The Big Move

Yesterday was the beginning of our two-day back-breaking odyssey from our old rental in Virginia Highlands, which we lived in for three great years, to our first home as homeowners in Decatur. The entire day was spent hauling breakable, sensitive items - like vases, glasses, three Macs, stereo equipment - as well as continually opening the front door to meet various delivery crews and utility installers.

To my surprise, Comcast got our digital cable and net access (through an Airport Base Station no less) up and running in no time. All the deliveries we had scheduled for the day were punctual and trouble-free. The icing on the cake came when my order of eight Kyoto chairs and matching pair of counter stools (which I can't say enough good things about) unexpectedly arrived on the back of a big Yellow Freight truck. After a sense of calm returned, and my back, hands, and legs were about to crumble into a fine powder of marrow dust, I picked up the cats, dropped them in the back of the car, and officially turned their entire universe upside down.

First night, like any night in a new place, was an interesting aural experience. You are the sole audience for a late-night musical performance that includes a water heater that pings and pops, an air-conditioning system that lightly rumbles when it kicks on, and an ice maker in the fridge (something I have never had before) that drops a new payload with a crash that'll make you sit up in bed. The cats wandered, sniffed, dug into empty boxes, and let out the occasional meow when they got lost. In all, a bumpy night.

Today, after I get up off the floor from typing this, we move the big stuff - the living room furniture, washer and dryer, all that. Fortunately I just have to point and instruct where the goods go, but I'll be doing plenty of hauling once again. Off we go.