Our New Abode - Week One, dated March 5, 2003
Right now we're hanging out in an extended stay type hotel - TownePlace Suites (by Marriot) in Renton. It's fairly close to where we used to live, so the area is quite familiar to me. I just never thought we'd be back here. The hotel is actually quite nice, as we got a one bedroom, which is separate from the rest of the room. Pretty much like a small apartment, complete with a mini range/oven unit, full size frig and small dishwasher.
The cats have settled in quite nicely, fortunately. I was rather worried about them, but they're doing fine. When I drove over here in the Toyota Tacoma pickup, they were all in the back of the truck (has a canopy). I wadded the back full of old pillows, a foam cushion that needed to be tossed (good thing, as someone peed on it and it wasn't me!) and lots of washable towels, blankets and sheets. They settled in rather nicely. There was some food, water and a cat box back there for them. I pulled over twice for a long stop, so they could get their business done if they wanted to. For the most part they just laid there.
I got out of Spokane hours later than I wanted to, so I was very stressed out. A stressed out Laura is not nice be to around, as hubby can attest to. HA! And I was hungry on top of it. Massive horrors to be around. Pulled into the hotel just after 11PM. I was pretty pooped by that point.
Hubby pulled in about an hour or so behind me, even though he left hours after me. I was taking it easy as the truck doesn't pull the enclosed trailer as nicely as the Trooper, plus I was worried about the cats, especially when the trailer would start wobbling around. It was a bit slick at Snoqualmie Pass, which completely freaked me out, so I went about 40 mph. Hubby was driving a 17' U-Haul, with the Trooper on one of their "auto transporter" (as they call it - can't call it a trailer with those folks). When he got gas in Moses Lake, he checked all around the trailer and truck. Found out the straps holding the Trooper in place had FALLEN OFF! So, the Trooper was basically sitting on the ramp, with nothing holding it in place, but one measly chain in the rear which wouldn't have done a darn thing if he had had to stop quickly or whatever. Of course I was now doubly freaked. The Trooper had all of our electronics in there, including the TV and computer. Ack! I've had it since it was new in 1989 and I'd be bummed if I were to lose it (especially in that manner).
Sunday we unloaded the truck and trailer. We now have two storage units wadded full. I have way too much crap. Some of which was weeded out already. I took over 4000# worth of stuff to the dump, plus lots to Goodwill, before we left Spokane.
I knew the house was a dump, but I was still appalled by it when I actually saw it in the daylight, with the curtains pulled. (Which I removed last night as they're smoke filled and I don't want them.) Parts of the ceiling is torn away and hanging down. Cats have peed all over the carpets. Dirty, icky looking walls. Gawdawful yellow kitchen. Stinky smoke smell. Parts of the double hung windows falling off the outside. (The kind of windows that are two parts and you lift them up - think they're called double hung.) On one window the outside wood is completely gone, so there's about a 1-2" gap between the two panes of glass. Gee, no wonder I froze yesterday while I was over there. Lots of crap was left here, including furniture and tons of stuff up in the attic. And we're expected to get rid of it all, which won't be fun (to put it mildly).
Last night we pulled up the stinky, rotten carpets, which are probably about 20 years old. The pads were crumbling away and had a ton of dirt underneath. I immediately brushed my teeth as soon as I got back to the hotel, my mouth felt that gritty from all that dirt and we haven't even swept it up yet!
The next few evenings will be spent getting crap out of there and hauling it to the dump. It's so depressing. I took a bunch of photos last night with my digital camera, for the before and after effects.
Friday a gal is coming by to wash the walls, which badly need it. Right now most of the rooms have wood paneling, which is rather dark, except for one room. Which makes the place even more gloomy. Saturday a professional cleaning crew is coming by with multiple employees to do the deep down stuff. Stuff that I have no desire to do, nor the time or energy. It'll be worth it to get them to do it, plus they're used to cleaning up crappy places and have all the necessary stuff for cleaning. It won't be cheap, but it'll be worth every penny. Sunday a few friends are coming by to help with the painting. My niece is flying in on Saturday, as well. She volunteered to help paint and I gladly took her up on it, since her spring break coincided with our move. It'll be well worth the free ticket I sent her for it.
I plan to have most all of the walls painted WHITE, to brighten up the place. As much as I detest pure white walls, in this place it'll be the best. Found some good stuff to cover up the walls with, including any remaining stains and odors. Will use that as a primer and then slap up the white paint on top. I'll probably have the bathroom painted a different color though, just for fun.
Week Two