Moving On
What’s worse than packing and moving? Doing it with a head cold. Yesterday was moving day and I’m beyond thrilled to get this behind us. Tomorrow will be even busier when they deliver our things to the house we rented. There will be weeks if not months of unpacking before we feel settled into our rental but there’s no rush. I plan to leave as many boxes packed as possible because we’ll be moving again in a year or so. This has been a massive amount of work and makes me want to embrace minimalism. Big time.
I was already exhausted when my feet hit the floor yesterday morning and it got worse from there. It’s funny that I thought I was ready until the truck pulled up and I realized how many small loose things were not packed.
I remember it took a long time for our house to feel like home. I’m guessing that the rental we are moving into will never feel like home because it won’t be. Life feels surreal. Almost like we pulled the rug out from under ourselves. Of course, that’s what we needed to do to get out of our comfort zone and make a change.
As we were getting the last things out of our backyard I noticed that one of our palm trees is about to bear fruit. It only seems to do that every six years, so it feels kind of special when it happens. I had a momentary feeling of sadness that I would not see those fruit ripen and fall to the ground. Then reality sunk in as I remembered the violent diarrhea Lucy got from eating them.
This move feels bittersweet. We loved our little house. Perhaps because we gutted it to make it exactly the way we wanted…right down to the antique French Chandeliers (which we have brought with us).
I wandered around taking pictures after everything was out and realized this house was for another time in our lives. I’m now looking forward and excited to see what’s next.
Are you planning to move in retirement?
Thanks for reading ladies and have a great day.
I love all of your posts! It seems we all have a lot in common at our age. I love following your clothes posts, even thought I am the opposite shape- small from the waist up and bigger booty and thighs. I realize what I learn from you I have done the opposite, and it works for me. Thank you:)
I could have written almost the exact same words at this time last year!! The last few items to move just multiply themselves as the moving truck arrival time approaches. Vowing to be better about accumulating STUFF! Backyard trees hold more memories than we realize — the last morning in our home of 16 years, I was picking up the scrappy debris that falls from the apple tree right after it flowers. I had done it countless times before, but realized I would never do it again. It reminded me so much of the Brad Paisley song called “Last Time for Everything” which goes through a whole list of things that are “lasts” — some are for the best, some are tough, and that is just the way the world works for all of us. (I didn’t have the head cold, though!)
So true Pam. There is a last time for everything and it’s not always a bad thing.
Jennifer, we moved last week from the home that has been in my family for 80 years. I lived there for 51 or my 63 years. We too loved our home, but felt it was time for a change and the closer we got to moving day the stronger that felt. As the house got dismantled and packed up it became very clear that it was ready for a new family to love it up and time for us to make a big change – moved downtown into a townhouse. I laughed when I read your comment about freaking out at how much there was left at the last minute. So true! Best of luck to you and you navigate this next year before truly settling down. Lots of experiments!
Wow that’s a big change! Bravo to you Kate. I think a townhouse is a wonderful option. We’ll see where we end up. Good luck to you too.
We have downsized and rented (church manse) for 9 months because we had a buyer and hadn’t found what we were looking for. I also tried not to unpack ( think Christmas)! We stayed in our rental whole we renovated a bungaloft condo. Happy to be in a smaller home & am still working on reducing the boxes of stuff in the basement.
I think I’ll be reducing for years. Hubs keeps opening boxes which is driving me batty :-O
You never know what life will bring. I was widowed, retired, remarried and my second husband hated living in the city and wanted to move to a rural area. This we did and within five years he died. I thought about moving back to the city but houses were not selling so I decided to stay put and make the most of it. Now I love the peace and quiet of the country and am happy looking at deer, rabbits, raccoons etc. No matter where you live you can make it “home”. Best of lucky, Jennifer. I do enjoy your blog.
So true Jill. I’m so happy to hear you’re settled in and enjoying the rural life. I often wonder if it would appeal to me.
I’ve been following along on your saga and admire the positive way you are approaching this upheaval in your life.
We are in our late 50s and still have adult children at home, so we foresee another ten years in this home. In fact, we’re embarking on a remodel this summer which will get our house exactly the way we want it to be. However, I can easily imagine the day when we give this big (4,000 sq. ft.) place up for a smaller home and that is, right now, the plan (but you know what they say about the plans we make…).
Prices in our area – Silicon Valley – are so expensive that I cannot imagine moving into another home here, so I would imagine that we’ll be looking elsewhere on the West Coast. I am also hoping to convince my husband to buy a small place in France…we will see.
Lots of adventure ahead for us! In the meantime, I will live vicariously through you.
A small home in France would be awesome! Sign me right up for that. The Bay Area is very pricey which is one of the reasons we left:)
Moving is a physically and emotionally exhausting process. I would not be surprised that it caused your cold! I just moved my parents into a retirement community and we are in the process of selling their home. My husband’s Uncle and Aunt are moving into the same community and so we start all over again with downsizing and moving. I have been in my home for 25 years and we are in the process of renovating. Sometimes I would love to just toss all the stuff and move into a lovely little cottage. Sigh.
Wishing you all the best in your new, temporary home, and I hope you find just the right place soon.
I often feel like just tossing everything too! For now I will keep pairing down and see how minimal I can get
Oh yes, moves can be bittersweet.. Wishing you all the best with the move, and feeling better. Wow, looks like so many of your readers are moving. We have been retired a few months but no plans on moving at this point.
I’m surprised how many are moving too! It’s a busy time
Good luck! You’re leaving a pretty house, but it’s going to be fun to put your special touch on a new place, and meanwhile you can keep paring your way down.
It will be fun. I’m pairing down every day and hopefully the next move will be easier.
Hi Jennifer. I too am going to move this summer, and I do´nt know where. After 39 year! I am 66 and after divorce, we got to sell our apartment in Stockholm city , near the see. I am so nervous, because I do´nt know where I can buy a new apartment and how big it is going to be. My wish is to live in the same area, because I feel safety here. Safety is totally necessary for me. But I love to live alone now and do what I want to! Good luck to you!
Good luck Ulla! I hope you find a great place. I agree that feeling safe is critical at our age.
Oh this resonates. I’ve been in temporary places before (including where I am now, although it’s long-term temporary) and it is unsettling. It will be so lovely when you find your forever home. I have a few lights I bring with me from move to move as well. I’m starting to pare down in anticipation of a next move which will be a size downsize, as I return from suburbia to the city. I’m in a new era of less and it feels very good! I hope you feel better soon. XO
I want less of everything now and more time for fun! I didn’t know you weee moving out of suburbia. That will be great for you Jen! Xo
The home you moved out of was gorgeous and you both have so many happy memories from your years there. Now you get to explore a new place of creation and a fresh routine of life. It’s going to be fabulous creating all this tailored to you and your husband.
We are certainly looking forward these days!
Jennifer, I am retiring June 23 after being a school librarian for the last 25 years and I feel as exactly as you do! I am also moving from NY to California – I think we may be in the same neck of the woods (or should I say desert??). We bought in Palm Valley CC in Palm Desert. I’ll be leaving a totally renovated condo on the east end of Long Island to a condo in need of a major overhaul. Against all advice from friends, I am following my children to the West Coast – what if they move back east? Hubby and I decided it was time for us – away from the snow and where we can play all day! Good luck on your move!
Linda, we followed our kids too, five years ago and it’s the best decision we ever made! We didn’t want to miss out on life with our only two grandchildren. We went from a small town to a much bigger city and we’re having a ball. So much to do! And if the kids move, then I guess we will too! Enjoy California!
That sounds fun Susan!
We love Palm Dessert! You’ll have a great time there. We’ve moved closer to family for now and we will see how we like the community. We wanted to try an active adult community on for size and what better place than close to my grandson? Good luck!
So, interesting to read all these stories of “moves”, Jennifer…mine took place 5 years ago after 45 years in the same home. Having searched in this local community for a number of years and not finding anything I really wanted; what a joy to just happen to come upon a perfect home for my new stage of life one afternoon; I made an offer within 10 minutes! All fell into place perfectly after that “find”! (No question, STRESS, yes; but grateful to this very moment for what I now have.).
That’s wonderful Marlene! Congrats
Wishing you a smooth a day or more settling into your new temporary place. You mentioned being closer to family so that will help with the adjustment pains.
Thanks Julie. Yes, we get to watch our grandsons baseball game this Sat for the first time. I’m really looking forward to spending more time with him.