Hard Day's Work

I need to say up front and immediately that I am deeply appreciative of all the work that Neal has been putting into all the planning.  We spent about twelve hours yesterday picking up and constructing furniture, renting trucks, taking midterms, getting cars repaired, getting lost in suburban neighborhoods, and hauling heavy appliances around.  There were several points in the day where we got frustrated (driving around in the scariest manual truck of all time in the dark with almost no gas in its tank and almost no battery in the iPhone that was giving us poor directions in the first place), but there was no more satisfying feeling at the end of the day than sitting on the new couch and relaxing in the new apartment.  Granted, it's still completely filled with empty boxes and unopened furniture, but most everything is there now.  It's a livable place, and either Neal or I will start living there shortly.  Which of us that is, might still be up in the air.

The theme of this blog post demands that it be short, though.  I really want to feel like I've accomplished a lot in my school work by the time Neal gets back from California.  That gives me a week and a half to get working on all the long-term papers and projects and to settle back into the mundanity of household chores.  I may have been slacking.  Just a little.

Before I leave, though, I feel impressed to write about all the kindness we were offered during the day.  The men at RC Willey were very efficient and patient about loading the rented Home Depot truck, taking time to make sure that nothing would fall out before they sent us on our way.  Neal's friend Korance offered to help the two of us move furniture in and took time out of the middle of the day to haul the heavier pieces up and down stairs; a new neighbor Ty helped us with the couch on his way out the door.  Neal's aunt, uncle, and cousin stayed late at their auto repair shop to get Neal's radiator replaced before his long drive the next day.  Neal's coworker Austin lent us his truck without even a second thought and still showed great generosity when we had to take it back to him an hour and a half later than expected.  Janan, the woman we bought the washer and dryer from, helped us load them into Austin's truck, offering old sheets and boxes so that the appliances didn't get scratched and even helping us get the heavy machines down the driveway.  Our landlord and landlady Joel and Toni who helped us get the washer and dryer downstairs in the apartment when we were exhausted and just wanted the day to be finished.  I hope I included everyone in this list, but the help we received was miraculous, and it does not deserve to go unnoticed.  Thanks again to everyone, even if you may never read this.  The day was a success because of all of you, and Neal and I are blown away by the charity that we keep encountering.

Now, to work with me.