Moving Day!

Well, moving day was Saturday.  But, in the world of moving, and then attempting to blog about it, these things take time.  Mostly because I cannot stand what a mess this place is!

Packing the truck started on Friday.  Which was good, because I don't think that Nick and I could have lived in the condo one.more.day. with the way that it was.  I meant to take a picture, but did not.  Believe me, there were boxes and boxes and furniture stacked everywhere.  Everything started smoothly.  I walked down to the Uhaul and picked up the truck.  I successfully drove it back without cramming anyone, and then even managed to back it into our spot.  Again, imagine the picture that I did not take!!

This is where things get a little whack.  The movers were scheduled to come at noon.  Carissa stopped by, and we were chatting.  At 12:30, I decided to call to see what was up.  Um, I accidentally booked the movers for SATURDAY.  In Chicago.  Just three hours before I booked the movers in Kansas City.  Thankfully, the awesome folks at Windy City Helpers agreed to help me out and come over after their last move of the day.  So, I sat at home, freaking out for a bit, and they came around four.  Boy, could those guys move.  Carissa just sat and watched them.  They hauled it all out and down to the truck, and had everything packed before six.  It was seriously amazing, our movers in Kansas City even commented on how great the load-in was.

Friday evening was a bit rushed with all of the delays.  We scrambled to get the house in some semblance of order, because we had the signing agent from our refinance coming at six.  Thank goodness that she was late, because there was no way that we would have made it by six!  After God only knows how many months of trying, we finally closed on our refinance.  I'm sure that Nick is just thrilled.

Saturday morning we were up and out of the house by 4:30 am.  We had to swing by North Riverside to pick up a dresser, and then we were on the road a little before 5:30.  I took the first leg of the drive, thinking that Nick and I could switch a few times throughout the drive.  It's about eight and a half hours from North Riverside to Kansas City.  I had told the landlord that I'd be there between 2:00 and 3:00, and had scheduled the movers for 3:00, so we wanted to make sure that we had some built-in time in case we hit traffic or had a delay.

After about two hours, I had Nick take over the drive so that I could rest my eyes.  The goofball ended up doing the rest of the drive!  He's definitely more comfortable with the truck, and he actually enjoys driving, so it worked out in the end.  Not to mention, there was zero traffic cutting through southern Illinois and then through Missouri.  And the speed limit is 65.  In the end, we made the drive faster than Mr. Google said and arrived at about 1:15 or so.  Good news was that the movers called on the way and let us know that they wanted to start early.  In the end, we were all unloaded by four.  Of course, then the real madness started with trying to get anything we needed to pick up, unpacking boxes, etc.  But no one wants to hear about that (all three of you that have occasionally peeked at this blog that is).

Just as we started the unload, I ran upstairs and grabbed some quick photos.  I swear that this place looks bigger on camera than it is.  Not that it is terribly small, but OMG does this look spacious!

The Glories of CL

My house looks like a storage unit.  For Realz.  My husband is probably thinking about moving out himself, as he hates clutter.  I'm excited to get everything back to normal, even though I know that I won't be around for it.  :(

But what is in the condo?  Well, there are boxes.  Lots of boxes.  And some donated furniture and kitchen stuff (which is mostly in boxes).  My old bed frame from my single gal days.  Furniture I had in storage and forgot I had.  Now, there is a mattress in the hallway too.  And then there are my craigslist finds.  I love CL.  I also hate it sometimes, but I mostly love it.  CL is glorious stash of junk, with just a few jewels mixed in.  And, it's the only way we can afford to furnish a whole new apartment.  Well, that and my in-laws.  Even our condo here has a large quantity of second hand finds, and most are CL.  Like my table, and my dining chairs, and my couch, and the buffet, and the storage console in Nick's office, and most of our dressers...don't forget the coffee table, and the half finished arm chairs.  Wait, maybe I'd better leave it there.

But, on to the new stuff.  I decided to buy in Chicago because honestly the KCMO CL does not seem as friendly (where do people buy used furniture in KC?) and I won't have a car.  Transportation is a vital part of the CL hunt.  So, the plan is to pack up the old and the new, and haul it all down with us.

Like my new couch?  Sure, it isn't in perfect condition, but it was a steal for a pullout.  Literally, I think I grabbed it and ran down the hallway.  Or maybe I just trotted alongside the buys while they lugged it.  And it's nice and soft.  She's a looker.

This couch is actually staying in Chicago.  I'm taking our old one with me.

Or my dining set?  This is likely to get painted at some point.  I mean, it was only $75 for the set (table plus two leaves, 2 arm chairs, 4 dining chairs, and the pads) so I can totally handle that.  It isn't exactly what I want, but the price was right and I can make it work.  What do you think about a white table with turquoise chairs?

Table with no leaves...I'll probably leave at least one in.

There's also my console / occasional table.  This is the one where the seller wouldn't believe that it would fit in the Fit.  Ha!  I fit it in, plus an Ikea run, plus three people in the car.  Never doubt the clown car.  Of course, the console is a great example of the deals to be had and the frustrations.  $200 table from Ikea for $50.  WHY GOD did the previous owners give it the worst paint job ever?  It's actually a wood piece (and oddly matches our kitchen table in Chicago - same line).  It was pretty on its own.  And I love painted furniture.  In fact, this may eventually be painted.  But why this?

It doesn't look nearly as bad in person, but I'll have it stripped within a week.  Then it will be great!  Then I'll figure out a bold color to paint or stain it (well) and it will be even better.

Last night I picked up a chair, since I realized that the chair in my floorplanner didn't exist anywhere but in my head.  It's a little beat up.  Someone's cat loved it even more than my two do (seriously, they only way they have left this chair since I bought it was a forced migration).  It needs some repair of the big scratches/tears and a recondition to hide the smaller stuff.  For $15, you can't really be picky.  A faux leather chair is minimum $100 plus tax, and leather is even more.

Well, maybe that isn't a ton.  But it feels like it!  Especially when you're packing up other CL finds, like my sewing table.

I know that some folk don't love the CL.  It takes a lot of time and energy (search through ads, send emails, go to see furniture), and sometimes the item just doesn't work out (like the sectional couch Nick wouldn't let me bring home just because it was freakishly large for our space).  But the SAVINGS.

Now, don't get me started on my new boyfriend Ikea.  He's an expensive date, but fun to mix in!  And contrary to popular belief, his stuff can be reused at a later date (I don't care what the guy in the yellow shirt says, if you take it apart carefully, it can be stored to be used again at a later date.  So there.)

I realize that the home decor stuff is a little heavy these days.  Candidly, trying to figure out a great apartment design has been one of the brightest spots of the move.  As a result, I've focused a lot it.  Okay, and maybe I read too many decor blogs so that is what I think to post about!  Can it be both, maybe?

And it begins. Ish.

So, blogging.  This is one of those things that I always say I'm going to do, and I don't.  You know, like those diaries from my youth where only two pages are filled out because I lost interest or lost the diary.

But, on Friday I pack the truck and Saturday we move (Happy five year anniversary honey!  I got you an 8+ hour drive!).  I assume I'll have tons of time in KCMO, and hopefully some fun too.  So maybe I'll stick with it this time.  Just a warning, my adventures are going to be a bit tame.  In the beginning, don't expect much more than decorating.  I'll also try to keep you all updated on work and life, and hey adventures happen to a Chicago girl, right?

Supposedly, the lease is all figured out.  I mean, I mailed it back and he cashed the check - we're good, right?  Actually, I've been the official leaseholder since September 1, despite the fact that I won't move in until September 15.  We only saw the apartment once, when it was full (and I mean full, she ran her business out of it) of the other tenant's belongings.  In August, we flew in for our whirlwind tour of apartments.  It was tough - a lot of apartments were moving and fast.  But we did eventually find one that worked for us, in the right neighborhood, a decent amount of charm, and for the right price.  Cost of living is MUCH lower in KCMO, but since Nick is staying in Chicago we're running two households, which gets pricey quick.  We lucked out on the apartment actually.  I had contacted the landlord about another unit on Monday hoping to schedule a viewing for the weekend.  Greg asked me to call back on Friday because it was likely it would be rented by then.  Unfortunately, it was rented by the time we got into town, but his other tenant had just given her notice that week, so another unit was available.  Are you following this?  We saw it on the last day we were in town, and filled out the application right there.  I don't have any pictures of the actual unit because it's a faux pas to take pictures of an occupied unit, but I do have some of the other apartment.

Everything is mostly the same.  The layout is the reverse (this is a south unit, and I'm a north unit) and the kitchen has slightly different materials, although the age is the same.  The apartment has a private front balcony that is HUGE, and a secured back porch.

So there we have it.  The new Casita Graf.  I'll try to snap some pictures on Saturday before it is full of my shit stuff.  In the meantime, I've got more boxes to fill.  And some people to see.  And a chair to buy.  And if you ever can imagine a full apartment's worth of furniture and boxes INSIDE an apartment full of furniture, you'll pity my husband.