We'd found our new home, so it was time to get all the paperwork in order and the move date set up. Well, again, we couldn't be moved in just one day. Government furniture is contracted to one moving company, while personal property is contracted with another. So.....
We had to have all the government furniture empty for them to take it; which meant we had piles of stuff sitting around of the things we removed!! We went a step further and had most of it out in the living area. That's two bookshelves, a chest of drawers, two nightstands; also, already in the living area was the desk, buffet/hutch, and table and chairs. The only things we didn't have out there were the two dressers. It actually worked well to put the clothes from the dressers into suitcases!
We had to have all the government furniture empty for them to take it; which meant we had piles of stuff sitting around of the things we removed!! We went a step further and had most of it out in the living area. That's two bookshelves, a chest of drawers, two nightstands; also, already in the living area was the desk, buffet/hutch, and table and chairs. The only things we didn't have out there were the two dressers. It actually worked well to put the clothes from the dressers into suitcases!
We thought we were getting the same government furniture, but---SURPRISE!!
Rodney's sister called it "60's government chic"! So, this was our new hutch. In the tower we'd used the hutch more as a display case, but here since we have so little cabinet space, we'll use it for our dishes.
We have two of these nightstands which work well as end tables in the living room.
This table actually fits a bit better in this kitchen space than I think the other one would, so I'm ok with it. It has two leaves (not in) that really make it a sizable table!
This desk, on the other hand, just wasn't going to work. The other desk had a file drawer which was just what we needed. Obviously, this one doesn't, so we took it back right away.
Here was our biggest issue with the "new" furniture-- We had two dressers (the other one did not have a mirror) and when I opened the drawers to kind of wipe them out, I noticed this...um.... smell..... Now I knew they'd been stored in a warehouse, so I figured it was storage smell. So, I opened all twelve drawers and went on to other things for awhile. An hour or so later I walked back into the bedroom and about passed out!!! It smelled like a combination of storage/old people (no offense!)/cigarette smoke/ and I don't know what else!!!! It was bad!!! So, I spent the first month trying all kinds of things to get the smell out, but nothing worked!! (Keep in mind we're having to live out of suitcases for the most part!) When I finally called the housing office to learn our options, I found out we'd had a 15 day window to request any trade outs!!!! The desk was one thing to haul downstairs to the car to return ourselves. the dressers a whole other matter!!! So, I kept an eye out on the online yardsale, but didn't really find anything. Then Rodney had the bright idea for us to go check Yellowbox which is basically an Ashley furniture store. Low and behold, they had a chest and dresser of a discontinued model that they wanted rid of!! And, we got an extra "floor model" discount, too!!! And, as if it couldn't be any sweeter, for a small fee, they'll haul government furniture back to the warehouse!!!
Now we have bedroom furniture that does NOT stink!!! AND we were able to finally unpack those suitcases!! :0)
Can't you just see the JOY on our faces?!?!!? ;0}
