It is one month before my husband and I move into a 2 bedroom apartment and although exciting for us (ie: no more homeowner worries), it is a major project to downsize. You see, he came from a large house in California and never quite went through everything in his garage. As for me, I arrived and have added my own junk -- making this the third time I have had a major purge in the 9 years since I left St. Louis. You'd think I'd be an old pro at this, but apparently not. You see, sentimentality factors in, taking one from homeowner to hoarder.
Here's the problem. In looking at the new apartment, there is one teeny, tiny closet for storage...period. I have checked storage units and frankly, IMHO not worth the $85/month they want to preserve our beloved items. I doubt I will ever move back to a house unless of course, I win the lottery. And so, the Purge --Part 3 begins.
I will say this; I have become absolutely ruthless. Elementary teaching stuff? Gone. You can get most things online anyhow. My beloved Christmas tree? Sold (only because I know it won't fit). Leather couches, washer and dryer and fridge -- also for sale. Exercise bike? No need for one...gym onsite. And so, as I go out to the garage -- aside from a family of crickets that is stalking me -- it is like Christmas everyday. I have no idea what are in the boxes as my husband packed up everything from my condo when I moved (God bless him). As for his stuff, he too has quite the "stash" as well. I am going through everything with the eye of "when I die, what will our kids do with this?" Most likely, trash it anyhow.
I have found that if you list something for free on Facebook, you will get at least 65 messages, of which half will say -- what condition is it in? Lady -- it's 50 year old furniture...what do you think? Or, do you deliver? Ummmm....that would be a no. Or my favorite...does it work? It's been in the garage for a year -- how the hell would I know? I'm asking $40 for a 10 foot pre-lit Christmas tree that we used the year before. However, it's been stored for a year. At that price, you take your chances.
And so, today I go back out to the garage to clean some more. I am tired and know already that these next four weeks will be a challenge. I had a trip planned to see my grandkids but now that is on hold as I realize there is still much to do ...such as pack up what we ARE taking and possibly hold a garage sale for the smaller treasure we no longer want.
In the meantime, my nails look like crap, I haven't showered in 2 days and I want to sleep. I did manage to get a haircut in there but that's out of pure necessity. I am putting in the hours and know that when we get to our new place, it will take far less time to unpack than it did to get ready to move. In some small way, there is something freeing about going through all your crap. Yes, it is a lifetime of "things" but I've found that's not what's important....it's about the memories and enjoying the here and now.
And so, the Purge continues this week-end and next. I hope to have it all done by then. There are perhaps 40 boxes left in the garage. The following week-end, we should be ready to pack up most everything else. It is a holiday week-end and will give us an extra day to get it done. Then, moving 2 weeks later. Yes, I do have a timeline. Albeit, a loose one -- but then again, you do what you gotta do! Purge, baby, purge!
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