I spent much of my early life moving--sometimes to a different house, sometimes to a new town. By the time I graduated from high school, I had spent Christmas in a different house every year. In the 56 years of my marriage, the moving slowed down. Two apartments and four houses. The last house we spent twenty years in. People said "But you have wonderful memories there." Yes, but the person I share those memories with isn't there. My family is spread across the country and I needed a change.
Over the last couple of years, I realized that I badly needed to downsize. I began picking away at that and this spring decided to put the house on the market. I had begun checking out apartments in the Quad Cities and narrowed my choices to a couple. I started with the plan for a two bedroom, but wondered where I would put my office, sewing machine, and craft activities. I decided to go for a three bedroom, but the complex I was most interested in didn't often have those available. The house went up for sale and sold immediately, scheduled to close on June 14. Luckily, the same week, a 3-bedroom was posted but not available until July 3. During the three week gap I would need to store my stuff and basically have to move twice. Yikes! But a few days later, I got a message that the present tenant was going to be moving earlier and I could have the apartment in early June!
The downsizing had to switch into high gear. I planned to move boxes and totes beginning June 3 and movers to bring the furniture June 6. That would give me a week to "finish up." Surely that would be plenty of time to decide what else I wanted to move and get rid of the rest.
Over the last couple of years, I realized that I badly needed to downsize. I began picking away at that and this spring decided to put the house on the market. I had begun checking out apartments in the Quad Cities and narrowed my choices to a couple. I started with the plan for a two bedroom, but wondered where I would put my office, sewing machine, and craft activities. I decided to go for a three bedroom, but the complex I was most interested in didn't often have those available. The house went up for sale and sold immediately, scheduled to close on June 14. Luckily, the same week, a 3-bedroom was posted but not available until July 3. During the three week gap I would need to store my stuff and basically have to move twice. Yikes! But a few days later, I got a message that the present tenant was going to be moving earlier and I could have the apartment in early June!
The downsizing had to switch into high gear. I planned to move boxes and totes beginning June 3 and movers to bring the furniture June 6. That would give me a week to "finish up." Surely that would be plenty of time to decide what else I wanted to move and get rid of the rest.
How wrong I was! I never would have made it without the help of my tribe. In the ten days from possession of the apartment to closing on the house, we brought about 17 or 18 carloads of stuff. Andy especially stepped up and made numerous trips before going to work in the afternoons. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ken and Harriet, made several trips. My 'baby' sister-in law Mary, neighbor Joy, and old friend Joanie also hauled stuff. Grandson Steven came out from Iowa City and put his Marine training to use cleaning the garage. The last day, Mary and Joy cleaned while I continued to tackle the chaos in my craft room and other areas.
What to do with all of the stuff? Joy again came to the rescue with the offer of her second garage to store anything we couldn't get moved or hadn't decided what to do with. The closing came off on Friday and I then headed to Des Moines for my great-granddaughter's dance recital.
What to do with all of the stuff? Joy again came to the rescue with the offer of her second garage to store anything we couldn't get moved or hadn't decided what to do with. The closing came off on Friday and I then headed to Des Moines for my great-granddaughter's dance recital.
I think my new place is going to be delightful. Chateau Knoll was built in the 70s before developers felt the need to fill every square inch of real estate. Grassy areas and established trees surround every building in the complex. There are two pools, tennis courts, and a fitness center. The photo at the top of this blog is the view from my little deck. People have been very friendly and a couple of maintenance calls has received quick response.
Am I settled? I have a ways to go. One glitch in the move was that my desk is too big to go around the corner into the office. Andy and I may try to cut it down; otherwise I will find something smaller. Meanwhile it's pretty hard to empty the boxes in the the office. And I have numerous other boxes I'm working on, but there's no deadline. I took time last night to go to a poetry reading in a branch of the Davenport Library by Salvatore Marici. Sal took part in several of the writing workshops we had at the West Liberty Library. I look forward to more of these events, no home maintenance, and more time to enjoy.
One of the most useful things we have learned from technology: sometimes the best fix is to unplug and start over.
One of the most useful things we have learned from technology: sometimes the best fix is to unplug and start over.
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