Friday, September 11, 2020

I'm Booked, And What a Week!!

In 2001, I managed a healh club  few rock's throws and down a path from the Pentagon. All these years later, I still remember it all.  Everything.
Early on this week I pulled the trigger on a moving company. The idea of a pod and hiring on locaton movers on each side vs a moving company was a no brainer in the end. Extra cost or no, even with the fairly small amount of stuff I am taking on trip one. 




I am now packing bit by bit. There is a large box in the middle of the "parlor" full of many boxes of various sizes, tape and foam envelopes and a roll  of foam as well (the putting the word out and getting them piecemeal was killing me, I tell you). Today I am doing organizational restructuring in my bedroom and clearing off a large bookshelf so then I can begin stacking the boxes next to it and in front if it. I told the sales guy that when his compatriot calls three days before the move to finalize things, I would be able to show in pictures everything that was going and that it would all be in two specific areas. I've decided I care about boxes more than shelving and if I have to sacrifice the two thrifted baker racks I use for storage to add on some boxes, I'm okay with that.  Thrift stores and Ikea are already in my future.

I also decided that all the various large and small plastic drawers and bins will probably not make the journey either (packing everything in ziploc bags of all sizes since price is based on cubic feet and not weight) and so am giving a few away this afternoon. 



In case you've been living unawares, I live in the land of Fire Snow at the moment. One hundred degrees on Monday and 33 degrees on Tuesday. I've climbed under the covers and bundled up without complaint simply because any moisture is moisture in the land of fire and drought (but it wasn't nearly enough).  But the sad part is that the snow did not hit many of the fire areas.  And we lost an already dead tree (trimmers are booked through November) that took out the neighbor's power line (an act of God but a subsequent issue has us on completely different keel with said neighbors-a story I'll share at length next week).  


The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park




                                                                                         




On the furnishing front, once again, I've changed my mind.  Daughter and SIL are getting new furniture and after some thought, I am taking theirs-a three seater reclining sofa in beige and a matching rocker (which I may put out on the patio for now).  I can upgrade at will later on, but the beige allows me to use as many colors as accents as I like (probably going with so called fall shades to mix and match) and leaves more money for a new (sleigh) bed and pub sized dining table (I have yet to find what I want). And I really wanted a double recliner. Oh, and my unit is on the first floor.  Final decision.

Tuesday I climbed into bed intending to read and instead ended up playing with my girlfriend Alexa (yes, I know what many of you think of those personal assistants). She already will turn my light on and off with commands, play music and turn off in an hour when I am sleeping (and go louder or softer at a single word) , as well as read any book in my kindle library out loud. I now know that she can read audibles, read my podcasts out loud for me, make a shopping list, re order things I order regularly on Amazon, talk me through my morning stretch routine and read my bible lesson out loud to me. Most importantly, wonder of wonders, is a "skill" called Ask My Buddy. It allows me to voice activate the Alexa unit and say "Alexa, call Katie, I need help" and then that call immediately shows up on my daughter's phone. I have three units so where ever I am, Alexa should hear me.

My sister-in-law's mother passed away this week. She had been having severe respiratory issues, even her hands were blue on a couple days. It had been going on but getting worse. First the hospital said she had C-19, then no, the test came back negative. She was 90 years old and ready.  When they came to move her to hospice, she basically said, I'm not going to another place, and died. We will miss her greatly, she was smart as a tack at ninety years old. 


Tomorrow (heck, this afternoon) we will be back to summer temperatures although right now the heat is still on. I made a rookie mistake  with my knitting project at the beginning that I missed, and am now startng that puppy all over. I am keeping out both knitting and sewing projects until the last minute. I may even order some Christmas fabric to work on gifts. After all, one cannot pack and organize all of the day.

Although I need to do a minimum five boxes a week, by my estimation.

Football, I've missed you so much!!

25 comments:

  1. Girl, you are way ahead of me with Alexa. I use her a lot but I need to try some of the things you do. Mine's not set up to turn my lights on or off. I use her a lot for spelling. So much easier than looking a word up online or in a dictionary. Oh yeah... they did have those once upon a time. Don't overdo all that packing. That's hard work!!

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    1. Depending, you either need a special lightbulb or plug. I have the plug. Every other time but this I've had a packer.

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  2. Our youngest son Kris has Alexa do most everything in his apartment. Me well I am lucky to understand how to get Google to turn on a timer, play some music and tell me a joke.

    God bless.

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    1. Lol. I love tech. It doesn't always love me.

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  3. I love the idea that Alexa can read your Kindle books. I have trouble hearing the audible books so I'm not sure if the table top models are any different that my eKindle but I sure love to find out if that's an option for me.

    Hate that The West all seems to be on fire. Stay safe out there!

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    1. Alexa can be very loud and heard from room to room.

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  4. I'm a late tech adopter though I do have a Google mini. I love the fact I can get it to make lists for me that I can later pull up on my phone. Being able to holler at it when I'm deep into some other project is so helpful.

    So sorry to hear about your SIL's mother. Ninety no longer seems as old as it once did, now that I'm in my 60's.

    Good luck with the packing and organizing. Take care and stay well!

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    1. It does not. But she had macula degeneration and was wheelchair bound and had severe chronic pain and really had very little enjoyment of her life

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  5. I don't have far to go to 90, so it seems too soon to me. I need me an Alexa to do things.

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    1. Her health was bad and she was blind and in severe pain

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  6. I made the decision to go with movers instead of a pod, and it was the right one. I had too much stuff for 1 pod, so 2 pods vs. a moving service? The more cost-effective, least hassle one was clearly the mover and I'm so glad I went that way. I really should use my Alexa for more than turning on and off my bedroom lights and telling me the weather...you have clearly mastered her!

    Deb

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    1. Rven with one pod, by the time I hire loaders at both end and rent blankets and such....I'm still learning with Alexa for sure.

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  7. Things are really coming together for you! Do you have a move date yet?

    My oldest and her boyfriend were in Colorado all week hiking, and she experienced the overnight transition from heat to snow while they were camping. She lived there for a bit after law school and loved it. I live in fear of a job offer luring her back! 😆

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    1. The movers are coming tentatively the thirteenth of October. The place is mine one October but I NEED to vote in Colorado, not Texas and ballots will be mailed on 9 October. Gotta do my part to kick Corey Gardner to the curb if I can ...

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  8. My daughter just moved from San Francisco to Atlanta with a pod- she was very happy with the experience but said they rented moving pads, straps and used lots of bubble wrap. They hired a couple of strong guys on both ends. Their apartment was small and daugher is quite a minimalist, but they do have 2 small kids. Anyhow move went well and not a thing was broken. Soninlaw was able to use his Tetris skills and fit just about everything in- what didn't fit was left for the apartment cleaner they hired or the curb.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I think pods have their place and will probably rent one for shipment two
      But with a company they do everything and provide everything but the boxes. In this climate health wise I don't want to be running around renting things, hiring movers and such. I'll pack, they'll load and protect and insure and unpack and stage at the other end.

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  9. Oh yes! They did save money but had to pay to have e their car shipped and plane tickets. Luckily GS was not 2 yet so didn’t have to wear a mask. He refused last week at the pediatrician’s office.

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    1. And I am driving my car full of stuff, no way I am flying, lol

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  10. Gosh this move is rushing right along! So exciting. Good to have the used beige furniture .. then you can decide if you like it well enough to keep or not.

    Thanks for taking time to blog!

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    1. Yes. I then have time to change the decor if I want leisurely. And I like a mix and match of bright colors so that will work for now.

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  11. I love the Homegrown Holidays fabric. I bought three of the black patterns to finish off some cross stitch projects. Plus I’m in love with the vintage red trucks and have started using them a lot at Christmas.

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    1. It's funny because usually I go with the brights, and actually love me a Christmas pink or blue or turquoise (my other Christmas fabric the year is Santa Claus Lane). But I have a vision of vintage table runners and napkins with all the shades, especially the blacks and grays.

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  12. If only Alexa could help you move, or put our a fire!

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  13. Crazy weather you’re having. Photo is awesome! Haven't gone the Alexa route but sounds like you have fun with her.

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