The Next Step...

 The next step....

is sorting. And more sorting. Tossing. Paring down. Examining the flotsam and jetsam of my life. 

I truly thought I was well prepared for the move. Everything was in a box or wrapped or otherwise contained. Multiple trips were made to the dump and Goodwill. The local thrift store bought most of my furniture for pennies. Beds were given away.

But no. 

I had ordered a 15 foot moving truck from UHaul  A real live moving van could not get down my road or out of my drive. Fifteen feet seemed plenty big. I mean, I had given away or sold most of my furniture. I lined up a neighbor and a "professional" to actually move the boxes. Friend drove the UHaul down from Golden since that is where everything was going for storage.

Moving day arrived and I panicked realizing there was still the artwork to secure. A quick text to my sweet sweet neighbor meant last minute help. The van and friend arrived. At the appointed hour, neighbor showed up. And where was my "professional" mover that had stopped by, looked at all my stuff, agreed to a price and assured me he would be at my house at 3pm?  I texted him at 3:15pm and asked if he was on his way. His reply:

"Got caught up down in Canon City I can't make it sorry I just been busy"

Cañon City is an hour away. What an asshole. That is the nicest thing I could say. Not even the decency to give me a heads up. 

So. Friend and neighbors and I loaded the truck. And realized that basically the cabin had 3 levels plus a shed and a 15' truck wasn't big enough. Five hours later, the truck was filled, the excess was stored in neighbor's garage and we were all exhausted.  I can not say enough about how fabulous everyone was. No complaining, no disappearances, absolutely everyone had an attitude of "well, we need this to be done so let's do it."  Honestly you cannot buy friends like that. I am so fortunate. 

Closing was the following day and I got to meet the young couple who bought the cabin. It was a bit shocking to hear they had not SEEN the place until that morning. Their brother/realtor had looked at it and sent them pics. I'm sure they were having flashes of "why the Hell are we buying a house in the middle of nowhere?" but it's to be a second home and retreat for their extended family and small kids so it will be perfect. 

After closing, friend drove the UHaul to Golden while I followed in my car, and then we spent the day unloading. The next morning we got a trailer and drove back the 3.5 hours to the neighbor's garage and picked up the rest of the stuff. And drove back. And unloaded it.  Not one grumble. Not one dirty look. He deserves an award for patience. That was Saturday when we finally finished. We had started loading on Wednesday.

Not one photograph was taken of this process. Didn't have the energy.

And then what do you do when everything you own is in storage and you have no job? Take a trip!

I left Tuesday for Texas to see the mama and get my hair highlighted. 

Me and the mama, masked but not socially distanced. 

Hey! I have priorities! I also managed to see a couple of friends, the boy and my dermatologist. And I came back to Colorado blonde and less wrinkled! Friend joined me on Wednesday and I took him on the "Heritage Tour" of where I grew up, past my church and elementary school, and even down to the coast to see our old creek house. 

          The house that made me.

Now back in Golden, I have returned to sorting and tossing. I will be apartment camping in Asheville, NC for a few months. The only things that can go with me are what will fit in the Subaru. It will be towed behind friend's RV. The dog and cat will get to ride in comfort. What do you actually NEED for three months?  Some fold up chairs and a table? Art supplies? Dishes?  I plan on giving myself a very limited budget and see just how well I can temporarily furnish this apartment. It will be an ADVENTURE.

Every morning, the real estate porn pops into my inbox.  If Asheville is what I hope, I will look for a house. Friend and I are navigating a long distance relationship and how that will work. He is supportive of my need to get out of the snow and find someplace that is mine.

I'm writing a new chapter.