Saturday after the move

Saturday was continued unpacking, building, organizing, throwing away boxes, setting things up, hanging things up, etc., etc.  I think Laurie and I both hit exhausted about 11 am.  Jim came over in the late afternoon and it was like a breath of fresh air to us having his help.  We got a couple of rooms completely clear of boxes to unpack and it started to feel like we could reach the end.  Jim and I got the TV antenna installed in the hopes that I could watch the Eagles game on Sunday and I got the stereo and DVD player set up.

The house was finally presentable enough for some photos.

Dining Room

The front door with our Christmas wreath.

Emilianne's Room

The Family room

The Granite we used for the countertops.

The Kitchen with Erik stuffing grapes into his mouth.

The "Library".

Sarah's Room.

We had hoped all along that we could be in for Christmas.  Monday night we got our tree and decorated it.

Our Second Day in the House

Friday started with the FIOS guy from Verizon installing our telephone and internet access. Sarah did a little dance of joy "High Speed access again - Oh Joy!".  Our Master Bedroom suite arrived in the late afternoon while the pile of cardboard in the garage approached epic mounds.  We continued to unpack, organize and move things from the guest house.   Reenie helped Laurie move stuff over and Ramona came over to help clean and unpack again.

Laurie and I were both extremely tired, but making progress.  I have to admit that every time I heard "Daaaaaadddddd!" yelled in the sort of whiny, I need help and NOW tone started to get on my nerves.  But we got to sleep in our new bed and it felt great.

Moving Day!!

Thursday, Moving Day, started with me at the new/old house about 6:00 finishing the assembly of the Master bedroom closet organizers.  Home depot called to confirm the delivery of the new Fridge (the first one had to be returned because the doors wouldn't open all the way because of the wall next to it).  The salvaged items that had been in storage arrived about 8:30 in 3 separate loads.  The TV arrived late afternoon. Ramona came over to help Laurie unpack and clean and also brought us lunch. What a faithful friend she has been to our family.

By mid-afternoon my body was so tired I just couldn't go up and down stairs anymore with boxes.  Gen and Aaron had come over for the day and were a huge help to us.  Their friends Mike, Lianna, Caleb and Maureen came over in the evening to make numerous trips between the houses to bring over the beds and the lions share of the stuff.  We couldn't have done it without them. We got all the beds set up for our first night at home.  And what would be a first day at the new house without an order of Chinese being brought in for supper.  Laurie and I looked at each other numerous times and asked "Who decided not to use a moving company for this?"  Next time :-).

Oh, half way through the day Home Depot called and said "We made an inventory mistake and you aren't going to get your Fridge until next Wednesday."  Just great I said. Well, about an hour later the actual delivery guys called to tell us the would be arriving in a few minutes with the fridge. Um, I thought you didn't have it?  Well, someone made a mistake someplace, but we got the fridge when we were supposed to regardless.

Day 2 of the Move

Well, it's been a week since I last posted and that was Day 1 of the move.  So let me catch you up to date (with this and subsequent posts).

Last Wednesday, Day 2, started with the Township Inspector giving us the thumbs up on the Certificate of Occupancy.  "You are authorized to move in."  I texted Laurie and a great relief for both of us as it was now ok to move back into our home after so many months.

Erik and I continued to put furniture together, but without the astounding results we had on Tuesday. Our first Ikea delivery came mid-day with 3 couches and an ottoman. Erik had great fun playing in the box from one of the couches.  He wouldn't believe me that the box was his new bed.  Laurie and Cyndi Smith, with Emilianne and Amy, cleaned the guest house. Cyndi also made us dinner which Sarah brought over to the house where we ate our first meal together in the house.

The second Ikea shipment arrived about 5:00ish with more furniture - some to assemble and some ready to just be unwrapped.  Tom Smith came over in the evening to help put dressers together.

Day 1 of the Move

Yesterday was Day 1 of the Petit Move (not to be confused with the Philadelphia Move incident). It could also be defined as Day 188 of the rebuild.

Erik and I arrived at the house, McDonald's breakfast in hand, at 7:30.  The Carpet guys arrived at 8.  Erik and I began assembling the first wave of Ikea furniture that we had brought home.  We assembled 28 different pieces of furniture.  We were a well oiled,  highly efficient assembly line.  Erik is the best furniture assembly assistant I've ever worked with (sorry Gary, but he took your title :-)). 

The carpets were in by about 4:30.  The color upstairs looks great and now Laurie can legitimately say "I told you so!"

Today is the Township inspection for the Certificate of Occupancy.  If that goes ok we can officially begin to move in.  Plus there is more cleaning at the Guest house, starting to clean at the new/old house, area carpet shopping and the arrival of the 2nd wave of Ikea furniture.  Fortunately most of this shipment is already assembled (except for feet on the couches).

The Move

We are closing in on the house being finished.  They started the hardwood floor finishing today.  The remaining electrical work and final inspection is due the end of this week.  The counters arrive on Monday and the final plumbing will be completed on Monday afternoon.  The carpets are installed on Tuesday and the Certificate of Occupancy should be issued on Wednesday.  And most importantly, Fios internet access will be hooked up on Friday :-).

I just walked up stairs and saw the boxes of our stuff all packed up.  I had a little dance of joy as I thought about the fact that we were that close to moving back home.  I'm so grateful for the temporary housing we've had and the adventures we've enjoyed here (well most of them we did - scratch the bats), but I'm also really looking forward to being back in our own home.

Sorry I don't have any particularly interesting photos to post.

The move in schedule, as far as we can determine at this point is:

Tuesday night and all day Wednesday (12/14 and 12/15) will be spent assembling new furniture for the house, disassembling beds and furniture at the "Guest house" and cleaning at the Guest house.  We plan to move in on Thursday, 12/16. If you want to help out in either location and are available give us a call. 

Christmas Play

Last Saturday our church hosted it's annual Christmas Play with the Kindergarteners through the 6th grade.  Traditionally that also includes the 6th grade class playing all the acting roles.

Since Emilianne is in the 6th grade she had a speaking part.  About a dozen lines so not too difficult.  Here is a photo of her.

Emilianne is in the background, just left of center. I think she's gorgeous.

Erik was in the chorus and had a cute dance.



Erik is the one with the glasses trying to look like he doesn't notice I'm taking his photo.