Monday, September 15, 2008

Johnson Moving Day



Album Location: http://picasaweb.google.com/ultimadj/MovingDay


The night before the move, Cheryl, Annabelle and I brought our sheets, toiletries, a few blankets to our empty new apartment. We slept on the floor without a mattress after playing a few games and chasing Annabelle through various rooms and closets. We were all so excited that we could barely sleep. The evening was wonderfully cool, a luxury made possible through the central air conditioning. Our old apartment didn't have an air conditioner of any sort. Cheryl's dedication to living within our means can be attested by the fact that she went lived in the tiny apartment with no air conditioning and shoddy heat for the entirety of her pregnancy.

We woke the next morning feeling refreshed, sizzling with excitement about the task at hand. I drove out to Henrietta to pick up the moving truck. Trying to rent a truck only a week in advance had proven to be an issue... Budget and UHaul had no trucks of ANY size available in the area. Fortunately, AAA sent me to Penske where a truck was not only available, it was less than half the cost of either competitor.
I drove the truck to the old apartment where Cheryl's closest friends were already starting to gather, preparing the apartment for the move to come, putting knick-knacks and cleaning supplies into the final few boxes. I missed having Nate with me. For our last move, he was the first there, helping me to get the truck and the last to leave, chilling with us after the move was over.

Soon, others started to arrive. The first heavy lifters assisted me in placing furniture onto the truck though eventually, the movers were so efficient that I ended up managing placement of items in the truck more than actually carrying myself.
The truck was loaded swiftly and we headed off to the new apartment. The contrast between old and new was stunning. The truck was unloaded quickly, and it was time for pizza. After pizza, beer, soda and slides, the crew members gradually left 'til Cheryl and the final few unpacked the essential items. In the following days (two or three), Cheryl not only established an organizational system for the new space, she managed to unpack and reorganize the available space into a livable apartment.... her skill in such matters in unrivaled in my opinion.

The move was a blast, and the helpers a joyful blessing. Thanks to all involved!!