txDOT to txDOT: THE GAME OF MOVERS

For the last couple of weeks I have been involved in a rather time consuming, nerve stretching and pocketbook emptying activity. Many websites, phone calls and bids have been involved in this little DOT to DOT game. Being the giving sort of person I am, I will share with you the "secret passages" in this game, so that you can proceed to the ultimate goal of a successful move.

First step would be to fill out an online quote request with your email address and phone number. Before you have time to even double toast an English muffin (aren't they the best?) your inbox will receive bids and your phone will begin to ring.

Secondly, go ahead and butter that English muffin, because you'll need the energy to proceed to the next level.

After munching on that tasty, crunchy treat start your comparison shopping of the bids you've received. You might want to have movers who are paid by the hour, or you might choose to list everything you want moved and go that route. That decision will be based on the distance of the move and if you just need help with the larger pieces or everything you own. Get bids for both ways, by the hourly rate and by the total weight of your stuff.

Be sure not to make any decisions concerning the contract, until you finish all the necessary background checks for the moving companies.

You will receive bids and on those bids you should find a TX DOT number for the moving company. Those numbers are essential as that is how the governing agency keeps track of legitimate moving companies and any complaints against them.

As I checked out some companies, I was astonished that their licenses had been revoked or expired. The complaints were listed by date and resolutions, if any.

If a company doesn't have a license, then it really is "Buyer Beware." You might save a few dollars, but at a risk of being ripped off by some fly-by-night company who might use day laborers, unreliable vehicles, no insurance to protect your possessions and then add extra charges before they release your furniture at the end of the move.


Oh, one last "HINT" about moving, try not to move during a hurricane. Hurricane Alex is coming to Texas the end of this week and we'll fight him with bubble wrap, tape, cartons and shaking fists to the stormy sky.

BUBBLE WRAP: PRECIOUS PROTECTION

Stressful couple of days, so I appreciated the relief I found in small moments like this. Carefully packing yesteryear, drying tears and dividing broken dreams among two households was difficult.

Even though my Grandlove is so little, he was able to lighten the tasks, turn tears into smiles and turn regret into hope.

For those over-the-top safety minded readers: We were VERY careful that he didn't eat the "Bubbles". Actually, he was more fascinated with the swooshing sound the plastic made as he waved it around, then when we demonstrated the pleasure of popping the wrap. Each to their own as far as bubblewrap is concerned, I suppose.

I am just grateful that this precious distraction helped my mounting blood pressure ease down a bit.

Next weekend, THE MOVE. And the next chapter of life for two people who have been through the wringer and deserve a happy, stable life.

TOUGH CHALLENGE: AM I ABLE?

For the next couple of days, I am facing a difficult challenge and let's hope that I can muster my inner strength and intestinal fortitude to conquer what is set before me.

This particular obstacle is multi-layered and each layer presents its own unique difficulties. While performing my task I must maintain a semblance of polite tolerance for someone I would like to set out for the next garbage collection. Ignoring not too subtle body language, focusing in on sounds other than angry remarks and keeping my opinions bottled within will tax my already overloaded fuse box.

There are fragile items to be bubbled wrapped; appliances to be unhooked and loaded; bedroom furniture to be disassembled; pictures to box (what to do with the large wedding portrait over the fireplace?); and many other preparations completed before the movers come next week.

My frustration with the situation will be shoved down. Frustration that nothing is packed, yet; organization and planning for moving has reached a standstill and emotions are right on the surface for everyone.

Can I actually be in the same house as the person who has crushed our daughter? Should be interesting; we'll see.

This is where my past of surviving intolerable situations kicks in. I put my head down, complete the tasks at hand and draw strength from the fact that once this move is over, a new, better life is in store for our daughter and her beautiful boy.

My payment for all the planning, monetary contribution and physical help is waiting for me in the form of hugs, smiles and kisses from my sweet boy and his priceless momma. I get to hug them both and smell the tops of their heads, breathing in the aroma of love and hope for brighter days ahead.

MOVING MADNESS: WE ARE TOO OLD FOR THIS

In the next couple of weeks we are undertaking a task that can send chills down the bravest, strongest people.

When you first look around at what is to moved, it doesn't feel like such a big deal, but then once you delve into the depths of the drawer, shelves and cabinets you realize that a couple of boxes won't be enough to even get started. So that realization sets you off on a box quest. No store is too obscure, no previously occupying merchandise is off limits and no store manager is too stern to keep me from seeking durable boxes for FREE. Sure, some less experienced movers might resort to buying moving boxes from a moving company, but where's the challenge?

So, three liquor stores were contacted today and these were the responses to my plea for free carboard boxes:
1. "We save our boxes for our customers." Since we don't drink, that sort of leaves us off their customers' mailing list. (Maybe liquor would make moving more interesting, but I'll pass.)

2. "The manager wants to keep all the boxes, because we will reuse them." Right, you will need them when the Vodak bottles are returned for refills. Come on.

3. "Sure, come on by and pull around to the back." So, my little car is now loaded with every kind of liquor store product you can imagine. Nice manager and I didn't even have to sign up for product testing or mixology classes.

The boxes will gain their new occupants soon and wait for the people to carry them to their new home.

Speaking of a new home, there are many items too big and heavy for this old couple to manage. Many phone calls and emails have garnered bids for professional movers to wrap, load and transport the larger items.

If we went the way of just "inviting" some young, healthy friends over, we would feel obligated to pay for gas, feed them and wind up with other costly repayments. So, all that considered, we will move the smaller items and leave the professionals tackle the heavy wooden furniture.

Since we are in South Texas and we have the heat and humidity to prove it, the move will test our mental and physical strengths.


Wish all the anger, pain and hurt can be left behind, but I fear that some will creep into the moving boxes, no mater how fast I tape closed the cartons.

A couple of days to pack, a day to move and then a new lifetime for a couple of precious family members who deserve a calm, positive and supportive environment.

TRAVEL PLANNING: TENACITY REQUIRED

My good friend and her precious husband are planning to travel to the other side of the world, which has lead to many frustrating hours of co-ordinating passports, visas, flights, lay-overs, hotels, land transportation and other vital aspects of traveling in this complicated, demanding, modern era. It truly boggles my mind with the flow-chart aspect of all the requirements necessary in order to plan a well-desired relaxing vacation.

Just having a passport wasn't enough paperwork to enter China, a Visa was required. Without proof of transportation into the country, the Chinese Embassy wouldn't issue a Visa. Without a flight that would arrive in time for the cruise ship, the cruise ship would leave without my friend and her husband. In order to arrive early enough to catch the cruise ship, they would have to arrive a day early and stay in a hotel. If they stayed in the hotel, which they needed in order to arrive in time for the cruise ship, transportation to the dock (a couple of hours away from the airport) wouldn't be provided. Cruise ship personnel would be meeting the passengers in the luggage retrieval area, which my friends wouldn't be allowed to re-enter the day after their actual arrival.

So, after many, frustrating hours on the phone and computer, a two hour trip to the Chinese Embassy to apply for Visas, and a boatload of money spent for a restful vacation, my friends can now begin to pack.

We all know how little is allowed in the luggage, these days, so they will be packing light. In fact, I suggest that they take disposable clothing and tear out the pages of their paperbacks as they are read to save space for all the trinkets they can buy. Heck, at least when I turn over my treasure from them and the label reads "Made in China" I can know that it was native.

SEX WITH OLDER WOMEN: PILLS AREN'T THE ANSWER

Scientists have failed once again to have a good grasp on women and their needs. To turn on a woman, the quick (and ineffective) solution is a pill. Not a pill for the guy, but a pill for the woman. Don't get me wrong, I do believe in medication for many purposes, but this is a case of scientists not fully considering the woman and her path throughout menopause. Because of menopause many things occur in a woman's body that a tiny little pill can't fix.

No, don't worry I won't get into details about the changes that women experience (that information can be learned from any valid medical website.) Just let me state, complex things happen to a woman during this rite of passage and throwing a pill at the symptoms just isn't the right answer.

Educate yourselves and don't let some pharmaceutical company sell you promises of romantic beach adventures, because you'll wind up with more than just sand stuck in all of your crevices. You will wind up disappointed and even more frustrated with yourself and partner.

"YOU'LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT" or CURE CANCER

In order to "kill some time" while Bentley was receiving his transformation, Hubby and I went to Academy. Browsing throughout the store, we came across a couple of interesting products offered with charity in mind. Breast Cancer Awareness products aren't anything new, but we were amazed that weapons were being used in the battle against Breast Cancer.

So all you manly-men get on down to your local "Lock and Load" store and purchase a crossbow and pistol. You get to hone your caveman skills, while fighting the horrible cancer that takes too many lives each and every day.