A Long, Long Way To Go

Here is what I have done so far:

My next move it to go to the MVA, get a North Carolina driver's license so I can go to the dump.  I need to start moving the recycling because here, they only pick it up every two weeks ~ and in two weeks, I won't be able to get into the garage!

Thank goodness it is a two car garage!

Love,
Leslie

One Room ~ Almost.....

Just so you know, today, I will have ONE room unpacked and set up.  It is 3pm and I see light at the end of the Keeping Room tunnel.  Just a first step.  So -

There are a couple of boxes left to unpack, move the table, put down a different oriental rug, get a lamp, some objects d'art and Voila!!!!!! One room down, 7 more to go.

While unpacking, I am also purging - I have a couple of boxes for my BFF's - the Purple Heart guys.  Honestly, how many vegetable peelers do we need?  We have way to much duplicate stuff, so I am keeping the best and recycling the other.

Here is all the paper that I have gone through.

I switched the carpet and Bennett immediately laid down on it.

Then Melanie joined him.

Please note, the boxes are gone from this end of the room.

The red leather chair and ottoman are in the right corner, with Amy's leaf table next to it.  You can't see it, but I have placed Amy's celedon green vase on the shelf under her table - it picks up the color in the pillow and carpet. 

I guess you will have to come in and see it.  Tomorrow, more books on the book shelves.

The sun is shining, it is 48 degrees and the snow is melting.  It is amazing how the temperature fluxuates so much here.  That may be why my neighbor told me that they don't clear the driveway or sidewalks, they just wait for it to melt.

Hmmmm.  I did get the sidewalk cleared and 90 % of the driveway.  I will finish it tonight.

:) Leslie

This Feels Like Maryland!!!!!!

When I went to bed, the snow had started. 

We got up and Wow!  They predicted 8 to 10 inches of snow and we got it!!!!  I got out the snow shovel and started in on the front.  Then I worked on the back porch and knocked snow off the trees.  One next to the drive way will need to be staked and tied to stand up straight.

Mom suggested that I "hire" someone to shovel.  Who would that be?  My neighbor came out and said "We usually wait for this to melt."  And his shovel was one with the straight edge that you dig in the dirt to plant with.  I wonder if I will also buy into that mantra by next year.


This is the view out the front door.

The view of the back porch.

 

Oh, and by the way, this pictures were taken with my new iphone!!

 



This is my progress today - after shoveling the driveway.

I met the little girl from next door - Jordan (she is the eldest of 4) and she is 7.  And I met her friend, Sadie, who lives in the cul-de-sac.  They talked to me while I shoveled the drive.  Which is why I probably didn't finish it. 
Time for bed - more boxes and more snow tomorrow. 

Love, Leslie

Another Day of Purging

More boxes - opening, laying out the paper, seeing what God forsaken thing got packed, bagging the paper, putting away the stuff, breaking down the box, etc., etc., etc.

The dogs and I went on the walk in the state park.  Here are the pictures: 

This is the start of the trail head.

As we begin to walk.

Following the trail.

Here we are at the top.

Back at home.

Melanie is exhausted!

Lori came over and invited us out to dinner.  Jim and Maren met us at El Corral - their favorite Mexican restarant.  It was delicious.  And packed.  Everyone was out to eat in preparation of being snowed in for several days.  Suppposedly we will get 8 to 10 inches of snow.  Really?

Amy called and said 4 groups of people have been thru the house.  She says the number one complaint is that the rooms need to be painted.  Which we knew.  Also, someone offered a VERBAL bid, which the realator says is legit.  Amy says it was lowball, but she had to report it to mom.  They offered $430,000.00.  Amy is going to counter.  

Almost time for the Duke - Virginia Tech basketball game.  Go Duke.

Love,
Leslie

First Snow

I slept in a bit this morning.  Got up, fed the dogs, got cleaned up.  This is a bit embarrassing, but, I cannot figure out how to work the hand held shower.  It is new - but still.

As I went to let the dogs out.......it is snowing.  Surprise.

The problem is that it is 21 degrees.  Lori just called me to tell me that I might want to go to the grocery store.  Law school waited for Maren to get there before they closed.  Jim has a trial in Wake County and the jury was called, so he went in to work.  And another snow storm is in the next couple of days.

Lori reminded me that there is only one snow plow - and that is why everything is closed or in panic mode.  Ok, I have 4-wheel drive, but I have to watch out for the other guy.

I am going to get mom up and make a run out to see the world at Harris Teeter.

Spring training is getting ready to start and Surprise Surprise, as I was surfing on the television, I found that we have the MLB network!!!!! Makes me very happy!

Dreaming of baseball,
Leslie

New Phones

You have to credit Amy, I have the iphone 6.  It is so sad to let go of the phone that I know how to work.

I spent 2.5 hours with Kyle, the tech supervisor with Apple, who helped me to set the phone up.  I will gladly have his children.

We also have a new house phone - with Amy's voice on voice mail, so it sounds exactly as it always has. 

Mom and I did a total of 10 boxes today.  I am creating a box to put stuff in to get rid of what should have been gotten rid of before we moved.  Honestly.  This make take days!!!!!

So, the new house number is:  919-251-9922 and my cell number is:  919-368-7904.

And, be aware that I just sent out e-mails with my cell as the house number.  Oh well.
I am tired.

Love,
Leslie

Begining the Unboxing

I think the unboxing is the bad end of the deal.  Where do you put all the paper, etc?  I got on line and looked up the garbage and recycling policies in Durham, NC.  Turns out, luckily enough, that our trash day is the same as in Davidsonville.  Thursdays.  And recycling is every other Thursday.  BUT, you are only allowed to have ONE extra bag of trash and you MUST place it on top of the green garbage can.

I also looked to find the recycling center - I probably will be driving out there with the broken down boxes and paper.

Amy left to go back to Maryland and she promises to take her car to the car place on Rt. 2 and not clean it out herself.  Remember, that is how she tore her ACL.

My poison ivy is better ~ but what a pain. 

Back to the unboxing.  You know, it took 6 people  one day to box it.  So, it should take me 6 days to unbox it.  We'll see.

I have done 4 boxes - and it is 1:22.  Mom just came in wanting an Arby's sandwich.  Hmmm.  She wondered if I knew where one was.  Hmmmm.  I am giving her Jim's homemade lasagna and some red wine. 

Love,
Leslie

First Day in New House

We are moving around very slowly today.  Amy is still in her pajamas, with this fancy brace on her leg - icing her knees. 

There are boxes everywhere, and last night, I could not find the dining room light switch to turn out the lights.  And, with the boxes, sort of a maze.

I did clear Mom's bathroom counter, gave her 3 towels and now she is taking a nap.  Amy is going to shower, but has to be careful, there is no shower curtain, yet.  We got a tension rod and tried to install it, but broke it.  Isn't that typical? 

I spent a couple of hours breaking up the enormous ice floe in the driveway and right now, it is so nice outside!  It feels balmy! 

Bennett investigating Mom's bathroom. 

This is Amy with the movers bringing in the furniture and boxes.  It was SO COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This will be the living room and the windows are to the screened porch.

All these boxes are for the dining room.  ??????????

 



This is where we served pizza to the crew yesterday.  Boxes, boxes, boxes.

                            This is the view from where I am blogging.  Note the boxes.

 

This is still my view and this is the big baker's rack that Mom loves and it fits nicely against the wall.

 

So, all is well.  Amy is getting ready to get on the road - she did order dog food and new water soaker mats to go infront of the doors.  Amy is also talking to Tommy the plumber who is coming to hook up the ice maker and will hang a shower curtain rod in the bathroom where Amy and I tried and failed to hang one.

 

We did meet some neighbors.  On the right side of the house are Chris and Kelly (Amy met them).  And on the left are Reggie and Amy and they have 4 little kids.  I think there are alot of kids, we just haven't seen them yet, due to the weather.

 

Right now, at 11 am, everyone is taking a nap.  It was really quite exhausting - and there is lots more to go.  But, it doesn't have to happen in one day.

 

Love,

Leslie









We Have Arrived!

We made it to our new home!  We arrived about 6:30pm to our house all lit up ~ Jim, Lori, Maren and Snoopy were waiting fore us with wine, beer, little snacks.........it was great. 

The house is beautiful and is currently quiet, except for Snoopy prowling around - everyone left and I am staying with the dogs in a lovely, quiet home.  They are going to eat, and will bring me something back and drop Mom off at the Hilton.  I am camping out in our new home. 

It is 22 degrees here in Durham and there is a sheet of ice (2 inches thick) and snow on the top of our driveway where you enter the garage.  The weather is supposed to turn tomorrow and warm up ( Heavenly!!!)

There was snow on the ground all the way from Annapolis.  I have never seen it like that. 

Ok, the start of our adventures.  Oh, please excuse no pictures - I cannot find my camera cord and will put them in later.

Yesterday the movers come to the house in a HUGE semi!  6 guys and they were terrific.  Amy hired Town and Country Movers.  She said they were the ones that would pack up her chandelier, and they were comparable to the other companies.  They itemized everything and wrapped everything beautifully.  They also packed or moved Mom's luggage, so she had nothing.

This semi is filled to the gills! 

They were in the house all day and finished before 6.  We packed up what was left and went to spend the night at the Marriott Residence Inn.  Very Nice!  It had a fire place and sold composite logs, so Amy bought one and had a fire for Mom.  It was so Cold!!!! 7 degrees last night.  We left our house with the water dripping and the bathroom cabinets to the sinks all open so the pipes wouldn't freeze.

The dogs came with us - Amy and Mom had their own rooms and I had the sofa bed that I shared with Bennett and Melanie (my labs). 

This morning, Amy and I went to the house to do some cleaning, someone might be coming to see the house this weekend - and that is when we realized that Mom's stuff was not in the house.  I had to go get her something to carry her thru till we unpacked.  We had to hurry back to the hotel to check out by 12 - then off to Nancy's to get the birds.  We packed both cars to the brim.  It was jam packed. 

But we made it.
Snoopy wants to sit in my lap and the other dogs are sacked out.  I am enjoying the quiet. 

More later.
Love,
Leslie

Packing Day

I think it is the quietest it has ever been here at 8:30pm - all the televisions are gone except the one in the master bedroom.  The lights are packed.  I am typing this by the light of the computer screen and the light in the laundry room.  I think I miss the lights that used to be in the center of every ceiling.

It is currently 27 degrees and according to Jim, it is 9 degrees in Durham, NC.  That seems so wrong.  Evidently, the polar vortex clipper whatever hasn't hit here yet. 

The packers were here today.  6 guys and their leader, Armando.  Who Amy can't seem to remember his name.  They were terrific and Armando tried so hard to have them be specific about what they would and wouldn't pack.  They packed everything.  EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!

Packing up the den.

Packing up the mirror.

Moving the mirror.

The moving van.

I had to go to the drug store and get mom a new toothbrush and I had to get some poison ivy crème, because, they packed everything. 

I think Amy is upstairs vacuuming.  I wonder what she is doing. 

So, tomorrow Amy sees an orthopedic surgeon.  He is the Olympic snowboarding surgeon.  How cool is that?  I will stay here and appear like I know what I am doing with the movers and the dogs and mom.  Then we spend the night at the Marriott Residence Inn (they have no idea what they are in for) and then, North Carolina bound. 

This might be a good time to go to bed early.  I might give it a try.

Yes, Amy the newly gimpy is running the vacuum cleaner.  I am going to go up and see what is going on.

Good Night from the Crazy House.

Love, Leslie

I Am Beginning to Think Longingly of Nevada ~ Southern Nevada

Not really, but it is 25 degrees at 1:37 pm (wind chill 17), and we got the snow.  Amy, got up and shoveled some of the deck so Melanie and Buffy would go outside.

I called the Baird boys from up on Williamsburg and hired them to come over and shovel.  I got the deck all cleared, put out pet-friendly salt and then helped do the drive way.  And cleared where the snow plows went through.  I do have to go and clear away the mailbox. 

My feet got wet and I did go in and change and put on wool socks and dry boots.

Now it is time to do the laundry.

The guys did a good job in the old computer room and redid the entire ceiling.  They will be here tomorrow to paint.  The packers also come tomorrow. 

Yesterday, Torii and Bruce Campbell stopped by and we had a lovely time!  Torii got some more depression glass and a bag of bulbs.  Torii says she will be coming thru our new neck of the woods on the college tour with Martha - so hopefully we will see them again.  Soon.

I do think longingly of the new house with the gas fireplace - and the nice short concrete driveway - minimal shoveling.  Hmmmmmm.

Oh, Amy spoke to Debbie the Realtor about the people who came the other day.  Debbie said that they looked at 5 houses and only went in 3!  And that their realtor said ours looked really good. 

I will not understand people who look at houses - I am not sure that home buying shows on HGTV are helpful.

Now we are going to make a reservation at a dog friendly hotel in Annapolis.  They have no idea.

:)Leslie

Another Winter Storm

I had such plans.  Amy was flying home today from Durham and I had the arrival time as 12:52pm.  I was going to the shredder place to finally unload Dad's taxes, checks, etc. And then swing by the dump and get rid of the recycling.  The best laid plans.

I swing by the dump and of course, it is closed because it is a holiday - President's Day.  I am sorry - NOT convenient!!!!!  So, off to the shredder place.  I find it and again, of course, these people really didn't clear their driveway and didn't shovel their steps and the incline was down and there was ice.

I entered with each bin to the door in front of the jeep.  Up un-cleared stairs. Of course

 

 



As I pull away from the place, Amy calls and I think she is telling me that she is at the RDU airport getting on her plane.  No, she is telling me that she is at BWI and where am I?  And, yes, I got the arrival time wrong!!!!!!!

Well, I wasn't sure the quickest way or the way to the airport from where I was - and I got  lost and really had no idea where I was.  I know, a smart phone would have helped.  Oh well.

I did get Amy, made a run to the Safeway which was hammered because everyone is shopping in front of this 8 inches of snow coming.  And then, of course, Chipolte's for Amy.

My last Purple Heart pick up.

These guys are fixing the computer room ceiling.

This is what it looked like in the back of my car before I went to the shredder.
 

So, Amy is watching the two episodes of "The Walking Dead" that she had missed.  I just sounds like drains cleaning - I am not really watching.  It is snowing and about time to take the dogs out.  Since Amy is limping, I will be the dog walker. 

One day closer to Spring and the day Pitchers and Catchers report.

Love, Leslie

The First Showing of the House

 

It has been a wild couple of days ~ Amy closed on the new house in Durham on Friday and was planning on coming back here on Sunday, but because the weather went so bad - gale force winds, major wind chill...she decided to stay in Durham until Monday.

Amy closing on the new house (Snoopy on lap - Lori's dog who thinks he is Amy's dog)

The Realtor was coming to the house at 1:30pm today (Sunday) ~ she had another realtor who wanted to show the house to a couple from Virginia.  Amy's realtor was to meet them here because she did not have the key to the house.

My job was to straighten and clean as much as I could with the understanding that the house was not on the market yet and that we are trying to get ready for the move on Thursday.

So, I worked.  I asked Mom to straighten her room and bed.  When I got up stairs, Mom had clean sheets set out so I could make her bed.  I politely said that I was not changing the sheets, I would straighten up the bed.

Anyhow, this is how the downstairs looked:

The entrance hall.

The living room



The kitchen

 

 

The Den

 

The Dining Room, aka a work in progress

 

So, the house looked as good as I could get it.  At 1:30, Mom and I waited.  For Debbie, so we could give her the key.  At about 2pm, the other realtor and the couple from Virginia arrived.  I hustled Mom and the dogs into her car in the garage.  Of course, Mom brought two bag and had difficultly getting in the car. 

 

I go back into the house to speak to the realtor.  And he says "Thank you, we looked at the house and we're done.  They have certain parameters they are looking for."  They were in the house a HOT 3 minutes.  So they left, I got the dogs out of the car and then got Mom back in the house.  Then I walked the dogs and then Debbie showed up. 

 

A lot of work for.........I am not sure, but it does look nice.

 

Oh, and here is a pic of my neighbor, David, who installed our new door knob for me yesterday - he is a great neighbor!!!!!!

 

 

 

So the locked box is on the door knob and now I need a nap.

 

Tomorrow, the crew comes to fix the drywall in the old computer room and Amy comes home from Durham and then.....Purple Heart comes again and then the move starts to the new house!!!!!

 

Exhausted and tired,

Love,

Leslie

Success!!!!

Whew!!!!! Success!!! Amy made it onto the airplane and safely arrived in Durham.  All is well.

But first, I have to tell you that I was most pleasantly surprised today ~ my State Executive Director, Lisa Spicknall, invited me to lunch at Lures.  I had the day plotted on the calendar - and had nothing else.

Surprise!!

This is one day after I started the meds.  It looks so MUCH better!!!

I got a pretty bad case of poison ivy and needed to see a doctor.  This was Thursday.
I was able to get a 10:15am doctor's appointment at my favorite Rightime Pediatrics so someone could look at my massive poison ivy on my left hand.  Before I go to the luncheon.  I got a shot that didn't hurt getting it, but wow did it later!!!  I also got two sets of pills and a lotion.  Hopefully it will knock it out.  Lesson learned:  you can still get the nasty stuff even after several freezes.

Amy had the basement guys come and they arrived at 8 am to redo all the insulation.  Then she made a reservation and we had to figure out how to get her to the airport.  I called Lisa and asked it I could bring Amy and she said "Yes". 

So it all worked out.  Had a fabulous lunch with Surprise!  My speakers from my Victim Impact panels - Jan Withers (past MADD National president), her husband, Joe Sikes, Paula Celentano, Donna Beck, Diane Williams and Chuck Hurley ( not a speaker, but a big wig with MADD).  I am still so touched - all of us have touched each others lives, cried, laughed and grew together.  It is very difficult to leave, but I know they will thrive and grow.

Got to the airport - got to drive Amy's new car and it is very nice! 

I also picked up our new art piece from my most favorite frame shop - the U-Frame It shop on Riva Road.  It is perfect for our new house - and, one of a kind.

Love it!!!! Looks alot better now than in the plastic cases in the bathroom!

I am only sorry that I didn't get a picture of Amy in the wheelchair carrying her crutches and carry on bag.  After all my years with wheelchairs, I still managed to whack Amy's foot in the elevator and hit a bump and almost tipped her right out.  OMG!!!!!!

But, success - we made it.

Love,
Leslie

Gotta Be Careful!

You know when you are busy and running everywhere, trying to get things done - if you are not careful, you can sometimes have an untimely accident.  Not me!!!!! Amy was running around getting ready to drive to Durham tomorrow, because she closes on the house on Friday.  She decides to vacuum out her car and as she goes out the garage door, carrying the vacuum cleaner, she turns to call her dog, Buffy.


She feels herself falling, so she jumps, hits the concrete floor and hears her knee pop.


I take her to the ER - and Mom's traveling wheelchair was a big help! Everyone should have one!! The whole way we talked about what the injury could be and how it will impact the trip to Durham. 


I volunteered to drive down, Amy's friend Anne volunteered to drive Amy to Durham.  I also tossed out flying or going by train.


To pass the time, I texted Nancy (who went to sit with Mom), Lori, Carole and Carolyn.  Carolyn called immediately back and talked to Amy and gave her diagnosis.


3 hours later - good news.  No break, maybe a stretching or straining of the ligaments. (Dr. Carolyn Hardin is Correct!!)  She has crutches, we will get the elastic sleeve to stabilize the knee.  She is supposed to see an orthopedic - she says she will when she gets back, or maybe in Durham.


So, all is well.  Oh, my tooth was a chip and not a major break.  Now if this poison ivy would go away!


Be well!!!
Love, Leslie

Almost...the Last Hurrah

On Saturday, Anne (Amy's friend) and Mike and his girls came over to help get stuff out of the attic.  It made it go much faster!

This is the left side of the porch with stuff for the Purple Heart.  Please note the self portrait of Mom that she was willing to get rid of - we saved it.

The right side of the porch - loaded and gone.

Maddie and Caroline who helped.

What a day!!!!!! The 1-800-Got-Junk guys came and finished emptying the attic and basement.  Luckily, the weather held up - no snow and no rain.

The basement - emptied.

The other side of the basement with what is going with us.  In case you wondered, those are Mom's waterski's - maybe we will hang them in the porch.

The right side of the attic.

The left side of the attic - please note the hideous set of drawers that mom refused to get rid of.  (They belonged to Ruth Galloway.)

How much stuff left, you ask?  Two FULL trucks!!!!!!!

These guys worked so hard and were fabulous.  In total, from the Thomas House - 6 trucks.
One good wind might knock this house over. 

I still have to go to the shredder and to the dump - my car is loaded.  The garage is an ongoing project, but I have the weekend.

I am off to the dentist because, of course I broke a tooth on Saturday.  Luckily, no pain.  I also have a bumper crop of poison ivy on my left hand.  I did not know you could still get it in the winter.  I saw some on a small tree that had come down in a bad spot, so I carefully shifted the tree into the woods.  I thought I was careful, but apparently not. 

So, we are on a roll and Amy has the plumber, the cable, the phone people all ready to go when she gets to Durham.  She is fabulous! 

Time to go. 

Love, Leslie