Friday, August 11, 2006

a good day for movers is a bad day for cats

We're homeowners! Yesterday we jumped through the final set of hoops and were rewarded with keys to 5 Center St. We had a family picnic on the deck, but then went back to 15 Maple for one more night at the apartment. We both woke up at about 2am and were up the remainder of the night, enjoying a heady cocktail of excitement and anxiety.

G has been a grownup before but this is my first house. I bought a drill. Our plan is to move some major pieces of furniture and essentials today, enough so we can camp out til we move the rest. We may have to do without internet service until Tuesday. (At what point did TCP/IP become about as necessary as running water?)

I can hardly believe we managed to close this deal in "only" 30 days. I dunno what it's like in other states or nations, but the process included: hiring a lawyer, a home inspection, oil tank search, title search, site survey, power of attorney documents, tax returns, masons, electricians, builders, hazard insurance, flood insurance, mortgage insurance, liability insurance, promissory notes, lock-in forms, bank wires, certified checks, and escrow accounts.

During the same time period we bought a new car, sold a used car, completed a 75-page Honors Physics curriculum, and went on three out-of-state vacations. And, of course, did further work on the new D'Amato under development: far from the least of our accomplishments.

What kept me awake last night was the thought that the last 30 days will probably look like a picnic compared to the next 30 days.

I got my schedule at Pequannock High and it's great! I am teaching all physics classes with only two preps. They have been 100% on everything they promised and I still really like the people I will be working with. Unfortunately I will be in three different classrooms, and there is not much equipment and no computers. This means I will have to rely on raw effort in many places where I might have used props or technology.

G has been holding up very well although she is often tired and uncomfortable now. The move will be hard on her, not least because she will want to do much more than she is capable of these days.

My dad is also hors de combat after taking a drill bit in the arm and picking up what looks like a nasty infection. Hopefully the pills will fix it so that he doesn't have to go to the hospital.

Allright, that's enough rambling for now. I should be packing but I will let G sleep a little longer before we start disassembling our life at Maple Ave. It will be sad to leave our home here, even though we know it's time to move on.

3 comments:

Ally said...

I am really pleased for you both - I promise you that it will feel like home REALLY quickly if our experience is anything to go by.

J & T are down for a couple of days helping us with greenhouse-finishing and garden stuff; it's great.

Also, if that is a picture of the drill you bought, B has one just like it :).

Anonymous said...

If you have a lot of books, and what self-respecting nerd doesn't, then I highly recommend strapping your bookshelves to the wall: http://www.onestepahead.com/product/86203/205/117.html
These little strappy thingies and covering up the outlets were pretty much the only childproofing we did (we'd have done stair gates too, except we're lucky to have a door at the bottom of our staircase). Our philosophy was to cover our bases regarding accidents that could be fatal, but not sweat stuff that could just lead to a bumped head. I also learned that a lot of childproofing products assume that you're going to want to leave your child unattended all the time.

But perhaps you were lucky enough to get built in bookshelves.

Congratulations on the new house!

Anonymous said...

Firstly, yes both Dad and I have drills just like. It is wise drill choosing.
Second, dial-up is sooooo slow. We suffered 28k for 12 days, it was baaad.
Thirdly, re physics, you'll sock 'em with your enthusiasm for cool stuff. If they don't find phys classes with you great, they're never gonna get it.
(My phys props now pack down into a neat cardboard box.)