A huge milestone escaped me today. I wanted to decide upon a mover. My third quote had serious computer issues and kept missing his deadlines until it was too late for me to call my best moving quote in hand. The third quote didn't even send me the e-mail quote and it's late in the evening. All words, no results. I was kind and patient and now have lost a day. No more. This project will proceed tomorrow, and I will have a move out and move in date.
At least I closed my Encinitas P.O. Box and my La Costa safe deposit box. I also got my tax payments and DMV registration for one of my cars ready to be mailed and added a change of address notation. I hate it when I move and the DMV can't find me in order to pay my vehicle registration. I'll have to change the address for my other car in the next few days just so I don't forget about it. My mail forwarding only works for 6 months and the DMV will be contacting me again probably in 8 months. The fines were not pretty when I realized my tags were expired due to my mistake of not notifying the DMV of an address change for each car.
I did get a response from Craigslist, so I've basically gotten someone to pay me $200 cash to take my master bedroom set from my former marriage away. :-) I'll just have to make sure that I have my cousins with me packing on Saturday, so I'm not alone when they come and get that furniture. I'll have to remember to get a new stash of bear (pepper) spray from Sports Authority before then.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Project Move Day 6 Mission "Get an Address" Accomplished
What a relief to finally have a Sacramento address! My household has a place to which to be moved, so I booked a flight to go back to San Diego and to my cat. I also booked one more trip to the condo to imagine how my furniture will fit in this new condo and to show my dad my new artsy haunt.
Dad first whisked me off for a drive through Sierra Oaks. Though I had just driven down our old running course on Saturday, Dad had to drive along it with me in the car. We had run together along these tree-covered streets so many times. It's funny that we both have to drive our running loops whenever we return.
We arrived at our old house to feast in the memories. The Monkey Tree, a 47-year-old mock-orange bush, that our kids climbed was still there. My dad's front landscape design that he painstakingly installed was well maintained. The front brick walk where as little kids we lined up to take our Sunday School pictures with our white gloves and tiny purses had stood the test of time.
As we looped around the block for another drive-by of our former home, we turned down Crocker Road, the road of many a high-ranking politician and gangsters. Feasting our eyes on the old and new mansions is always a pleasure. Then we came back around the block and saw the sons of one of Dad's friends that still lived in his home, so we pulled in to say, "Hello!"
Apparently, his friend had died yesterday after a long battle with heart disease and leukemia. He had a happy life, and his death was expected by his sons, just not by my dad. We went inside to reminisce and catch up. Upon leaving Dad remarked, "I can't tell you how many cups of coffee that I've had in that kitchen." Then that door closed.
We had a delicious lunch after that where Dad observed me in an autocratic mode while checking my phone messages. I got annoyed with the property manager for not asking me the right questions to gather information to run my credit report. I left him a succinct, professional voice mail message with my birth date and phone number. The manager called me back as soon as my credit report verified that I always pay my loans and obligations. I was officially approved!!!
So we all dashed over to the property a little earlier than our original appointment time. Dad loved it and couldn't believe how low the rent was. He loved all the artistic painting, too. I studied the rooms and figured out that I should get rid of my master bedroom furniture which was my ex husband and my first bedroom set. It doesn't match the decor, and I need to start anew!
Finally, Dad drove me to the airport. The wind was so strong that I could barely open my car door! My plane was even delayed due to the wind. At the security check I realized that I had made a grave error. I didn't go through my purse and take out my weapons.
My pepper spray popped up into sight when I placed my purse in an inspection bin. I just handed it to the security guard. I knew that it was illegal to carry that on a plane. He kindly said, "Here, you can have the empty case and the whistle."
While I waited for my items, my purse kept being inspected. Another security guard came over and said as he dug through my purse, "Is this your purse?"
"Yes." Then I saw my favorite screw driver which was like a Russian doll---it had littler and littler screw drivers inside the handle. "Oh, know! My screwdriver!" I said in pain that I'd have to give it to the guard. The guard opened the handle and saw all the little screw drivers. "Isn't that cool!"
"Yes. You can have it back," and he continued looking through my purse.
I was amazed, because my screwdriver was yet another weapon in my purse. It was a good-sized shank! He must have known that I was no threat.
While waiting for my delayed flight, I called San Diegan friends to see if any would pick me up at the airport. I got lucky! My friend with whom I travelled to Alaska was jazzed to do so. I took her out to dinner afterwards. It was so nice to have one on one time with her before I leave!
Dad first whisked me off for a drive through Sierra Oaks. Though I had just driven down our old running course on Saturday, Dad had to drive along it with me in the car. We had run together along these tree-covered streets so many times. It's funny that we both have to drive our running loops whenever we return.
We arrived at our old house to feast in the memories. The Monkey Tree, a 47-year-old mock-orange bush, that our kids climbed was still there. My dad's front landscape design that he painstakingly installed was well maintained. The front brick walk where as little kids we lined up to take our Sunday School pictures with our white gloves and tiny purses had stood the test of time.
As we looped around the block for another drive-by of our former home, we turned down Crocker Road, the road of many a high-ranking politician and gangsters. Feasting our eyes on the old and new mansions is always a pleasure. Then we came back around the block and saw the sons of one of Dad's friends that still lived in his home, so we pulled in to say, "Hello!"
Apparently, his friend had died yesterday after a long battle with heart disease and leukemia. He had a happy life, and his death was expected by his sons, just not by my dad. We went inside to reminisce and catch up. Upon leaving Dad remarked, "I can't tell you how many cups of coffee that I've had in that kitchen." Then that door closed.
We had a delicious lunch after that where Dad observed me in an autocratic mode while checking my phone messages. I got annoyed with the property manager for not asking me the right questions to gather information to run my credit report. I left him a succinct, professional voice mail message with my birth date and phone number. The manager called me back as soon as my credit report verified that I always pay my loans and obligations. I was officially approved!!!
So we all dashed over to the property a little earlier than our original appointment time. Dad loved it and couldn't believe how low the rent was. He loved all the artistic painting, too. I studied the rooms and figured out that I should get rid of my master bedroom furniture which was my ex husband and my first bedroom set. It doesn't match the decor, and I need to start anew!
Finally, Dad drove me to the airport. The wind was so strong that I could barely open my car door! My plane was even delayed due to the wind. At the security check I realized that I had made a grave error. I didn't go through my purse and take out my weapons.
My pepper spray popped up into sight when I placed my purse in an inspection bin. I just handed it to the security guard. I knew that it was illegal to carry that on a plane. He kindly said, "Here, you can have the empty case and the whistle."
While I waited for my items, my purse kept being inspected. Another security guard came over and said as he dug through my purse, "Is this your purse?"
"Yes." Then I saw my favorite screw driver which was like a Russian doll---it had littler and littler screw drivers inside the handle. "Oh, know! My screwdriver!" I said in pain that I'd have to give it to the guard. The guard opened the handle and saw all the little screw drivers. "Isn't that cool!"
"Yes. You can have it back," and he continued looking through my purse.
I was amazed, because my screwdriver was yet another weapon in my purse. It was a good-sized shank! He must have known that I was no threat.
While waiting for my delayed flight, I called San Diegan friends to see if any would pick me up at the airport. I got lucky! My friend with whom I travelled to Alaska was jazzed to do so. I took her out to dinner afterwards. It was so nice to have one on one time with her before I leave!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Project Move: Day 5 Choosing Between Two Rentals
Selby Ranch was a place where many of my friends lived when I was growing up, so I checked out a 3bd/2bath apartment there this morning. It was really a beautiful place. I decided to make that apartment my backup for the Gold River condo.
The apartment there is smaller, more expensive, lacks a garage, has covered parking, and is closer to work by 8 miles and 8 minutes. The condo is some place that I could actually buy if I wanted to do so and is next to the American River, close to my sister, and close to Lake Natoma for kayaking. I could also see if I can handle the commute from that area. It should be about 30 minutes, but I have to test the traffic patterns more.
Tomorrow the property manager of the condo will run my credit report. His system was down today. He apologized profusely and said that the credit report was the only matter holding up the deal. Since Selby Ranch had run my report, and I know that it is fine, I basically have the condo!
Since I had an apologetic property manager on the line, I set up a time tomorrow afternoon to see the property with him again. Hopefully, he'll have my credit report processed by then, and we can close the deal. Then I can finally fly back to San Diego with my project milestone accomplished---I'll have an address to which to move!
Oh, an interesting note: the condo has a Rubios in walking distance of it---a little bit of San Diego I that can keep! :-)
The apartment there is smaller, more expensive, lacks a garage, has covered parking, and is closer to work by 8 miles and 8 minutes. The condo is some place that I could actually buy if I wanted to do so and is next to the American River, close to my sister, and close to Lake Natoma for kayaking. I could also see if I can handle the commute from that area. It should be about 30 minutes, but I have to test the traffic patterns more.
Tomorrow the property manager of the condo will run my credit report. His system was down today. He apologized profusely and said that the credit report was the only matter holding up the deal. Since Selby Ranch had run my report, and I know that it is fine, I basically have the condo!
Since I had an apologetic property manager on the line, I set up a time tomorrow afternoon to see the property with him again. Hopefully, he'll have my credit report processed by then, and we can close the deal. Then I can finally fly back to San Diego with my project milestone accomplished---I'll have an address to which to move!
Oh, an interesting note: the condo has a Rubios in walking distance of it---a little bit of San Diego I that can keep! :-)
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Project Move: Day 4 Rental Appointments
Amazingly, my first rental appointment of the day is where I want to live. An artist lived in this condo and custom painted art all over just about everything. Most people would be overwhelmed, but I enjoy that the artist exudes her love of painting all over her home. I love good painters! Her family had to leave to relocate to San Diego for her husband's job. I should just give them my apartment and trade! lol
This rental also is located near Lake Natomis, a State Park, where kayaking is king. There's a boat ramp, so I'm not sure if people water ski there. That would be awesome to start water skiing again. My sister has the 1978 Ski Nautique boat that I procured from a former competitive water skier that I was dating in the mid 1980's. That ski boat is like a Porsche on the water! My old Suburban could finally pull a boat after all these years of only carrying my kayak.
The rest of the day I spent looking at other rentals to confirm that the first place was my "end all" rental. I focused on Midtown, since it comes highly recommended. Midtown was wonderful. It's just too tiny and old. I've gotten used to space to roam, a guest bathroom, and modern conveniences like good insulation from the summer heat. I also don't want to take care of a yard.
The condo has an artistically designed courtyard which only requires pruning and fountain maintenance. I'll enjoy it and love the fact that I don't have to mow. I'm allergic to grass, so mowing is not an option. Now I just have to get my financials to my prospective property management company, and I've got a new place to live!!!
This rental also is located near Lake Natomis, a State Park, where kayaking is king. There's a boat ramp, so I'm not sure if people water ski there. That would be awesome to start water skiing again. My sister has the 1978 Ski Nautique boat that I procured from a former competitive water skier that I was dating in the mid 1980's. That ski boat is like a Porsche on the water! My old Suburban could finally pull a boat after all these years of only carrying my kayak.
The rest of the day I spent looking at other rentals to confirm that the first place was my "end all" rental. I focused on Midtown, since it comes highly recommended. Midtown was wonderful. It's just too tiny and old. I've gotten used to space to roam, a guest bathroom, and modern conveniences like good insulation from the summer heat. I also don't want to take care of a yard.
The condo has an artistically designed courtyard which only requires pruning and fountain maintenance. I'll enjoy it and love the fact that I don't have to mow. I'm allergic to grass, so mowing is not an option. Now I just have to get my financials to my prospective property management company, and I've got a new place to live!!!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Project Move: Day 3 Heavenly Drive
During the long 7.5 hour drive from Carlsbad to Sacramento to look for a rental, I had a little visit from my mom in the shotgun seat. I've been thinking about her a lot lately. Maybe it's because Blair, my sister, gave me a vial of Mom's ashes to carry in my purse during my interview. But, this was more than thinking about Mom. I could feel her right next to me in the car. Then Sheryl Crow's CD changed to the song, "Safe and Sound," and I heard " 'til your safe and sound!" I had no doubt then that she was riding shotgun with me again! I hadn't had a visit from her in the shotgun seat, since I was journeying to Fresno for my cousin's funeral. It'd been too long.
I opened up my mind to hear what she needed to say. She was happy that I was finally heading home to the safety of my large childhood family. She was also happy that I was carrying on her legacy of working with homeless and "At Risk" children. She worked in her later years as an English teacher at Mustard Seed School for homeless children until she died.
Then I got the feeling that her dad, a former, feared, grade school principal, was also quite happy about how I've recreated myself as a math teacher. I was touched at that and thought how interesting it is that after all that I've done in life, he views what I'm about to do as noteworthy enough to communicate to me. How empowering!
Then I got the feeling that my dad's mom, to whom I was very close, was also there in the car rooting me on. She had left school after 4th grade to work to support her alcoholic father and later became a self-made millionairess; however, before she left school, her life had become so financially destitute from her dad's drinking that a very special teacher in her life gave her used clothes, so she had more to wear to school. My grandma wanted me to do the same for others like her.
I feel so grateful that so many in this world and in Heaven have been rooting for me all this time! It's comforting to know that I wasn't alone in spirit during my struggle to recreate myself. It's comforting to know that I can give back like my mom did to the homeless and complete her circle of life, and can give like my grandma's teacher did to continue that circle of life. It's also comforting to know that I'm loved some much that I rate visits from Heaven! Thanks God!
I opened up my mind to hear what she needed to say. She was happy that I was finally heading home to the safety of my large childhood family. She was also happy that I was carrying on her legacy of working with homeless and "At Risk" children. She worked in her later years as an English teacher at Mustard Seed School for homeless children until she died.
Then I got the feeling that her dad, a former, feared, grade school principal, was also quite happy about how I've recreated myself as a math teacher. I was touched at that and thought how interesting it is that after all that I've done in life, he views what I'm about to do as noteworthy enough to communicate to me. How empowering!
Then I got the feeling that my dad's mom, to whom I was very close, was also there in the car rooting me on. She had left school after 4th grade to work to support her alcoholic father and later became a self-made millionairess; however, before she left school, her life had become so financially destitute from her dad's drinking that a very special teacher in her life gave her used clothes, so she had more to wear to school. My grandma wanted me to do the same for others like her.
I feel so grateful that so many in this world and in Heaven have been rooting for me all this time! It's comforting to know that I wasn't alone in spirit during my struggle to recreate myself. It's comforting to know that I can give back like my mom did to the homeless and complete her circle of life, and can give like my grandma's teacher did to continue that circle of life. It's also comforting to know that I'm loved some much that I rate visits from Heaven! Thanks God!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Project Move: Day 2
During the night I realized that I would have to drive one of my two cars up to Sacramento, leave it at my sister's house, and fly back down to San Diego. Yuk! That means that the second trip I have to drive my old Suburban all the way to Sacramento without a stereo. Ahhh! Perhaps I will plug in a stand alone CD player in to the cigarette lighter and pray that the truck runs smoothly enough that the CD won't malfunction. I certainly can't sing for 8 hours straight! lol
The alarm soon sent me out of the gates running. My first stop was my trust paralegal. I couldn't use my new living trust for my kids without some important typos corrected. After a painstakingly long search, she found my documents created in December, and we got the trust amended properly. Now that's off my list of moving items.
Since she lived near the regional office of my new employer, I popped in to see if I could get an official verification of employment and salary packet from them to show my future landlords this weekend. My salary packet was quite pleasing to see after all these years of substitute teaching! I will definitely be able to take care of myself for the rest of my life. That's a peaceful feeling. :-)
My final major task on the project plan was get three quotes from movers. So that filled my afternoon. I can't believe the first mover quoted me $8800! That's almost twice what I paid when I downsized from a mansion to my last house---4300 sq. ft. to 3100 sq. ft. Now I have a 1600 sq. ft apartment that is partially furnished. There had to be a huge mistake with the weight of my things!
At least my second quote was more in the ballpark of my moving budget, and I could see from the quote how to lower my packaging costs by packing items myself. I also loaded my car up with all my "The Romance of Kilimanjaro" books. That will certainly reduce the packing weight by a few hundred pounds. $$$ saved.
While contemplating how to reduce my packing weight, I was also pondering on leaving my friend, Rosa's husband, more ceramic pots and specimen plants. He already has some of my designer pots with specimen plants that I left at their home to enjoy while I lived in a little apartment. Sergio, Rosa's husband, has been telling me how much he's enjoyed propagating those specimen plants. If I collect my pots and plants this time, I'm sure Sergio will be shocked. I usually give him my designer pots with the specimen plants each time that I move. This time, though, I want to keep my San Diego plants for sentimental reasons. I may never live here again.
The alarm soon sent me out of the gates running. My first stop was my trust paralegal. I couldn't use my new living trust for my kids without some important typos corrected. After a painstakingly long search, she found my documents created in December, and we got the trust amended properly. Now that's off my list of moving items.
Since she lived near the regional office of my new employer, I popped in to see if I could get an official verification of employment and salary packet from them to show my future landlords this weekend. My salary packet was quite pleasing to see after all these years of substitute teaching! I will definitely be able to take care of myself for the rest of my life. That's a peaceful feeling. :-)
My final major task on the project plan was get three quotes from movers. So that filled my afternoon. I can't believe the first mover quoted me $8800! That's almost twice what I paid when I downsized from a mansion to my last house---4300 sq. ft. to 3100 sq. ft. Now I have a 1600 sq. ft apartment that is partially furnished. There had to be a huge mistake with the weight of my things!
At least my second quote was more in the ballpark of my moving budget, and I could see from the quote how to lower my packaging costs by packing items myself. I also loaded my car up with all my "The Romance of Kilimanjaro" books. That will certainly reduce the packing weight by a few hundred pounds. $$$ saved.
While contemplating how to reduce my packing weight, I was also pondering on leaving my friend, Rosa's husband, more ceramic pots and specimen plants. He already has some of my designer pots with specimen plants that I left at their home to enjoy while I lived in a little apartment. Sergio, Rosa's husband, has been telling me how much he's enjoyed propagating those specimen plants. If I collect my pots and plants this time, I'm sure Sergio will be shocked. I usually give him my designer pots with the specimen plants each time that I move. This time, though, I want to keep my San Diego plants for sentimental reasons. I may never live here again.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Project Planning the Move
Putting my mind into project planning mode, I finally got a grip on my feelings of being overwhelmed. First, I looked at housing for the second day, got a lay of the Sacramento land and Internet rental listings, called property managers, found out what neighborhoods were dangerous and exceptional, and set up appointments to see rentals. Then I called movers, figured out who did more than just local moves, strategized about storage in Sacramento should I not find a suitable rental, and set up appointments with them for tomorrow. Finally, I connected with my new principal and found that she wasn't expecting me until April 2nd! I've got a whole month to move and unpack. That sure took my stress level down a few notches!!!
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