HollyKing's Journal

Stuff is getting packed thanks to hollyqueen and her herculean efforts. Still a bit to do but I think we'll be in shape so I can get everything moved to our new place on Monday. The weather report calls for rain but I don't trust it that far in advance.

Addresses have been updated. Utilities have been shut off. Cable/Internet/Phone installation is scheduled. (Two days with out the intertubes!!!) Moving crew hired. Assistants to help wrangle the moving crew found.

hollyqueen and I have 9 book cases. Nine, which is four more than we need. They are in good condition, does anyone want one or more of them? They won't be available until next Tuesday but after that I want to get them out of there as fast as possible. Also, we have a lot of books we would like to offer friends before we send them off to charity.

Monday December 21st at 9:00am I could use some help with moving. I don't need anyone to lift boxes or carry things. I need an assistant to help wrangle the moving crew I've hired. I'll be busy breaking down things like the bed and desks and could use someone to direct the movers to what boxes and furniture needs to be moved and what needs to stay.

You'll get a morning of my sparkling company, amusement at my crap, first view of our new home and lunch and drinks on me.

Anyone?

hollyqueen and I met with the owner of the condo we're renting. I wanted to dislike her because of the hassle of moving, but after meeting her she is a nice lady and I understand why she's selling it. They're slapping a $40K assessment on each unit to pay for improvements to the outside. That means the owner would be paying about $1100 in fees each month. That's almost what we pay in rent each month so she's losing money each month by renting to us. I still hate moving but I would sell in that position too.

The good news is that due to Seattle regulations the earliest we would have to move is August 31st and that's if she had a buyer lined up and ready to close tomorrow. So we know we have until the end of August and the owner agreed to give us 45 days from the sale to move. Also, the new owner might be looking for an investment property and would love to have solid renters in place and willing to stay.

So between now and August 31st I'm going to go through my stuff again and cull it out. That way I've got time and not making choices under last minute pressure.

Anyone want a love seat? How about an exercise bike? Free if you come take them away.

Everything is out of the old place. We have given them back the keys. The move is done.

Thank you to everyone who helped us with packing, moving and cleaning. It means a lot to both of us!

And now... A nap!

I drove west to work for the last time this morning. Tomorrow we move after that going to work I’ll be heading east. No more short trips on 520. Instead we’ll be crushed in with everyone else crossing Lake Washington.

Ready or not tomorrow’s the day.

Today hollyqueen and I went to our new home and filled out the walkthrough paperwork to mark all the existing damage. The more time I spend there the more I like it. While we were there we also measured each room and sketched the layout so we can figure out how to arrange the furniture. Finally before we left we christened our new home with some naked frolic on the living room floor. MMmm...

Next up was lunch so we walked up the street to Philadelphia Fevre for some cheesesteak sandwiches. Those were good! I love having a few places to grab a bite within walking distance. On the way back to the car we stopped to look at the menu for Crush. I found a lot of things to try but poor hollyqueen only found one. The thing I think is the most interesting is the Chef's Grand Tasting Menu, which seems to be a group of selections made by the chef. At $105 I'll have to save up but I so want that adventure.

Back to Redmond to deal with the office. We still have things to pack but all the trash is out of here ready to go to the dumpster. Our big goal for tomorrow is taking everything useful that we're not keeping and donating it to Goodwill. Then in the evening I'll pack up the rest of the stuff in here and start making a dent in my clothes.

3 more days... Will we get done in time? I hope so because I sure don't want to shuttle everything over in the car. That would take for ever.

Next Wednesday hollyqueen and I will be city kids again! There's a bit of packing left but the biggest issue right now is how to get the things we aren't keeping out of the house. Is anyone available on Sunday to help cart things to Goodwill?

The move is progressing well. I think I’m finally starting to realize that life is different in Seattle. For one we’re going to lose our nice short commute and have to deal with crossing Lake Washington. I did a bit of quick math and it looks like taking the bus is much cheaper than driving. It’s about $15/day to drive and only about $9/day to take the bus. According to Google Maps the drive should take about 34 minutes and the bus ride would take about 55 minutes. Sounds like the bus is a winner as I’ll get much more time to read.

I just got done switching our electric service to the new apartment. Instead of transferring my account with Puget Sound Energy I had to close our account and open a new one with Seattle City Light. I wish I had found the online form before I went through the long phone process but the service is done and that’s one less thing on our list.

I’m really excited about living in a city again. I am looking forward to exploring Seattle.

Folks are coming over to help pack tomorrow night. I just reserved a truck from U-Haul and hired a moving crew. Smokes! We're actually moving.

hollyqueen and I need help. We are moving and need some help packing everything into boxes. Can anyone come give us a hand?

I will provide boxes, all packing material, food and drink. The plan is to have several packing parties to work around schedules and to make up for the fact that we don't have enough room to have everyone over at once. This won't involve heavy lifting as I'll be hiring a crew to move everything to the new place.

If you can help please reply with what evenings you would be willing to come over. I'll get back to you with which nights we could use your help.

ETA: If you would like to help and you have limited transportation I will give, or arrange, a ride to our apartment and back to your desired destination.