Sunday November 29, 2015 to Saturday December 5, 2015

Sunday, November 29, 2015

How did we get to have so much stuff at Melinda’s? We were only there for two months and instead of just leaving with our bikes and panniers, we had four suitcases, a briefcase, a box of mail, two bikes, four panniers, and a box-full of groceries. We packed our stuff ready for our move to the tiny condo. We have rented a van for the week. This will enable us to take some of our unwanted stuff straight to Sally Ann, Habitat for Humanity and/or the dump.

Melinda has been really good, but I know she is glad to see the back of us. It is always nice to have your own space.

Monday November 30, 2015

Today we waited for the key and waited and waited. We were hoping to get the key early afternoon, but we didn’t get it until 4:30! I thought we were going to have to sleep in the van.

We arrived at the condo at 5:00 p.m. and waited for our new bed. Our own bed to sleep in for the first time in 22 months, bliss.

Welcome to our tiny condo.

Of course there is also a ‘fly’ in the ointment. Chris (who I used to work with) had asked a couple of weeks ago, if I was available to do some work for him. I had said yes, not thinking it would be the week we would be moving into the new condo. Well, wouldn’t you know it Chris gets in touch today and asks me to do some research for him. It is interesting stuff, but we don’t have internet until Friday. No problem, deadline is two weeks on Friday. Plenty of time to get the work done next week.

That also gives me time to unpack and settle into the condo.

Tuesday – December 1, 2015

Today we have the movers delivering our stuff from the storage unit. OMG we have boxes everywhere. The spare room is full to the rafters, we have boxes next to the kitchen, we have boxes in the bedroom, in the bathroom and outside and two road bikes in the dining room! What on earth did we put in storage?

Some of the stuff – gardening related has already gone to Sally Ann, off the moving truck, straight in the rental van and gone.

As the movers delivered my wonderful chair and a half, we realized it was too big and a mouse had been at one of the corners. One of the movers commented that he liked it – gone its yours! He was very happy as he is moving into a new apartment today.

Ralf had to remove one set of kitchen cabinets to allow room for the fridge which is being delivered tomorrow.

I managed to get some of the kitchen unpacked. Discovered a problem. Anything that said basement or office on the box went straight into the spare room. Unfortunately, I had been using boxes from where I used to work, and a lot of them had labels that said basement on them. I had written on the top of the boxes where they were supposed to go. The movers were looking at the printed label until I realized what was happening. Ah well, we will find stuff as we start to unpack the spare room.

Wednesday – December 2, 2015

My birthday. We went out for a nice breakfast at Herb and Sage, it was lovely.  Then back to the chaos of the condo.

Today we had to clear a space so that the appliances could be delivered. They look really nice, although I am a little scared of the stove – it has an induction top, and I have never used one before. The movers are not allowed to stack the washer and dryer. Ralf had time to prepare the stacking kit to put the dryer on top. Then we had a problem, there is limited amount of space in the utility room. We couldn’t get the dryer on top of the washing machine.

Fortunately, when the new sofa arrived, I asked the delivery men if they could help us out. I explained that I didn’t have the strength to lift the dryer onto the washer. No problem two nice delivery men picked it up and popped it on the washer – perfect.

First trip to Sally Ann, thank goodness for the van.

Thursday – December 3, 2015

We have everything in the kitchen in place, not connected, but in place! Although I am missing some stuff, maybe it is in the spare room.

The living room is organized – for now – more stuff to Sally Ann.

We bought a TV, so that we can get it hooked up at the same time as the cable/internet guy comes tomorrow.

Friday – December 4, 2015

The electrician came today to move the dryer plug, nice guy. We asked him about adding other ceiling lights, but he is not sure which way the beams go.  As we don’t have access to the ceiling, it could be a problem.

The internet and cable are connected. I will be able to start the work Chris has asked me to do, in between unpacking boxes, going shopping and trying not to go insane with all the mess.

Sally Ann not accepting any more stuff today – Goodwill is !

Saturday –December 5, 2015

The van goes back today and we realized that we do need a car. Although in the past I had gone without a car, and I didn’t think we would need one.  However, we always had one car that I also drove, when Ralf was home. Also Ralf has to leave almost 45 minutes before his shift starts to get to work that is only 5 kms away. Not that the bus takes that long to get there, it is just the schedule.

We looked at a used Nissan and choose not to buy it. The vehicle was too old, noisy engine and the paintwork had been keyed with the word f#&k. The dealership said they may be able to buff it out, but would not move on the price.

Ralf had to work OT today from – 4:30 pm to 12:30pm. What an exhausting week for both of us. But we have this wonderful comfy bed which takes away all the aches and pains of the day.

I am not sure when we will actually have everything unpacked and the place in any sort of order, a little bit at a time.