We have made the move to Charleston, SC. It has made me realize that the title of this blog is absolutely perfect because it has been a true adventure. So, pull up a chair and pour yourself a glass of wine because you may need it. =)
On Friday, we got a Uhaul trailer in Tuscaloosa because my washer and dryer had been in storage there for a year because the apartment in Savannah had one in it. It was good because we were able to grab a few things from my parent's house and go by their offices and tell them goodbye. It was really nice. Then we headed back to Childersburg to finish packing our stuff, and then move it into the trailer and the cars.
We got up early on Saturday morning because the drive is pretty long (8 hours). We made sure that we had everything, and then we said goodbye to all of Greg's family. So, we were off! We "had" to stop at IKEA on the way and pick up a desk that I had fallen in love with. It was literally the fastest IKEA stop ever, we were in and out in 15 minutes. We had to jump back on the interstate and hit the road! We had to be in Charleston by 5:00 pm so that we could sign the lease before the office closed. Everything was going really well, and then we hit HORRIFIC traffic around Columbia. I quickly began to panic because I knew that there was no way that we could make it in time if we were in this traffic for more than 10-15 minutes. I was calling the office and asking if they could help us, and we had a plan worked out so that we could get in the apartment if we didn't make it in time, and then we could sign the lease on Sunday. BUT we ended up making it at 5:05 and they were still here. YAY!
We walked into our tiny one bedroom apartment to be knocked down by the smell of cigarettes. What a nightmare. I am really sensitive to cigarette smoke, and it tends to make me feel really bad (headaches, etc.). YUCK. So, the next day I went down to the office and told them, and they gave me this super strength air fresh thing that goes on your air filter. That helped, but I knew once it wore off the smell was going to be coming right back because it was in the carpet. I went back to the office and was talking to them about it and they said they would have the carpet cleaning guy come by to talk to me about it. He came, and we decided that they would clean the carpet again, and then set off this bomb/fog thing that would fill the apartment and get in the filtration system and help eliminate the odors. They did that today, and it seems to be okay, but I'll let you know.
Sunday, one of Greg's friends was suppose to come and help us move, but he could not make it at the last minute. Greg and I began to move everything we could out of the trailer and then out of our storage unit. I was firm in the fact that I would not be able to move the washer and dryer. Sunday night, Greg's mom came and she was a huge help. By a true miracle of God, the three of us were able to move the washer and dryer into our 2nd floor apartment. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, and it sucked.
This beings the drama that is the washer and dryer.
- First of all, Greg had to go to Sears and buy the hoses and such that you need to attach the washer and dryer to the wall.
- Then, we finally get the washer and dryer in and Greg realizes that the plug on our dryer is three-prong and the plug in the wall is four-prong. So, he takes his second trip to Sears to figure out how to rewire the dryer so that we can have a four-prong plug.
- Then we can't get the water hoses to go on the washer straight, so we just put it off for another day.
- The next day we finally get the hoses on! I load up half our towels to wash because they smell like the storage unit, the washer fills and then it won't spin. Seriously, you've got to be kidding me. Greg calls Sears to see if anyone has any ideas of what to do, and they are no help. So, he is using google to trouble shoot. He goes back behind the washer, and lucky for us one of the maintenance men had come to work on our ice maker (which is still broken). I asked him if he knew anything about washers, and so he went back and helped Greg and they got it working!
- I am SO happy that the drama is finally over, so the cycle begins to run and about 5 minutes later I hear GUSHING water. The drainage hose has been blown off and water is spewing EVERYWHERE! I was yelling for Greg to come, and he turns the washer off, but the damage is already done. Have I mentioned that the washer and dryer is in the closet in our bedroom? So, we aren't dealing with water on tile, we are talking about water soaking our carpet in the bedroom. And of course, what's in the washer? Towels. ah-mazing.
- So we realize that there is a clamp missing that holds the drainage hose in place. Greg goes back to Sears to get the clamp, and he clamps the hose on. We are FINALLY done.
Greg's friend came yesterday, and we got our bedroom furniture, mattress and box springs, coffee table, and our kitchen table and chairs from storage. We have gotten everything in the apartment and now we are in design mode. We are hanging pictures and such. I will post pictures when we are done.
Are you exhausted? I know I am after reliving all that. I think I'll go relax and keep sipping on my wine. There's your glimpse into our move.
Maybe one day I will write a book about all the crazy things that have happened to us during our first year of marriage. I think that it would be very entertaining. What do you think? What have your moving experiences been like? Any advice on the smoke smell?
