First, let's talk about my Valentine's Day present: Surgery. My meniscus surgery was on February 14th. Ashley came in on Friday. Josh came in on Saturday. He couldn't stay because he'd started a new job. The surgery was no big deal at all. It was over before I even realized that it started. In the past I've always been told to count or recite the alphabet in order to count down to falling asleep. This time it just happened. The last thing I remember before I fell asleep was seeing a big square light above my head, and I told myself that I really hoped that thing wouldn't fall on me. I woke up to a busted lip. I never did find out what happened, but I'm assuming it was the tube. I've been going to PT and things have been going well, but it seems I have developed lymphedema in that leg. After I finish my PT I will evidently start going to the lyphedema clinic. I'm not recovering as quickly as I'd hoped, but I'm getting there.
Now let's migrate to the move. The majority of my belongings have been stored in Austin, TX for over a year. Last month I started getting quotes to move it all from the storage building to my home here. I rejected several quotes for various reasons and then narrowed it down to two movers. My first choice was with a company whose rep, Eric, was a wee bit pushy and a whole lot charming. Honestly, I think I chose his company because I loved his Houston accent. He pretty much had me at "you're so cute" but I can't remember what witty thing I said to have earned that compliment. He lost me, though, when he told me the balance (less the $50 deposit) could only be paid via wire transfer, even though the deposit could be paid with my credit or debit card. So I moved on to Natalia who, too, said she was from Houston but was about $200 higher. Turns out she lied to me. She was actually from Los Angeles. I didn't know this until after I'd paid a $250 non-refundable deposit and signed the contract to hire them. I got a phone call from Max, who was representing a company that I'd rejected. They gave me a quote that was about $300 less than the one I hired, but in researching online they were not too reputable. They have four unresolved issues in the BBB and many complaints on several moving distaster websites. I thanked him for calling but I'd already hired somebody, then he was the moving company who would be handing my move. I'd been outsourced. I was not happy right off the bat, but when I received separate contracts from this company, as well as a blank Final Bill and a blank Freight and Bill of Lading. Now who, with any sense about them, would sign any blank forms like that? I straight up told him I don't trust their company with my things and they seemed dishonest with all the complaints from overcharging, hidden charges, missing move dates, and damaging people's belongings. After many angry conversations with both companies, it was agreed that the only contracts I would sign were the ones I'd already signed with the original company. My son's legal background came in handy, and his specialty in finding loopholes in contracts really paid off.
The move was set for February 28th and they were to be at the storage company early enough to be done before they closed at 6 p.m. They didn't start until 5:30 which caused the storage company to have to stay over until they got it done. In order to avoide the $300-$500 shuttle fee for not being able to accomodate a 53' tractor trailer, I was hiring a Uhaul truck. The movers were to empty their truck and put my stuff in our Uhaul. My sons would take the truck home and unload here. So they were going to give me 48 hours notice when they would be here. I got a 40 minute notice. My son lives 45 minutes away and we still had to go pick up the truck. More angry words when I told them when I could be there, because they said I needed to make this move a priority. Then more angry words when we got there and my son told the mover off for not giving us a notice. The guy unloaded my stuff and nearly every piece of furniture was scratched or broken. The ones that were broken were not salvagable at all. I used to be a Navy wife and we moved every two years. So I know that in nearly every move you will have something broken or lost. But not the high percentage that I had. I have to deal with the claims department now, and then after that's all done I'm giving the worse review possible to both companies I had to deal with. This was the worst move I've ever had. When I moved my stuff TO Tx, we did it on our own and not a single thing was scratched or broken, and I'm not in the business of moving.
In between all this I had a lot of quality time with my granddaughter. She was so funny and so much fun. She didn't want to leave. I will be so happy when they move here for good.
It's late and I'm tired, so I'm going to bed.
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