This is the first of a four part series in which the writer chronicles her family's move to Las Vegas, Nevada in July of 2008.... Wait a minute! (Can you hear the record coming to a screeching halt?) One day while sitting around before we moved, I thought it would be funny to try to write about our move like it was a series in the newspaper, but I can't pull that off!
I have missed my little blog!!! I have to admit, I've taken notes over the last month and a half to remind myself what I wanted to write about.
So, here we go - the move, part one.
Okay, so this dates back to the end of May and beginning of June. I started getting ready for the move - organizing stuff and making a HUGE pile for a garage sale. As I am going thru old toys that are boxed up and have been for months, Russell is enthralled with all the toys he had forgotten about and wanted to keep them all. Since that wasn't an option, we bargained. You can keep that obnoxious Batman car, but you have to let go of 3 other things in this box kind of bargain. It was a win win for all - he got to keep a few toys and I still got to sell quite a few!
The garage sale was a big success, got rid of lots of stuff and had a lot of interest in the house as a rental. The kids would come out and try to make sales and sneak stuff back in the house.
June 9th, the packers come. I have most of the house organized and ready and am optimistic for a good crew. Well, the lady that packed the kitchen was awesome and that was it. The other three just rushed thru the job and missed some things. I was dreading getting our stuff, afraid that we were doomed for the one 'bad move'. Everyone in the military has the one 'bad move'. Was it our turn? (I'll give the spoiler, it didn't turn out too bad. More on that later. Maybe Part III????)
I splurged and had the house cleaned after it was empty, best $150 I have spent in a long time. We spent a lot of time at Betty's house across the street. Poor Betty, the kids and I brought all kinds of chaos with us those days! Betty has a little dog, Missy. The kids love Missy and she loves them. So, they all played very loudly all through Betty's house - chasing, barking, screaming, and throwing squeaky toys everywhere!!! Missy was worn out before we'd leave! Betty was a lifesaver during those days. While the movers were there we went over and hung out and I could nurse the baby, we'd take lunch and hang out when the cleaners came and while the carpets were being cleaned. It was nice to have some place to be while we had to tie up all those loose ends.
One Saturday after the house was empty, we needed to touch up paint and do a few things. Lois took Rowan for us so we could get stuff done. I tell you, I miss our neighbors terribly. Not only were they so helpful, but we became wonderful friends too. They were hard to leave.
So, you might be wondering where we lived from June 9th until July 2nd???? We stayed at TLF on base at Tyndall. TLF is temp lodging for those of us coming and going at whatever base your stationed. We scored a 4 bedroom house, which we thought we were getting a 3 bedroom, so that was a bonus. But then Russ and Rach shared a room and we never ended up using the 4th bedroom. Rowan had his own room and slept like a champ from the get go. The furniture was old and abused, the kitchen had no counter space, but the kitchen was stocked with all the dishes, cooking pans, crockpot, etc. and housekeeping came every day, yes EVERY DAY, to clean, make beds, take the towels and I loved it! It was such a nice break. Literally the only cleaning I had to do was wash the dishes.
We brought a few things with us; the Wii, the baby swing, some toys, books, and movies. And really the stay at TLF wasn't too bad. The only thing we missed was our computer. There wasn't internet access in the house, so that sucked. But, I did get fancy and my cell phone got our email, so then when something came up we could use the computers at the lodging office.
Adam had a big inspectionon base right after we moved in, so living closer to work was good for all of us b/c he had to work late and it didn't take him long to get home.
The disANTvantage of living at TLF were the millions of ants that were everywhere. There was no landscaping, just sand and the ants apparently thrive in that situation. It was hard for the kids to play outside b/c they'd crawl on you. They weren't the biting kind, but who wants ants ... well, you know! Bleh! Cringe.
I think it rained almost every day we were in TLF. We had something going on every day, so the time passed quickly - swim lessons, doctor appointments, private speech therapy for Russell, social outings, etc. The time really did fly by!
And then, about a week before we were going to leave and we were just thinking that we wouldn't have the house rented before July 1st, we had an interested party apply! We didn't meet them, but know they have a small child and one on the way (maybe born by now). It was a bit of a hassle not having the computer to do all the lease paperwork and the evening ended with us desperately faxing our signed copies from Office Depot, but we go it done and are officially landlords. So far no news is good news on that front. The neighbors watch the house and say that the tenants seem nice, have a lawn tractor to mow the lawn and they keep to themselves. Good enough!
Since we rented the house and had paid off Adam's 4Runner, it was time to buy a new car. After a lot of thought and consideration, we bought the minivan. Wait, what? Huh? Did you say minivan? Yes, I did say minivan and I'll own up to it. I drive a minivan! I actually kinda like it. It was a lifesaver on the drive here - but that is Part II. So, I got a black Honda Odyssey with the works - leather, DVD, XM, power everything and I think I got a pretty good price on it too. I hate buying cars, but it had to be done. We said good bye to my little Jetta. It was a good car but it was time to let it go. And actually, we bought the Jetta in Florida in March '00 and it stayed in Florida. Kind of fitting.
So, I won't be like Ed Olhava and say "It doesn't feel like a minivan". What does that mean anyway???? I drive it, it has tons of space, 8 people can fit in it, gets decent mileage, I zip along pretty well in it and I love the power / auto doors!
Well, that pretty much leads us to the DRIVE - part II, if you will.
BTW, Adam has decided to blog these days, I'll link him on my blog if you care to read.
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