The move (because I said I'd write about it): Part 1

I've survived the move, but what a journey. ::sighs:: Here's an abridged account, even if it's only for my own memory.

So, after I shut down the computer on November 9, the moving guys came. Despite working through the night, all I had succeeded in doing was excavating more garbage, though I did accumulate a large gift bag's worth of what I was calling my "filing cabinet". Yeah, sure. So the moving guys ended up doing an amazingly fast packing job of fiddly things. Still, I had to leave the clothes and jewellery for the moment at the old place.

Church-John was along for the roller coaster ride and he drove me over to my new "cottage" in the East end of town. Well, that's what it feels and looks like. It's rather huge (what a relief after living in one room), though I know I'll need to buy more lamps (what with the being blind thing). As M (the owner) couldn't wait until the truck arrived, she left the key for my abode in the milk box. Hee – talk about feeling secure in the neighbourhood. Oh, it was nice to see that she had added a few items: incidental tables, two chairs and lamps. And there was a good space heater next to the real wood-burning (but not functioning) fireplace. The movers put the bed where I wanted it, right under the bookcase headboard – neat. Everything else just went ... anywhere. It's going to be horrible unpacking.

After they'd gone, C-J took me shopping to a supermarket, so I could have some food. And then I was all alone in my cottage. Even though it was still early, my body and mind were exhausted. The time change hadn't helped either. So, after struggling to put fresh linens on, I went to bed around 9. And slept well. Is it any wonder, what with the staying up all night and all the stress and uncertainty accumulating for several weeks? I think not.

The move: Part 2

Sunday, I woke up in the middle of the night and began unpacking. Ugh. Anyway, the next few days continued with sleeping whenever I felt like it, still eating almost nothing and unpacking a tiny bit. I discovered a large linen cupboard which was a godsend. At least those are put away, though not necessarily neatly.

Knowing me, you shouldn't be surprised that I'd already put up identifiers to my personality: drum, astrolabe, piggies: check. Though I gave away just about everything (John got the electric fireplace in exchange for removing my furniture), I still managed to retain some of who I am with the few possessions I have left. Hey, I'm creative!

Tuesday, November 12, C-J rescued me from a breaker overload (though I was the one who found the box!), then drove me back to the old villa to remove everything else (I begged for his help and he agreed). Poor guy, he got a running commentary on select clothes I'd kept for 40 years (the hot pant jumpsuit!, the pastel paisley tie!, the cute French coat from when I had a summer job in fashion imports on Yorkville!). He took a whole bunch of bags to the nearest Goodwill. Then Brian showed up (he'd offered to hook up Liblikas) and, between the two of them, they got nearly everything else out. Hey, I'm no saint, just a broken-down old lady!

I fear I may have been too rash due to exhaustion. Instead of just slapping some duct tape on the two hardware chests full of jewellery (mostly semi-precious and costume), I basically tossed the contents. At least I managed to snag the emerald ring and camel bone necklace first. But I just couldn't face having to sort through the stuff at the new place (especially under poor light levels).

As C-J had done hours of gallant work, Brian managed to load up all my belongings in his vehicle, so C-J could just go home (and soak his weary bones). When Brian arrived at the cozy cottage (hmmm, sounds good), he enjoyed tossing the bags of clothing down the few steps. Eek. He was having far too much fun.

Well, after giving life back to Liblikas, we discovered that I do NOT have internet down here, because there's a cable for TV – but NO modem hookup. ::sighs:: I'm still disconnected. He set my POC cellphone to system restore, so I hope it will sorta, kinda behave until I somehow get the internet. So many people have been e-mailing me from the church and I haven't been able to read the messages in order to respond. ::sighs:: At least with a functioning monitor, I watched a recent epi of Glee.

Anyway, I went to bed early again Tuesday night and spent my Wednesday unpacking. Ack. Which meant finding a whole bag of small stuffed animals that had been transported here i/o to Goodwill. I unloaded almost all of the clothing onto the bed and started a spreadsheet. Yes, I'm keeping track of clothes. Well, I had to separate the pile into two categories: winter and sparkly stuff that would actually fit into the closet (that's a first!) and the summer stuff that would have to be stored in one of my bins. But, yay, I did it. Actually, the summer stuff went in a clear, stiff plastic storage bag placed on the top shelf. And, then, I promptly fell apart. Again.

I gave myself permission to veg and watched an old epi of Andromeda, the one with James Marsters guesting fabulously! And, then, left with nothing to do (mostly) in the dark, I'd finally gotten back to writing my all-over-the-place trans McShep fic. Which goes in fits and starts. ::sighs some more::

While without the internet, I revisited some more nostalgic TV with "All Our Yesterdays" of ST TOS. Oh ... Spock smiling! Still gets me every time. Though however did Zarabeth curl her hair in her caves? And "Galaxy Quest" just because it's always such good fun.

The move: Part 3

Brian returned, full of determination, on Saturday, November 16. With a couple gadgets in hand. It took him absolute hours, along with prayer and crossed fingers, to get me hooked up to the owner's connection via wifi. But I am. ::still crosses fingers:: After all of that, we still had to go do major (mostly) grocery shopping. Brian to the rescue again. Well, I felt as if I had bought the store out (the bill was over 300 bucks). After shopping, I treated Brian to McD's. Even though I was sorta hungry, the food was sticking in my throat because I was so very tired and out of practice of eating. Time to get me home.

I meant to watch the church service on Sunday but wasn't paying attention to the time, so let it slide. I have lots of services to catch up on. I'm also way behind on current shows, but managed to watch last week's Castle and N.C.I.S. Have alsp seen the penultimate and most of the final epi of Battle of the Blades. Also watched the outrageous Come Fly With Me that Brian had provided on a CD – from the creators of Little Britain. Watched all 6 epis in a row!

Until I got connected to the real world, I was stuck watching stuff I already had on my computer. That included a couple of Next Gen epis, namely "The Naked Now" and "Measure of a Man".

The next few days were filled dealing with bureaucracy: address changes, service changes. Some of them were a huge hassle and I felt most frustrated. And tired of having to use my cellphone for everything. Hey, world, it's time you got with the programme. Yeah, yeah, I know: security issues. But being put on hold for forever does not endear me to bureaucracy.

M and I took some time getting used to each other. She took me on a looooong walk down to the main drag on one of the warmer Fridays even though it was grey and drizzly. She showed me where the drugstore and various shops were. We dropped in at a greengrocer's and I got some lovely veggies. She suggested we take the bus back and hopped on one of at least three routes that get to the house. That's awfully convenient.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
And, now, I guess I'm caught up. I know I was extremely cautious and had tons of physical help; still, I'm so relieved that I didn't damage my body (any further), as happened in both 2006 and – quite severely – in 2010. I'm just so relieved to have a home and to be able to sleep in my own (lovely, healing) bed.

Naturally, major credit (not to mention love and gratitude) goes to all the people who put hours into packing up my donations. And to Church-John and Brian for helping me get settled in.

So I think I will end my recap here. You already know how well things have progressed over the last few weeks. Now, if only I could get my hands on a dresser.... Or hanging thingies with pockets for the closet.... Just ... something. So I ask myself, "Self, is that too much to ask of the universe?" And myself agrees that it's a perfectly reasonable request. Not at all super-queenly! Just like regular folks. And, if you believe that, well....

No need to tie me up to the hitching post....

... 'cuz I wasn't going anywhere. But I'm suffering from cabin fever (cottage fever?) being stuck indoors with nothing to do. I tried watching the double last epi of Boston Legal saved to my HD, but I think the various upgrades and changes to Liblikas may have corrupted the file. So I gave up on that. ::sighs::

I've been looking on Yelp for a place to get a haircut near the cottage. Oh my - there was one salon that charges outrageous prices with both glowing and scathing reviews. Uh ... NO, I don't need to go there just because they offer me a menu of liquid refreshments. Or popcorn. ::rolls eyes:: I think I'll stick with the more utilitarian choice. I can reach it easily by just hopping on a single bus and riding for five minutes. Yay.

I'm still going to try to talk myself into going outdoors tomorrow. Well, I'll see what things are like when I wake up. People on FB keep talking about that 4-letter S-word - but I really hope they're wrong-wrong-WRONG.

With nothing new to watch (or disinclination to choose something else old and familiar), I'm returning to reading from the Giant McShep AU List. There's a new one that peripherally includes Harry Potter characters. So I'm curious.