That Last Post Makes Me Sound A Little TOO Upset
Okay, the movers didn`t pack my computer after all. So rather than leave that last depressing post on the top of my blog indefinitely, I want to relay some GOOD, HAPPY thoughts before I go away for a while:
* The movers had planned to be here all day to pack our stuff, but they left in just two hours. The guy who did the estimate was really amazed at all I`d done by myself, and says I cut the estimate by at least a third, perhaps more. I had time to go to the DMV after all today, and then to the Department of Parking to get the permits for our new address.
* As I was agonizing over the herd of dust bunnies that stampeded out from the closets and under the furniture, I heard one of the movers say to another (without knowing I was outside the room), "Can you believe how clean this house is? And their stuff is so organized!" All I can say is that if we`re the shining example of order, the rest of the people they move must be pigs.
* Whenever we move, I always reach a point in my packing at which I stop caring about our belongings, and want to chuck everything and live in a yurt. It is some kind of Zen moving epiphany -- the significance of the material world slips away. Who cares about the damn dishes, the lamps, the pillows, the sweaters and the shoes? What does it really matter, any of it? Once I reach this point, everything is more bearable.
* The movers were so cheerful, polite and professional that I don`t even care that one of them packed all the dirty dishes from the final load I intended to do in the dishwasher.
* I told the movers the story of the two-year lease that became a one-year lease, and the awful possibility that we might have to move again next year, and one of them said, "Don`t worry ma`am -- we`re here for you!" He said it so gently and sincerely that I expected them all to surround me and hug me.
* I never mentioned it here, but three friends (one very old friend, and two new friends from the kids` school) actually offered to help me pack! I didn`t take them up on it, but I was amazed that people really offered, and sounded as if they meant it, too. It reminds me of a postcard I have, of a drawing with the caption, "Unusually Repulsive Cat Startled by a Gesture of Affection."
* I missed the big fundraising auction for Little Son`s preschool on Saturday. I had planned to go, because I had signed up for cleanup duty, but decided I was just too exhausted and distracted to dress up and go out that night, and made a final trip over to the new house with a load of stuff instead. And I just don`t have the energy to feel guilty about it.
* Still no word from the new landlord. Perhaps he`s not even checking his email regularly? But I will consider no news as good news -- it means at least he isn`t seeking a court order blocking us from moving our pet dander-contaminated belongings into his house, right? We will move in sans pets, pay the rent on time every month, and enjoy the house without dwelling on the people who own it.
* Our next-door-neighbors invited me over tonight for a farewell drink. I told them if I am still standing at 8:00, I will take them up on it.
I will drink to the fact that no one in our family is sick or dead, we have no financial problems, we have wonderful friends, and we know how to make our home wherever we happen to be.
And asking that our home just stay put for a while is obviously asking too much, so we will deal with it.
* The movers had planned to be here all day to pack our stuff, but they left in just two hours. The guy who did the estimate was really amazed at all I`d done by myself, and says I cut the estimate by at least a third, perhaps more. I had time to go to the DMV after all today, and then to the Department of Parking to get the permits for our new address.
* As I was agonizing over the herd of dust bunnies that stampeded out from the closets and under the furniture, I heard one of the movers say to another (without knowing I was outside the room), "Can you believe how clean this house is? And their stuff is so organized!" All I can say is that if we`re the shining example of order, the rest of the people they move must be pigs.
* Whenever we move, I always reach a point in my packing at which I stop caring about our belongings, and want to chuck everything and live in a yurt. It is some kind of Zen moving epiphany -- the significance of the material world slips away. Who cares about the damn dishes, the lamps, the pillows, the sweaters and the shoes? What does it really matter, any of it? Once I reach this point, everything is more bearable.
* The movers were so cheerful, polite and professional that I don`t even care that one of them packed all the dirty dishes from the final load I intended to do in the dishwasher.
* I told the movers the story of the two-year lease that became a one-year lease, and the awful possibility that we might have to move again next year, and one of them said, "Don`t worry ma`am -- we`re here for you!" He said it so gently and sincerely that I expected them all to surround me and hug me.
* I never mentioned it here, but three friends (one very old friend, and two new friends from the kids` school) actually offered to help me pack! I didn`t take them up on it, but I was amazed that people really offered, and sounded as if they meant it, too. It reminds me of a postcard I have, of a drawing with the caption, "Unusually Repulsive Cat Startled by a Gesture of Affection."
* I missed the big fundraising auction for Little Son`s preschool on Saturday. I had planned to go, because I had signed up for cleanup duty, but decided I was just too exhausted and distracted to dress up and go out that night, and made a final trip over to the new house with a load of stuff instead. And I just don`t have the energy to feel guilty about it.
* Still no word from the new landlord. Perhaps he`s not even checking his email regularly? But I will consider no news as good news -- it means at least he isn`t seeking a court order blocking us from moving our pet dander-contaminated belongings into his house, right? We will move in sans pets, pay the rent on time every month, and enjoy the house without dwelling on the people who own it.
* Our next-door-neighbors invited me over tonight for a farewell drink. I told them if I am still standing at 8:00, I will take them up on it.
I will drink to the fact that no one in our family is sick or dead, we have no financial problems, we have wonderful friends, and we know how to make our home wherever we happen to be.
And asking that our home just stay put for a while is obviously asking too much, so we will deal with it.
posted by L. at 2:05 PM
4 Comments:
Oh dear! I'm so impressed that you could be packed and moved in such a short period of time. It would take me months and months of whining around to get moved and we have one less family member than you. I'll miss you, and your special insight until you return.
Wow, L - congratulations on getting moved, and good luck on all of the many details involved in settling in. I'm dealing with a big bout of homesickness *for* the Bay Area,and I have to say that your thankfulness for your family's ability to make your home where you *are* really is an amazing thing. I'm hoping to have some of it rub off. :)
I've heard of movers who packed the garbage. Dirty dishes is a step up.
Glad you are feeling a little less whatever you were feeling yesterday.
Exhausted perhaps?
See you when you return.
we are still moving (a few bits and bobs at the other house.) good job!
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