just a note of update

Wanted to update you on where I am. I finally got the truck loaded....full to overflowing & that is only about 1/4 of what I have to move but at least I have that now.

It was taking forever to get the truck loaded (9 days). I didn't have enough boxed because of lack of space in the house to put boxes, I kept thinking "today it will be packed". Sooner or later, I knew the truck had to get filled.

Once I got it filled, it seemed little things got in the way then. My CD player didn't work (truck didn't come with one). Had to get new plug in, then found out I needed a new CD player. Then I needed to get a seat pad to make the seat softer. 5 days of driving...I need a softer seat. I went to 5 stores before finding a soft seat pad. Then when I tried to push the ramp back in, it wouldn't budge. Called the place where I rented the truck & they sent me to roadside repair. Found out the frame was bent & they tried to pull it straight....it took a welding tourch to head the metal enough to bend it back. That was a good 2 hour job. By that time, it was too late & just decided to leave the next morning.

Then came this morning. Got up very very early & got ready. Everything going perfect. I got a bit sidetracked while showering. One of my eskies loves to play with my & threw his play toy into the shower with me. I decided to try taking photo's of them with my cell phone. Oops, the I lowered the cell phone battery too much. I decided to set up my car charger for the phone & had problems connecting it. Fooled around with that for awhile

I finally got away.....actually still early in the day. I made it all the way to Flagstaff where I am staying the night. Will update more as the trip progresses. Plan on a long driving day tomorrow, so will sign off.

Debbie

Oh, what a lot of work; I don't envy you :-) I have a little understair closet I have to clean out and move some to a storage facility or vice versa and I keep putting it off. I'm still recovering from moving from my home of 20 years, summer of 2005!

Safe trip to you Eskie.......Sounds like a lot of work but I know you are up for it. Keep us updated!

Hugsss
sabby

You are handling all of the problems that arise wonderfully. Please be careful on this long drive. You sound so organized and focused. Take care and keep us posted.

BB

you go girl! I thought you were going thru Denver on your way though. I just love flagstaff! have a safe trip!

Glad to hear you're on the road! Looking forward to hearing about your adventures -
Mary

safe journeys to you and yours. quite the adventure you're on. very courageous and determined of you to make the choices you have and to go forward as you're doing.

go eskie!

((((((((((((((( Debbie ))))))))))))))))

Have a safe trip! (I actually thought you'd be in Kentucky by now). I'll bet you'll be glad when California is finally, permanently behind you and you're settled in your new home.

Deb,

Drive safely and have a good trip.

Gary

Thanks all for your good wishes for a safe trip. It is interesting driving across the country alone with only my doggie to talk to....& sing along to the country music on the radio. Good thing I'm the only one in the truck to listen to the horrible singing....my doggie hasn't started howling YET.

Had a rather slow start this morning. I was up early enough, but decided to take a bag out of the back of the truck (shouldn't have been packed there in the first place). When I opened the back (big mistake) & took out the bag, several other bags fell out. I climed onto the back of the truck to try & throw the bags farther into the truck so they would hold up some of the boxes. Had a hard time getting them to stay & when I finally was successful, I stepped back, thinking I was on the bumper & not in the truck. OOps, that was a long way down & ended up hitting the parking lot on my back....luckily I had a hair ribbon in my hair & that kept my head from hitting the cement so hard....still had a bit of a headache after that. I can also say that after the whole day of sitting & driving....my whole body is a bit stiff. A good hot shower will help.....no bruises....just a lot of bumps. Hope I can find a good chiropractor when I get to my farm. I think I knocked everything out of whack on that manuever. What a clutz!!!!

I realized how dangerous driving a truck can be.....as I was driving along, there was a huge 18 wheeler out in the center divider....the cab jackknifed & mangled. The highway patrol had just arrived. I have no idea if anyone was hurt....but it looked like the truck was the only thing involved in the accident.....probably cut off by some rude driver....but then again, they haul at over 80mph & it was windy.

I never thought that there could be a traffic jam on a highway away from California, but going into Albequerque, they were doing some road work...down to one lane. The freeway was backed up for 45 minutes just going down to the one lane. That was insane.

Bebop, yes, I was planning on going through Denver, but when it took me so long to load the truck, it was only for 9 days & every day over that costs more, so I decided not to extend the length of rental more than necessary.

I do wish it would be quicker getting moved. I priced having movers do most of the moving & they came up with a cost of $21,000 +. I couldn't justify that, so decided to do all the moving except for the large furniture myself. This is the just the first load. Then I will be driving my own truck back to Ca just before Thanksgiving with some of the tools I purchased in Ky to fix my house there. The early part of December, will pack another truck load, along with a trailer if necessary (that will attach to the back of my truck). I plan on having the movers take the large furniture at this time also. I will load all my doggies into my truck also & take them along (don't want to kennel them). I am planning on spending Christmas at my new house. I will give my daughter a plane ticket to spend Christmas there too. Yes, my husband will be there temporarily to help with getting my truck back there...& he might as well spend Christmas with Chandie....it would be a good thing.
Just after the 1st of the year, & when the furniture is settled, I we will drive my truck back to California with the dogs (don't want to kennel them in KY either) & I will spend a month or so fixing up the California house so it can be sold. It is really a mess. Hasn't been painted for the 20 years I've lived in it. The carpets are a disaster & all the kitchen cabinets need cleaned. The natural wood gets grungy after so long in the desert dirt.

Once the house is ready to put on the market, then I will be able to take several of my horses back to my farm along with all my dogs again. I just purchased a very nice horse trailer, so I will be able to transport most of my horses myself. I plan on getting some shelter set up for my horses while I am there this time, & in December so I will have it ready for hauling my horses back there.

I never realized what a huge move this was going to be until I sat down & worked out the details, figuring out just when & how the moving needed to take place. Actually, the plan just came to me one day. I had been thinking about it in the back of my mind all along, then just about a week ago, it all came together in my mind. I love it when my mind works like that.

So I figure I should be moved in with all my horses & doggies & everything, by early next year. Who would think that a move would take that long??? Almost 6 months, but it will cost me a lot less & that gives me more money to put into my horses & that is the most important thing to me. I'm not on any deadline, so time isn't that important. Right now, the housing market in California is terrible, so wouldn't get what I need out of the house if I sold it now anyway. Holding onto it until the market goes up will be the best thing since we are splitting the value of the house when we get legally separated . I need as much as I can get out of it myself.

Sorry this was more than an update!!!!!,
Debbie

Debbie let me help advise if I may. Be really careful on the trips back and forth coming up. It is the weather there in Az. It can change really fast going thru Flagstaff. Sorry you ran into the big traffic jam. Most trucks don't go 80 anymore. I have seen so much crap out there with cars cutting off trucks. errrrr I still shudder at the thoughts of stuff I have seen cars do. errrrr please please be careful and my offer is still open. $21,000 for a move? yikes! I would move myself too lol oh there is a rest area in NM that has a corral for people to rest their horses as well if you need it.

Wow you have so much to coordinate and it sounds like you have considered everything. I know your animals will be happy you haven given how you will move them so much thought. I know you will just love your new place so it will be worth all the hassle. Since you are on no timeline try not to overdo it. Take care and take your time.

BB

Taking my time is exactly what I did today. I could only do about 400 miles today....just got too tired & restless. When I started getting irritated at my doggie for trying to get under my feet & pushing into me without just pushing him away, I knew I had too much & found the closest motel to stop at.

I have run into a new policy at several motels....they have safe's in the room & charge $1.50 for it. It is put initially on the bill & you have to have it taken off when you check out. I ran into a real inexperiences person at the hotel today who didn't know how to do anything with out the manager telling her what to do. I was putting the stuff back in the truck cab so I ended up checking out 1 minute after checkout time (If I had known it would be a problem, I would have checked out a few minutes early & then finished putting the things in my truck). When I went to check out, the girl told me it was after check out time & she couldn't get hold of my records so she couldn't give me my money back.....& it was just tough luck. I was already unhappy about the charge being on there in the first place, so that just ticked me off even more. I had to ask for the managers phone #. She told me the card had the phone # of the manager....when I called it, I got the twit at the front desk who couldn't help me & then she told me that she thought the manager had gone away for the weekend. Why didn't she tell me that when I was standing there???? I was starting to get a little peaved at the lack of intelligence I was running into even though I know she wasn't responsible for the charge. It was just the lack of intelligence & irresponsible way of handling the situation that got to me.

Anyway, I nice long sleep tonight & tomorrow will be a better day. I still have over 900miles to go, so I'm sure I will be taking 2 more days to get there.

Bebop,

thanks for the headsup of the Flagstaff weather....it was raining cats & dogs ( & maybe some hail) when I arrived & it was cloudy the next morning. I don't know how fast the trucks are really going, but I have gotten my speed up to 70 & they pass me as if I'm standing still....if it isn't 80, it's pretty close. Most are very nice drivers however.

When I move my horses, I am planning on making arrangements to stay at ranches every 400 miles. That trip will definitely be planned...unlike this one. I drive until I'm tired, then use my GPS to find a local lodging...call around to find the best price that takes Leo & also has internet access. That way I have a lot of freedom....but with my horses, that will be completely different.

So much for another day of driving....at least nothing eventful today
Debbie

am loving reading about your journey debbie. that must have hurt falling off the back of the truck though!! i know how stiff i can get sitting in a car even just for 4 or 5 hours so sitting still for as long as you re doing and then with all those bruises... i feel for you!
bebop is right though. please be very careful driving the truck so far. even the thought of it makes me nervous. they look like such unweildy (sp?) things to go at such speeds!
can understand the frustration with the motel. i can forgive lack of knowledge and have loads of time for people who are new at their jobs except when they try to chance their way out of things or when they are rude or disrespectful. that really can get my back up.
hope your eskies are enjoying the journey! good luck with the next couple of days. i ll be thinking of you!
take care
biiv

I had a late time getting going this morning....everytime I got up, I got dizzy.....decided to just sleep & take it easy until I felt better.....go figure....I didn't leave the motel until after 1pm. Now that's really lazy. They were really nice about it & didn't care about any check out time.....so that was really nice of them. I stayed at a travel lodge in Oklahoma. Not bad, but a bit buggy.....Glad they weren't in my bed.....lol.

I was very rested & relaxed when I left, so the drive went well. I guess I must have not been feeling well yesterday because I was very grumpy with Leo.....no patience lets me know that I was feeling a bit off.

He was behaving much better except he has some behavior problems when I leave him alone in the truck (or anywhere)....he gets even with me everytime. I stopped at a McDonalds to get something to eat & a cup of ice cream for him.....the bribbary didn't work. When I got back out to the truck, he had peed on the sleeping pad I had for him & pooped on the wicker picnic basket. Then when I got into the truck, he was so excited he tipped the ice cream & it got all over everything. What a stinker......teaching him manners is definitely a challenge to continue working on....I WILL WIN!!!!!!

With the late start, I was able to go until after midnight. All I need is an early start & about 6 hours of driving (450 more miles) & I will arrive at my farm.......yahoo!!!!!!! I am getting excited. If I get in early enough, I can take care of some business & make sure my internet is active so I can access it when I get there.

I am surprised at how well the truck actually handles. I finally got it set up to be comfortable & have everything within reach......just before the trip is over.....that's typical for me.

I can't wait to see what my house looks like after they installing all the new windows & doors (except for the front door). New rain gutters & the soffits are all wrapped so the wood is protected now from the weather. It had been painted a drab gray, & now it's a bright white, with green (historical green of the area) shutters. It won't look anything like the house I left.....how exciting!!!!!

I know that I will be able to round up some help with unloading the truck....probably will do everything that I can by myself & then get help to take care of what I can't do alone. I'm not great at asking for help...have always been very independent, but there are times when things just can't be done alone.....that's when I know to ask for help.

Wahoo.....The first leg of the move is almost over.....it really feels good to accomplish this,
Debbie

I am glad you are moving right along hon! I know it feels good to do this. you be safe out there hon.

we're so glad you're checking in along the way. can't recall where you wrote it but you said something about when you bring all the dogs about driving and driving and driving and barking.

we imagined the reverse: barking and barking and barking and driving LOL

you're amazing to be doing what you're doing and even more so for sharing w/ the community here. you're inspirational!

oh leo no! bad doggie! whatever about peeing and pooping you dont waste ice cream! :P dogs are so much more intelligent and manipulative than many give them credit for! lol
sorry you werent feeling great this morning. i wouldnt call it lazy though to stay and rest when you need it. i imagine you need all your wits about you handling leo never mind driving the truck! hehe.
fingers crossed you get home early tomorrow though remember to be careful not to rush too much cos the last mile can often be the most dangerous. congratulations on getting this far. especially since you were so nervous starting off! zh is right. you are inspirational.
take care of you debbie!

450 miles in 6 hours? You better SLOW DOWN!!!

Well, I arrived this evening....actually later than that because I lost another hour when it because east coast time.

Looking at the outside of the house....it looks great with all the new windows.....then I walked in the front door......oh no!!!!!!

I am surprised that everyone didn't hear what I had to say & it wasn't very nice. I am trying to figure out what happened to the quality work the painter was doing while I was there & he was working hourly???? The walls looked horrible, the archways weren't finished & none of the painting was finished....I was told it was finished & paid him for part of what he said he had done. Towards the end, I decided that I wasn't going to pay him until I saw the finished product.....he isn't going to get paid another cent!!!!!!

I am not sure if I will just call & let him BS with me & then let him have it, or quite what right now????

He did finish the basement floor very nicely.....turned off the hot water heater's gas so there wouldn't be an explosion.....so when I checked, the pilot light hadn't been turned back on. Not only that, but he must have turned off the gas somewhere other than close to the waterheater but I couldn't get any gas to. By the time I arrived, it was dark & I wasn't about to go out to th propane tank & figure out if he turned it off there.

I have a truck full of things sitting in front of the house & there isn't a room that is ok to put it all in. I was thinking about putting everything in the basement until I went down there to deal with the hot water heater.....a huge spider.....eeeeewwwww. Basements & bugs!!!!!! Not sure I want to store my things around all the bugs.

I knew I had a few final things to finish up, but now, I have all the work to do because I'm not paying him another cent to finish anything up. I was only planning on being here for a month.....now I have months of work I have to do before any furniture can even be brought into the house.

Angry is a nice word for how I am feeling. I hate it when people think they can take adventage of me because I'm a nice female.....they end up finding out just how NOT nice I can be.....I am not a good person to mess with.....& especially not when they push me to being angry.

I will get all my facts together & make sure of all the crap I am sure I will be getting from him. It will be interesting to see how things go here.

To top that all off, I decided that I was going to a motel & get a nice shower & good sleep before all the crap hits the fan tomorrow....I called 5 local motels & none of them would take me with my doggie. I went all the way across the contry & found several choices each night & finally found one place here that would take me.....That didn't do much to lessen my anger either.

What a night.....what an ending to the trip. The last part of the trip was a bit rough anyway.....Leo was getting restless....the road was getting so bumpy, I was getting a headache even with all the fentynal I'm on for migraines. What an ending to the trip.

I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings,
Debbie

I am glad you made it home but not to the apparent mess you have. good luck getting it straightened out today hon.

I enjoyed reading of your adventure.
I have moved across country many times.
From Philadelphia Pa. tp Oceanside Ca. to NJ, to MN. to NC to MN toAZ to MN to NJ to MN. All in 35 years of marriage. No more moves for me. The next time I go anywhere will be in 81/2 years when I retire. Then I'm buying a place in NC and will spend winters there and summers here in MN.

I expect that you will get that house in order quickly and settle down.

I am saddened that your husband and you couldn't reconsile. I have many differences with my wife but, I endure because i do love her and my family.

Good luck to you in the future.

glad you arrived safely but ugh about the mess and double ugh ugh ugh about the spider!!
i hope you can get a good nights sleep in the motel now that you ve finally found one. you must be wrecked tired. and leo too! it really bugs me too when you trust someone to do something for you and they just take the micky by doing a terrible job of somehting so straightforward. id say wait until you ve calmed down a bit and then decide whether its worth calling him or just going ahead and getting it done yourself or by someone else.
things may look a little brighter in the morning after a good rest but also try to remember that recently as you say things have seemed to go wrong for a reason - so that you have the chance to take up an even better opportunity. who knows what may come of this buffoons skiivving!
(((((((((((((((((((((((debbie))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
sleep tight and good luck dealing with all of this in the morning.

Am having problems entering posts tonight....enter them & it comes back saying all fields not filled in....say what....I lost the post I had here, so will try again later.....this happened on the last post I posted too....getting even more frustrated....not good