Getting There

We weren't able to do any moving on Thursday as planned, but I did take the weekend off and we started on Friday.
We have moved about 70% of our possessions. I am amazed at how much we have managed to accumulate over the last 9 years (actually, we never opened a few boxes from our last move).

The family all stayed the night (the last two). It was nice and comfortable. I don't think any of the kids had problems. That's a real blessing. We still need to get the water system straightened out. The well water needs treatment for iron and a bit of sulfer smell. I'm looking into different treatment systems. Very costly, but necessary if you want to preserve your fixtures and drink from the tap. So for now, we are still showering at the old house.

I'm back at work tonight and catching up on the things that didn't get completed in my absence. It's not too bad, though. Kind of nice to get away from all the noise and frenzy of moving.

I'll be taking a truck load down to the new place every morning after I get off work for the next few days. Then a few hours of sleep and fix a few things or put some furniture together. Full days ahead, no doubt.

We're finally getting rid of the waterbed after 15 years. It's time to get a mattress that is better on our bodies. We were able to get a queen sized Serta Posturepedic from a local clearinghouse for $500. Hopefully that will help my wife's back issues. She is better, but I think the waterbed has made it worse.

Please continue to pray for us. There have been some bumps in the road. Some of the kids are not handling the relocation well. They feel that we are now too far away from friends and activities. New boundaries to adjust to as well. It's not Montana, so I don't know what their problem is. We're talking 25 miles! That's all! Pray that I will be sensitive and will find ways to help them adjust. Pray that I will be gentle and kind hearted. I'm tired and cranky lately and need to not let that color my interactions with the kids and my wife.

I'll get around to posting pictures sometime...
I've got to find a new internet service provider. There's no cable or DSL in our area, so I'm looking at satellite services. Something new to read up on. Just what I need - something to take more of my time.

I'm also looking into solar electric power generation. Not sure if we'll be able to totally cover our usage, but anything will help.

Thanks for reading and praying.

Moving!

Well, this is the week! I've finally been able to convince all parties involved that this is the best time to move (is there ever a good time to move?!). We have been taking stuff down with each trip for a little while, but this hasn't even dented the piles of things accumulated over the last 9 years in this house.

I'm not really looking forward to all the heavy lifting, but the alternative of paying professionals is not financially feasible.

My wife hurt her back a couple of weeks ago and she is visiting a chiropractor three times a week. She won't be able to help much with the lifting, but at least she will still be able to supervise packing and unpacking boxes.

The piano(s) movers will be at the house in the morning. We decided to have these items moved professionally. I've moved them before, but it really is taxing physically and I need all my energy for the rest of the stuff.

Looks like the major items (beds, chairs, tables, washer/dryer, etc.) will be moved on Thursday. I'll be getting off work that morning at 0600 and will be ready to go the whole day.

Fortunately, we don't have to do EVERYTHING in one day, but we really need to have all essentials moved so that there are minimal or no extra trips back for "something I forgot". I will finish up the rest of the little stuff over the next couple of weeks while renovations are going on to prepare the house for sale.

*Hey John! Now would be a good time to look into moving South! I know where you can get a good sized home for a reasonable price.

Seriously... if anyone knows of someone moving to my area (Delaware) in the next couple of months who needs housing, now would be a great time to contact me. The sooner the house is finished and sold, the better. Those extra mortgage payments are tough on a budget!

Pray for us! Not to be selfish, but pray more for me ;-) I've got a lot of lifting to do this week and I'm not in the shape I was the last time I helped someone move. I'm much rounder... lol!

I'm also interested in ideas for ways to "compensate" any volunteers we get to help out. Food? Movie Tickets? What would you want to receive as a thank you?

Still Closer!

Carpet's done! We were delayed a week, but now we're back on track.
The wood floor work will be done Wednesday and Thursday. Not sure why that got delayed...
Now all we have to do is finish painting and then we can move in!

It's really not that simple, but I'm trying to make it easier. We have two piano's to move in addition to all of our accumulated junk. Pray that we will have stamina to get it all done.

I need to order kitchen cabinets for the new section of counter that will eventually go in. We're kind of out of cash, so that will have to wait until we are already moved in.

We got the telephone hooked up today. Unfortunately, we won't be permitted to keep the phone number we've had for the last 19 years :-( Kind of a drag, but we are moving to a new zone (or whatever they call it).

There are still tons of little things that need to be finished inside, but the house is livable now and we can actually start moving stuff down. I figure we will move a little at a time until there is too much at the new house that we need and that will make us have to go.

We had a family bonfire on Saturday night. It was fun to get together and roast hotdogs and marshmallows. I forgot to get my mug of hot chocolate, though. Oh well, next time.

I've found another little property that I'm thinking of buying/fixing/selling. I have to get inside it and see what all is needed. If it all works out, I may be able to pocket $20,000-30,000 on this one. I've got to talk to someone about taxes on this type of activity before I get too deep into it. I want to do it all as a business and keep everything documented and above board.

I'll try to be a little more faithful with posting and including pictures. I'm such a bad blogger.

A little progress

Carpet goes down tomorrow and Saturday!!!
This is definately a milestone. It means the painting is almost done. I'm a little excited now.

I put the light fixtures up in my office and bath. Also put a light on the outside of the garage which was really needed. It's so dark out there at night and this light will make it easier to get around.

The kitchen lighting is done. I put the microwave receptacle in the cabinet where it needs to be. Waiting on some spackle to dry and a bit of paint before I can mount the microwave on the wall. We're going to have to wait a bit on the extra counter and cabinets. I'm running a little short on cash.

The floors are sanded and will be swept and ready for sealing on Sunday. I hadn't planned on refinishing the floors this year, but my builder guy went ahead and arranged it and it won't be that expensive. It'll cost much less to do it now rather than later. I've really said that a lot this project. Somehow we'll get all the bills paid.

Still haven't had the chance to download the pictures from my camera. Soon, I promise.

Another week gone...

and we're still not moved.

I just don't have enough hours in the day to accomplish all I need to do in order to move into this house. It's getting a bit discouraging. I'm working dayshift this weekend, so I don't have any time to work on the house for now. I'm hoping to get back to it again on Monday.

My wife is doing all the painting. I'm glad for that since I don't like to paint. She it taking a long time to finish and this is holding up the carpet installation. I'd rather she get it right, and be happy with the finished product, though.

I went down to the house last night and had a small bonfire. I needed the time to just stare at the flames and try to relax a bit. I was all by myself and left all the lights off. It's really amazing how many stars are visible once you get away from the cities.

That's all for the update today. Sorry no pictures. The camera is full of them, but I've not turned my home computer on in quite some time. Maybe in a couple of days.