10-195 (14/7/23) -- The Deed is Done

I got a text message from the landlord at 7 AM to let me know what the cleaning list for tenants contains. Like on the last day of the lease <sigh>. So, I headed back to do the small things I had in mind but added the bits about moving the fridge and stove to clean underneath. I had done most other things over the past two days and took all the equipment to the new place last night. After the cleaning activity, I took a load of things from the freezer to the new place and then returned to check the shed. I hadn't looked in there since before COVID. The key went into the lock, but there was so much rust, that it wouldn't turn to unlock the thing. I packed up the outdoor plants so the new patio where they will perk up the place. 

I then spent a couple hours breaking down the last of the boxes and getting them bundled to go to the curb next week. I sorted the recycling and got it all bagged to go. The sun was setting as I left the house for the final time. I guess that was a fitting end. I took time to walk through the house one last time and note the amazing things that happened there over the past 25 years -- good and less so. I then walked through the gorgeous yard and took time to take in the views. One day lily bloomed today -- just for me maybe. It was the first of what looks like an amazing number of blossoms this year. A neighbour that I didn't know stopped to talk as I was getting ready to get into the car -- another message to me that new neighbours will be met at the new place. 

One other difficult event was exchanging keys with the wonderful neighbours across the street. They've been here for 50 years and I was here for half of that. They helped me in many ways over the years with everything from pet care to taking me to emerg when I broke my elbow one afternoon. It was comforting to see their lights on or see their car home. She told me the same thing. I hope to get back for a quick visit when I go downtown or onto campus. I also was unable to say goodbye to the Great Pyrennes and the cats down the block this week. Their person was away whenever I went to by. There will be another day when I go by their house, I know.  

A song about phases of life came to mind. Moving is never easy -- leaving people, routines and things behind can be challenging -- even if just moving down the street a bit. A new neghbourhood will take over daily life. At least there is the possibility of seeing folks from the former 'hood. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

You're Gonna Miss This -- Trace Atkins

10-194 (13/7/23) -- Closet Mystery

Today I had two friends stop by to help me take loads of fragile and last minute items to the new place. One helped me to consolidate all things leaving the house in the living room. We went carefully from room to room to check closets and closet shelves, just to be certain everything was transferred to a new home. 

While checking the closet shelves we found several contained something hidden way into a back corner. Interestingly these were similar objects -- ones that I did not place there. Clothes pins. Simple wooden clothes pins. In most cases it was a single one, but when we checked the final closet, I found five.  I stated that the universe was sending me a message of some sort. For my friend, they reminded her for fresh, clean laundry. To me that meant a clean start to something new. As the afternoon progressed, a second friend helped me to move the cleaning tools and empty the fridge. That left the few items in the shed and the deep freeze contents to transport with the plants tomorrow. As I left the place for the day, it felt very odd. There were just a few small boxes and bags in the living room to help me move the final things tomorrow -- once I finished the final little cleaning touches. It was very emotional. I was reminded at that point of the clothes pins. They signified holding it together as I left the house for the next to last time. Who knew such a small item that sees much less use now than even 25 years ago could hold such strength, calm and hope? 

I was pleased for the help rendered by friends today. I am at the point where having someone direct and organize is just what I needed. at the new place, I heated a frozen dinner and settled down to listen to a recorded program on television. When I turned it on, nothing happened. I checked the phone so I could call the service provider -- no dial tone. The tablet noted there was no internet connection. So while I got things connected yesterday, the day after the move, today the connections disappeared. It will be a week before a service tech can be sent to fix the issue. The phone help person determined it was a faulty modem that lasted about 24 hours. Luckily, the mobile provider gave me a large chunk of complimentary data, so I could set up a hot spot to keep partially connected during the move. Again, with the help of a friend, we got things set up. It will mean limiting my online presence, but I can at least stay somewhat connected. Again, a way to help me hold it all together. <smile> 

A song about new beginnings seemed to fit the message of the clothes pin today. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

New Morning -- Bob Dylan

10-193 (12/7/23) -- Neverending

And so it goes. Today I spent the whole day at the old place cleaning and ferrying some of the fragile items I had packed in smaller boxes so they'd fit easily into the car. I vacuumed the whole place. Moving stirs up a lot of dust that lingers in behind and underneath pieces of furniture. It looked good when I was done the main work, though there is more to do over the next two days.  

I made my first meal in the new place. I had to search for the frypan and cooking utensils first. Then I made a gourmet delight -- scrambled eggs with peppers and mushrooms served on plain toast. I had a second piece of toast with margarine, since the jam and such was still at the old place. Tomorrow that will all be transported to the new kitchen. 

One song came to my weary, warped mind tonight -- in honour of my first meal in the new place. <grin> Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Scrambled Eggs -- Jimmy Fallon and Paul McCartney

 

10-192 (11/7/23) -- GO!!

 What a day! Adrenalin ruled with the result being a lot of frenetic, unfocused behaviour. I went to bed just after 3 am and woke about 7:30 am -- not nearly enough sleep to deal with the intensity of the moving day process. The day was a blur. Furry one was upset with being sequestered during the movers loading out and loading in. Luckily the master suite at the new place has enough space that he can stay in there for a couple days until he calms down. It will be the place I go for sanity saving, too. <smile> 

So many questions thrown at me about where to put things. I had placed sheets of paper on the floor noting which furniture would go where at the new place. I had forgotten a couple of major pieces so I had to make a decision when my brain was only partially working. The guys were great and helped with a number of items that needed some extra packing paper or needed no box at all. I relegated many items to be placed in the garage while I decide what goes into storage there or unpacks into the house. Several things will be sold or donated. The goal is to get to use the garage for a car by the time snow arrives. The kitchen/dining/living room area is a sea of cardboard. I'm glad I labeled well with where to locate the boxes and what was inside. This exercise did fall apart over the past couple of days, when boxes began to hold things from more than one room -- all the last minute things that won't fill a box on their own. Now the camping in rather than out begins until I rediscover locations of the things needed for a regular daily routine.   

I spoke to a dear friend this evening and the word 'wonked' came out to describe how I sounded. I did not disagree. Total exhaustion resulted from the lack of sleep and the seven-ish hours it took to move from point A to point B. A song line ran though my head into the evening. It goes well with my friends description. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Undun -- The Guess Who

 

10-191 (10/7/23) -- Set ...

I worked solidly all day and well into the night. I stopped about 3 AM with the movers expected about 9:30 AM. I'm not sure that I am ready enough but it is where it will be when they arrive. 

While doing the last mnute packing, there were either teeny, tiny boxes or giant sized boxes. There is a Lilliputian or Three Bears metaphor hiding in there somewhere. <grin> I'm a little bit too tired to figure that one out, though. <sigh> A friend brought me a mid-sized box from work for the items that fit into it perfectly.  Around 2:30 AM, when I looked at the pile of boxes that needed to be broken down for recycling pick up, I just said that there was no way I could do that for recycling pickup in the morning. I managed to get one large group to the curb, but the rest just wasn't going to happen until later in the week. Besides, the extra boxes had nothing to do with getting ready for the movers. Somewhere along the way today, my mind conflated preparation for movers and the final steps necessary before leaving at the end of the lease. Logic had not been present of late <smile>. 

A few words of a song lyric hit my conscious mind today. They seem to fit and played on a loop in my head to add to the craziness of the day <smile>. Keep safe. Enjoy!

Get Ready -- The Temptations

10-190 (9/7/23) -- Ready ... ??

Will I ever be ready? Movers arrive in another day and so much remains undone. All I think about during the day is what needs to be done. It is overwhelming. Then when I try to sleep, I'm thinking of what lies ahead for the next day instead of being able to rest. It feels like an obsession <sigh>. Not only does the mind refuse to let go of things when trying to sleep, but the house is hot and humid, just like the outdoors. Opening windows only adds t the indoor humidity levels. The portable air conditioning helps in the living room during the day, but less so at the other end of the house in the bedroom. So, a doubling of interferfence leaves me unable to get the rest needed to function adequately during the days ahead. 

A title of a song seemed to fit part of the problem I encounter each day and night. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Hot in the City -- Billy Idol

10-189 (8/7/23) -- Counting Down

Three days and counting. I woke to drumming today and realized that the Highland Games parade was this morning just out my current back yard. I guess that I am obsessed with packing even though I feel there is a lack of focus in the process <smile>. Needless to say I missed the parade as getting up and ready to leave the house to get to Main Street would have left little of the parade left to see. I'll have to catch up with online photos of the event. Took more fragile items to the new place as I worked to pack the wall art. I got all done except two larger items that will just have to wait until tomorrow. I was so tired by that time that I could do no more. The humidity makes the work of packing extremely difficult. I did most of the work in the living room where I have the small portable a/c unit, so it felt a bit better than the rest of the house. 

The song for today brings two aspects of the day together -- the counting down and the humidity. I love the lines "The air is charged, a humid, motionless mass." Keep safe. Enjoy!

Countdown -- Rush

10-188 (7/7/23) -- Transitions

Packing continues <sigh>  I got the key to the new place today, so I took some small fragile item boxes to their next home. I placed notes for movers noting large furniture placement. It will take time to find the right homes for some of it, but there will be time to live in the space and work it out from there.

The list of what needs to be done is still too large for comfort, but some of the stuff can happen after the movers arrive. I have three days to clear final items and clean up before the lease ends. Today I removed the post cards and magnets from the fridge. These covered one side and parts of two other exposed sides. Without this covering, the fridge has no personality. <sigh> So, the place is starting to look foreign -- not like home. I've had tears a few times when confronted with the lack of 'me' in the space. Tomorrow I begin packing the wall art. I know this will be difficult to do and to see.  The new place has a large open concept kitchen, dining and living areas, so there are fewer walls to display the art that defines places as my space. The bedroom, bathrooms, hallway and front room (at front of house and will be combo guest room and office) have walls. I may need to learn how to combine things into collages for the walls in the open space. Again, time living there will help me see what fits where.

A chorus line or two came to mind. They spoke to me about the place as is was before I began the deconstruction project that is packing. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Personality -- Lloyd Price

 

 

100-187 (6/7/23) -- War Wounds

In all the pamphlets and websites with tips for packing and moving, none note the potential -- nay absolute -- for increased injury. Boxes bite and scratch. I try to remember to wear disposable gloves to minimize torn nails and cut fingers. Focus is not fully engaged during the whole moving adventure, so forgetting simple things is inevitable. Each day I discover a new bruise or scrape. I recall how the big ones occurred, but the countless small ones just happened without the brain registering that an injury is or has transpired. 

I swear some of the wounds look like I've been abused when all are somewhat self-inflicted. Now that could be seen as negative, too. The good thing is, the dark and scary bruises quickly fade and change to a lighter colour. I need to be more self aware during these moments, but it just doesn't happen as often as it should. 

 So -- what have I learned. Being Zen about the moving process is very difficult. I have not been in the moment as clearly as I would like to be. Taking time to check in with myself and to breathe for a few moments doesn't happen enough. Simple breathing from Tai Chi and Chi Gong help, I just don't get to those moments as often as I should. The most practical tip I have based on the days so far is -- DO NOT pack the first aid kit until the last possible moment <smile>. 

A folk duo came to mind today. <smile> This song highlights their amazing vocals and harmonies. Enjoy!  

Emmylou -- First Aid Kit 

10-186 (5/7/23) -- Does it fit?

I woke at 730AM with a phone call from Canada Post to tell me that I can pick up my key for the community mail box and to highlight that their hours were 9-5. Not sure why she was calling that early then <smile>. Back to sleep and woke again with a call from an unknown number -- some crazy phishing thing, no doubt.  

A number of items that were looking for a home that fit well found their way into boxes. A couple of odd sized items still need to find such a home. I expect they will have to go into a larger box filled with sheets and towels. I also packed the majority of the bathroom today. I left out 'last minute' things that I will need to use between now and the move. They will be in a 'last minute' box, so will also be easy to find and use at the other end. 

Finding the right fit for an item reminds me of shopping for shoes, which I detest. My foot needs a narrow heel and a decent arch support. These are not easy to find. Packing makes me lose my sense of calm and spatial reasoning at times. Pondering all of this reminded me of a song title <smile>. Keep safe. Enjoy!

Sensible Shoes -- David Lee Roth

10-185 (4/7/23) -- Calmness Calls

The seven day countdown is in play now. I'm working all over the place trying to tie up loose ends in some areas and start in earnest in other rooms. I completed more in the kitchen and several combo boxes of two or three rooms. I try to console myself that another box packed is progress, even if it is unclear what the plan for the day really is. <sigh> 

I took an hour in the late afternoon to attend the rededication of the cemetery out the back yard. There was a very good turnout. A local history professor and curator of the town history museum, provided us with stories about the lives of people buried there -- with and without stones. Some stones may not have survived, since the last burials occurred in 1877. Other graves likely were marked with simple wooden crosses, which would not have survived over time.  

I felt very tired at the end of the day again. I went to a friend's place for a short visit and felt better. She thought I might need to get out of the house for a bit. She was correct. Being somewhere without piles of boxes helped me to relax. Cool, that. 

At Your Side -- The Corrs 

10-184 (3/7/23) -- Alone Together?

Wow! I need to get out of the kitchen <smile>. I've been packing here for what seems like eternity. I plan to pack elsewhere tomorrow to see if that helps a bit. So many things are needed in the kitchen, that I may not pack much of the remaining items until the weekend. 

I made a grand outing today to fetch more packing tape and got the last package of two from the store. Others must be moving around now, too. I feel for them, though I'm not sure that being one of a number of people going through this particular challenge helps me feel any less stressed. Perhaps if the others were not unknown, it would allow us to commiserate and share tips and ideas of how to develop a grand plan. That might help. Supportive messages with each other would help, too. 

These thoughts brought back the talk of being alone together around the great isolation. It reminded me of a song that still makes me smile with its phrasing and the group joining through a virtual platform. My pondering has made me feel that my current packing predicament feels much like the isolation of recent years. The lyrics remind me of the need for patience and a sense of humour. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Gotta be Patient -- Michael Buble, The Barenaked Ladies & Sofia Reyes

10-183 (2/7/23) -- Spaciality

While packing boxes and stacking them for later removal, I was struck by the challenge to spacial reasoning held by these tasks. I thought of it like a game of Tetris, for which I once held the hugh score record at an arcade for a hot minute back in the '90s. Fitting things into boxes, especially now that many boxes are being filled with miscellaneous category goods, and piling boxes in rooms so one can still walk around a bit are the two challenges that occupy my days. Who knew the physics courses I was required to take as an undergraduate student would come in handy? <smile> One might think that wrapping and packing was semi-mindless, particularly when I find myself zoning out. In my experience, these challenges lead to mental fatigue, while the lifting and moving of boxes creates more physical fatigue. 

I share with you today an irritating little melody -- the theme song for Tetris. I never played on a gaming console but only on my computer screen or at the arcade the evening I made the high score. I found it relaxing to run through a few games before heading off to bed, though I always played with the sound off <grin>. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Tetris Theme Song (GameBoy) 

10-182 (1/7/23) -- Smokey Events

Today was Canada Day. I spent it doing laundry and packing in several areas of the house. I got to the front closet where I boxed up all the scarves, hats, mitts and cloth bags. Even after culling the collections, it apears that too many still exist. <sigh>. The last of the kitchen mugs weint into a box. I did keep a couple out so I can have some variety with my tea for the next ten days. 

 During one of my breaks, I watched the Canada Day celebrations from Ottawa. The speeches and musical performers were interesting. As the daytime events were comingn to a close, a tornado watch began. With the severe weather risk, high smoke index and fire risk, the rest of the festivities were cancelled. Here, we did have fireworks. I walked down to watch what could be seen. There were a great many people at the field and it was very noisy. With the high humidity, the smoke just hung in the air after the explosions. It was less than pleasant.   

I heard a unique band today from the televised celebrations. I share a song from this world music band -- a mashup of a number of rhythms with a fusion of Bhangra, Celtic, reggae, hip hop and other genres. Keep safe. Enjoy!

My People -- Delhi 2 Dublin