Tuesday, June 30, 2009

So Close...

and yet so far....I was really excited for about five minutes. My husband got the word from our movers that our container would be delivered on Friday. This afternoon they told him our shipment release had been cancelled and customs will open our container. Apparently they go thru it by hand. I don't know if some word or phrase triggers this...my husband was trying to explain it all to me... something about the wood used to build the crates that were created in the UK for our more fragile items...I kind of stopped listening after he said he had no idea now when it will get to us. And when he added that our moving company also gently explained that when customs opens a container you are pretty much guaranteed damage.

I'm trying not to think about it all too hard right now but the problem is I have a lot of time to think about it too hard right now. I think I may have mentioned that I'm living in a hotel. I know it's just stuff and we have insurance and didn't I learn this lesson when we moved to the UK and I left lots of the 'stuff' I loved behind and still managed to survive??? I guess we all know it's the memories associated with our 'stuff' that cannot be replaced. Anyway, hubs and I have decided to move out of the hotel and into the house. We do have a bed there that came out of storage so I'll get some sheets and we'll camp out a bit. I guess we can eat out every night there just as easily as we can eat out here.


I was in the car when my husband called to break the news and practically as soon as I hung up the skies literally burst open. You may have heard that it rains in England. And rains. And rains. But it seldom RAINSRAINSRAINSRAINS. I haven't seen rain and lightning like this in years. In fact we rarely ever saw lightning in England. It kind of fit with my day though.


I met the alarm repairman at the house this morning. He was there for his second visit (same company, different guy). The alarm company's second visit followed the phone company's third visit which seemed to finally do the trick and now both phone and alarm are working. The repairman asked me where we'd moved from and when I said England he said, "Who do you support?" Ahh...British football fans....it made me smile.

The plumber has been to the house too. He came out after the appliance repairman who couldn't repair the dryer. Which is why the appliance repairman is coming back tomorrow with a new dryer. See what I mean about my day? My month? The fence guy has been out too. He'll be back. And we still need to deal with the internet...we have the components and are picking up our new computer tonite so here's hoping it all comes together. Based on how it's all working so far I have a sneaking suspicion I'll be seeing the internet guy soon too. I can't say I've made any real new friends yet but I am certainly getting well acquainted with the service industry in Northern New Jersey.


Oh, and I got my new checks today. The bank somehow managed to put one line of my British address and one line of my American address on them. A foot on both continents. Perfect. That's exactly how I feel.

5 comments:

  1. WELCOME to the USA!!! I hate you guys are having so much trouble getting settled. You have had more than your share of problems. Just hang in there and hopefully you can get unpacked soon and settled. I'm like you, I think I would rather be at your new home with just a bed and a few other things, than living in a hotel. I will be praying that things fall into place for you all and that your things will not be damaged in customs. I wish I lived closer to be able to help you when you start unpacking. One day, you and your husband will look back on this move and laugh about it, but I'm sure it is not too funny right now. Best of luck with getting settled. Love & blessings from NC!

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  2. "Who do you support?" They ask the same question here in Alabama, but they mean Auburn or Alabama? I just smile and reply, "Arkansas." That shuts them up.

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  3. Joyce, I'm so sorry you are having so many problems getting your things here. I'm praying that God will show favor and speed up the process and protect all your belongings.

    I can see why you would want to move on into your house. Hotels are nice for a short time. I know you're ready to get all settled in. Hopefully it won't be long.

    I wish we had a little of that rain. We could use it here.
    It's been so hot and dry.

    Take care!

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  4. Joyce, I'm so sorry for all of this. Truly this is where you must feel like falling apart. All you want is to set up your home and to settle ~ yet making that happen is out of your control in so many ways. THe customs piece doesn't seem fair at all.... and there is nothing you can do. What a trying time. I pray you can find peace in the middle of your chaos. I hope Dixie is adjusting well. :) Take care and hang on.... a better day is coming.

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  5. Joyce, I feel your pain! Hang in there and keep the blogging going as it's probably theraputic for you and I know it sure makes me smile each time I read!
    We are preparing to move to a tiny town in northern michigan and I suspect it is going to be rather similar to moving to a foreign country! Hopefully, my experience will help me deal and cope!

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