I closed on my new home last Friday, and Moving Day is this coming Tuesday. Am I ready? Well, yes and no. I have cleared out the attic which was the land of abandoned luggage. Last Saturday, my cousin Kris and her daughter Miss T passed down suitcase after suitcase. It was crazy. Why so many? I, myself, have three different sized suitcases, my mom had one, and one had belonged to my brother. Then there were perhaps three or four which had belonged to my aunts. It was a regular museum of retired suitcases. The oldest was a brown leather suitcase with my dad’s monogram. I put six or seven out on the sidewalk, and all but one was taken. Two were hard side American Tourister bags. They were really heavy empty, so I can’t imagine what they were like filled with clothes. The man who took them wanted them for storage. He didn’t seem concerned that I only knew the combination to unlock one of the bags. He seemed confident that he would be able to figure out the code. I wished him luck!
I live on a busy street, so most things were taken within twenty-four hours. Quickest to go: a bookcase made by my brother in shop class in the sixties. It was gone in five minutes!!! It was nice but my new home has built in bookcases, so I wasn’t taking it. Another fast mover was a vintage, and I do mean vintage, chaise lounge with two matching chairs. You know the type with the aluminum frame and webbing. I put them on the sidewalk and walked down the hill to put something in my friend’s barrel as mine was already filled. As I was walking back up the hill, I saw a woman stop and examine the set and then look around. When I got closer, she asked if I knew who owned them. . . my response: Well in about three minutes, I hope they will be yours! She was super happy to take them as her family does a lot of camping, and she thought they would be perfect. I was happy too as I know the chairs which had been stored in the garage had never been camping before and I imagine they would enjoy it. ;-)
Moving is a team effort. As I mentioned previously, friends have packed my china, taken things to be donated at various places, and kept the process moving. A neighbor who lives down the street, has come twice with his son to haul heavier items to the sidewalk. This morning it was another shop class desk and a maple rocker. At last check, only the desk is still there. Peter told me not to hesitate to call if I have more items to go out. Peter was one of my eighth grade students many, many years ago. He is quite a wonderful character. I’m glad that he took home a heavy, wooden Christmas tree with lights that had been made for me by another neighbor. I loved putting out the tree, but each year the process was a bit more difficult. Pete loves Christmas, so I am certain it will be in very good hands.
My cousin Greg came with his truck on Sunday to haul many boxes to my new home. Yes, I’m having movers come on Tuesday, but I had about a zillion banker’s boxes filled with fabric. At twelve to fifteen dollars a yard, I wasn’t about to chuck it. With the help of my friend Annmarie, I had brought many bags of fabric and quilting books to put on the back table at our guild. I was happy giving it to fellow quilters, but I just didn’t want it to end up in a landfill. Don’t worry; with the amount of fabric, wool, and cross stitching items that I am bringing to my new home, I’ll never have to shop again. . . no, really, I’ll have enough to keep me busy until I’m at least ninety-five. :-)
I had been pleased with how things have been going until last night when my back told me in no uncertain terms that I have been lifting and carrying way too much. My cousin Kristin and Miss Lucy came this afternoon to help, and we got a great deal accomplished. (Well, they did; with my back issues, I just directed efforts.)
Later, we headed up to my new home where my friend Kathy L, a human dynamo, continued to organize my kitchen while I sat on a comfortable stool and watched.
How lucky am I!!!!!!! I’m moving into a dream home, and friends, family and neighbors are helping make the move possible. Keep good thoughts that my back feels better soon as I only have three days left to PACK!!! Movers will take the furniture, and I’ll no doubt be back to finish things here . . .
Wait did someone ask about the cellar? Please don’t as that will be a project in itself. The work bench is clear, all the tools have been given away, but there are still totes and boxes of holiday items to go through and then bring to my new home. Maybe it will take a week? Two? I’d like to get this home on the market soon. Once again, think good thoughts and wish me luck!
UPDATE: My cousin Greg’s look of horror this morning when I pointed to things that I hoped he would bring up to my new home for me.
He hauled all this and more!!! What a great guy!!! There will definitely be a quilt in his future once I get a zillion boxes unloaded. ;-)
