Yesterday I bit the bullet and got a UHaul truck to finish up the move. Kind of had to since it started raining -- the first move that I've ever done in any kind of rain, mind you -- and the only other option was a buddy's pickup. That would have been terrible.
I often wonder how people without friends move. Are they the ones hiring out for an in-town move? Thanks to coworker Nick, the Moving of Large Items took about three hours total. There was minimal scratching, but must consternation over getting the futon mattress out the door.
The nice thing about moving in was slapping the truck ramp right into the front door. And so now the "living room" is filled with everything. Just tossed it in there. Some of the master bedroom furniture is lazily strewn about, and last night I slept in the condo since the new house hasn't got hot water or any sense of order. And by "sense of order," I mean the condo looks like my dresser threw up, so that's not really much better.
Tonight I need to get the rest of the clothes, picture frames and electronics packed up. Thursday the kitchen will need to get packed. I'm saving that Christmas-wrapping bonanza until then.
Wednesday, September 24
Monday, September 22
Scratched and dented
Went to the Country's Largest Furniture store today. No, really. It's here in Omaha. Nebraska Furniture Mart.
Anyway, the last few times I went there, I was less than impressed with their new appliance selection. Particularly the gas stoves. There was a bit of a cost "gap" right where I was ready to spend money. I love Maria, but I don't love her $2,000 stove enough. I also routinely check the returned stuff, and there's never a fridge in my price range or a matching set of washer and dryer.
Except today.
Today I walked in there and spotted a fabulous GE washer. And its matching dryer. Front load, and get this -- pedestals included. Let me say that again -- pedestals included.
For those of you who have lusted over front load washer and dryer units, you understand what a rip those pedestals are. I was ready to splurge on the units and build my own pedestals. Maybe it doesn't look as good. Maybe they're flimsy. Maybe they don't have storage. But at least they're not like, $180 each.
So score on the washer and dryer. Then I walk around a bit more past the $4,000 fridges. And the $2,000 ones. And find ... one in my price range. Another GE! Two small dents on the front. I'm sure Asim will trump those, so add that to the list.
No gas ranges in sight, so I head out with the saleslady, and she points me to a rather nice model -- GE that's right in the price range. But then I think about how much I love my wife and how much I hate buying jewelry (ha!) so I look at the range to the left, see a marginal price premium and say, yep, toss that on the order, too.
You see, the issue is that the appliances we have now in our swank downtown loft are pretty nice. I've never had a gas range before, but I've noticed that, quite simply, the more btus per burner, the better. So I went for the most btus I could get. Plus everything sort of matches. After another year or three I'll stainless steel up the dishwasher -- it's white.
I think I spent more time waiting for the saleslady to enter the order than it took me to pick the stuff out. But hey, I went back online after work, put everything in "brand new," and found out that I saved at least $800. So I was happy.
This evening I bought a remote control for the garage door opener. And it works! I programmed it and whatnot. I also noticed the other night the total lack of outdoor lights. Like, none. Nothing on the ground, nothing on the exterior. Fortunately, the garage isn't finished, so it looks like mounting them on the outside of the garage should be fairly simple. And those lights should do the front up really nice.
Tomorrow I'm borrowing a buddy's truck, so the big ticket items will be on their way. The wagon is still doing a great job hauling the smaller stuff.
Anyway, the last few times I went there, I was less than impressed with their new appliance selection. Particularly the gas stoves. There was a bit of a cost "gap" right where I was ready to spend money. I love Maria, but I don't love her $2,000 stove enough. I also routinely check the returned stuff, and there's never a fridge in my price range or a matching set of washer and dryer.
Except today.
Today I walked in there and spotted a fabulous GE washer. And its matching dryer. Front load, and get this -- pedestals included. Let me say that again -- pedestals included.
For those of you who have lusted over front load washer and dryer units, you understand what a rip those pedestals are. I was ready to splurge on the units and build my own pedestals. Maybe it doesn't look as good. Maybe they're flimsy. Maybe they don't have storage. But at least they're not like, $180 each.
So score on the washer and dryer. Then I walk around a bit more past the $4,000 fridges. And the $2,000 ones. And find ... one in my price range. Another GE! Two small dents on the front. I'm sure Asim will trump those, so add that to the list.
No gas ranges in sight, so I head out with the saleslady, and she points me to a rather nice model -- GE that's right in the price range. But then I think about how much I love my wife and how much I hate buying jewelry (ha!) so I look at the range to the left, see a marginal price premium and say, yep, toss that on the order, too.
You see, the issue is that the appliances we have now in our swank downtown loft are pretty nice. I've never had a gas range before, but I've noticed that, quite simply, the more btus per burner, the better. So I went for the most btus I could get. Plus everything sort of matches. After another year or three I'll stainless steel up the dishwasher -- it's white.
I think I spent more time waiting for the saleslady to enter the order than it took me to pick the stuff out. But hey, I went back online after work, put everything in "brand new," and found out that I saved at least $800. So I was happy.
This evening I bought a remote control for the garage door opener. And it works! I programmed it and whatnot. I also noticed the other night the total lack of outdoor lights. Like, none. Nothing on the ground, nothing on the exterior. Fortunately, the garage isn't finished, so it looks like mounting them on the outside of the garage should be fairly simple. And those lights should do the front up really nice.
Tomorrow I'm borrowing a buddy's truck, so the big ticket items will be on their way. The wagon is still doing a great job hauling the smaller stuff.
Going well so far
The Moving of Stuff is going fairly well. The Usage of Tubs is exactly what I thought it would be -- fill a bunch of tubs, take it to the house, empty them, take them back. And I bought a dolly, too. The kind that transforms into a four-wheel beast. Perfect.
I changed the locks today, too. And then realized that the silver finish that I got for the handle doesn't exactly match the brass knocker and kickplate. Ooops. Got a ladder to change some smoke detector batteries. I'll also need it to change the fans and lights which are also rather ugly.
The Volvo Wagon is proving to be a wonderful Hauler of Crap, too. I want to see what the limits are as far as furniture. Somehow, I don't think the queen-size box spring probably won't fit in it.
The closing went well on Friday afternoon. Found out there was an outstanding lien -- the previous owners hadn't paid any of the HOA dues. Ever. But that's not an issue I need to worry about. The bank that sold me the house is obligated to clear everything. It's just funny that there aren't any legal repercussions to not paying the dues. It's not like they'll stop cutting your grass or something. Nope. Still take out the trash.
I changed the locks today, too. And then realized that the silver finish that I got for the handle doesn't exactly match the brass knocker and kickplate. Ooops. Got a ladder to change some smoke detector batteries. I'll also need it to change the fans and lights which are also rather ugly.
The Volvo Wagon is proving to be a wonderful Hauler of Crap, too. I want to see what the limits are as far as furniture. Somehow, I don't think the queen-size box spring probably won't fit in it.
The closing went well on Friday afternoon. Found out there was an outstanding lien -- the previous owners hadn't paid any of the HOA dues. Ever. But that's not an issue I need to worry about. The bank that sold me the house is obligated to clear everything. It's just funny that there aren't any legal repercussions to not paying the dues. It's not like they'll stop cutting your grass or something. Nope. Still take out the trash.
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