Friday, November 15, 2013

empty

It was so strange to see the house empty.  A friend of ours painted this tree for Bailee maybe 8 or 9 years ago.  I really don't remember.  I vowed I would never paint over it.  Luckily the new homeowners didn't have a problem with any of our paint selection.
 Our new home is large but there aren't any built ins for all our books. We ended up having this built in I guess we'll do something similar in our new home.

 Brian hand painted these flowers to match Karlee's comforter.  I wonder how we'll personalize our new home.
This move/movers has been the most challenging, miscommunicated, mislead move we have ever had.  For example, today as I type it's 1:55 pm and the movers were suppose to arrive today between 9-1.  They're still not here.

The company we chose to go with advertise same day pack and load.  That surprised me.  You see we have used movers before.  Two packers would come in one day and spend maybe 9 hours packing.  The next morning they would pack the kitchen, break down the beds and load.  Always two days.  We've used two or three different companies and this is how it's always been done.  Well...on the day of packing/moving four men arrive.  Three pack while one sat in the cab of the truck.  A couple hours later another crew arrives.  The items not to be packed was not shared with the new crew.  They had to dig through a couple boxes to find items that were not to be packed.  With this crew the same thing happened.  Three men packed while one sat in the cab of the truck.  So now two capable men are sitting. 

Early afternoon, the crew that came later leaves with a truck about 3/4 of the way full.  Brian and I kept telling ourselves they know what they are doing.  Boy were we WRONG!!  Brian grabs dinner for the kids and takes them to the hotel around 7 since they still have school the next day.  We send Bailee to the hotel around 11, I think.  At about 1 AM the movers admit there's no way everything that is left is going to fit in the truck. DUH!!  The movers leave at 1:40 with a reasonable amount of boxes still in the garage.  The plan is for the movers to come back at 8 in the morning to pick up the rest of the items. Brian and I stay and finish cleaning the house till 2:30 AM.

Now for the delivery part. On the paperwork it asks in multiple places the earliest day for delivery.  We state the day of closing, in the afternoon to be specific. All that is is a starting date to count to 14.  14 business days to be exact.  When Michael did the walk through, before we agreed to go with them, he confirmed over and over how delivery is always in a few days.  It's never gone the 14 days.  Well I guess he was right it was only 12 business days.  16 days total!! 

Please whatever you do don't use 24 Hours Moving, Inc.  I'm not one to destroy someones business but these people lied all the way to the end.  Go with the big names like we did with our previous moves. 24 Hours Moving, Inc. is not the company for you.

Then the final straw at delivery, we had already paid in full, required another $150 because the walk from the street to the house was too far.  They wouldn't pull into the driveway either.  They would only accept cash.  I don't have that kind of cash!!  So the driver stopped the guys from bringing in boxes until we got something figured out for me to go to the ATM. 

I'm glad our belongings are finally here.  Although there's been some damage and only a dozen boxes have been open.  Our foosball table was basically crushed.  Poster board, for kids projects, were folded and placed in a box.  OMGosh!!! Really! I guessed I should have thrown it away in Texas.  The biggest heartache is my Grandma's sewing machine and table.  One of the legs broke on the table.  I won't take cash for this one.  They'll need to pay for a repair from someone that repairs antique furniture. It might be a long few weeks/months as week go through these boxes and find out if there's anymore damage. 

Have you heard me yet? DON'T use 24 Hours Moving, Inc.!!!

Thursday, November 14, 2013

YW project


Days before we move Karlee finished one of her projects for the Personal Progress program.  She made a backpack out of Capri Sun pouches.  This will be perfect for going to the pool.  The hardest part was sitting down and doing the sewing.

our last State Fair of Texas

 There were only a few days left for the Fair and the kids had a day off from school.  The forecast was rain but the kids still wanted to go.  So off we went to experience a big part of Texas.  One of my favorite parts of Texas.
 Last year Big Tex caught fire.  For some reason when I saw it on Facebook it made me laugh, hard.  It was such a sight.  I'm glad they brought Big Tex back.  It's great to sit and listen to him talk to the crowd.  The first thing we did was have a Fletcher's corny dog.  So good! With mustard of course. 
 We watched the dog show then went to the petting zoo.  We spent the most time feeding and petting the baby animals. 



 We came across a marionette show that ended up being interactive.  Carson loved it!


Loved this scarf.  Maybe Brian needs one. ;)



 This was made out of Lego's. Such talent! I really enjoyed walking through these exhibits.  The kids not so much.







 This little tractor was hard to pedal. 




 Carson loved the rain!  He was already so wet it didn't matter if he splashed in the puddles.







Good times! Good memories!

Saturday, November 9, 2013

pumpkin patch

Before I moved I wanted to take the gkids to the pumpkin patch.  I've taken my kids for the last 11 years.  I'm really going to miss not being able to take them next year.  I'm going to have to find new things that I can do for and with them. 

I love how Retta is watching Adam so intently. 

 She would not look directly at me.  That's OK.  She's still super cute.



 This has become Adam's new smile lately. He chose this pose all by himself.
 Geoff's mom was in town for Geoff's birthday.  I'm glad Anne was able to come with us.



 We were on the hayride and a woman offered to take a picture of Adam and me.  He would not look at her.  As soon as I took the camera back he was ready for a pic.  He's a little stubborn.
 Bailee came too of course.  After all she hangs out with me everyday.  ;)


 
 Adam wouldn't go down the slide by himself.  I offered to go with him then he expected me to go on every one.  After the slide I kinda tossed him a bounce house by himself.  He loved it!