I wouldn't wish this on anyone.
OK Gang--I am officially homeless.
I am writing this from La Quinta Inns and Suites in Colorado Springs. If you have to be homeless, this is the way to do it. Thanks to dear friends who used frequent traveler points to book me a room.
I am on my way to sunny Phoenix, Arizona where I have to find a home for me and six of my kids before starting my job next month. The kids are staying with their big sister and her new baby.
Moving day itself is something I wouldn't wish on anyone. By 4:00 when I had to leave for a Graduation/Graduation/Farewell party I thought if one more thing goes wrong I will open a vein.
1. Mix up with rental truck--had to pick it up in Milwaukee instead of locally. That's ok, we can handle it.
2. Lost a day to phone tag trying to straighten out the rental truck mix up.
3. The electric company came to the door and said, "moving in or moving out?" I said,"Moving out...What brings you here?" He says, "I'm shutting you off." I say, "no not today, Monday." He says, "This is for non-payment." I say, "Hold it there, Sparky, can you give me fifteen minutes to make a phone call and straighten this out?" He says, "it won't do you any good." CLICK. He really enjoys his job too much.
4. I called the electric company, "Oh, look, here it is...We'll have you back on by tomorrow." You can imagine the exchange from that point. The upshot being once it's been shut off, it can take till close of business the next day to get it back on. They turn them on in the order the order goes through.
5. I went to the bank to close my account. "We can't close your account, you have a negative balance." WHAT!!! "What happened to my direct deposit?" "That came in on the 9th" So the next on is due... next Friday. Oops, my bad. Shuffle from this bank to that. All's good.
6. What's that smell? 18yo tried to disconnect the dryer. It's ok, he knows how but, the gas shut off handle broke of in his hand. So he grabbed the stub with vise-grips and shut off the gas. ok.
7. Off we go to the party. Said good-bye to people who have seen me through my personal Gethsemane. That was hard. I love these people.
8. Get home, no lights. What's that smell? Maybe this will get my lights turned on faster.
9. Emergency call to the gas company. Fixed the smell. Still no lights.
10. New grandbaby does not like broccoli flavored mommy milk. Walked the floor with daughter and grandson.
11. Hire the neighbor to finish the cleaning once the electricity is back on. BLING on come the lights. She asks if I want the money back. "I don't do bathrooms." At this point I'm thinking I wish the gas had blown up the place while we were at the party.
12. Apartment Maintenance Weinie says "You have to get that stuff out of the dumpster or we're going to charge you." "What stuff???" And he says, (and I kid you not) "All that garbage."
Time for my secret weapon, the One Long Blink of Death. He was instantly vaporized.
So far the drive has gone very well. Even bi-polar child AKA Hurricane Liam is being well-behaved. Katie and the kids should be to her house within the hour. I should be in Phoenix late tonight or early tomorrow.
If anybody happens to know of the perfect house for my family...do tell. All I can say is--This better be worth it.