Good to see you back and almost settled, Ramona. I've missed you. "Us," once you've created it, is imprinted in the mind and heart, but I feel the ache for Ed's spot.
So good to hear from you, Ramona, my almost neighbor! Welcome to the big-small town of Petoskey. It’s a lovely place-one of my faves, tho a bit of a drive for me. It seems to me that you are doing quite well for just having accomplished that move! All my Best, as you feather your Nest 🪺 ❣️
Ramona, I am glad to read that you are getting settled in your new home. I've moved a lot and it is never easy. I wish you all the best... Take it slow getting those boxes unpacked.
I can relate to setting up your new home alone (although the circumstances differ). Fourteen years ago, I left my beloved Hudson Valley for a new home in a state I had once vowed I would never live, South Carolina.
When you want to live in a warmer climate for retirement, there are not many states that offer it along with a compatible political climate. So Mike and I scoured the Carolinas looking to downsize our home and cost of living. Our only child, a UT-Austin film school grad, was single and building her production career in LA.
We settled on moving from a three-story plus full basement four square home to a 1 1/2 story, 3 bedroom & 2 bath home on a slab. Talk about downsizing, this was a massive shift.
I retired in June, but Mike insisted on finishing out the full year. So there I was moving in to our new home in October, while Mike bunked with a neighbor back in Orange County, NY.
He did come down for the closing and helped with some initial settling, but once he left I still had boxes in every room with plenty left to do.
By the time he joined me in January, I had managed to get the unpacking complete, had a contractor to exchange 36” upper kitchen cabinets for 42” cabinets, joined a Newcomers Club, and learned my way around Lexington and neighboring Columbia (even using “shortcuts”) and made friends with my neighbors. Whew!
Today, I have declining health and mobility issues and am not up to most projects. Also, our house is much too small especially since our daughter and granddaughter (now 6) joined us here five years ago, bringing new joys. Mike lasted about three months in retirement and enjoys working (soon to be 79) at the USC School of Engineering. Of course we are unhappy with the political climate but have met many friends who share our progressive values.
No doubt, you when you finally feel settled you will find Ed’s presence still very much with you, Ramona. Bless you and your new home.
Thanks for taking us along on your move. I last moved 24 years ago, but I still remember being exhausted for weeks (if not months and I hadn't hit 50 yet. I also remember getting rid of as much stuff after I moved as before, so I don't think you are out of the norm there. You look at a thing and think, "will I need this?" so you pack it, then you get in a new place and realize there is no place for it. I'm all for kitchen annexes. My kitchen is very small and has little counter space. I just inherited a small 2 shelf bookcase from a friend who has just moved out of the country, and it's in the corner of my living room that is right by the kitchen, and moved some of my small appliances there.
Best of luck on your move. It feels like a positive event.
Congrats and welcome and cheers! 🎉 what a beautiful office you’ve created… I like that you made this space a priority… writer that you are! 😊The kitchen annex…too funny! That’s how my condo is. More room for stuff in the laundry room…go figure! All the boxes can wait…take time to write and walk and wine! 😂….no whining when we move; the hard work and decorating touches our soul …as you’ve done with your husband’s things. Love that part the best 💜I’m with you on keeping some ‘us.’ Thanks for updating us, Ramona!
Hi Ramona, Welcome to your new home. That's what I found when I moved, things didn't fit into either the new space or environment. There are many pictures of Dan around, I kept his chair, his jacket is in the closet, and some of his favorite things are laying around.
I smile because every couple of months, I get a Popular Mechanics magazine for him in the mail. In his dementia, he renewed the subscription for a long time - it may last longer than me.
Take care - and enjoy this new chapter in your life.
Great update! So glad for you. As to the paying for stuff to bring along, only to get rid immediately? What price, is peace of mind? PRICELESS! A great investment, in my opinion.
I'm glad you're getting settled in! And I hope it eventually feels more like Ed's space because it's your space...
I recently did the same thing (moved) and I was never so tired in my life. Rest. Treat yourself well. And welcome home!
Lovely write.
Welcome home, Ramona.
Settle in and pace yourself on the box fun! Rest is good and 🥃!
Good to see you back and almost settled, Ramona. I've missed you. "Us," once you've created it, is imprinted in the mind and heart, but I feel the ache for Ed's spot.
💚💚💚💚💚
So good to hear from you, Ramona, my almost neighbor! Welcome to the big-small town of Petoskey. It’s a lovely place-one of my faves, tho a bit of a drive for me. It seems to me that you are doing quite well for just having accomplished that move! All my Best, as you feather your Nest 🪺 ❣️
Ramona, I am glad to read that you are getting settled in your new home. I've moved a lot and it is never easy. I wish you all the best... Take it slow getting those boxes unpacked.
I can relate to setting up your new home alone (although the circumstances differ). Fourteen years ago, I left my beloved Hudson Valley for a new home in a state I had once vowed I would never live, South Carolina.
When you want to live in a warmer climate for retirement, there are not many states that offer it along with a compatible political climate. So Mike and I scoured the Carolinas looking to downsize our home and cost of living. Our only child, a UT-Austin film school grad, was single and building her production career in LA.
We settled on moving from a three-story plus full basement four square home to a 1 1/2 story, 3 bedroom & 2 bath home on a slab. Talk about downsizing, this was a massive shift.
I retired in June, but Mike insisted on finishing out the full year. So there I was moving in to our new home in October, while Mike bunked with a neighbor back in Orange County, NY.
He did come down for the closing and helped with some initial settling, but once he left I still had boxes in every room with plenty left to do.
By the time he joined me in January, I had managed to get the unpacking complete, had a contractor to exchange 36” upper kitchen cabinets for 42” cabinets, joined a Newcomers Club, and learned my way around Lexington and neighboring Columbia (even using “shortcuts”) and made friends with my neighbors. Whew!
Today, I have declining health and mobility issues and am not up to most projects. Also, our house is much too small especially since our daughter and granddaughter (now 6) joined us here five years ago, bringing new joys. Mike lasted about three months in retirement and enjoys working (soon to be 79) at the USC School of Engineering. Of course we are unhappy with the political climate but have met many friends who share our progressive values.
No doubt, you when you finally feel settled you will find Ed’s presence still very much with you, Ramona. Bless you and your new home.
That's a lovely Writer's View out the desk window, and you can turn your back on the apartment-in-progress mess while you work!
Thanks for taking us along on your move. I last moved 24 years ago, but I still remember being exhausted for weeks (if not months and I hadn't hit 50 yet. I also remember getting rid of as much stuff after I moved as before, so I don't think you are out of the norm there. You look at a thing and think, "will I need this?" so you pack it, then you get in a new place and realize there is no place for it. I'm all for kitchen annexes. My kitchen is very small and has little counter space. I just inherited a small 2 shelf bookcase from a friend who has just moved out of the country, and it's in the corner of my living room that is right by the kitchen, and moved some of my small appliances there.
Best of luck on your move. It feels like a positive event.
Yippee!!! So glad you're getting settled and that you like it!!
Congrats and welcome and cheers! 🎉 what a beautiful office you’ve created… I like that you made this space a priority… writer that you are! 😊The kitchen annex…too funny! That’s how my condo is. More room for stuff in the laundry room…go figure! All the boxes can wait…take time to write and walk and wine! 😂….no whining when we move; the hard work and decorating touches our soul …as you’ve done with your husband’s things. Love that part the best 💜I’m with you on keeping some ‘us.’ Thanks for updating us, Ramona!
Hi Ramona, Welcome to your new home. That's what I found when I moved, things didn't fit into either the new space or environment. There are many pictures of Dan around, I kept his chair, his jacket is in the closet, and some of his favorite things are laying around.
I smile because every couple of months, I get a Popular Mechanics magazine for him in the mail. In his dementia, he renewed the subscription for a long time - it may last longer than me.
Take care - and enjoy this new chapter in your life.
Great update! So glad for you. As to the paying for stuff to bring along, only to get rid immediately? What price, is peace of mind? PRICELESS! A great investment, in my opinion.
Pleased to hear the move went well and you are at your desk once more ! Take your time with the remaining boxes, no rush.