Baby Teeth and Moving Boxes
I have got to stop marrying successful men. Want to know why? Because successful men get promoted and you find yourself cleaning out drawers and closets that you were sure you could leave for your kids to deal with after they pilfered through your good jewelry.
During my first marriage, I moved seven times in 21 years. At one point I considered just cutting holes in the moving boxes and making them into furniture so I could be ready for the next move. It would be bedroom dresser brought to you by Bekin Moving Company.
Our last move was to our current home in Commerce and I vowed to stay put until the kids were graduated high school. I unpacked boxes, painted walls colors other than relocation beige and made a wonderful life for myself.
When my first marriage ended I kept the house because the thought of moving made want to lick my emergency Xanax. It worked out great. My children stayed in their home and it made the divorce less traumatic and I didn’t have to clean out my junk drawer. It was a win-win! Less trauma for the kids less drama for this hoarding mama!
Then I went and remarried a very intelligent and successful man. What in the world was I thinking?
My husband is beyond wonderful and has put his career on hold for several years while our youngest Michael finished high school and started college. It was a sacrifice for which I will be forever grateful.
Then one day I get a phone call and he announces we are moving to Missouri. We had discussed the possibility but I had chosen to bury my head in the clutter of my life and pretend it would never really happen.
So I find myself now on a speed moving version of downsizing in 90 days or less. When I tell you I have a ton of stuff, that would be an understatement. I have my children’s first locks of hair, baby teeth, school artwork, the shirt I wore to the Kentucky Derby in 2000 and every other thing my kids touched that would spark a memory.
So I am inviting you on this journey with me as I leave my home, the job I love, and my family, to start a new adventure. I warn you that it might not be pretty. There may be a video of my ugly crying as I say goodbye to stuffed animals, I may be chained to furniture or chanting “Hell no, I won’t go” on more than one occasion. I need you all to be there for me to talk me off the ledge and speak softly to me until the men in the white coats arrive.
Comments
I feel your pain Kim! I’m looking forward to reading your blog as you deal with this and see what you do with all those purses!! I attempted to resurrect my blog as we downsized from 3000 sq ft to 450, but I’m sure yours will be more entertaining. Wishing you the best of luck on this move. We go through MO often and two of our grandsons live there so perhaps our paths will pass again!!
Hey Kim,
I feel your pain – somewhat. Jeff and I have been married for 22 years and have lived in our current home for 21 of those years. That is longer than I have ever lived in any one location. In less than one month, we will be moving to our new home – hopefully the last one before Heaven (or until we retire to Florida!) And while I am a professional organizer and pride myself on being somewhat of a minimalist, I am finding that even I have WAY TOO MUCH STUFF! Looking forward to seeing how you cope. And, if you need any advice on decluttering or paring down, give me a shout! Also, the next time you’re in our home town, give me a call – I’d love to visit with you!
Evette
Well, every “adventure” probably starts with a “Holy C#@%. Why are we doing this again?” I will look forward to joining you along your journey, even through the ugly cry times.
So much for successful men!
Kim, it was so nice to meet you and Lexi today at the “dog park!” I’m definitely going to look into that handy dog water bottle/bowl.
After reading your blog, I so understand! We lived in Columbia, MO for almost 30 years. Both of our sons were born and raised there and they both graduated from the University of MO- Go MIZZOU! So needless-to-say, when my husband retired last year and two weeks later started a new job in Monroe, MI, I knew this change would be hard!! Cleaning up and out and preparing to sell a house that I loved (sold after only 8 showings in the first week!) and then the move, was all emotionally exhausting! It iwas so hard to say good bye to and then leave behind family, friends, a job, church- really most everything you know. But a year later, things are going well. Things are just “different.” One of my favorite quotes, “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end,” is my new mantra! Good luck with your move and in your new home!
Hi Kim, I realize this is not a super recent blog post but I enjoyed it and thought I’d leave a comment. I married a cowboy, so we have moved 6 times in 5 years. We’ve met such wonderful people all over the West, though, as I’m sure you are meeting wonderful people in your travels! It’s definitely a saving grace of the moving experience. I hope your move went well, and I hope to meet you at Erma in April! I am attending for the first time and double-extra excited.
Thanks so much! I love comments no matter when the blog was written. I’m revamping my blog so i haven’t published in a while but it will be up and running next week! Also i you have kids and parents you might love my new group Midlife Maniacs!
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