So Many Moving Parts

by safarisogood

“We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance.”
Harrison Ford

We have a walk through date (July 2nd) and close of escrow date (July 9th)! Soooo close. And so much to do!

On Friday, June 5th, friends Mary and Noralee drove to Delta Coves with me to meet a window treatment company. They measured pull-out drawers and shelves while I selected window coverings and the company rep measured windows and sliding glass doors. The house has a total of 13 sliding glass doors and 20 windows. Several of the sliding glass doors are extra wide. That’s a lot of window coverings!

Once all the measuring was completed, Mary, Noralee and I headed to Sugar Barge To pick up lunch, which we enjoyed at a picnic table nearby. We had burgers and chicken sandwiches, which were DELICIOUS.

The drive home was uneventful but nice to catch up with friends. The drive is really quite lovely (we always take the river road a.k.a. Hwy 160) as long as you don’t try to drive it drunk or tired – it is a two lane, winding road along the Sacramento River.

Once I got home, it occurred to me that I had not checked this window treatment company on Yelp yet. We talked to them originally at the Sacramento Home Show, several months earlier and they seemed very nice and competent (as I write this, I’m thinking to myself, “What were you thinking?” How does one measure a persons competence or ability to measure and hang window coverings from chatting with them)? Well, it turns out one doesn’t! When I checked Yelp, this particular company had several recent bad reviews. In fact, they had more bad reviews than good ones! Really Bad! And recent! And really, really Bad!

Arghhh – so, starting over with window coverings — starting from Yelp this time. I found a company in the Bay area and called them. He had all 5 Star reviews. But guess what? Business is booming! He had no time open until August. He did talk to me for a while and gave me a referral to another 5 Star company out of nearby Brentwood. This morning (Monday, June 8th), Michael and I are headed back to the house for a ‘new and improved’ window measuring. Turns out it takes about 3 weeks to get the shades I want, because they have to be special ordered. Three weeks from today is June 29th…just 7 working days before close of escrow. Not much room for error or delay. What’s the hurry? I would like window coverings before I start sleeping at the house. There aren’t many people around yet, if you don’t count all the construction workers, but sleeping at night next to a giant uncovered sliding glass door? I have visions of every scary movie I have ever seen!

I have, thus far, prided myself on the extreme planning and coordination of this move in. I literally (and yes, I mean that literally) have a house full of furniture that we have been buying over the last 6 months being held for us at R C Willeys furniture store. We also have 2 bedroom sets at Ashley Furniture in Concord, and an outdoor sectional being held by the American Furniture Auction — all to be originally delivered in June, which has now changed to July. Just so you know I’m not exaggerating, this is what R C Willey has for us:

3 TVs (don’t say “What?” You know you all have TVs in more than 1 room), 1 Living Room Sectional, 1 10×13’ rug, 1 coffee table and 2 small side tables, 6 Kitchen Island counter stools, 4 Wet Bar stools, 4 reclining theatre chairs, 1 side table, 2 white leather swivel chairs, a Dining room table with 8 chairs, 1 desk, 1 Queen Bed and 2 nightstands, 1 full Bed. Phew!

I’m pretty sure my downfall was my constant bragging to my husband that I had all this so under control that I was like an Orchestra Leader conducting a fine concerto. Well, someone is playing out of tune!

Okay, Monday evening update – we have an agreement with Closets and Beyond from Brentwood (a nice little town about 15 minutes away). Very nice guy, Mike, who measured and talked to us and made recommendations and gave us his estimate on the spot! We’re in and should have shades on all the windows within a couple days after close of escrow — Ladies and Gentlemen, the Orchestra is back in tune! So, now landscaping, TV installation, WiFi installation, a kayak ramp, shelf liners to measure and cut, etc. etc. Daughter-in-law Natalie and granddaughter Brittney rode along with us this morning to see how much more had been done since they were last there. I got a few more pictures, including one of an egret (I think) which was just a few feet away from our property, hanging out on the water.