Too Little Too Late

I should have asked Willa for her help much sooner than this. I am just not ready. Taking down the PC this morning. Can't afford the diversion. Wish me luck and good health.

Unfinished Business

Awoke at 3 a.m. from the underlying tension created by the move. Got up and packed a few things, folded the flannel sheets I washed yesterday. Packed away a couple of lamps in a clothing box. Set aside clothing and chachkes for Goodwill. Packed up the dog box and a plastic container of bathroom items.

Need:
1. packing tape (3 rolls)
2. book boxes (4)
3. picture boxes (2)

Today Willa will help me with the last 2 rooms. Very difficult for me to make those hard decisions about letting go of the excess. Chris offered to make the Goodwill run(s). I have actually collected some stuff for that purpose.

Had to move to Plan B. Robin's father has been moved to ICU and his future is not promising. I thanked her for her generous offer of help but the timing is just not good for her and she doesn't need the additional stress.

Fortunately Kay and Peggy are up for the drive south. One of them will drive my car and one of them will drive their car. I will drive the UHaul unless Kay wrests it away from me. I'm not sure which would make me more comfortable. The car will be packed to the gills with suitcase, CPAP, Camera, food box and who knows what else. They will drive over Wednesday night and we'll get out of here Thursday on our own schedule.

I just confirmed pickup of the UHaul at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning.

With Willa's help I was able to get a LOT of packing done today. Lots more than I thought I had to go. Now I'm sorting through papers in the office with an eye to getting rid of what I can.

Panic begins to Creep In

3.5 days before the Moving Help arrives. The essentials are packed but there is a lot left for me to do before I can call it a done deal.

Had a great, relaxing evening last night at Cal and Karla's. I was her guinea pig for Scallops with Cous Cous and Spinach. Excellent dinner. I made them a gift of my Peach Vodka which was our before dinner drink mixed with orange juice. What a yummy idea!

The next 3 days will be focused heavily on getting this done in a timely manner.

Awoke with a bit of Enthusiasm

Cleared the Coat Closet of mostly clothes I don't wear any longer. This is the time to say goodbye to the excess. No regrets as I get rid of the white elephants.

Dinner tonight with Cal and Karla. Might propose a job for Cal. If he is interested I could have a Driver for the UHaul Truck then I could take the calm, easy approach and get this move over with in a civilized fashion.

At any rate this week is IT. Must have it all together by noon on Wednesday or it will be a disaster. Might even have to accept some packing help. LOSS OF CONTROL!!!

Focus on Getting it Done

Before the day had even begun I packed a box of canned goods and will store them in the car until moving day. I also packed a TJs bag of food items from the pantry. Whatever doesn't get packed will be donated. These are mostly staple items I know I will use.

No book boxes in sight anywhere. I will just use the boxes I have and be judicious about weight. I will need something for packing the pictures to make sure they are protected.

The goal today is to clear the office area and get the filing into an appropriate container. I have a printer and a scanner to give away to somebody.

Very Slow Start

Alarm sounded at 6 a.m. but I didn't crawl out of bed until 7:30. At 8 a.m. Chris T. came over for coffee and venting. Haircut today while the dogs are with Willa. Dinner tonight with Don at Tad's Chicken and Dumplings on the Sandy River in Troutdale.

Focus is on books and pictures today. With perhaps some progress in the Office area. More update as the days goes on.

Last night I rearranged the herb garden contents in a disposable pot and added the bird feeder full of peanuts. The squirrels are ecstatic, opening the lid and taking the peanuts.

Up Early but Starting Really Slow

You know you are moving when...
The coffeemaker gets packed.

I added the teas, the red cups and holder, some placemats for cushioning and some packaged goods. The Coffee Grinder and Bodum can go in another box of their own or with the pots and pans.

Still conflicted about food items but I will take the canned staples.

Haven't looked for the empty Book and Picture boxes yet. Instead I am watching Charlie Rose and contemplating a daily nap for renewed energy to get on with it all.

Found 1 picture box in the garage. It might accomodate 2 pictures. I should go buy another box for the other pictures.

Emptied the planter pots so that they are 'ready' to go and cleared the front porch. Filled the bird feeder with peanuts for 'Baby' and the other squirrels.

A Day's Progress

Table Linens, Bedding and Kitchen Appliances are now packed away. Decisions to be made on the contents of the Pantry. I had not planned to take food but I hate giving up the Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Paste, Chicken Broth and Mushroom Soup.

Bath items are 'contained'. Tomorrow I'd better focus on Books.

6 a.m. Start to the Day

Awoke to a leaky toilet. Need to call Maintenance and get this fixed NOW. Can't stand that sound.

Finishing up on the 3rd wardrobe box, I need to tackle the other small items that get collected. Purge or keep, what is the decision?

1. Bathrooms
2. Sewing Room
3. Office
4. Kitchen
5. Dining Room
6. Living Room
7. Outside (Patios, Pots, etc)

JUST DO IT!

One week from today it all goes into the UHaul truck headed for Arcata, CA.

Up and at em at 7:30

So far the dogs have been out, I've had a shampoo and bath, I'm dressed to the shoes and drinking fresh hot French Market Coffee and I've eaten a DETOUR, deluxe whey protein energy bar. I'll have an apple to feel as if I've had breakfast.

The plan today is to finish the bedroom and bathrooms as far as purging and packing goes. I still have 10 days counting the day the truck is loaded. That's not much time to get it all done at the pace I've been going.

No more small rewards until the major line has been crossed.

Still to go:
1. Sewing Room
2. Office
3. Kitchen
4. Dining and Living Rooms

It might help me to put the packed boxes in the garage so that I can see just what is not packed.

Truck and Moving Help is reserved from 4/29-5/2

Up at 6:30

Started with maintenance this morning. Emptied the trash cans in bathroom and kitchen, soaked the CPAP Mask, put a load in the Dryer.

2 Shorty Wardrobe boxes are fully packed and sealed. 1 more to go. Mirror is in the box but I forgot to pick up the corner protectors. I'll finish the bedroom today then tackle the bathrooms.

Need to round up and inventory all empty boxes that I have and put them to good use or discard them.

Around Noon I went shopping at Sears for a new Fridge to match the new Stove and Microhood. I found the perfect answer ON SALE.

Up early and focused on packing for the move

Today I will fill the wardrobe boxes with clothing and linens. I can probably get the table lamps into the boxes nestled in sheets and blankets. I'll keep some sweaters and pants in the suitcase to wear as I finish up this major task of relocation.

I can't get an idea at this point of whether or not I am making the progress needed to finish up on time.

The dogs stayed home...

as I met Cathy and Chris at the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden for a major photo shoot.

Afterwards we had lunch at the Corbett Fish House. Cathy has made great strides in recovering from her stroke.

Too Tense to sleep

Up at 3 a.m. ready to 'rock and roll'. The dogs are managing to keep their wits about them as possessions get piled into boxes for the BIG MOVE back to California.

Yesterday I finally picked up the Wardrobe Boxes and a couple of picture boxes. I'm trying to do this in an organized fashion. Packing everything in each room that is a necessity or real desire. As usual I am finding it difficult to let go of anything 'useful'.

I'm planning to break loose for a couple of hours today and spend some leisure time with Cathy and Chris at Crystal Springs. This is heal the soul time.


.

Serious Packing Day Ahead

Awoke to a light but steady rain. Dogs won't be wanting much to do with dog walks today.

1. Go to UHaul for moving boxes.
2. Stop by Wal Mart to see what they can do about the 'dropout' left lens on my new glasses. Turns out the left lens was cut smaller than the frame and doesn't seat well. The glass are being remade.
3. Do some packing and sorting.
4. Relax and enjoy dinner out with Don.

Productive Day Overall

Analyzed the bids coming in from Movers. Higher than I want to pay yet reasonable for what I am shipping. Need to speak with 2 more companies before decided on a Binding Quote.

Replaced my Auto Insurance with Geico coverage which will save me some in lower premiums and I'll still be with a reputable company. Made sure my current policy expires on April 30.

Stripped the Office Wallpaper (easier than I expected).

Resolved the phone issue and have decided to scrap the iPhone and go back to a Cell Phone that's just a cell phone.

Took Chris' photos off my computer. Put them on a CD for her. Chris and Alice then took me to dinner at Du's Grill.

So, did I pack anything? NO! But I did sort through some papers in the Office. Tomorrow I will pick up 2 Wardrobe boxes and a TV box and purge 3 boxes in the Office.

Here's the Easter Sunday Pic of the Day

Took this shot of Patti O on the Sacramento River as we strolled snapping macros of flowers on Easter Morning.

April 15th - Not Sweating the Taxes

Yesterday I efiled my Income Tax and the IRS has already accepted it! Karin called in the late afternoon and I worked with her via telephone to file her return.

I can concentrate on purging, packing and restoring the apartment for the move back to California. I started by cleaning the Fridge, debating whether or not to replace it before the move. I like it but my stove will be black and this one won't necessarily 'fit in'. Decisions!!!

New Kitchen Cabinets in the Townhouse

Fridge is white single door and will go to the left of the cabinet. Double Stainless Steel Sink and Faucet yet to be purchased. The Dishwasher Cabinet will be used for Recycling. Corner cabinet is a Lazy Susan.

The Microhood and Ceramic Stovetop Range are black. The 36 inch space on either side of the Stove/Cabinet section will have Metal Utensil Racks and 2 Cherry Shelves on each side for open storage. The right side cabinet is a narrow one for trays and baking sheets and 4 drawers for storage. Cookbooks will be above the Microhood.

Coffee maker and Crockpot will most likely be placed near the stove.

Caught in the act of stripping wallpaper

Willa offered to help with stripping the wallpaper from the living room, bedroom and office walls. Do I really need this task with all the packing left to do? This room is the goal for today. I will finish the other rooms as I go along.
As she and I worked 6 hours stripping the living room walls Minnie, Max and Rosie did their doggie thing. The wallpaper is coming off remarkably well. Glad I took the time to prepare the wall with sizing.

Remodeling, Updating, Repair and Maintenance

This is a CAD Drawing of the kitchen. Imagine a white single door Fridge, no Dishwasher, all black Microhood and Ceramic top stove. The kitchen is a Pearly Peach.

The Living Room is 3 Poinsettia walls with 10 ft of window facing NW.

The Stairwell is Farmer's Eggshell White

What began as a brief stint to get things going became a month long effort by Superwoman to get the Townhouse 'Move-in Ready'. Painted, clean and odor free, he Vinyl floors are going in today in the 3 bathrooms. The base cabinets are also being installed today in the kitchen. The Stairs and both landings are Mohawk Carpet in a Multi called Ruby. The rest of the Townhouse will be Tuscan Oak Laminate.