Saturday, August 6, 2016

Big News!



I'm moving. On a Thursday three weeks ago I put an offer on a home in Calimesa and listed my house for sale. The listing went up on the Multiple Listing Service at 1:00p.m. and the first call requesting a showing came in thirty-five minutes later. They wanted to see the house that night. I actually showed it twice that night. And ten times over the weekend. By Monday we had three offers. I chose the first people because, well, they were first. And we bonded over our love of dogs.

And so for the past three weeks I have been immersed in the dark dank catacombs housed beneath the Institution of Real Estate, signing papers, greeting strangers at my door with a forced smile and allowing them to traipse through my home unsupervised as they inspect and appraise (and scare the cats and the dog), and, of course, signing more papers. (Have you ever carefully looked at a "proceeds sheet"? Man, when you sell a home, it's like you're throwing a party for strangers and everyone gets a piece of the cake. I'm handing money over to people whose faces I will never see for services they performed behind closed doors in an escrow office.)

At first, I was motivated in my packing by two things:

1. I can't wait to move out of this neighborhood and into the new one.
2. The buyers of this house began chanting, "Let's close quick-ly!" on the day I accepted their offer, and their voices have only gotten louder and more urgent as the days have flown by. Plus now I think I hear drumbeats to accompany them.

So where normally at this time of the summer I'd be returning from a relaxing trip to Missouri or driving down to Laguna to walk on the beach of a morning or sitting in a cool movie theater watching Viggo Mortensen in Captain Fantastic, I'm packing, cleaning, packing, organizing, packing, donating, packing (and occasionally getting a glimpse of one or two of my children and grandchildren).

This week the stress is starting to take its toll. Let me state the obvious here: It's all fun and games being a single, independent woman in good health with no one to answer to except one sweet dog and a couple of cats, but when you're in a race against time to pack up a three-bedroom home (in addition to fulfilling all those other paper-signing and inspection obligations) and it's hot and you're tired (because you're not sleeping well because somewhere in the neighborhood someone is STILL setting off explosives at night), it sucks to be alone. We were meant to have companionship, to have a shoulder to lean on when we're exhausted, to have a partner in our corner who will say, "Come on, we'll get it done. I'll help you."

I'm trying to think of something flippant to follow that with, like, "In lieu of that, I'm eating more ice-cream" or "At least I only have to pack my own dirty laundry," but the truth is, I'm really struggling here. So I decided to write it out. (Yes, I know, these few moments of venting could have been spent packing. But sometimes you have to cut open a vein and let the toxins run out for awhile. So... mission accomplished.)

Addendum: I had just finished writing this and had gone to the kitchen for some more iced tea when the phone rang. My youngest son was calling from Ohio to tell me he'd taken care of some old debts and raised his credit score by 30 points. (Atta boy!) But we also talked at length about my move, and he reminded me that there will be a great deal of peace and enjoyment on the far side of this journey, so "That must help keep you going somewhat, right?" Right, my son. With that in mind, I'm going to go pack a few more boxes.

12 comments:

  1. Kay, I love to read your writing.
    That said, I know what you're saying and a vent is good. I'm thinking you will be moving far from the IE. I hope you will stay in touch. I wish you the very best. And know you will get to the other side. Big hugs.
    Thank you for sharing.

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  2. Kay, I love to read your writing.
    That said, I know what you're saying and a vent is good. I'm thinking you will be moving far from the IE. I hope you will stay in touch. I wish you the very best. And know you will get to the other side. Big hugs.
    Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Aleta, thank you, and no worries--I will be 40 minutes away--close enough to come out on a summer evening and enjoy the Art Walk in August. You will definitely still see me around!

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  3. Good luck with the move, Kay. We've never met, but someone Bill Pine thinks so much of has to be a good and strong person. It will be so much better on the other side of this move. We did it from C Springs to Denver 15+ years ago, and it was tough but great in the end.

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    1. Thanks, Art. Change is like that, isn't? I mean, when we choose it because we know it will be better in the long run. It's a tough road to traverse, but finally great when the dust settles. For many years, one of my mottoes to live by has been "Nothing good is gained without some sacrifice." (Yes, you can quote me; it's mine--but everyone else's truth as well.) The other is "Physical comfort is the #1 priority." Ha ha ha!

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  4. Wow. This post put an arrow right through my heart. We ARE meant to have companionship. I've had two big moves without that companion, and I feel your loneliness. I wish you all the luck, peace, love in the world.

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    1. Denise, thank you so much for your words. I almost didn't post this because it seemed... too honest, I suppose. I always feel as if I have to put a brave face on--like my mother did, it occurs to me now as I write that. Just saying "this is hard" has brought a deluge of private messages and texts from friends offering to help, which makes me feel loved. And love... we could all use an extra helping right now.

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  5. I hate moving!!! I told "The Boss" that if we moved again, the new owners would have to take the furniture and all else. I get in my pickup and drive away. I am too old to pack,, lol,, but your story sounds like a new adventure...

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    1. Amen, brother! Next time I move, that's what I'm going to do, I swear. Just drive away with the critters and let movers do what they will with my stuff. It's only stuff, after all. And yes, this new adventure will include a life of writing full time instead of teaching full time, so I'm over-the-moon happy about that!

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  6. Murp! Congrats on the new digs and maybe finding some peace and quiet. I'd normally ask if you visited the new house (it's only a house until you make it a home, which you will) at night to see if the relatives of your current neighbors are, in fact, your new neighbors? But, I won't. If I lived in Riverside I would be there helping you pack! Instead, here I sit with my Crown and Diet Coke! Best of luck on the move! Cheers, Pine

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    1. In fact, Bill, my initial inquiries into my new home were interviews with the surrounding neighbors--just so I could ascertain whether I'd have the same problem. It's all good; quiet, serene, and everyone around me (there) takes care of their yards and homes. It's quite lovely! (And peaceful, lol!)

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  7. GREAT. I should have known you would check the neighborhood for low life's, Trump bumper stickers, etc
    😜😝😆

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