Temperature bordering on 100 degrees.
Sun beaming down in full-fledged brightness.
Me, looking lovely in my stained tank top and ripped shorts, sitting in the back of a sweltering 16′ moving truck, sweat streaming into eyes with stinging glee, as I unpack crate after crate.
Unpack?! Aren’t you supposed to be loading the truck?
Yes of course, but in typical moving day fashion for us (where things never go quite as planned) plans change.
A mere year ago, when we moved to Kansas, Nathan rented a 24 foot truck which was too big for our needs. So, with the goal of an easier trip across country, and knowing that we were planning on getting rid of things anyway, he decided to rent a smaller truck. But, the nearest company to rent trucks did not have a 20 footer, so we ended up with a 16 foot truck.
No problem, we thought, looking into the cavernous back. We can make it all fit. We set to the task, aided by only the occasional two helpers as nobody else was able to come, we created a jigsaw puzzle of immense proportions trying to squeeze something into every inch of space. At first it seemed that we would conquer the squeeze, with boxes piled in perfect patterns all the way up to the roof.
But alas, failure became inevitable. So, in an attempt to make more space available, I unpacked several crates of clothing, cramming them into dresser drawers and any random holes I could find on the truck. Unloading should be fun, with underwear and socks falling freely out of unexpected places.
We managed to get the crucial things in, and have a few gaps yet to fill as we decided that quitting at around 8 pm and indulging in a bottle of wine with a few friends was a wiser choice then beating a dead horse (or a stuffed truck). But, alas, we have to leave a few things behind. Mostly shelves and a couple of dressers. 
On the upside, the packing is almost complete. We still have to clean up, and then we get on the road.
And at least we beat the heat, as today is supposed to be a lovely 104 degrees.
But I still wish we had four more feet, and about 10 more helping hands.
Aug 24, 2011 @ 09:22:03
The temps were close to 100 but the heat index must have been aruond 105
Aug 24, 2011 @ 10:07:54
Keep that sense of humor, girl! My first thought was, hey! This sounds like the interior of my freezer!. Perfect jigsaw puzzle, but don’t move any item, or it all comes tumblng out the door. Okay. I won’t tell you about the day a frozen chicken fell atop my foot and fractured a small bone…..I have every confidence, nonetheless, that you will arrive at your destination with all your socks and underwear. In the truck. But that’s because I’m an optimist.
Aug 24, 2011 @ 11:00:02
Good luck with the move! I can tell you that the weather here is wonderfully refreshing.
Aug 24, 2011 @ 11:11:55
Phew hot, tiring and frustrating work but you did it and you’re almost there! Hope the wine made things a bit more bearable
Have a great journey!
Aug 24, 2011 @ 13:04:59
Sounds like it was a wise choice to stop for the day and enjoy a last evening with friends! Good luck with the drive — believe it or not I envy you: love those adventuring trips! Bon Voyage!
Aug 24, 2011 @ 15:02:49
Wow. That wine must have tasted FANTASTIC! Best of luck with your move! I hope you have the best of adventures in your new home
Aug 25, 2011 @ 08:42:10
It tasted mighty good, and it made the aches and pains go away so I could sleep.
Thanks for stopping by my site. I’ll visit yours when things are a little less crazy.
Aug 24, 2011 @ 15:45:26
Happy moving! Sounds like you’re making loads of memories.
~FringeGirl
Aug 24, 2011 @ 16:20:25
Wow! Just reading that makes me want a shower.
We had just the opposite experience . . . loading a 16 foot truck in sub-zero wind chills, numb to the bone. Brrr . . .
Safe drive!
Aug 24, 2011 @ 19:29:05
Oh, lady the best part of packing is being finished!
Aug 26, 2011 @ 08:40:06
Moving is such a pain. And in 100 degree weather. Good choice on taking the wine break.