Nearing the finish line

I have just the bits and bobs left to move. But why am I dreading it? Mostly because as I move stuff I really must ask myself if it is worth the move, or should I just go directly to Goodwill and avoid trying to find a spot for it. That has definitely worked for me in the past, but I have a few more closets in this new house and that is the dilemma...I could just keep it all and later decide. Which never happens. Arrgh.

Today I hoped to get to the closet that held my quilts on hangers and batting and a box of smaller quilts. 

I have an allocated closet in the new house and yet...I know some of the quilts are hanging lengthwise and may hit the floor. Or not. But it stopped me from moving them until inevitably I ran out of days. 

Of course they all fit. Perfectly. Duh. Also in this closet is a box of paintings and drawings from 40 years of moving. And a ton of hanging unquilted tops, not even squished into this closet. As you can see, one quilt is just about on the floor, minus 1/4 inch. Other really big ones are doubled up on two skirt hangers. That works.

My next dread are the serving pieces in the high cabinets in the kitchen... which contain items that are in the wishful thinking category. I mean, how often am I hosting a massive party where I need a lasagna dish to serve a dozen? It's red and so I keep it. 

And platters...? Wha? The days of hanging out at TJMaxx and buying stuff because it was a pretty or my colors, or a great bargain, are continuing to haunt my present day. And you know the awful truth: they are all greasy or dusty or both.  Yuck. So gritting my teeth, I will return to the old house, fill the sink with hot soapy water and wash and dry and load all those items and be done with the procrastinating. 

And lastly, my art supplies need to be moved. I have TWO big closets with shelves where they all can go. It is also a matter of wishful thinking, but I believe the time has come where my art wishes may come true.

Lastly, the garden tools, hoses, 'window boxes' and just minor garden stuff has to be moved. I will do that last as they are all dirty and I have to prevent the car from all that. 

Speaking of the car, I got an early start today because rain was forecasted and I wanted to avoid getting my quilts wet. I managed to load and unload them just as the rain began. But then as an afterthought, can I get the car into the garage? 

 The garage is set up as the workshop, because my brother in law, John, has been installing all new interior doors which have to be trimmed to fit the odd openings. He is gone for the weekend so I gently nudged the dryer and a few doors out of the way, and managed to just squeeze in the car, without touching anything. That was quite satisfying. 

She's about a mover*

I've been thinking, this is not the first time I've found myself sans-husband. It was back in the mid 70's and I learned how to do just about everything that I used to depend on others to do for me. I felt pretty self sufficient. When I faced a problem, I said to myself " Well, if a man could do it, how hard could it be?"

Pretty cocky, eh?

I changed tires, moved furniture, installed my shower head, got a divorce pro se, that is, without the help of a lawyer ( or the fees), drove long distances with a paper map, and did lots of stupid things too, but managed to stay out of serious trouble. 

The energy I had in those days was amazing. I would work all day wrapping meat in the freezing cold butcher shop section of a big grocery chain, eating nothing but free cookies from the open packages some customer opened 'by accident' and drinking the free coffee that the store provided. Then I'd go home, take a short nap, and get dressed to go out scouting men and seeking entertainment. Use your imagination, it was the disco era.

I weighed nothing and could go braless without attracting much attention. Those were the days. 

What's the difference between that Melody and me now?

50 years. 

I think I can do all the things I used to do, but my feet, back, knees, and shoulder beg to differ.

Pooh.

Now I enthusiastically accept help and gladly pay for the chance to hand over the work to someone else.

I have a realtor,  plumber, remodeler and landscape guy on speed dial. or would have if I could figure out how to work speed dial. Nevermind.

That nap before dancing is a nap right through my favorite tv show. 

Changing a tire? You mean the one around my middle? 

And going braless is an assault against common decency. 'Course I still may do it, but only if I am going to Walmart, wbere that is the dress code.

I must say, the cookie eating habit never left me, and I know more about meat than I am willing to invest my money in. Dinner for me now is lunch around 11am. I am thrilled to be eating the things only I like to eat. Girly food. 

And as for men. I am so over it. Thank heaven hormones have left the building.

*For old times sake I am including a musical interlude. 

Moving Day, At Last

Things are moving so fast that I can't keep track of what day is what. I have been sleeping at the new house since New Years Eve which was LOUD here, with fireworks from around 9pm til way past 1am. I didn't have window coverings then and was entertained in my bed, by the pyrotechnics provided by my neighbors. Just my bed and chair got moved that day, and well, the tv was part of that too. My tiny life takes place in just my bedroom. ha!

But I have been making moving trips in my car daily so lots of stuff is here already. I don't really pack. I just have bins which I fill and then unpack and put the stuff away and return with the empties for the next round. I've moved before, as you know, and this time it is a really short 5 minutes between houses. 

There is also the black garbage bag trick. I bought a box of those and put stuff that won't fit in a bin and move it that way. Yarn overflow has been brought to the new house in those bags and when I open them later it will be like yarny Christmas again.

I've invested in these metal shelving units, which I first had three houses ago as a pantry and had to leave them them at that house (pooh!), so I found them again online and ordered three sets at $29.99 each, but today I looked and they cost more now (?) They will be used as linen storage in my bedroom walk-in closet, fused fabric and garment fabric storage in the studio, and are lightweight and easily moved, which as you know I do often. I have two big shelved closets in this new house and they will hold art supplies, and solve that problem, keeping everything accessible but hidden. 

+++

I was all set to do the decor as Black and White, like an urban high rise condo, ( as if!) and even had a quilt in mind to finish as the inspiration.

But then I got 'persuaded by Pinterest'...haven't we all been there? Now I have a new plan. ha! Key West, Acapulco, Cancun, Jamaica, the whole Caribbean. 

Tropical color is so ME! What has prevented me from doing this before?