Time to Settle Into the New Place

 After months of looking, planning, and even packing March 6 had movers come into our little one bedroom apartment.  One of the guys said, "She has stuff crammed in every little place".  The four guys spent about 8 hours packing our place.  That was totally different than the full house move we made in 2013.  These guys were newbies.  The ones in Missouri, much more experienced.  There was more to move in Missouri.  Two men and one woman had it packed in less than 8 hours.  Experience makes a difference.

The bottom line is I still have too much stuff.  We did make numerous trips to Salvation Army and Goodwill.  Since neither of us were being allowed to climb ladders, numerous things required the assistance of Son, Grandsons #3 and #4 to finish the tasks.  Finally, on April 8 the La Frontera apartment keys were turned over to the manager.  Another chapter complete.

The La Frontera location was ideal for the years of helping with grandchildren.  None of the FAB kids had drivers license at the time we moved.  The oldest was not even a teenager.  We did our share of pickups, taking forgotten lunches, carting to soccer practice, dog sitting, swim meets, soccer games, track meets, football games, lacrosse games, etc., etc., etc.  Now only two of the kids even live in Texas.  Grandson #3 graduates from high school in about one month.  He has his own vehicle and takes #4 to different places.  Grandpa still does pickup duty on Tuesday and Thursday cause #4 chooses not to have a drivers permit.  And he loves spending time with Grandpa.

With all that being said, now it is time to settle into the new digs.  I know it has been over a month so what has taken so long?  I'll just give a bullet list of the whys.

• March 6, moved and slept at new place.
• March 7-9 Unpacked about 40+ boxes
• March 10-13 In Dallas area for Sister #1's memorial service.
• Out of state cousins in required extra days
• Service was live streamed for Sister's Facebook tribe.
• March 13-19 Flew to Florida to spend Spring Break with FAB family.
• Beach time
• Shopping with DIL
• Celebrate a Grandson #3's friend's birthday
• Eating out a lot!
• Lots of fresh seafood
• Ate fish caught by grandsons that a restaurant prepared.  Yummy
• Naps!
• March 19-20 Returned to Dallas
• 19th evening celebrated Sister #4's and Baby BIL's 45th wedding anniversary with them.
• 20th returned to Austin apartment and unpacked about 20 boxes that afternoon and evening.
• March 21-27 Unpacking, unpacking, arranging, arranging.
• I had a lot of stuff that would only fit in certain places.
• We had two new wire shelves for additional storage in guest closet and balcony storage closet. 
• Every shelf, cabinet, and closet were filled but not really organized.
• Some how we managed to do laundry from 10 days of travel at our old apt.
• March 28 started at about 6 AM/
• Stopped by the old place and transferred clothing into the dryer.
• Stopped at grocery store to picked up food.
• Arrived at airport around 8:30 AM to retrieve Cousin for her 10 day visit.
• Breakfast and return to new apartment.
• Hubby goes for dental appointment and doctors refuse service.  UGH
• Pick up DJ the granddog for 5 day doggie sitting.
• Take numerous valium, not really.
• March 29-April 6
• Ride around 3 different days looking at all the beautiful bluebonnets.
• Bluebonnet loop
• Eat at Bluebonnet Cafe
• Share meals with Son and family.
• All gather for the help from family to clear old apartment.
• Tour LBJ Presidential Library
• Watch March Madness basketball tournament
• Figure out how to get a service.
• Watched 4 games over two days
• Watch movies and TV at home as weather is cold and rainy
• 80 for Brady
• Binged NCIS
• Binged Perry Mason
• Put together a puzzle
• Discussing the world situation
• No naps
• April 6 8 AM leave for airport for Cousin's return trip home.
• Spent remainder of day catching up on laundry in our apartment building's laundry room.
• Lots of towels and bedding
• Lots of old people clothing!
• still no nap
• April 7
• Last clean of old apartment
• Found more items that need to be taken off walls.
• Holy crap, we have too much stuff.
• April 8
• Why is there still more stuff here?
• Oh, it is cleaning stuff.
• Turned in keys.
• Headed to IHop of food.
• It is surely time for a nap!
• April 9 was brunch with Son and DIL to celebrate Easter
• Wonderful food on patio in gorgeous weather!
• Had leftovers for another meal
• April 10 was time to get Jeep inspected and licensed for another year
• Hubby spent all morning dealing with Jeep
• I did some more arranging
• Sat down to computer to check on orders and an issue.
• Fell asleep.

That is why is is finally time to begin to really settle into our new apartment.  I wonder if we shall ever find Hubby's lost backpack.  And a few other items.

DJ naps while I put together a cart for kitchen

Hubby picking up DJ poop in the bluebonnet field.

A unique wall in the LBJ Presidential Library

Old apartment

We plan to take our time getting things in place.  I may actually feel like posting more frequently.  If I can stay awake long enough.

Take care,

Janice