Day 135

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Yesterday was discouraging to say the least.  It started out OK.  TGF got here right on time.  We stopped at Waffle House for breakfast .. which wasn’t all that much of a “splurge”, because neither of us needed any lunch.  But it went somewhat downhill from there.  It was a little after 10:00 when we got to the building .. but we still had to wait about 10 minutes for the lady to open up.  It was raining by then, so we carried the few things we had brought in as quickly as we could, and got things a little rearranged. 

And then we waited.

It was well after noon before anyone showed up.  During the course of the afternoon, TGF’s BFF came by for awhile.  Then her sister came, with her 5 y/o and the 7 m/o twins.  TGF’s other friend kept insisting we could find room for some of her yardsale things, so TGF sent her sister to bring the friend over so she could see for herself.  Well, said friend bought a set of Christmas dishes that match some she already has (on credit, but I know I can trust her to pay me before moving day) .. and that made room for her to bring some things.    Kind of silly.  Anyway, during the afternoon there was TGF, myself, BFF, the friend with sale things, her adult (but not quite all there) son, TGF’s sister, and the babies (we went the 5 y/o over to TGF’s house with the other kids including the 18 y/o to watch over them plus another friend’s 16 y/o who was there).  Well, I got to hold babies a lot during the afternoon .. even got to feed them, and walked one to sleep at one point.  That was pretty much the highlight of my day!

We asked, and were told they aren’t normally open on Sunday.  Since we have to get everything packed up and out on Monday, we felt a little cheated … that $50  seemed really high for only a day and a half!  But the lady who runs the place (she and the owner are friends, and she is paid to stay there 3 days a week) switched days and will come in today.  That was very nice of her!   But, then owner is absolutely not interested in buying out what’s left.  She already got what she wanted (and absurdly good prices I must say .. but I am taking the attitude that anything I sell is profit if I make expenses.  Which I have not).  So TGF got out her phone (which only seemed to work in between showers).  She found out that my preferred charity, Habitat, is closed on Monday.  But she did find a Good Will that is open today and can receive donations up to 6:00.  So, we will pack up by mid afternoon and take it all over there.  Or at least, we’ll try very hard.  The big problem is that it took several trips to bring it all out.  We’ve sold 2 of the biggest items (large bedside tables); and TGF’s friend is deciding on the kitchen cabinets.  I’ve given her way too good a price .. but if she gets them, and if DSS drives his truck as well, we might be able to get everything to the GW in one trip.  Well, we really have to.  There’s no choice … well, yes, there’s a “choice”.  Some of it has to stay at DSS’s house until it can be taken off.

It’s all just so frustrating.  And I need to sell another $20 or $30 to at least break even (which includes gas plus eating breakfast each day in addition to the cost of the space). 

I’m trying very hard to take the view that if I break even it’s not cost me anything and all of that stuff is out of the house.   But it’s really hrd to overlook that I now have less than 2 weeks and an awful lot of stuff yet to do.

TGF’s friend (the one who wants the house) definitely wants to buy the washer and dryer and will come up with cash before the move (he can’t take them until the 22^nd anyway).   He wanted the freezer, but wanted to make payments.  I told her to offer him the smaller freezer for half the price, and make payments.  Then I can still try to sell the big freezer.  I haven’t gotten an answer on that.   He was at the flea market yesterday … I told him to keep trying to get in touch with the landlord; there’s nothing I can do at this point, it’s up to him to persuade them.

I was home last night by not too much after 6:00.  I rested a bit, got some supper.  Then I pushed myself to get *something* done.  Two areas on my list I’ve been putting off, so I worked on those.  I sorted out the few things it seemed worth my time to get out of the big box of tools in the pantry.  Then I put everything else .. including 3 hammers and 2 mallets .. in a box for DSS.  I have a tool box of my own, so it’s in the living room waiting for me to sort through it and make sure I’m only taking a few things that could realistically be useful.  The apartments have maintenance, so unlikely to need much; but it could be useful at times to have a hammer or a screwdriver (flat and phillips).  Also, I gathered up most of the framed pictures.  I have to sort those into a few I will realistically have space for, and pack the rest into storage.  That is something I can from time to time change out with only a bus ride to storage, and not something too heavy to carry.  I think I have all the big (wall) stuff sorted, although I know I have way more than we will be able to use.   I just can’t sort them any further until we get there and decide what can go where … and I’m sure (and it will make me sad) .. some of those will go in storage along with the pile of them I already put aside.   And no, I won’t get rid of them … the vast majority are either family photographs or something done by a family member (paintings, cross stich, etc). 

I again fell asleep and missed more than I watched on TV.  And again, was awake by 5:00.  I thought I could maybe get in another hour .. but no, the mind wouldn’t shut down.  The forecast today is for mostly cloudy with “scattered showers”.  I sure hope they scatter when we have to load and move all that stuff.  Right now (just barely beginning to be hints of daylight) it’s been pouring for nearly an hour. (and at the moment it’s raining so hard there’s no internet signal!).

I still have  about 2 hours before TGF comes this morning.  I think I will try to get the den a little better organized, and maybe see if there’s any more random kitchen stuff I can go on and pack. Much as I wished for bigger boxes earlier, now I’m wishing I had a few more smaller ones (for heavier stuff like dishes) … but they’re all tied up with yardsale stuff, and I’m unlikely to get them back. 

Or maybe I’ll just go listen to the news and doze awhile and then get a shower.  It’s pretty dreary to have any ambition this morning.