We Hauled, We Survived

It’s all packing, all the time around these parts. I wish I could say I’ve peppered the packing with an interesting trip to a new restaurant or museum, but that’s just not the case.

I did, however, drive a U-Haul cargo van this weekend. The most amazing part about the entire rental was the fact that the van was brand spankin’ new. It had less miles on it than our car, and I think it may have gotten better gas mileage. Every other U-Haul vehicle I have ever rented was at the point of losing parts on the road and belching strange smells through the vents. I think renting a brand new U-Haul van is the equivalent of spotting some sort of elusive wildlife or winning more than $2 on a scratch ticket. It just never happens.

The other good thing that came out of the rental was that I didn’t catch swine flu. Until the vaccines are available, I’ve been oh-so careful about hand-washing and being careful about handshakes and that sort of thing. So when the lady at the U-Haul counter mentioned she had been sick, “with that flu, you know, the one that makes you feel so tired, like you can’t get out of bed for a week?” and then proceeded to cough into her hand, wipe her nose with her fingers, then picked up a pen and handed it to me to sign my receipt.

I think you all will be proud to know that I didn’t physically shudder and back away, but merely signed the receipt, handed her back her pen, and the held my hand ever so slightly away from my body until I could get to the bottle of antibacterial gel that I keep in my purse.

Just remembering this moment has me reaching for the bottle of Purell I keep on my desk. But so far, no flu. Phew!

The new place still looks good, and I am still amazed by all of the SPACE we’ll be gaining. We’re losing a couple of things (closet space, garbage disposal, a bathroom) but we’re gaining windows and sunlight and a garage and a basement an about 400 square feet, so I can live with that.

Now we just need to get there. Back to packing! The movers are coming on Saturday, and that’s just a few short days away. Woo-hoo!