DECISIONS!
I haven't blogged in a long while. It is time I started again because I am about to enter a new phase in my life. The house has a buyer. It only took 1 week to sell. The offer is better than I could have imagined. But they want me out of the house by June 1st (50 days) so I have lots of decisions to make and must make them fast.
The first decision has been made. But I have been pondering that one for many months now. Will my destination be Florida, Texas or Pennsylvania? I have been going back and forth on this one every week. I loved what I saw in Texas. There is more family close by in Pennsylvania. But the idea of Florida living has always appealed to me. So after trying to be logical and systematic, listing the pros and cons for a move to each, I decided it will be Florida. The decision is made. I don't have any family living in Florida. But a favorite cousin is seriously contemplating a move there as are a few good friends. I will be the pioneer and move there first. It is to be seen if anyone else follows. But I approach it this way: I can always change my mind if it turns out that I don't like it there or find myself too alone. Yes it will cost somewhat if this move turns out to be a mistake. But it won't be a mistake that bankrupts me. I will try and make a commitment to live in and enjoy Florida for 10 - 12 years. Then I will reassess my life and decide if I would prefer to move closer to a family member. By then, zeroing in on age 80, I might prefer to rent a small apartment instead of owning my own house. It is all to be seen. Life will be full of good and bad decisions, unexpected consequences and lots of changes and challenges. Hopefully some joy too.
I will rent an apartment for the short term and look around at several areas before deciding where in Florida I want to settle and purchase a new home. But should I take my furniture with me? Or should I travel light? Just yesterday someone pointed out to me that my furniture is not really 'Florida style' and I might want to seriously consider whether it is worth the expense to transport it. "Travel light" she told me. There is really no such thing as traveling light - at least as far as I am concerned. Over several decades I have accumulated paintings and art objects, cookware and kitchen items, books, CDs, collectibles, etc. etc. that I am not yet ready to part with. I have donated at least 2/3 of my book collection but have decided to take the rest with me. Just my unnatural attachment to books. There are maybe 3 or 4 pieces of furniture that I want to keep. All the items I have decided will follow me should fit into a small storage POD or van. Unless I can part with everything, which I doubt, and move with only 2 suitcases it is going to cost me some money regardless.
So now I am waiting to get a signed contract. Once I have that in my hands I can (1) fly down to Florida and locate a rental apartment as my temporary base; (2) pack all the belongings that will travel with me to Florida by car; (3) pack all the belongings that will be placed in storage until I have a permanent home for them - including all my books; (4) donate the rest of my furniture and belongings; (5) call 1-800-GOT-JUNK to have everything else in the house removed; (6) attend the closing; (7) drive to Florida; (8) contact all entities that need to know my new location and me new contact information; (9) start my new life. Also, somewhere in this plan I need to purchase a new car. But that is another blog. I will try and blog more frequently.
The first decision has been made. But I have been pondering that one for many months now. Will my destination be Florida, Texas or Pennsylvania? I have been going back and forth on this one every week. I loved what I saw in Texas. There is more family close by in Pennsylvania. But the idea of Florida living has always appealed to me. So after trying to be logical and systematic, listing the pros and cons for a move to each, I decided it will be Florida. The decision is made. I don't have any family living in Florida. But a favorite cousin is seriously contemplating a move there as are a few good friends. I will be the pioneer and move there first. It is to be seen if anyone else follows. But I approach it this way: I can always change my mind if it turns out that I don't like it there or find myself too alone. Yes it will cost somewhat if this move turns out to be a mistake. But it won't be a mistake that bankrupts me. I will try and make a commitment to live in and enjoy Florida for 10 - 12 years. Then I will reassess my life and decide if I would prefer to move closer to a family member. By then, zeroing in on age 80, I might prefer to rent a small apartment instead of owning my own house. It is all to be seen. Life will be full of good and bad decisions, unexpected consequences and lots of changes and challenges. Hopefully some joy too.
I will rent an apartment for the short term and look around at several areas before deciding where in Florida I want to settle and purchase a new home. But should I take my furniture with me? Or should I travel light? Just yesterday someone pointed out to me that my furniture is not really 'Florida style' and I might want to seriously consider whether it is worth the expense to transport it. "Travel light" she told me. There is really no such thing as traveling light - at least as far as I am concerned. Over several decades I have accumulated paintings and art objects, cookware and kitchen items, books, CDs, collectibles, etc. etc. that I am not yet ready to part with. I have donated at least 2/3 of my book collection but have decided to take the rest with me. Just my unnatural attachment to books. There are maybe 3 or 4 pieces of furniture that I want to keep. All the items I have decided will follow me should fit into a small storage POD or van. Unless I can part with everything, which I doubt, and move with only 2 suitcases it is going to cost me some money regardless.
So now I am waiting to get a signed contract. Once I have that in my hands I can (1) fly down to Florida and locate a rental apartment as my temporary base; (2) pack all the belongings that will travel with me to Florida by car; (3) pack all the belongings that will be placed in storage until I have a permanent home for them - including all my books; (4) donate the rest of my furniture and belongings; (5) call 1-800-GOT-JUNK to have everything else in the house removed; (6) attend the closing; (7) drive to Florida; (8) contact all entities that need to know my new location and me new contact information; (9) start my new life. Also, somewhere in this plan I need to purchase a new car. But that is another blog. I will try and blog more frequently.
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