The Move

[fabrisse]

I still, at some point, want to post about the trip. It really was lovely.

But right now, the fact that I'm moving this week takes up a huge amount of my available brain. (Work and its issues seem to be taking up the rest.)



Those of you who've been through a move with me know that I hate it with a passion. I'm also not particularly good at it. Mom always did the work while I was growing up -- she didn't trust me, or anyone, to do it to her standards. Consequently, moving has become traumatic. And this will be my third, not counting the time I spent with jerminating last summer, in about three years.

I think the last time I posted about this, Sis had put in a bid on a house with a large guest house for me. She didn't get it.

Instead, the day I got off the plane from Boston I was dragged to see another house with a guest house. I was asked my opinion of the one (small) roomed guest house and gave it. It would be too small for me to have both a living/dining area and a bedroom. There was no air-conditioning -- although unlike that one place there were windows that provide cross-ventilation and a ceiling fan.

These issues were all dismissed. I was never asked about the main house.

I have tried to give my opinion. It is, for the record, that the layout is poor, the busy street is dangerous for the dogs (there's no fence and they both try to run out whenever anyone comes in the front door), the backyard would take several thousand dollars worth of landscaping, the kitchen was inadequate, and the stairs to Sis's master suite were too dangerous for Mom and Dad not to mention the dogs. They're steep, slick, and have no protective railing at all; if one of the dogs fell through it could kill him.

Sis loved it. Mom loved it. A bid was put in and accepted.

I thought the madness would stop when the sale of my parents' house fell through. Instead, a bid was put in on my sister's house and she accepted it even though it was well below the asking price. She did it just to keep this "dream house" that I think they're both going to end up loathing.

So now, we're moving. Except I wasn't told that we aren't moving directly to the new property. That's right we're moving in with Mom and Dad. Originally, it was only supposed to be for "two days while the painting is done." The painting and other minor renovations are going to take at least ten days.

Ten days of sharing a bathroom with my sister. Ten days of having to live under my mother's roof. I already want to slit my wrists, but it might jeopardize the sale of the house.

Now I've been told that I have to move in with Mom and Dad tomorrow -- no warning, no time to pack.

Mom and Sis discuss things with each other and think they've told me or Dad when they haven't. They treat us as if we're lunatics when we "act" as if we don't know something that's been decided.

The new kitchen is going to cost a huge amount of money. To be fair, they are asking for my input, but some things which I value are going to be given short shrift. Mom's never understood why I might want to have my cookbooks in the kitchen much less why I might want a different layout for the spices. Mom alphabetizes hers. I've been told the kitchen will take precedence over the planned expansion of the guest house.

I've also been told that on nights when it's too hot, I'll be allowed to sleep in the main house. Mom says the guest room, but since she's complained about my messing up her sheets for real guests, I'm betting I'll get an air mattress in the family room. If they actually let me in.

Thanks for letting me rant. I may be able to get online from my father's computer while I'm at the 'rents, but it won't be often or much time.

Oh, and I'm having chest pains.

Crap.


On the other hand, Mom, Sis, and I saw an old-lady mugged today. We helped her, and Mom and Sis had to give witness statements. I was in the back seat and missed a good part of it -- like a view of the suspect. I did get the grocery store to replace her chicken which had spoiled while we all talked to the police. Who knocks over a little old lady on a fixed income to take her purse?

This happened around noon and all the helping took until nearly 1 pm. The temperature hit 106 today. No sunscreen and no hat for any of us. I think I may have gotten too much sun.

Comments

[gileswench.livejournal.com]

(Hugs you a lot)

How do such good people end up with such crap excuses for families????

You know my offer of the sofa stands, anytime you need it and have a chance to take advantage of it.

In the meantime, I'm usually home if you need to vent in the direction of someone who will make remarkably sincere 'poor you' noises. I'll be out tomorrow evening, but I'll be around during the day and the rest of the week.

Love you, Twistie. Want to string Sis and Mom up by their ankles for this, but will restrain myself out of respect for you...but if you change your mind on that, I'll have the duct tape ready.

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

Duct tape is useful, isn't it?

I'll try to call you on Tuesday. Tomorrow's already shaping up into a bad day for me (timewise, not in any other way).

Hugs. I miss you, Twistie.