Moving Misadventure

Shortly after I posted my blog entry last Saturday night, John came into the room where I was and said that he couldn’t sleep. So we decided to go on over to the storage building to sort through our belongings in the “cool” of the night. I think it was only about 80 degrees or so at 10 PM. We had to go through some of the boxes and decide what needed to be stored there in Alabama and what needed to go to Virginia with us. Because we now have an apartment, things like the lawn mower and wheel barrel wouldn’t be necessary. Those and other things were moved into a smaller unit. While there, I turned around and kicked a huge jack and it felt like I broke my pinky toe. It didn’t swell or bruise but it sure hurt for a few days.

The drive to Virginia was smooth and uneventful. It was tiring because I had to follow the van and drive most of the way. Gabriel drove for about 30 minutes but that stressed me out and it was easier to drive. He’s a good driver but hasn’t had much interstate experience. I would prefer that he practice with his dad!

We moved in on Tuesday as planned. It was hot as predicted and besides a friend my age and Jonathan, a teenage boy, it was just us to unload everything. I made sure everyone was drinking plenty of water and Gatorade and we managed to get everything in. We even got everyone’s bed set up except for Holly’s. The pegs to the bunk bed were hiding somewhere and she slept with her mattress on the floor.

Wednesday morning we woke up surrounded by boxes. Anxious to get this apartment to resemble home, I started right away. One of the first things I did, however, was to whack my barefoot pinky toe, the same pinky toe, on a wooden chair leg. This time it swelled. This time it turned black and blue and purple. It’s better now but still needs healing.

The apartment is looking more like a home too, but like my toe, it’s going to take time to get it to where it needs to be. Hannah and Holly are sharing a room that is about one third the size of the room Hannah had to herself in Romania. The pegs were found and the bed is set up. I am going to go in there in just a few minutes and try to organize a few more things. Gabe has finished unpacking and settling in. It is refreshing to go into his room and realize that there is hope for the rest of this place.