Opening Eve!

176 days ago I created this blog and made the first posting.  Here we are on Opening Eve and do I ever have a lot to tell you!!

I cannot even begin to explain what a rollercoaster of emotions these past four days have been.   When we left the branch on Friday it seemed as though we would not be opening the doors on January 2, 2013.  This was the date we had in mind since we broke ground on July 10th.  Unfortunately, there are certain things in this process you cannot control.  Internet and phone service are two things we need to function in our day to day business and on Friday we didn't have either.  On Saturday the guys from Gerace were out at the branch pushing forward with the hopes we would still open on time.  Sunday we all took a much needed break from the office.  On Monday, Darin, Ken and Matt from Gerace were back at it.  Doreen, DJ, Jimmy and I were moving in computer, printers and scanners with the hopes we would see our telephone or internet company show up to produce the connections we needed.  We were about ready to give up and make the call I dreaded having to make but at about 1:00 pm on New Year's Eve AT&T rolled into the parking lot.  We would get phone service!  The new question was, can we somehow get  this to communicate with our main office and pull the internet and other communications we need.  Nope!  Doreen tried and tried and with the help of our data processor in Troy, they decided to try one more time this morning.  New Year's Day FiServ Galazy sent a rep up to meet Doreen at 10:00am and by noon we were ready to rock!  I don't think I can pinpoint what emotion I am... excited, nervous, thankful...gosh I'm not sure!  Let's go with "d' - all of the above.

These two photos show 176 days of progress. This one is January 1, 2013.

 This was July 9, 2012.

 This was move in Friday, poor Darin was doing touch ups with all the ladies in the way.

 Amy and Ashley setting up their windows.

Deciding what art to put where.

Jimmy and DJ moving in the computer equipment.

 And then setting it all up.

 Brett making sure everything shines!

 Ken and Jim finishing up the member desk.

 Jim putting in the vent covers.

 Ken drilling access holes in the data island.

 Turbo putting on this face plate for the sixth time :)

 And, I think this stubborn light took three tries.  It preferred to flicker!

 Turbo making sure everything in my office was level.

 Testing the drive thru cameras.

 Jim and Ken installing the ATM doors.

 First lunch in the building for the ladies and last lunch for some of the guys.

I left the camera laying around...

 I got caught making sure all the tiles were flat and going in the right direction.

 They also caught me reviewing the supply list with Norma from Choice Office Products.

The construction dumpster left.

Gates were put on the dumpster area.

 And, around the mechanical equipment.

 AT&T guy.

Doreen trying to make everything "talk".

 Well, it is almost 11pm and my alarm is set super early so I can run off some steam in the am.  We will be on site early to get everything situated for an 8:30am opening!  So, as you can see, my branch has gone to bed now so must I!