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.

EEEK!!!

 So this happened. 

Little cabin, with a "For Sale" sign in front.

I put the cabin on the market. I had spoken to two Realtors who assured me I could not get more than $285,000. for my cabin which was way less than I believed possible. I finally found a realtor who believed even more than I did. 

I fluffed and repaired and replaced the front storm door and packed and cleaned and did all kinds of minor things that all added up to a major improvement.

Neighbor Bev and I replaced the storm door.  I was pretty proud of us!

My fabulous realtor thought I could get $20,000 more than even I thought. I hesitated. Should we be so bold? Of course we should. Buyers always offer low, we might need to drop the price. If I started low, there would be no wiggle room. I've never heard of countering with a higher price. Certainly not where I live. 

Click here to see my listing!

I figured a sale would take a few months. The cabin was on the market almost one solid year when we bought it. Houses are moving faster now rurally, but still. The cabin has quirks in addition to its fabulous view. 

All houses should have basements. 

This is the most organized mine has ever been. I'll miss it.

No worries. 

Four days later, after 4 showings, the cabin was under contract for $2000 less than asking. 

YIKES! My plan? I did not and still do not have one.   I figured I would cross that bridge when I got to it. I wasn't expecting that bridge to appear in less than a week. Closing date is November 23, three days before Thanksgiving. I will be "Homeless for the Holidays".  I'm pretty sure that is a yet-to-be-produced Hallmark movie. 

Sweet friend has assured me I am welcome at his house. That is my immediate plan.  I will sell most of the cabin furniture as none of it is precious. The grandmother's table and buffet will go to storage along with the the flotsam and jetsam of life that I do not want to part with. The drafting table will need to find a place at friend's house along with the sewing and beading and painting and drawing supplies. Honestly, I have an art supply store packed in boxes already.  

I'm in a bit of a panic about losing my amazing Twin Sisters view but I remind myself that the cabin was never meant to be a full time place. It has served its purpose. It's time for a new chapter. 

What was I thinking? I sold this view?? 

A new house will be in my future. It might not be right away but it will happen. I don't want to just settle for anything. I promised myself once I moved out of suburbia there would be no more cookie cutter houses in my life. I'd love a little Spanish style adobe house, or a bungalow with cottage gardens or even a beach house. Well, maybe on that beach house. There's so much upkeep with the salt air. In my old age there will be a high rise, once there are no large dogs to contend with. 

 But until then, if you know of a great city to move to, let me know. I need a job and a house. Colorado is fabulous but I cannot afford to live here.

Of course, there are hurdles to jump before November 23. Inspections for the house, the well and the septic. I'm not worried about passing any of them but I know there can always be glitches. Cross your fingers nothing major. I'm ready for a new start. 

The septic has been found and is ready for its inspection.

EDITED TO ADD:

Of course, these buyers backed out. Something they didn't like on the inspection. I'm still waiting to see the report. As the sign says, shit happens. 

Dining with the President

Dining with the President...

O Lord, no.  Not THAT President. I have better things to do with my time.


This President....

Thomas Jefferson, 

our third President

Ok, maybe I didn't exactly dine WITH Mr. Jefferson himself (which would have been a little creepy since he's been dead since 1826) but I did dine with his dishes.  Or maybe dishes named after him. Doing a little research now, what I always thought were reproductions of the White House dishes might just be dishes named after the Pres. O well. 

Anyway, back at Christmas time, Belle showed up and saw Mina eating off a saucer in the kitchen. 

Fluffy cat eating off the good 

Lennox Jefferson china.

Now, these are dishes that I have had for Belle's entire life. 

She exclaimed "Wow! Where did these come from? Why didn't we ever have decent dishes? We only had the crappy pottery ones."  

And then it hit me. These are the "good" dishes. The fine china. Got the set when I got married, got the set when I got divorced. And in that 31 year period, those dishes were probably used maybe ten times. Obviously Belle did not ever remember seeing them.  WHY?? 

Tonight's dinner. 

Using the china and silver.

On the gorgeous antique dining table.

(Click here to see the table refinishing project) 

These dishes are beautiful. I love them. Even after 31 years. Bone china is practically indestructible. I know. I've dropped them on the wood floor. Hand washed them in my sink which is legendary for chipping dishes. They don't break or chip.  Yet, they've been safely tucked away in their little quilted storage bags waiting for "special occasions". 

Salad from Moonlight Pizza, 

napkins from Target's Dollar Spot, 

silver from old family friends.

And at that moment, Belle opened my eyes. 

Why am I saving the things I love? Why am I not using them? 

I vowed that starting in February for President's Day, I would get out the good china and use it all month.  Now that February is almost over,  those dishes aren't going anywhere. 

Sometimes even Carlos gets to use them.

Seize the day. Spoil yourself. USE the good stuff.  Break out the crystal for that glass of wine. Put on the diamonds. Wear the silk and cashmere.

What's the point of having beautiful things if you don't enjoy them? 

Thanks, Belle. 

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And speaking of enjoying beauty, look what I have on my windowsill. 

My own private Spring. 

The temp out right now is 20º.

It is the dead of winter in Colorado.

But back when I moved here, I brought this Aloe Vera plant from Texas. In my travels, the plant tipped and dirt spilled out.  Once I got settled, I went to the shed and grabbed a handful of dirt out of a plantless pot. 

Guess there were some petunia seeds in that dirt. At first, I thought there were weeds coming up. Then I recognized the leaves. 

Beautiful, no? 

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I'm headed to Texas at the end of the week.

Probably won't post the first week of March. 

See you when I return with tales of rodeos 

and friends.