I'm pretty sure I'm simplifying things, but here's my
definition.
Hubby: If we're going to sell the house, we should put it on
the market in the spring.
Me: You're right, it's time.
That was the butterfly flapping her wings.
The tornado that was spawned has resulted in my home
becoming the equivalent of the flying house that took Dorothy from Kansas
UGH.
In my more rational moments, and I confess that they are few
and far between, I know this is the right thing to do. But as anyone who has
ever moved – and anyone who has ever laughed at the George Carlin routine –
life is about stuff. To put that
into perspective, consider there is my stuff,
my husband's stuff, our collective
married life stuff, our four
children's stuff – and then there is
the stuff we inherited when we
cleaned out our parents' homes. We have lived in this house for 24 years, so we
all agree that there is a lot of STUFF.
Now the idea is to downsize, move into a three bedroom home,
preferably with a finished basement so all the toys for adorable granddaughter
visits can be down there!
But before that can happen, we have to sell this house. And add in that this house has desperately needed to be painted
since forever, so we have had a crew in the house, scraping, spackling, peeling
old wallpaper, and then painting for more than two weeks with at least another
week to go. The house is one big ball of neutral, with family photos packed
away. I think the goal is to make this house look so foreign to me that it's
easier to let it go. But in any case, all that stuff is packed in boxes that need to be sorted, discarded,
donated, and occasionally treasured.
Now in the midst of all this chaos is a couple of more
variables. First is a baby shower for my daughter-in-law who is expecting in
May. Hooray, Hooray! Adorable granddaughter will have an adorable cousin. Plus
we have two mega-seders to host the two days following the baby shower. So
there is the craziness of getting the house ready to sell, while also the
craziness of getting ready for a celebration and a holiday.
Did I mention that I'm a little stressed?
It will be fine. I'll just escape with a little murder and
mayhem when I can. Because we're within spitting distance (as my mother would
say) of finishing the third Sullivan Investigations Mystery. It's a full-length
whodunnit – and it's going to surprise, scare, and delight you. Hope to have
details soon.
In the meantime, here's a link to George Carlin's standup
routine on stuff. Enjoy!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac
Marian, the Northern, frazzled half of Evelyn David
A Reason to Give Thanks includes: Giving Thanks in Lottawatah, Bah, Humbug in Lottawatah, Moonlighting at the Mall, The Fortune Teller's Face, A Reason to Give Thanks, Sneak Peek – Murder Off the Books, Sneak Peek – I Try Not to Drive Past Cemeteries
A Reason to Give Thanks
Kindle
Nook
Smashwords
Murder Off the Books Kindle - Nook - Smashwords - Trade Paperback
Murder Takes the Cake Kindle - Nook - Smashwords - Trade Paperback
Riley Come Home (short story)- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Moonlighting at the Mall (short story) - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Brianna Sullivan Mysteries - e-book series
I Try Not to Drive Past Cemeteries- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
The Dog Days of Summer in Lottawatah- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
The Holiday Spirit(s) of Lottawatah- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Undying Love in Lottawatah- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
A Haunting in Lottawatah - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Lottawatah Twister - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Missing in Lottawatah - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Good Grief in Lottawatah - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Summer Lightning in Lottawatah - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
The Ghosts of Lottawatah - trade paperback collection of the Brianna e-books
Book 1 - I Try Not to Drive Past Cemeteries (includes the first four Brianna e-books)
Book 2 - A Haunting in Lottawatah (includes the 5th, 6th, and 7th Brianna e-books)
Romances
Love Lessons - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
The thought of moving is downright scary! I'm going to let my kids deal with our stuff after we're gone. He he!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I told my husband when we moved into our house 23 years ago, "just have someone build a pine box and put it in the basement. I will live here. And I will die here." I was so traumatized by buying a house (a horrible experience for us) and moving that I swore I would never do it again. So far, so good. I know you'll find somewhere great to live, Marian. Can't wait to visit. Maggie
ReplyDeleteI have moved a lot. And every time, I get rid of more stuff. Now, I am trying to get rid of stuff on a regular basis. And that is a good thing. Moving is one of the worst things in the world to me. Hopefully by the time I die, I will have eliminated nearly all my stuff and they can put it all in a teeny tiny bag out by the curb...and if it is a Friday... even better, that is trash day.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marilyn, Maggie, and Annette. We will get through this, although I may not be as "gracious" as I might have hoped.
ReplyDeleteHave discovered sweet things amongst the "stuff" -- but lots and lots is going by the curb (under the heading of "what was I thinking when I bought that!")
Marian
Good luck on your move, have fun sorting. Just keep repeating 'I can do this." In addition, have fun with your new grandchild, enjoy the holidays, and I'm looking forward to your new Sullivan. Whew, that is a lot!
ReplyDelete