorized6 Comments

The BIG moving weekend is HERE. All nerves have been pointed to this weekend. The truck was reserved a few weeks ago, but it was a much smaller one. Yesterday the smaller one was cancelled on us as it was not returned for whatever reason. So they “upgraded” George to this HUGE truck. It’s huge. George was very nervous about the big truck. I mean on the highways, they train guys for weeks to drive big tractor trailers and this was about half the size of one. He texted back that he was “terrified”. Bless him. I so love him for doing this for Mom.

We went to get Mom last night. I never really anticipated just how big of a night it would be. I thought we’d toss Mom, a suitcase or two, maybe a box or two and a few things sitting around and then head home. Like all the other times. But, I failed to consider that 1) I was not leaving early from work 2) I had to go home and get George 3) He got home later than I did 4) We had to take care of Roger Dog’s needs 5) Traffic during rush hour was just horrible 6) Interstates had multiple accidents/issues 7) We had to take a back route 8) We had to stop and get food for dinner for us and Mom so we would not be hangry 9) Mom had packed a lot, but we had hoped to get “remaining everything” out but the furniture so there was more to pack 10) After everything that would fit was packed in the car we discovered there was more that Mom needed immediately that needed to go so we had to unpack the car and then repack. 11) I thought we brought most of Mom’s clothes already but we brought home several more closets worth, LOL LOL LOL.

We brought Mom’s car back with us and it was packed fully too. It was 10:30 or after when we got back to Mount Juliet. It was midnight before we went to bed. We felt nasty and had to shower. Bed felt so good. And I’m so glad I took the whole day off instead of working half day.

Yesterday at work I was explaining all we were trying to do to my immediate boss and she said “oh my goodness you just need to take tomorrow off”. I was trying to do it all, be there for work to sign checks, and take care of Mom. I was already leaving early at 1 to get her to a doc appt and I was already going to have to be late to work to drop George off to get the Enterprise (I kept calling it a U-Haul, it’s like “coke” it’s just what you call that type of truck around these parts.) Anyway, my boss was totally right. I should have planned to be off the whole day. And I was glad last night that she suggested it. Mom needed me here to help find things and to get things set up, to be fed til she gets used to things and we get more groceries, and get her a bit organized. And most of all I needed me here to try to put a blessing on the house to get it livable with a LOT of Mom’s stuff coming into each of the rooms. We are making it work. Only her room is a mess, we have to figure out what to do with all the clothes.

The first thing I tackled was getting her little toaster oven in on the counter. George has hidden the box of pans that go in them. Have to ask him where those are. Mom can operate this little oven as she used it every day at her house. She was pleased that I worked it in on the counter. She will use this a lot while we are gone to work.

I also had eggs expiring so I boiled up nearly a whole large carton (we’ve not been here much to eat them) and we had boiled eggs and biscuits for breakfast. Then I took what was left and made dressed eggs/deviled eggs – pick your term.

I also brewed some tea for our iced tea. Mom likes her iced tea and so do I.

After organizing Fancy’s dog supplies and doing loads of laundry and cleaning the kitchen and rebooting dishwasher while Mom dealt with her clothes (lol) I fixed lunch. Knowing Mom was coming I bought some bologna. She and I would eat bologna sandwiches a lot on summer days.

George will be happy to have some dressed eggs when he comes in.

I bought a pillow last week at Target for my little corner of the couch. I gave Mom my recliner to sit in -in our den, which is the best seat in the house! I’m taking the seat at the end of the sofa and George remains in his seat at the right side of the sofa.

I can feel some of the anxiety roll off. However, I’m a little concerned still about the truck and the move and hope George doesn’t have any difficulty. We would be with him but —we have this doc appt.

Soon here I will take Mom to this appt to get an injection in her eye. She goes once a month. Afterwards we are going to Target. Mom needs some more tubs to put clothes in. I’m laughing so hard. George said “DO NOT get your Mom ANY MORE clothes for Christmas! She has enough!” LOL LOL LOL LOL.

Anyways, please pray for us in the final but biggest stage of the move where he has to move multiple difficult things – including 5 china cabinets.

I love him for doing this. Bless him and Lord be with him as he deals with this incredible move of all the furniture today in the incredible truck. Fancy is helping her Momma with her clothes! 😛

Ok I better go help with something! Just had to pop in and let you know how it’s going. Off to her doc appt soon. I hope it goes well.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Monday

On By BackporchwriterIn Uncategorized6 Comments

Sneaking a blog entry in this morning but I took my shower last night. Still going in early to work.

Storage dilemma.

Sometimes the early bird gets the worm and sometimes it doesn’t. Yesterday I called to check on the storage place to make sure the guy is still moving out of it on the 18th as we were to take possession on the 19th. I had not gone out to sign anything as they said they couldn’t til he was out. I had a funny feeling. You know I’ve lived life long enough to know that this guy was probably not going to be out right. So it never hurts to follow up and plan. It averts surprises later.

True enough, I call and the owner says “oh I was about to call you”. Oh no. “The guy is not going to be out of the unit yet as his house is not ready”. I say “oh no”. She said “what are you gonna do?” I said “find another storage unit I guess”. I told her I figured that was going to happen and that is why I’m calling. I actually said “good thing I’m efficient, huh?” lol

Anyway, I made a call to another nearby storage place. It’s actually a little closer to Mom but still on the way from our house. We got the one big unit available and I have already given them the account number and they are mailing me the papers. They don’t have an office. The owner runs it by his phone but the boat/marine place next door that he used to own, helps him out if there is an on site problem. George went to Lowe’s and bought a disc lock which is recommended for storage units.

Sunglasses dilemma.

I drive several miles away to Hermitage to drop off my sunglasses to see if they can fix them. I’m asked if I have an appointment. No I’m not being fitted but dropping off broken glasses to be fixed. I’m met with “oh with Covid though you have to have an appointment”. “Just to drop off my glasses? I took off work and drove all the way from Nashville as you all are not open when business people are off in the evenings and weekends, can’t I just talk with the optical folks and leave them my glasses?” I had to leave them at the front desk with a girl named Shaundrette. Who put a sticky note on them with my name and number. They had orders but I had a few of my own. I paid dearly for those sunglasses that broke right after my warranty and I said “can you please put a rubber band around that so it doesn’t fall off. I don’t want to lose my glasses!” Since they would not let me hand them to optical myself, I asked for her name and told her I was holding her responsible for my glasses. I don’t like leaving them at the front desk of the big place. I later thought I was probably ugly, but then I thought no I wasn’t. I didn’t have a tone. I was just letting her know I expected my property to get where it was supposed to go. Later, the Optical place called back. I was going to give them a couple of hours and call and make sure they got my glasses. But they called me first. She said it was out of warranty. I figured that. Funny how my old pair lasted over six years. (I’m having to go back to wearing them so I can drive in the sun.)

The optical lady said she is calling the manufacturer to see if they will fix it or replace it or have a replacement part. If not she is looking for similar frames the lenses will go in. If not I’ll have to buy new ones. I don’t want the frames of my old ones b/c I like the style of my new ones. I just wish they were more durable. I want what I want especially when I’ve paid dearly for them. And of course they did not last. I may find out what brand they were so I don’t buy those again. I don’t abuse my glasses. I always take care of them. So I am NOT a HAPPY camper. I even thought about using a different place but I want to see if they can give me a deal. I will let them know that I’ve never had a pair of glasses that broke so quickly and that this was my first time to use their company’s glasses. Things are too expensive to have to buy prescription glasses every year. No ma’am. That will only happen once, I say.

YAY. No Masks at Work – Finally

The dawn finally came. We got the memo we don’t have to wear masks. It came with two pages of disclaimers and FAQ’s. We still have to wear them to go in the building and take our temps. If we don’t have a temp then we can take off the mask. ok. So somehow I can make myself wear it for the 15 seconds to walk in the door and take temp. So I am wearing make up today, full on. I’ve noticed most employers have relaxed their requirements as well. Except for doctors offices. But that is understandable. Well maybe not the optical place, but….whatever.

How to Like and Subscribe on YouTube

Several people have asked how to like or subscribe. I guess you probably have to sign up, to subscribe and like things, but I could be wrong. It’s been so long since I joined. No cost. I think you just have to have an email and a password- it’s just like anything else on the internet. If you sign up, though you can subscribe or like away for sure. Then you find things you like and subscribe and get notifications when they have new content. Here is what it looks like on my phone. Keep in mind this is going to look a little different as it is MY channel but it will look similar on your phone or tablet. You select the video you want to watch or like or leave a comment on.

And it has a place to give a thumbs up, subscribe, or leave a comment. If you don’t see those options then try signing up and I bet you will!

Hope that helps. I have a couple of new subscribers this time. So I appreciate that. And I think it had 48 views in the first 48 hours, so that is good. I will take it. It’s nothing compared to most but if 48 of my friends / blog buddies checked it out, that is at least something! 😉

A little Bit of Good, A little Bit of Bad!

Unloaded my work bag full of goodies for the week. You can’t see the peach.

My office space is below. Not sure what made me want to take the pic. I am hearing we will be moving in January ish to a new location that is a further drive. My guess is it will take me an hour or so. I’m not a happy camper about that. Not sure even how long I will be able to do that. We’ll have to see how it goes. I have no desire to spend that kinda time on the road twice a day nor deal with that dangerous interstate down there. So I’m really not sure what will happen when that happens.

Why things have to get all mixed up – I don’t know. One thing is certain right? Change happens. And when it does it changes more than just a few things. Adjustments have to be made as does decisions and so forth. You figure out what you are willing to adjust or settle for and what won’t work at all. And go from there.

Mom got to See her Grandchildren for the fist time in two to three years.

My sister’s husband, my nephew and niece and the nieces boyfriend went to get the desk my sister wanted that was my father’s. So Mom got to see them. I was so happy that I actually cried. I’m glad Mom got to see them before she left town. It’s sad what family squabbles can do. It breaks my heart. I think what if I wasn’t able to have had my own grandparents in my life, how sad it would be. I was so close to them.

I was stressed after the day’s struggles last night so I fixed my comfort food, spaghetti and listened to a nice YouTube relaxing music channel. So nice. I took a pic and cropped the scene on my phone. I think I will clean house to this next time I get a chance. I think it’s been almost 3 months since I’ve been able to dust, lol. Seriously. We have not been home! Ok maybe 2. But it could be 3. I did a nice cleaning around Easter. Dead serious. I’ve only had time to do laundry and blog and make videos, LOL. Not willing to give up my creative time. It keeps me sane.

Better go to work. I’m 20 minutes over what I meant to spend doing this. So gotta hurry now.

Ya’ll take care.