40 Days of Moving: Day 26 and 27

I was so tired by the time I got home last night I couldn’t even think about writing. First I woke up at 4:30 and finally got out of bed at 5:30. I never do that. At 7:45 the appliance company called and told me they would deliver between 12:30 and 3:30. I thought about going back to sleep, but it didn’t happen. Instead I sorted through the tool box. I really should get one of those heavy duty boxes they sell at Home Depot, but I probably wouldn’t be able to lift it. I got to the apartment about 9:30 to find Ed in conference with Bill, the maintenance man. I had asked Bill to stop by; but didn’t expect him so early. We had lots of questions about electrical outlets, lighting and problems installing anything electrical. We got lots of answers, but nothing we really wanted to hear. In order to install new electric lines you have to cut into the concrete. There is no way to feed the line through as you would with lathe and plaster. It’s a good thing I bought two new lamps; probably there will be others in my future.

While I waited for the delivery I cleaned the bathtub and the tile around it, then hung the shower curtain. This tub will have two curtains, a liner and an outer curtain, the better to hide the tub. I think it will be like taking a shower in a cave. I have a walk-in shower in my present apartment and I really enjoy it. I’d love to replace the tub with a walk-in shower, but it’s not going to happen. While I was doing this, Ed and Meg worked in the kitchen. Everything is ready for the paint sprayers who have promised to arrive early Monday morning.

I finished the day with my usual Thursday evening ESL tutoring, went out for dinner, then crawled into bed.

Haven’t done much about the apartment today. Just had lots of other things to do. BTW, I have arranged to have the gas, electricity, phone and internet turned off and phone and internet turned on in the new place. Gas and electricity are included in the monthly assessment.

40 Days of Moving: Day 25

Everything is finished except for the kitchen. I can’t believe we’ve come this far. The dishwasher and stove will be delivered tomorrow. Ed will be there to hook up the stove and finish some cabinetry. Dishwasher will be installed by someone from the vendor in the next few days; probably next week. Here is a sample of the granite along with the color I plan to put into the kitchen, replacing the blood red. The countertop will be delivered next week after the cabinets are sprayed.

The next challenge is packing. I think I’ve packed 50 boxes, but I figured 100, so I’m half way. I was promised more boxes from a friend. I’ll find out more about it tomorrow. In the meantime I’m still throwing out and otherwise getting rid of stuff.

40 Days of Moving: Day 24

My Osher classes started up again yesterday, so I spent both yesterday and this morning trying to think about other things. Today was especially good. The professor is great, we are working on the detective in literature.

After lunch I went up to the apartment. It’s very convenient to my classes, which, of course, was the point. Ed and Meg were working on the bedroom floor. The medicine chest and the shower rod were installed, finishing the bathroom. I carefully measured the nooks and crannies in the living room and the master bedroom, trying to determine where to put the furniture without physically dragging it around. I’ve been doing this on the computer but it’s hard to get the scale just right. I need a drafting program.

Robin and I are going to Costco tonight. They have a wonderfully funky looking kitchen faucet that I want to see. It’s also convenient to Lowe’s if I decide it’s too funky.

Thank you all for your kitchen comments. I understand that kitchens sell houses or apartments. That’s what sold my last two places. If it was up to me I’d have a microwave, a toaster oven and the dishwasher; no stove.

40 Days of Moving: Day 23

I’m celebrating tonight. Ed gave me the name of another place to try. They only sell granite, but no minimums, good prices and I can get the finished piece this week if I want. I didn’t really want granite and it’s still more money than I wanted to spend, but it’s not laminate and it’s less money than all the other alternatives. I selected a shiny, gaudy black and tan stone. Should have taken a picture now that I think about it. I’ll probably go back on Wednesday so maybe I’ll do it then.

Perry has finished painting. He’ll return for the kitchen. The living room floor is finished as is the formerly dark green bedroom. Ed has two or three days work left. The replacement doors need hardware attached and sconces installed in the living room. Kitchen counter has to be removed and florescent lights replaced with track. Medicine chest and shower rod are needed in the bathroom. Floor has to be replaced in small bedroom.

The dishwasher and stove will be delivered on Thursday, cabinets will be painted next Monday and Tuesday. I’ll have the granite counter installed some time next week, Ed has to install the new kitchen floor and butcher block on two other counters, then Perry will return to paint. With any luck it might be finished when I move in: May 24. I’m still packing and getting rid of.

40 Days of Moving: Day 21 and 22

Saturday morning was back to the great counter hunt. Got more info but nothing that helped me make a decision. I’m going to try again tomorrow. I took the afternoon off and went to an interesting presentation at the City of Asylum, a wonderful Pittsburgh group, who gave us insight into Iran from a journalist, a poet and several musicians. It was good to have several hours free from thinking about my move.

Today was a packing day. I’ve been working in the kitchen and it occurred to me I will pack almost the entire kitchen with the exception of 2 shelves of dishes, two partially filled cabinets with dry foodstuffs and a drawer with flatware. I won’t miss any of the other stuff. It’s almost tempting to get rid of it, but I guess I would want it if I have a party. Hard to decide what I really need as opposed to the stuff I’ve just been dragging around with me.

40 Days of Moving: Day 20

Another day of chasing down counters. Robin did a lot of internet research for me. She’s very good at it, but didn’t come up with anything useful. Did you know you can get concrete counters? I’m surprised they didn’t put them in originally along with all of the rest of the concrete. Anyhow, back to Lowe’s tomorrow. Also ordered Comcast internet and phone. I don’t think there is much difference in price between the two of them, in the long run. It’s more a matter of whose customer service (ha!) is more  tolerable. I quit Comcast two years ago. I suppose I can do that again when this year’s contract is up.

Actually, that was only the morning. I went to the apartment to see what was going on. Both bedrooms and the living room are painted. Here is a picture of the start of the living room floor.  The blue area is what we are covering. I left at this point and came back to my old apartment and continued packing. I’m trying to be very careful and sorting and getting rid of stuff, not just throwing things into boxes. I don’t know whether to buy more of the file boxes at Staples (good size, good price) or go for larger ones.

40 Days of Moving: Day 19

Packed several boxes today, but otherwise a wasted day. I drove out to Lowe’s for my 4 o’clock appointment and found out I would have to buy 25 sq. ft. of the stuff I wanted, amounting to the same price I didn’t want to pay yesterday. My only choice seems to be a laminate, which I didn’t really want to do. I guess things have been going along too well; there have to be some problems.