Sandra Bullock Is Almost My New Neighbor
Well, after one year of house-hunting and then enduring the five-day MOVE FROM FROM HELL we’ve finally done it. We found our new home in Georgia. And the search was painstaking…no, it was grueling. Wait, that’s putting it mildly. It was a horrible experience even though our Realtor was fantastic (I felt sorry for her at times, having to deal with me).
But we just couldn’t seem to find the perfect place. Sure, we could’ve broken the piggy bank and bought the darling little abode next to Sandra Bullock’s place, but the $2 million price tag was a tad over budget. By the way, Ms. Bullock stopped in the local grocery store yesterday and was kind enough to sign a few autographs between squeezing the melons and picking out choice cuts of meat. So, at least I know our neighborhood is probably okay (as you can tell from the above photo).
But it’s over, finally. We closed on our house yesterday afternoon, which was another ordeal. First the closing was on, then it was off, then it was on again, and then it was, “I’m sorry, we’ll have to do it on Monday.”
Well…that’s about the time when my fuse reached the end of the line. Yep, I blew my top. After all, we already had several vendors lined up to do their thing—carpet installers, the pool people, painters, plumbers, and pest control. And you absolutely have to have pest control on speed dial in Georgia. Have you seen the size of those Palmetto bugs?
Georgia Palmetto bug
But, after a nice calm discussion with the banker, the closing took place as planned.
After quickly realizing the error of her ways, she handed us the keys to our new house (the 7th in ten years) and we immediately drove there to have our first look around without our agent in tow. We were also able to see a few of the neighbors for the first time.
Yep, living on an island is going to take a lot of getting used to. But…
If it’s good enough for Sandra Bullock, it’s good enough for us…
The whole ordeal makes me shiver…and I’m a veteran with moves…13 major ones all over the country and Europe. When all is said and done, it’s something to laugh about. We’ll definitely laugh with you. I’m sure part of your story will end up in a best seller.
Congratulations, Lee! I’m so glad you’re finally settled. Stay put now!
I’ve only moved three times in my life: when I was 13, when I got married at 23, and a year later when we bought a house. There’s no way I’d be able to do it as many times as you have. Just the thought of all the junk we’ve accumulated in the attic over the years is enough to put an end to any new house ideas I get.
Well, at least the racoon is cute. Until he/she/it starts getting into your trash and stuff. We had a much larger furry critter visit last night – bear – but I’ll take a hundred bears over your scaly neighbors.
Sorry it was such a crappy move. Now, put down roots and you won’t have to do that ever again 🙂
After such a “smooth move,” I hope you went back to those sites that rated the movers as A and gave them an F.
Lee,
You win. I’ve moved nine times, and I have never ever had a moving crew that bad. I remember palmetto bugs from living in Charleston. Here on the the Gulf Coast (Redneck Riviera) folks just call them roaches. Best wishes in your new home.
Wow! That WAS the move from hell. My husband once hired a moving company named “Busta Move.” Yep, they were true to their name. Broke a ton of stuff. Hope your new home is relaxing, inspiring, and comfy. You deserve it. I read (and learn from) your blog w/o fail.
Lee, wishing you and yours many happinesses in your new home.
As for the neighbors, the gators are far superior to the palmetto bugs. No one ever made a decent bag or a nice pair of shoes out of a palmetto bug.
Enjoy!
Oh no…this move was far different than all others. For example:
We hired a company (nice website, nice ratings, owner came out to estimate, very nice and pleasant man, nice trucks, etc.) to pack and move our things, as we always have in the past. But these folks elected not to tell us that they don’t work during the day (they each work day jobs). So they showed up the first day at 6:30 pm and packed some things in the kitchen, I waited all day for them to show up, by the way (called and didn’t get an answer). They worked two hours and left, promising to return early the next day. Oh, there were three men, two admitted this was there first job, and that was quite obvious. AND, they didn’t bring boxes or packing material. Thankfully, I’d saved some from our last move.
Day two: Only two men showed up – one rookie and the owner, this time at 4:30 pm. They asked if we’d help pack since they were short of help (and supplies – still no materials). So we did since we’d sold the house and had to be out of the house two days later. They loaded their truck while my wife packed. They were SO slow that I started to help loading. Big mistake because they started to plan things that included my help. They finished loading the truck at 2:30 am. THEN, we left to unload it in a storage facility 10 miles away.
Day 3: Two men arrive at 3:30 pm. No boxes. No packing material. No energy. My wife and I had been packing for most of the day in anticipation of more excuses. In the meantime, I’d been on the phone attempting to find a real mover who could take over on short notice. No luck. At 3am I had to wake my wife so we could load the bed on the truck. At 4am the truck was loaded for the second time (I helped load every single item). When the driver attempted to pull out of the the driveway into the street, the truck broke down with the left rear corner in my driveway and the right front at the ditch across the street. It had blocked the entire street and simply shut down. SO…the police came, who called two tow trucks. Then one of the workers asked if I could carry him to his day job 30 miles away so he wouldn’t get fired (he’s an OR tech at a local hospital).
I had absolutely no sleep at all. Finally, the mover tells me that he could get the rest of our things out during the day (that day) if I could pay extra for two professional movers he knew. So, desperate at this point, I agreed. They showed up at 2 pm and finished moving most of the items in the house. BUT, his idea of professional movers were two young men–brothers–one of whom was heavily covered in gang and prison tattoos.
We rented a UHaul trailer to complete the job and were out of the house 15 minutes before the new owners took ownership of the house.
I’ve since hired Mayflower to move the things from storage to our new home.
Now tell me again this was equal to all moves… 🙂
Silly Wabbit. ALL moves are the Move from Hell.
Here’s wishing you many happy times in the new home.
elizabeth
A boat is high on the list, Becky. You guys definitely have to come over for a visit, too.
Deni – It’s not really a good idea for an ex-cop/detective/undercover officer to post photos of his home on the internet.
Diana – We, too, are still moving boxes that we haven’t unpacked in years. When I do finally unpack one it’s like Christmas morning, discovering the buried treasures inside.
Elaine – I hope we grow a few roots this time, but you never know…
So, let’s have a pic of the new home, pool and all.
Or a pic of Sandra Bullock.
The hairy neighbour I could live with! The scales can forget it.
Know what you mean about moving – we still have boxes unpacked from three years ago. Just recovering from the shell-shock!
Good luck in your new home!
Congrats! You guys have been on the move. 🙂 Does the island thing mean you’ll be buying a boat?
As I am mid-move myself—-aiyiyiyi—congrats. Your illustrated discussion is spot on and you’re killing me. God, I HATE MOVING. Will you be in GA a while or is the next move already planned? Just kidding. I think. I hope.
Elizabeth
So happy for you.
I HOPE this is the last move we’ll make, at least for a while. Every two years has been rough. But, we’ve met some wonderful people and seen some absolutely gorgeous scenery along the way.
Congratulations on the move, Lee. Maybe you can stay put a while and enjoy those new neighbors and kill a few Palmetto bugs!
Lee: You are living close to Beaufort, SC? We live in the Lowcountry between Savannah and Charleston. I share your angst for palmetto bugs as well! But it is so absolutely gorgeous in this part of the country–how could anybody not want to live here (gators and all!). Congratulations on your new home and welcome to the Lowcountry! Visit Beaufort–you will not be disappointed. It is a small town with rows of antebellum homes on the Beaufort Bay and a three block downtown Main Street with restaurants and all kinds of shops. Enjoy your new home! Dee Phelps
Love your new home! And it looks as if your new neighbors are, well, to die for 🙂
I think I’ve seen the pic of your “new” house on a Louisiana bayou :o) Congrats on finally getting all those nasty details out of the way. Next time I move will be to a condo in Portland ( I hope). But there are times when I’d love to sell this place as is WITH all the furniture (take the paintings and the PCs with us) and just start over again. 38 years in one house is a looooooooong time.
You brought back memories of my life in Florida. Enjoy your new digs in the deep south.
Love this, Lee. congratulations on your new home. Hey, you’ll have inspiration every day! So… did you get Sandra Bullock’s autograph, is she coming on the Graveyard Shift?