My new offfice is now set up!Qwest came today to hook me up, so I am once again live on the ‘net. I feel so…connected. Not a brilliant observation, but there it is. The cables are reattached, the Cadmus laptop docked and all peripherals performing their little jobs.
To celebrate, a covey of quail just trotted by, along the edge of the garden out front. Hummingbirds have been keeping me company all day. There are several large gillia plants, blooming profusely. One of the first things I learned in graduate school was about how the gillia flowers fit hummingbird beaks perfectly. They serve up nectar better than any other flower and hummingbirds give them great preference, guaranteeing consistent pollination for the plants. The harmony of nature. Perfect co-evolution.
Yes, we’re loving the new house.
And, boy, was it a marathon getting here.
The recap:
Our last episode found me in the Burlington, Vermont airport hoping for the best. Thanks to all who watch over me, the best happened.
I made it through Dulles and back into Denver only an hour late. Got to my mom’s about 2am Wednesday night. (Yes, one week ago!) We headed up to Laramie around 7am the next morning. My mom and Dave took the Jag, the Buick, the kitties and the musical instruments back down to Denver.
David and I loaded the U-Haul.
And packed.
And loaded the U-Haul some more.
Never mind that last Thursday was the eighth day of loading, it still took us until 11 fucking-o-clock that night to finish. In the end, the patio chairs wouldn’t fit. Nor would my hibiscus tree, jade tree, jasmine tree and assorted other plants. Abandoned, all.
We drove to Denver in such a stunned exhaustion that I don’t remember much of the drive. I had the easy job: follow the U-Haul truck. We got to my mom’s and to bed again around 2am. Got up at 5:15am to drive to Santa Fe in time for the closing.
At one point, around Raton, I nearly called David to tell him I couldn’t keep going. But I had to. No choice.
We made it to Glorieta by 1pm, though. Dropped off the U-Haul at the new house and drove the Jeep into town for the 2pm closing.
Which took 2.5 hours. I kid you not.
No, I don’t know why. Something about New Mexico legalities with much trading of papers between Provident Lending and Southwest Title and Escrow. I’m pretty sure I have NO idea what I signed.
We stopped at the grocery store for beer and a frozen pizza. While it cooked, we unloaded the traumatized plants that did get to come, watered them. After some food (no, we hadn’t eaten all day, except for coffee drinks and protein bars), we unloaded the U-Haul enough to get the futon out.
We made up the bed with the linens I’d remembered to keep out. Drank a beer to our personal sunset and crashed.
The next day, we unloaded the U-Haul.
That’s right: eight days to load, one day to unload. There’s a lesson there. Just don’t ask me what it is.
Of course we’re still putting things away. Hence my creation of “office” just today. I couldn’t get a pic of both the office AND the view. But the desk at the window is above and here’s what it looks like, with the focus out the window:
I know. Best Birthday Present EVER!
Jeffe, that is one of the most beautiful views I've ever seen. You'll create wonderful tales filled with sparse beauty and overwhelming possibilities with that world to inspire you. Consider me a future houseguest.
8 days to load, 1 day to unload…Uhm, was it 7 days figuring out the how-to-load-the-truck jigsaw puzzle? Or did the loading time also include the packing? Maybe when you add the time it takes to unpack to humping stuffs off the truck it'll seem like packing/loading was waaay easier.
::fleeing::
If it weren't mind-numbingly difficult, it wouldn't carry the same sense of accomplishment. Right?
Beautiful. Makes me want to come for a visit. I think you will love it there.
Keena and Karen — start figuring out when you can visit! KAK, you're right. It was the packing and the jigsaw-puzzling that took so long. It will undoubtedly also take months to fully unpack. It just doesn't feel so consuming. And true, Kev: we're still stunned that we pulled it off!
So, has anyone noticed that all of you are "K's?"
WHY does it take longer to pack than unpack? I'll never understand that. EVER. Glad you made it though and you have a gorgeous view! I'm thinkign I might need to visit Madam President in Santa Fe… you're only one state over now… MUAHAHAH 😉
Come on over, MM — the guest room is ready!