Boxes

So, I'm now in Lexington. The move was hectic - one of the movers said, "You've got a lot of stuff - is the house you're moving into just as big?" Actually, the house is smaller, and I tried to get rid of some of the larger things before I moved, but now that I'm here with stuff crammed in everywhere, its time to get rid of some more.

And the boxes! They are everywhere! I didn't realize I had packed so much. My goal now is to unpack every box - nothing left in any boxes (except, of course, the Christmas stuff). This way, everything will be out, and then I can better decide what to get rid of and what to keep.

The kids' playroom is going to be great. I've already set some new rules as to what toys are in the Family Room so that it doesn't get too cluttered. Everything else - down in the playroom. The boys have already accepted a new routine, as they go down to the playroom when they get home from school while I cook dinner. There is still a lot of organizing to do in the playroom as well - gonna try to keep the toys in bins and on shelves so the room isn't always a complete mess.

As for the rest of the house - I'm slowly getting things in place. I had a pretty good idea where I wanted to put the big pieces of furniture before I moved - and since I've been here I've only had to switch around a couple of big things. But I'm still unpacking boxes, and as I do, I've got to find some place to put everything, at least temporarily.

And then there's the house utilities. The dryer needed a longer lint exhaust. The washing machine needed a longer discharge hose. And then when I got the washing machine installed and turned the water on, there was a leak in one of the hoses so I had to get a new hose. Once the new hose was installed, I was able to start a load of laundry, only to find that during the rinse cycle the longer discharge hose doesn't sit well in the drain pipe and so water spills over. Then I woke up the next morning to find water all over the laundry room floor as there was a small leak in the water valve which dripped all night. Got the new refrigerator delivered, and when I turned on the water for the automatic ice maker, found out there was a leak in the copper pipe at the floor, and more water spilled all over the floor in part of the basement. Which was, of course, where I had a pile of boxes stacked waiting to be unpacked. I think its now time to call a plumber!

I'm Trying

I'm trying to put thoughts, feelings, emotions aside and concentrate on the move, now less than 2 weeks away. Packing is a pain - pitching is more therapeutic. Moving into a smaller house - downsizing. That feels good. Not as much to deal with. But still have to plan where things are going to go - the movers will ask. Can't figure it all out, but I can get close. Posted some unwanted furniture on Craigslist - 3 pieces posted, 3 pieces sold. Offered used cribs on the single parents message board and found a way to pass them on. Feeling lighter already. Have a bag of old clothes ready for the Salvation Army. Wanted to get through the unwanted CD's and DVD's and list them on eBay but haven't found the time for that. But those things are smaller and so can make the move. Only so many hours in a day. Still have to work. Still have the boys to take care of. The house still needs to operate, right up to moving day. Change of address forms are in progress. Magazines and credit cards are already switched over. There's usually a missed periodical when you move, but maybe not this time. I'm aware of many 'lasts' - the last time I will do this, the last time I will go there. I try to push those thoughts away. Gotta pack more boxes. Gotta pitch more junk. Now is the time to do it. I will miss this town, neighborhood, street, yard, house, room. But this move was set up almost a year ago. I didn't want to move. I was ready to fight to stay. I've got to remind myself I'm the bigger person. And this will be better for the boys. I believe it. I have to.