Having lost my husband 20 months ago and thinking of downsizing, it is a rather sad and daunting process. I had to laugh when you were going through your jars. I found some in my pantry that were extremely old...blah.
Sad and Daunting indeed. Oh my yes. Though it will be three years in March since my husband died, I still have a hard time deciding if I love a thing--or if I am attached because he was attached! That old jam? It was jam he made and yes.... I ate it and it was still delicious. Thank goodness sugar doesn't go bad, eh?
I have been in lock step with you, Sarah. My husband passed one year ago and about 3 weeks ago, I pulled up roots from Arizona and am now in Boulder, CO. To find the "right" house is daunting yet exciting journey but I know you will find the perfect place. I am closer to family and finally found my house. I can also empathize with the "cleaning, purging and packing" phase, which just about did me in. :) Keep us posted - I'm very excited for you.
Oh Michelle, how incredibly hard and brave and intrepid of you! It's taken me nearly three years since my husband's death to get to where you are and I'm inspired--both in the uprooting and finding of the right house. THANKS for reminding me that this clearing, purging and packing thing is just plain hard is also perfectly normal-- And also that I'll get to the other side.
We're in step too tho haven't explained it to the dog yet...My heart goes out to those of you doing it without your beloveds...but trust me doing it with the husband definitely has its challenges!
HA! I can imagine. Hard to make all the decisions oneself. Great when there is no disagreement from a partner with other ideas of what is precious. Though of course I am often of two minds myself😜
I wish you the best. I have cousins who just moved - about 5 miles down the road, and even though they have been downsizing for several years, it has still been a daunting task. I moved (several states away) ab out four years after my 1st husband passed, and I actually found it easier than trying to move with someone. I was the only one to make the decisions. I hope Beryl is happy too.
It's so helpful to hear all this Colleen--not only that it's just plain hard (even if you've been at it for a while), and that there is a certain ease in just making decisions without debating everything! Thank you
We just closed on a house today. Our other one flooded in Milton. i tell people that I had 4 days to do "Swedish Death Cleaning" as we emptied the house to remove drywall, etc. Decision-making was forced and the 2200 square foot house moved to a 100 sq foot storage unit. I kept saying keep for who I am today. not for who I was or wish to be. Grateful for what I have and to be facing a new chapter.
Wahooo! Congratultions. What a thing-- and OH MY what a task. No time for discernment when you're saving things from water damage-- though perhaps priorities are super clear? I SO appreciate your words of wisdom too: : keep for who I AM, not for who I was or wish to be". Brilliant. Onward we go. I so appreciate your company!
Good luck with the moving and purging. We just moved a couple of months ago from FL to NC to a rental. We were planing on staying in the rental for at least a year but found a house last month so now I am destashing and purging again. Oh and repacking things I thought I needed to unpack, ha. Can’t wait to see your new place and hear how Beryl likes it too.
Oh my gosh-- too house-thinning sessions in a row. Well done you. And also fantastic that you found a house sooner than expected. Awkward to have to pack again, but oh the bliss of actually settling in for the long term. Or so I imagine as I go through my books....
Ideally? Within walking distance of a grocery store, library and my granddaughter--and yet totally private. So I'd settle for a private-ish yard and windows that show sky and trees, even if I can see houses too.
Hi Sarah, this sounds excellent. I’m so glad this adventure takes you closer to your son and his family! Do they still live in northern Idaho? So pretty up there.
I’ve moved 3 times in last 10 years, getting rid of stuff every time. Now, at 81, I’m thinking next move will be down to one bedroom so the downsizing continues.
You’ll do great so set your worries aside and enjoy the journey. All the best
How exciting. And at the rate that my house sale/purchase is going on, you could well be in before me! (I'm just looking forward to finding all my fibre/sewing tools and fabrics again).
And that is a magnificent portrait of Beryl. I really think you ought to turn that into a print too.
Houses on legs sound like a good idea in principle - you can rotate to face (or avoid) the sun, move when you fancy a change - but imagine how much everything inside must be bolted/strapped/tied down to prevent it flying everywhere when the house shifts from side to side.
That's just it with the long legged house. Everything would have to have a special nook, like on a boat. Unless it is a magical dwelling. I bet Baba Yaga's stuff never falls of the shelves...
And GOSH I hope we both get into new dwellings in a timely fashion. Im in the the "how do I pack so I can find whatever it is again" phase. And admonishing myself to not get overzealous with the purging, especially with things like my Meck Russian Paddle combs, which I rarely use but are irreplaceable.
I've had most of my fibre and sewing stuff packed up since the last move in May, and it's both inaccessible and I'd have no space for it anyway. Not to mention I'm so fraught now I can't even consider any proper projects. It's all extremely frustrating. On the other hand, I did all my purging in that last move, so pretty much everything I still have is stuff I still want. WE CAN DO IT THOUGH!
Thanks! And she is doing remarkably well so far. I move a few things every day so I think she's adjusting. And I just made her a new extra-cushy bed out of part of a chair cover, which seems to help.🤣
My dogs have been patient but a bit on edge. They hate noise so spent time at my temp artist studio and a neighbor dog's house and yard during the floor replacement. Although when his bed pillow was back in place, Joe refused to get off it even in mid day!😁
Love the pic of Beryl!!! She seems okay with what you are up to. That is a good sign that you are okay with it too. You are guiding me to keep my plan for this year of 2025, as one of clearing out whatever I can in prep for a move when it happens. Sending you strength and love in all that you are doing.
Oh golly Sandy, thank you. Will certainly need all the strength and love that comes my way even as I am trying to move forward with ease (and keep reminding myself that it is pretty darned exciting). And as I just wrote to my sister above, Beryl's new bed (made from a cushion from a soon to be donated chair), makes her quite content!
I am also anticipating a move this year and checking out houses and sorting through my stuff. Exciting but also tiring at times. Good luck!
That's it exactly. Exciting and tiring--back and forth and forth and back! And good luck to you too!
What an exciting development! I can't wait to see which new home you choose.
ha! Me too🤣
Having lost my husband 20 months ago and thinking of downsizing, it is a rather sad and daunting process. I had to laugh when you were going through your jars. I found some in my pantry that were extremely old...blah.
Sad and Daunting indeed. Oh my yes. Though it will be three years in March since my husband died, I still have a hard time deciding if I love a thing--or if I am attached because he was attached! That old jam? It was jam he made and yes.... I ate it and it was still delicious. Thank goodness sugar doesn't go bad, eh?
Thank you for taking us along on your down-sizing-and-moving journey! I bet it will be a great adventure!
Thank you June! Your enthusiasm helps keep me going.
I have been in lock step with you, Sarah. My husband passed one year ago and about 3 weeks ago, I pulled up roots from Arizona and am now in Boulder, CO. To find the "right" house is daunting yet exciting journey but I know you will find the perfect place. I am closer to family and finally found my house. I can also empathize with the "cleaning, purging and packing" phase, which just about did me in. :) Keep us posted - I'm very excited for you.
Oh Michelle, how incredibly hard and brave and intrepid of you! It's taken me nearly three years since my husband's death to get to where you are and I'm inspired--both in the uprooting and finding of the right house. THANKS for reminding me that this clearing, purging and packing thing is just plain hard is also perfectly normal-- And also that I'll get to the other side.
I’m so excited for you. And Beryl ❤️
Whooooohooooooo!!!!!!
Yeah, it's happening! About to take four boxes of books to the used book store to see if they want any....SORTING is a THING!
We're in step too tho haven't explained it to the dog yet...My heart goes out to those of you doing it without your beloveds...but trust me doing it with the husband definitely has its challenges!
HA! I can imagine. Hard to make all the decisions oneself. Great when there is no disagreement from a partner with other ideas of what is precious. Though of course I am often of two minds myself😜
I wish you the best. I have cousins who just moved - about 5 miles down the road, and even though they have been downsizing for several years, it has still been a daunting task. I moved (several states away) ab out four years after my 1st husband passed, and I actually found it easier than trying to move with someone. I was the only one to make the decisions. I hope Beryl is happy too.
It's so helpful to hear all this Colleen--not only that it's just plain hard (even if you've been at it for a while), and that there is a certain ease in just making decisions without debating everything! Thank you
A new adventure is so much fun. I am sure you will find the right house.
We just closed on a house today. Our other one flooded in Milton. i tell people that I had 4 days to do "Swedish Death Cleaning" as we emptied the house to remove drywall, etc. Decision-making was forced and the 2200 square foot house moved to a 100 sq foot storage unit. I kept saying keep for who I am today. not for who I was or wish to be. Grateful for what I have and to be facing a new chapter.
Wahooo! Congratultions. What a thing-- and OH MY what a task. No time for discernment when you're saving things from water damage-- though perhaps priorities are super clear? I SO appreciate your words of wisdom too: : keep for who I AM, not for who I was or wish to be". Brilliant. Onward we go. I so appreciate your company!
Good luck with the moving and purging. We just moved a couple of months ago from FL to NC to a rental. We were planing on staying in the rental for at least a year but found a house last month so now I am destashing and purging again. Oh and repacking things I thought I needed to unpack, ha. Can’t wait to see your new place and hear how Beryl likes it too.
Oh my gosh-- too house-thinning sessions in a row. Well done you. And also fantastic that you found a house sooner than expected. Awkward to have to pack again, but oh the bliss of actually settling in for the long term. Or so I imagine as I go through my books....
I do so much enjoy following along with
you two. Do your want a house thAt is secluded or one with neighbors in sight?
Ideally? Within walking distance of a grocery store, library and my granddaughter--and yet totally private. So I'd settle for a private-ish yard and windows that show sky and trees, even if I can see houses too.
Hi Sarah, this sounds excellent. I’m so glad this adventure takes you closer to your son and his family! Do they still live in northern Idaho? So pretty up there.
I’ve moved 3 times in last 10 years, getting rid of stuff every time. Now, at 81, I’m thinking next move will be down to one bedroom so the downsizing continues.
You’ll do great so set your worries aside and enjoy the journey. All the best
How exciting. And at the rate that my house sale/purchase is going on, you could well be in before me! (I'm just looking forward to finding all my fibre/sewing tools and fabrics again).
And that is a magnificent portrait of Beryl. I really think you ought to turn that into a print too.
Houses on legs sound like a good idea in principle - you can rotate to face (or avoid) the sun, move when you fancy a change - but imagine how much everything inside must be bolted/strapped/tied down to prevent it flying everywhere when the house shifts from side to side.
That's just it with the long legged house. Everything would have to have a special nook, like on a boat. Unless it is a magical dwelling. I bet Baba Yaga's stuff never falls of the shelves...
And GOSH I hope we both get into new dwellings in a timely fashion. Im in the the "how do I pack so I can find whatever it is again" phase. And admonishing myself to not get overzealous with the purging, especially with things like my Meck Russian Paddle combs, which I rarely use but are irreplaceable.
I've had most of my fibre and sewing stuff packed up since the last move in May, and it's both inaccessible and I'd have no space for it anyway. Not to mention I'm so fraught now I can't even consider any proper projects. It's all extremely frustrating. On the other hand, I did all my purging in that last move, so pretty much everything I still have is stuff I still want. WE CAN DO IT THOUGH!
What a glorious portrait of Beryl! She looks most at ease with all these transitions!
Thanks! And she is doing remarkably well so far. I move a few things every day so I think she's adjusting. And I just made her a new extra-cushy bed out of part of a chair cover, which seems to help.🤣
My dogs have been patient but a bit on edge. They hate noise so spent time at my temp artist studio and a neighbor dog's house and yard during the floor replacement. Although when his bed pillow was back in place, Joe refused to get off it even in mid day!😁
Love the pic of Beryl!!! She seems okay with what you are up to. That is a good sign that you are okay with it too. You are guiding me to keep my plan for this year of 2025, as one of clearing out whatever I can in prep for a move when it happens. Sending you strength and love in all that you are doing.
Oh golly Sandy, thank you. Will certainly need all the strength and love that comes my way even as I am trying to move forward with ease (and keep reminding myself that it is pretty darned exciting). And as I just wrote to my sister above, Beryl's new bed (made from a cushion from a soon to be donated chair), makes her quite content!