[arel]

Mission accomplished. I've moved to Vermont.

The movers came last Thursday. I stayed in the house overnight in the empty house and then left the next day. I was exhausted, so I stayed in a local hotel. That was expensive, but I figured it was cheaper than having an accident on the road. I drove up on Saturday and have been here ever since. I just got a great place to live today; the papers will be signed tonight.

I will have to go back to Brooklyn to retrieve the cats when I am settled. The vet's office said the cats are doing well. Even high-strung Kasha has calmed down and become friendly. The day I left I learned they had a "caution" sign on her cage.

My stuff is in storage. Yesterday I discovered that the movers broke the marble top of my mother's coffee table. They say they will pay for it, but it was a one-of-a-kind piece that is irreplaceable. They also broke a glass shelf of the crystal closet. Only time will reveal what else they broke.

I think I will get a new car with AWD, or, at the very least, new tires. I almost had a serious accident on the way up; I had to make a sudden stop on a wet road (going from the Cross Parkway to I-91 in Connecticut) and I skidded badly. Fortunately, I got control of the car in a couple of seconds but the experience scared the you-know-what out of me. Anyway, I can now afford to buy a newer, better car. I think I will first look into a Subaru. I do NOT want to skid on a Vermont road. I've written about that before. No need to belabor the point.

Anyway, I actually did it. With your help, I did my emotional homework and then followed through with action. Even considering the hassles with the move, everything feels right. I genuinely believe I did the right thing.

I'm writing on my friend's Mac laptop and it is annoying to use. My regular computer is in storage. I hope the movers didn't break that, too.

So I'll sign off for now. I'll keep everyone posted on my Vermont adventures. And misadventures.

[tkln]

YAY! Congratulations! Looking forward to hearing all the stories, good and bad.

[Sherylcatmom]

Woo-hoo! Congratulations and job well done. Nice going finding a place to live so quickly!

I'm sorry about the items broken in the move, especially your mother's table which sounds like it was pretty special to you. At least the most precious "cargo" -- you and your cats still in Brooklyn -- are doing well and moving along to the next chapter in your lives together.

I appreciate the update.

[arctichomesteader]

Good luck! Maybe the marble top can be glued back together with something? I've never used movers, I prefer packing my stuff/moving it myself when possible...

[GypsySoul22]

Good to hear you are 'HERE!!'


That's too bad about your broken stuff. We packed/moved ourselves (insane) from NY last year and then over here (not 7 hours, just 20 minutes!). Nothing was broken either trip. Too cheap to hire movers, I guess...oh, no FRUGAL that is..

This is a gorgeous time of year to move up here--what spectacular colors the last week or so! It's just getting dark too early though.

Keep us posted.

[MRVphotog]

Good luck to yah in your new life in Vermont. Your timing is perfect to check out your first Vermont fall foliage. Get a Vermont Gazetteer, it has every road in the state mapped.

Looking forward your reading about your assimilation.

[Lilybeans]

Congratulations and good luck!

[OhBeeHave]

Congrats Arel!
Enjoy your new life!

[MRVphotog]

If the crunchy thing gets alittle thick and all the meadow muffins and Jerry Garcia look alikes start to wig you out I am told that Bratt has a new eatery of a certain sophistication call the Windham Wine Gallery.

http://windhamwines.com/gallery/

[Dwatted Wabbit]

CONGRATULATIONS!! This is very kewl, Arel.

Hope the remainder of your move improves.

All our experiences with movers have left something to be desired.

Good luck on the car. I'd suggest you look for something with ABS (anti-lock brakes) and stability control. Those are far more common nowadays than they used to be.

Tires are another matter, and IMHO most stock tires, and most tire (and car) salesmen, leave a great deal to be desired. Tire Rack has a good research function, the best I've seen on the web.

While some may think it's a waste to replace the new tires on a new car, from my viewpoint there are four contact patches that control our destiny and our vehicle's control, and I will do my best to make sure our four patches are the finest we can find and afford.

Again, good luck and congratulations. I hope your kitties join you soon!