It’s 7:15 in the morning. I’m almost never up this early, much less blogging at this time of day, but I’ve been going to bed earlier than my usual 1-3 a.m. because I’m so exhausted lately. Moving is tough.
Here’s a recap for you: Monday the 14th at around 6 p.m. we picked up the 10′ U-Haul truck and Fisherman and his son filled it to the brim. Seriously, you couldn’t have gotten so much as a toothbrush into it anymore. Funny thing is, we wanted to order a van instead of a truck but they don’t do one way’s with those, so we ‘settled’ for a 10′. We could have used a 14′ van, because we ended up having to put stuff into our SUV plus our other car, and we left some things in the garage with the landlord’s permission. When we moved from our 2500′ sq. ft home a year and a half ago into our rental of 1250′ sq. ft., we naturally got rid of a LOT of furniture, but the garage at the rental was HUGE and it had an attic as well, so yes, we still had tons of stuff, and unlike a lot of people our age we still have lots of our daughter’s things since she lives in Singapore.
Tuesday was spent packing up some last minute things and waiting for the girl to pick up the bed that we sold at the moving sale. She came around 2 and in addition to the bed I gave her tons of really nice items. She was thrilled and I was glad to give everything a good home. The couple that gave us a deposit for some furniture never showed up, so we called an organization and donated the armoires, the sectional and the cocktail table. We were fortunate to get someone to come at such last minute notice, the only problem is we have reason to believe they stole from us. I won’t go into too many details, but they took a safe deposit box with cash and all our personal papers such as passports, birth certificates, marriage license, etc. are gone. I know what you’re thinking…we moved and it will show up. No, it won’t. They took it. We may file a police report, but that’s just a formality. Everything is gone and it’s been very stressful.
After everything was packed, we had to leave one of the cars at a friend’s house because we had three vehicles (our two cars and the truck) but only two of us. When we went to her house she invited us to stay for dinner. I thought we should trek onward, but it was nice to take a break. We left her house at 10:00 p.m. in the pouring rain for the two hour drive to the cabin. She offered for us to spend the night, but we were having friends come the next morning at 9 to help us unload and there was no way I felt like getting up at 6 to get there in time.
Fisherman was driving the truck and I had the SUV. It was raining quite hard when we left, and when I was around 45 minutes from the cabin, I noticed ‘white stuff’. I say it that way because there’s no way I thought it was snow. It was, after all, April 15th, but that was in fact what it was. Not only that, it was mixed with ice. What should have taken me 45 minutes took me almost an hour and a half, and I arrived at the cabin at 12:30 a.m. I was thrilled to be there but I was concerned about Fisherman. I didn’t know where he was, and I didn’t want to call him because I knew he needed to be completely focused on driving. I stepped onto the porch steps and found that they had been completely disconnected from the house! I’m lucky I didn’t break my neck. I settled in, and after about 15 minutes Fisherman called. He was at the bottom of the hill and didn’t think the truck could make it. Let me explain something here. The community the cabin is in is situated at the top of a mountain. It is deceptively steep. So much so that at the bottom of the mountain there is a ‘runaway truck ramp’ that’s most likely been used more times than I can count.
So…I had to go and get him and go down the mountain in icy conditions. By now it’s after 1:00 a.m. The drive was horrendous, and at one point I lost control of the car and almost hit the side rails. I shifted into low gear and went down the mountain at around 8 miles an hour. Any faster and I would have been toast. What should have taken no more than 12 minutes took about 40, but I got to Fisherman in one piece. We left the U-Haul in front of a restaurant with a note that said we would return in the morning. It was unlocked and when I expressed concern Fisherman said ‘we don’t need that crap anyway’! Spoken like a typical husband.
Going back up the hill was much easier than going down, and we walked into the cabin at around 2:30 a.m. exhausted and emotionally spent. We got up the next morning and got the truck (with all our ‘junk’ intact) and by 11 everything was in the house.
Isn’t it lovely? Right now, our bedroom and the kitchen are in working order, and everything right now is in the lower level so at least one part of the house looks somewhat decent. For someone who alphabetizes her spice racks, this chaos is tough. But as I said to Fisherman, ‘how do you eat an elephant’? One bite at a time. He never heard that expression, and when I tried to demonstrate it was common with some friends, they never heard of it either! Is it just me or what??
I’ll be back with some progress reports and I’ll be sharing some of my storage solutions with you. The cabin doesn’t have an attic, a garage or even a shed. The basement is used mostly for living space, so it’s particularly challenging as you can imagine. Last year we installed a deck and were hoping to have the area underneath converted into a storage room, but it’s hard to find reliable contractors so I’ve given up trying. We will work with what we have and continue to purge as much as possible. It will take months or longer, but now that we’re retired time isn’t an issue.
Poppy says
Doreen!
WOW!! What a trying time for you, both! Indeed, I’m breathless just hearing about it! But, you are a very strong willed individual, and I know that this will only turn out to be one of your many challenges, and you will face it with force, ambition and positive thinking. I assume the worst is over re: the actual move, but what irked me more, was the news about your stolen documents – that’s what would have done me in, after panic had taken its course. I sincerely hope you have somehow gotten that issue straightened out, my friend.
Wishing you the best of luck with the next phase of your adventure. And as that delightful ‘Doreenism’ goes,
‘Eat that elephant’ in little portions; lighter meals are easier to digest, and besides, they leave more room for delicious desserts, like dipping your feet in the lake, while Fisherman does his stuff!
xx
Poppy
SharonFromMichigan says
Oh my goodness, they stole your important papers! – there really are evil people in this world. I would suggest calling the State Department (1-877-487-2778) as the number one thing to report those stolen passports. You’d be surprised how fast someone will sell those and try to use them. Once you report them stolen, whoever tries to use them (even if they try to alter them) will get caught and will do jail time. I would also make sure to notify the three main credit bureaus (The three major national credit bureaus are:
•Equifax, 1-800-685-1111
Fraud Hotline: 1-888-766-0008
•Experian, 1-888-397-3742
Fraud Hotline: 1-888-397-3742
•TransUnion, 1-800-916-8800
Fraud Hotline: 1-800-680-7289)
Stolen identities usually lead to a lot of new credit card applications being filed. You’ll need to stop that as soon as you can.
At least you’re in no hurry to get the house in order. Take your time and enjoy a couple of naps too!
Doreen says
Thank you so much for taking the time to give me that information Sharon! It’s very much appreciated. We canceled our passports on Tuesday, and we are members of a Fraud Protection company so with any luck we should be ok.
Jane says
Oh, wow…you and The Fisherman have been to hell and back. I admire your strong will. Driving in wicked conditions scares the heck out of me. I’m so glad you both made it safely. I am so sorry about your stolen things, that sickens me. You seem to have your head on straight about it.
I’m wishing you all the best in getting all moved in and organized. I would be the first to come over and help if I could! Keep us posted.
XO,
Jane
Cecilia says
Oh Doreen! I’m so sorry to hear about your important papers being stolen. How awful! I hope you get that straighten out ASAP and with no more ill effects.
Your trip to the cabin sounds stressful…snow?! ice?! Wow, winter just doesn’t want to let go, does it? I’m glad you made it safely though. Now you just have all the unpacking to do. You’ll get there! As you said, ” one bite at a time!” And yes, I’ve heard that saying before…can’t believe your husband or friends hadn’t heard of it. 🙂
I think I better start getting rid of stuff so that in three years, I’m not having to move all this junk. Yikes, that thought is too overwhelming.
Hugs,
Cecilia
Denise says
Holy cow! That’s quite a story. I’m glad you’re both safe and sound now and ready to settle down.
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
I am so sorry that your moving experience was a horrendous one…I can’t imagine how upset you were to discover the missing box of cash and important documents….I am glad you two are safe and sound and that trip down the mountain must have been a nightmare for you….Hopefully there are many more better days ahead…don’t work too hard…will look forward to your progress!
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
I did stop breathing for awhile there while I was in the car with you in the snow!
UGH what a night! I want to hear why the porch steps were disconnected in your next installment! 🙂
And you do need to get your papers, passports etc back!!
Cynthia Keeley says
Oh,Doreen! That was quite a story!! I’m so sorry for all that stress in what should have been a more exciting time for you both. Sometimes, people just stink, huh?
Enjoy your new adventure and try not to worry about getting everything put away right now. It will happen, so have faith!
Sending you HUGS!
Cyn
Brenda Callis says
My goodness, Doreen, waiting to exhale here too, realizing that I’ve held my breath during this account and a few other older posts. I wish I could just pat you on the back or better yet, send you to a good masseuse. You and your husband both deserve some time to rest but it sounds like you must tackle that elephant pretty soon. I have no doubt you’ll accomplish all that needs to be done but please take time for some self-care too.
Going back to answer your email to me now. Just had to catch up on your world first and may I say that I wish some lovely spring weather ahead of you there on that mountain.
Doreen@househoneys says
Thank you Dewena and you are so spot on! We do need to tackle some things first, but fully intend to relax soon enough. I wanted to answer your email but couldn’t (I think that happened last time too). Your daughter’s place sounds fabulous and who knows…maybe our paths will cross someday down there?!
kimberly says
Doreen
What a move! I feel so badly for what you have been through.
I pray it will be smoother sailing from here on out for you.
I’m looking forward to seeing your cabin when you get it all in order!
Amy @ StowandTellU says
Oh, Doreen, I can’t believe that the very people you are giving donations to had the audacity to steal from you. I’m so glad to see from the comments that you were able to proceed with getting it all reported and such. It does seem sometimes that when it rains, it pours, or snows in your case, I was on the edge of my seat reading and hoping you made it up and down that hill okay, thank goodness. I hope you are getting settled and comfy. Congratulations on your new life chapter.
Andi says
I am so incredibly stressed out for you! Holy crap! I pray things calm down and improve for you!!
-andi