We're Texans

We're here. I've been waiting to post when I could upload pictures, but it's been more than a little difficult to put all the components together (internet access with a sufficient keyboard to do more than send a text, connection for camera, time). So it's an update without pictures. The last few days in New Jersey were a whirlwind of details and emotion: seeing people for the last time, getting the house emptied completely out, turning in keys and badges. Those of you that know me know that I'm pretty stoic, but I was full of tears the last day. Huge changes. And my darling teenage daughter, who must be quite upset herself, has really been chewing on me every chance she gets. I'm trying to remember how I felt when my parents moved me at age 14 across the country.

The plane ride was fine except the last leg was late. By the time we got to the hotel, it was close to midnight and everyone was crabby. At least we were upgraded to a nice suite (think they felt sorry for us) & got lots of cookies (Doubletree). Well, Austin is still the city I love. You drive down any little side street and see at least five little funky shops that you want to come back and check out. We are at my parents' house right now with 3 of my 4 siblings and their offspring and spouses/significant others. It's a treat, something that we were doing only once a year. It's hot - very - think it got up to 95 today. But I have on a tank top, shorts, and sandals so I'm happy. Went to Kerbey Lane for dinner last night. This is the same funky little place I went to when I was a UT student in the early 80's. Just feels like something's right in the universe to complete that circle & be back again.

We were nervous about how Gary (our cat) would handle the flying. He was a champ. We had to remove him from the carrier & walk him thru security but even that was OK. He was just cowering, scared out of his mind. When we got to the hotel, he wedged himself under the bed for hours. But now he's out, scent-marking all the furniture with his whiskers.

The final walk-through on the new house was today. A few minor surprises - like no refrigerator, but we went right to Lowe's and fixed that. The current owners are in the midst of a nasty divorce so there are some sticky issues (like the house is still full of stuff), but the realtor promises it will all be resolved by tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed for that.

The hotel gym is pretty sucky, but so far I've had it to myself. I have rediscovered running too, based on their limited selection of cardio. And that's a good thing, I'm enjoying it. Can't wait to check out the two gyms I have in mind here.

Ready to Load

The packing is 99% complete and the loading will complete by end of day tomorrow. Here's a pic of me amidst all the stuff. It's a little like a hurricane, there are 3 guys working like crazy around me & everything is rapidly changing.

I had my last day at one of my part-time jobs today, at Hagedorn State Psych Hospital. I got the best going-away present yesterday: the state is not going to close the hospital because of the state fiscal crisis. At least, it is delayed until 2012 & a thorough study is done (and who knows what the study will say). Me, along with the entire Hunterdon community, is very happy about that.

Nile still has his computer with WOW working, it's perched on boxes in his room. I am actually alone right now in this big house with just lots of boxes and shrink-wrapped furniture. Both kids are at friends, probably saying tearful goodbyes, Ken is at work as usual, and the movers left early. It's a little weird and quiet (no TV).

I have to say, working out at the gym at 5 am is nice, if you have time for the drive. There's very few people, the music is a little louder than usual, the AC is blasting, and you have your pick of equipment. I do miss my Cathe Friedrich DVDs, though. I will be glad to get back to her in my new house. I have already scoped out two potential gyms in Austin.

I think the really hard part is about to start: flying (never fun any more), hotel & living out of a suitcase, and then moving in. Moving in is harder because it drags on forever. Our movers do provide limited unpacking, but it's just to set up furniture and then open boxes in appropriate rooms & set things on first available space (or leave it in the box if you prefer). You have to actually put things in drawers and on shelves. It can take weeks to do that if you want to (and it never takes just a day or two). We are supposed to move in either Tuesday or Wednesday according to the crew. So it's hotel life from tomorrow night until then (at least 5 days).

I'm really sad today about moving. I guess mostly because of it being my last day at Hag. Hunterdon county is a gorgeous place, we've made a good life here, met wonderful people, and now I'm awfully sad to leave. This is where I started my nursing career. And only one person in the whole county ever called me a "red neck" for coming from Louisiana (& that person really doesn't count since they didn't know me well). Here's pic of me at Hagedorn today. A few tears were shed.

First Day Done

The movers just left and the first day went fine. They have packed all the bedrooms upstairs and the craters (that is, guys who crate stuff) did their job too. Here is a pic of the guys lowering our big TV into its specially-made crate. Man, I had no idea those things were so fragile and needed such TLC.

It was basically a day of little work for me - mostly answering questions like, "Are you sure you got everything out of this bathroom that you need? What about that cell phone charger that I see plugged in?" When I woke up last night at 2:00 am and couldn't sleep, I discovered both of my delightful children were still awake. It was nice when the movers arrived at 7:00 and woke them up. But I was kind of regretting the nice dinner and too many drinks I had last night at our friends' house.

Tomorrow I get a new experience, even before they get here: I'll be a super-early gym person. My home workout area has been packed up and is now in boxes, including my raised floor. So I'll see what the gym looks like at 5:00 am when they open. One of the great things about a home gym is not having to get out & drive, but most especially not having people see me at that hour. I will do whatever I have to for my endorphin fix.

We have a special agreement for Nile to keep his computer (World of Warcraft) until the last possible second. Here's a pic of him surrounded by packing boxes but still playing. If he had to just watch TV or --OMG-- read a book for 4 days straight, it would be a disaster. For me.

So I'm pleased that the crating is almost complete (they return for our glass curio cabinet) and that everything is on schedule. Loading will be tough on the movers because our road is so narrow and winding, an 18-wheeler can't go on our street. (So typical Hunterdon county!) They have to stage it with a U-Haul. That should start Wednesday.

The Weekend Before

It's the weekend before our big move from New Jersey to Texas. This blog will document the thrills all along the way. We are moving a household of 4 from Hunterdon county in Northern Jersey to the Lakeway area of Austin, Texas. I graduated from UT in 1984 & have been back regularly to see family but haven't lived there in ...gosh... 26 years. It's a different place, of course, but still the coolest place I've ever found & I've wanted to work my way back there since I left. Now's my chance. This is a picture of our New Jersey house, with beautiful NJ snow falling.

Quick intros: I, Meredith, am an RN, work here on a medical unit at a small community hospital and do wound care at a state psych hospital. My husband, Ken, is a manager at a large energy corporation and his transfer is driving this move. Dani is our 16 y.o. daughter who likes school, volunteering at the hospital, clothes and friends (not in order). Nile is our 14 y.o. son who is a Jedi master at video games and a senior red belt in Taekwondo. That's 3 of us in the picture.

It really hit me Friday that the storm is coming. We just did the big cross-country move 3 years ago when we moved here from Baton Rouge, so now we're old hands. I sure hope that helps. We got bad news on Thursday that the driver & crew we requested (who moved us up here) had to back out. So we haven't met this guy yet, he's coming by Sunday to survey the scene. I hope he doesn't start muttering under his breath. We have a big house, 4500 sq ft, on 3 levels and of course we have too much stuff. But I promise we're not hoarders (ever seen that TV show? it was quite motivating when I was preparing for the move).

We had to take the company relocation buy-out offer on our house two days ago because we couldn't sell it. The market is not good up here. Luckily they cover us. Of course, they have to, if they want to relocate people! We had a total of 3 showings on our house in 2 months, and we dropped the price $145,000. Didn't help. Anyway, not our problem any more.

So Monday is when all hell breaks loose. The movers will start packing and loading, from Monday-Thursday (& somehow I need to fit in 4 hours of work on Tuesday and Wednesday). I just hope that I don't let them pack my cell phone charger again - did that last time.