Moving In

On Saturday, July 23, the PODS was delivered to my new residence.  It was on the driveway early enough that I was able to head over to the High Desert ARC Social Breakfast.

not in a big hurry to start unloading the POD.   Breakfast was at Mimi's near Jefferson, not the normal monthly breakfast.  Its a good place to avoid.  Breakfast about $16 including tip.  We were asking/looking for coffee refills. 

After breakfast, I did a couple other errands, returning home about noon.   My that time, it was a little too hot to start moving stuff into the house.  Thermometers hit 101 that day in Rio Rancho.

Once the evening was cooling off, I started moving stuff from the PODS into the garage and house.  Took a break for sleep and back to moving out of the 'pods until the temperature was too high.  Closed the garage door and worked in the house, moving goods from garage into closets and cabinets in the house.

Sunday evening was the same thing.  Moved what I could grab by myself out of the PODS and into the garage.  Was back at it Monday morning when cousin Don came to help me.

We were able to get everything moved out of the PODS and at least into the garage.  It was time for food and a well earned pints of micro-brew at "The Local Brewhouse".  Thanks to cousin Don for all of his help (and push) to get the move accomplished.

Now, I have been slowly moving my possessions from the garage into the house.  The dish and clothes washers have been busy.  The PODS was removed from my drive - they were happy to get it back.  It was swepts out, loaded onto the truck and taken directly to the next customer's property.

Loaded up and Gone

After breakfast Saturday morning, Don and I tackled loading the rest of my stuff into the POD,  We gave ourselves the goal of being pack and on the road Thursday morning.  As I would pack a box, Don was loading in into the POD.  We was also looking at other things I may want to load and thigs he might like to take off my hands.

We put in some long days and were exhausted after dinner time.  We took time off for making the usual Sunday and Tuesday coffees at Panera Bread.  Thursday early morning, we were packed up and the POD was locked.

Said my "good-bye" to my house for the last 30 years.  Was an emotional "farewell".  Off to Panera for coffee.  Spent about 1 1/2 hour there visiting and saying "good-bye". 

Then, it was on the road heading southwest.  We decided to take it easy on the way back, spending the night in Dodge City.

Made Dodge City in planty time to tour the old Boot Hill museum.  Had a pint of beer at the Long Branch Saloon.  Checked into the hotel.  Walked across Wyatt Earp Blvd to Bad Habits for brew and burger.  All the times I had been in this bar, never seen it so busy.

We were exhausted and crashed into bed.  On the road about 6:30 in the morning.  Drove to Liberal where we had breakfast.  When we got Don's place in Albuquerque, my nerves let loose - my stomach rebelled from the nerves.  Got my car out of Don's lot and drove to my Rio Rancho house.Saturday morning, Don came up and we unloaded his van.

Holiday and Final Move Plans

Dodge City, KS became the regular overnight stop for me.  The desk clerk at the hotel knew me when I drove up.  I was looking forward to the burger and brew across the the street from the hotel.  For your information - my favorite hotel was the Rodeway Inn and food was at Bad Habits Sports Bar & Grill.

For a little variety, I would drive either US 56 or US 54 out of Dodge City area to I-25 or I-40.  I still have not found out what this structure (pictured here) is in Hooker, OK.

In Albuquerque, I picked up a desk and file cabinet from Office Max.  Started assembling the file cabinet. 

I was invited to a 4th of July cook-out.  Hosts were the owners of the house I rented in January and friends of cousin Don.  Was and enjoyable evening.  We were treated to a personal/family fireworks show.

Cousin Don offered to come to Iowa with me to help me finish packing the POD for the move.  We made plans to head to Iowa, driving through - 900 miles in one day.  Made it for Saturday breakfast. 

Iowa and Packing

Before leaving New Mexico, I stopped by Boot Barn for some summer season western dud.

I made in back to Iowa just before Memorial Day.  Spent nearly a month sorting and deciding things I wanted to move to New Mexico.  One of my Omaha friends came out a couple times to help me sort, pack, and load the moving POD.

The packing was slow going.  As the weather heated up and the humidity came up, I found it difficult to keep motivated. Kept up my routine of Saturday breakfast at Super Saver and coffees Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at Panera Bread.

The month was also filled with final visits to my health care providers in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area.  I had become friends with many of them, having been with them for many years.  

Soon enough, it was getting close to a month where I needed back to New Mexico to pick up mail, pay bills, and see my new family doctor.

Ready to Head Back to Iowa

Sat most if the day Tuesday waiting for the office furniture delivery.  Opened the box of the file cabinet.  Decide it was too much to start on with my pending return to Iowa.

Had a relaxing evening with 2 pints of amber ale, a chili cheese dog, and fries.  Was a beautiful evening to "dine" alfresco on the brewhouse patio!

Getting into the mood for heading to Iowa, I spent the day Wednesday packing a couple things I need for the drive back.  Worked on my list of things i want to pack out of Iowa house.

The week at the new house in Rio Rancho was very beneficial.  It helped me finalize what things I wanted to move and others I will leave for sale in Iowa.  Late lunch at the Flying Star Cafe.  There was supposedly High Desert ARC members there for lunch/coffee.  Did not see any .  Had a good (but expensive) burger, fries, and soda.

Ready for a early (hopefully) start tomorrow on the road.,, Reservations back in Dodge City tomorrow night.

Skipping the Festivals

I decided it was better to settle into the new house rather than running out to Santa Fe for the Bike & Brew fest.  I also skipped the Celtic Festival at the Balloon Festival Park.  I had a big burger and a pint of Amber Ale at a local establishment "The Local Brewhouse".

Spent the weekend settling into the new house and picking up a few more supplies (lamps), new TV for the living room, vacuum, et al.

Arranging the bedroom, I saw that I really wanted a second night stand.  Called the salesman at the furniture store.  Ended up picking it up and setting in the bedroom.

Bought a desk and file cabinet for the living room.  This would mostly used with the laptop and All-in-One printer.

Closing and Sleeping in the New House

Closing was not without problems and conserns.  Late last Friday I received a message that the closing numbers were wrong and I would need more money.  The bank loan officer said I would be able to write a personal check for the difference.  When I got to the title company, the closing agent showed me a DIFFERENT amount.  Thankfully, my real estate agent and the bank load officer arrived and we could discuss this problem.

Apparently, the discrepancies were errors that the bank made problems, crediting costs to my account where they should have been credited the seller's account.  We were able to close.  Unfortunately, the seller was not closing until that afternoon in Arizona.  That delayed recording of the sale until the next day.

My cousin and I celebrated the closing with a meal and brews at Billy's Long Bar.

Bought bedding, phone connections, some food, and other supplies for the new house.  Moved to the Rio Rancho Comfort Inn using points for a free night room.

Friday, my furniture arrived.  Washed the bedding and made the bed.  Ready to spend the first night sleeping in the new house.