Two Harts: Rules, rules, rules!

High rise living is a new world. Out of necessity there must be rules that govern both behaviors and movement. For those who have always been either in military housing or a single family home, we have much to learn and are trying hard to comply.

Almost exactly 2 years ago we gave away 40 years worth of accumulations, sold our home and packed off to Peace Corps Thailand. Remaining was 16 boxes of "stuff" and my mother-in-law's small ladies desk and chair. These few items went into storage near Atlanta, Ga. A short while ago we arranged to retrieve said "stuff" and have it shipped to us. We received a call our items in the form of one crate (containing said desk and chair) and one pallet (with a mix of 16 small and medium boxes) were ready for pickup.

John and I knew from recent experience that (a) one of our two elevators is designated for freight and (b) said elevator must be properly protected with quilted pads when it is to be used. So when the call came in from the docks saying our shipment was ready the first thing John did was check the service elevator. We were in luck! For one reason or another, the pads were up. Off we went to rent a small truck and do the pickup. (photos below) Lucky for us the people at the dock were willing to take the wooden pallet and dispose of the crate (for a fee) once we emptied it.

Upon arriving back at our building our luck continued when we saw the designated unloading parking spot was open. We were happy. John pulled in and we began unloading boxes to the sidewalk. Next, out came the staff member assigned to our building. Staff: did you make an appointment? Us: Appointment?? For what?? Staff: To use the elevator. Us: But the pads are up. Staff: Oh yes they are up for someone else. Us: But no one else is using it now. Staff: But they will. Us: OK. We will hurry. Staff: You must have an appointment. Us: OK. What shall we do? Take the items back to the dock? Staff: Call the office.

We called the office to report ourselves and were told it is OK. Next time please make an appointment. As luck would have it - the people who had made the appointment - thus the putting up of the pads - had their truck show up just as we were taking the last of our items off of ours. Turns out the people who had made the appointment were not very happy with us. But we tried so very hard to comply!

For the last 41 years our philosophy has been "every day a new adventure". Condo living is indeed an adventure in itself. As long as we can be together we would not have it any other way!