Grandpa Stole the U-Haul

Saturday, July 10th 2010

Moving Day!

I woke up at 5am and had coffee, AKA "Wake-Up Juice."  I woke Dayna at 5:30am.  I texted Marty at 5:45am to "Wakey, wakey," and called Dad to make sure he was up and tell him we're on our way.  Then we set out for out moving adventure!

We picked up Dad and the hand-truck.  We headed off to the U-Haul on Rte 9 in Old Bridge/Parlin, near Marty's place.  I dropped off Dad to get the truck and then went down the road to get Marty.  We waited a bit for him.  We went back to the U-Haul place to get Dad and set Marty up driving the truck.

Dad wasn't there.  The lady at the desk said he left 20 minutes ago.  This is what we get for waiting on Marty.  Well, since Dad's gone already, off we go!  We headed up Rte 9 to 287.  Then I thought, "What if Dad went to the apartment to find us?"  U-turn!  We went all the way back to make sure.  I called Dad's cell phone on the off chance he might have it with him; he usually leaves it home.  No answer.

We made it back to the apartment complex and drove around looking for a 17' U-Haul truck.  We didn't see one.  So we drove past the U-Haul place again - still no Dad.  Off we go again!  This time we stopped at Dunkin Donuts.  Dayna got a large Iced Coffee with two donuts.  Marty and I got ham, egg and cheese on an English Muffin and nice, hot, wonderful coffee!

When we got back in the car, Marty took the lid off his coffee to stir it.  I was getting myself situated.  I have trouble sometimes.  I have to have myself just so in proper alignment or my back hurts too much.  I re-adjust periodically as I am driving.  I usually put my left hand on the door arm rest and my right hand on the center console.  Then I push up, align myself, and lower back down.  Ahhh!

Marty apparently was not aware of this routine.  As he held his coffee in his left hand and stirred with his right, I went to adjust myself.  I put my left hand on the door arm rest.  I then put my right hand on the center console...and promptly smashed into Marty's left coffee holding arm.  :-(  It did it's best impression of a sommersault all over him.  I felt horrible.  He now looked like he wet himself.  I am never going to hear the end of it.

Off to Chester, NY!  We traveled up 287 to the end into New York and hopped on the NY Thruway to exit 16, Harriman.  From there I couldn't remember which way to go.  We drove one way.  It didn't look familiar.  I pulled over.  Then I remembered Dayna has an unlimited data plan on her phone!  GPS!  Directions to Storagetown in Chester, NY and we were on our way to Route 17 West!

As we came up to our exit, I could see the storage facility.  I said, "Everyone look right and see if you can spot a U-Haul in row E."  Yup!

We pulled in to find Dad had already started loading the truck.  He said, "You made it!"  We made it...thanks to modern technology.  Marty and I jumped in helping Dad load the truck.  Dayna wasn't feeling too well so she sat in the car reading and using her laptop.  Two runs to potty at McDonald's, a trip to CVS for water, and a few hours later we were on the road home.  I text messaged Marty directions in case Dad forgot, but it was basically a straight run down Route 9, turn at the Diner, et voila!

Dayna and I beat them there.  I vacuumed quickly and started moving stuff out of the way.  Mom and Glen called for directions.  They're coming to help, too!  Yay!

We unloaded the end of the truck and then took a ride to "Don Found It" to pick up the couch and dinette.  The man there helped load it in the truck and we set off back to the apartment.  While we were out, Mom and Glen unloaded the fish tank from Mom's truck and set it in the living room.  Somehow we got it all unloaded and in!  My first ever couch :-)  It looks so nice next to my falling apart blue recliner, and the curtains are a wonderful accent!

After Mom and Glen left, Dad and I sat having coffee.  Marty fell into the couch drinking water.  Dayna occupied the recliner and frequently reminded me she'd like to go now.  We set off to drop Dad and Marty home.  Since we were already north for that, Dayna and I stayed at Mom's for the night.  I took a pain pill and sacked out! 

Moving Day complete!  Mission accomplished!