Last Week. Next Week.

Last Sunday, I took my cat over to P's house where she will live from now on. There are no words to describe how much that sucked.

Monday, my mom came over and we did a bunch of packing, later in the day, we went over to my brother's house. He was having a cookout for Labor Day. Met some of his neighbors, played with the dogs, it was OK. No mosquitoes, but a lot of bees.

Tuesday, I got together for dinner with my friend Elliott. We got caught up on news, then had to say goodbye. That was hard.

Wednesday, I canceled my regular phone, long distance, electricity, cable TV, and internet, all as of next Friday, the 16th. I set up an e-mail-only account with my internet provider, so I'll be able to keep my same e-mail address for as long as I want. I also set up a Yahoo account when I posted to Freecycle a while back, so I can use that address too, if I need it.
At dinnertime, my friend Bolo called, wanted to get together. We did a Chinese buffet, then Culver's for dessert. He offered to help me move next Tuesday. I'm not expecting much help at all, so I was grateful.

Thursday, I had my exit interview at work. That was fun. I spoke at length with our human resource gal about evil bosslady. Nothing will ever change, but I am well liked enough to be able to speak freely about it to management. I did not burn any bridges, they would rehire me.
After work, I met up with my mom, and we went to talk to the landlord about the situation. It was a very ugly meeting. To my horror, they told us that in my 30-unit apartment building, there are four other empty apartments besides mine. The whole city has gone condo, and there are no renters to be had anywhere. My rent is paid for September, my mom will take over trying to sublet after I leave. Another round of posters, another ad in the paper. I am so fucked.

Friday was my last day at work. There was cake at lunchtime. I will not miss my job, but I will miss many of the people I worked with. There were hugs, and a few cards. I wasn't expecting a parting gift, but I got something wonderful: gas money. In a card signed by everybody, there was $276 in cash. The doctors passed the hat, and gasoline for my 1900 mile road trip is taken care of. I was absolutely stunned.


This weekend: finish packing, start cleaning, get the car tuned up, try to see everyone who I want to see before I leave.

Monday: holyoutlaw arrives in Madison.
Tuesday: Shipping container arrives. Fill it with my stuff.
Wednesday: Finish cleaning apartment.
Thursday, early: Commence drive to Seattle.

I'm In The Zone..

The packing zone. I got a tremendous amount of packing done today. My storage locker downstairs is almost empty, I brought things up to re-pack into sturdier boxes. I'm currently looking at the boxes piled up in the corner and having a moment of panic, as I fear the trailer I reserved (6x7x8) won't be anywhere near big enough. I don't know if they could deliver a bigger one on the same day, and even if they can, it would cost me $500 more. I already spent nearly $400 on my car today, getting a whole bunch of minor things done so it's in good shape for the long trip.

I posted to the local fan group, in the hopes of finding people to help me move on Tuesday. Moving on a weekday has it's drawbacks, hopefully I can scrounge up a few warm bodies after work. At least we'll only be loading, not unloading as well.


By 5pm Monday, I must:
*Visit my grandma in the nursing home for what will surely be the last time.
*Try to squeeze in one more visit with my cat.
*Get the car washed.
*Try to get my nails done for the last time before I become too poor to afford such a girly indulgence.
*Take all the stuff I haven't been able to sell or give away to Goodwill.
*Go to the bank, cash in my change jar, and transfer money to my new bank in Seattle, leaving enough to cover final bills here.
*Spend some quality time with my dad.
*Try to get in a visit with intelligentrix.
*Try to get in a visit with Joan and Rem, dear friends of the family.

Back to packing...