July 29, 2025
Here I sit, surrounded with familiar things in this unfamiliar space thinking about how I desperately need to do a post. First, because it is desperately overdue! And second, because I really want to tell you about all things moving.
I keep thinking I’ll pick up my pen again, just as soon as I [do this one thing….] The problem is that as soon as that one thing resolves the next one pops up! So I decided to sit down amidst this chaos that is my new office, turn on the computer and just see what happens.
As you’ve guessed, we’ve moved since my last post! It was roughly six weeks (maybe less!) of pure crazy – things are finally slowing down and that’s really good because I’m TIRED. We sold our house in about eight hours and moved a week later. We’ve been here since July 3rd and all I can say is hey, all the boxes are empty! Credit where due – my daughter, husband and grandkids came over for two solid days to help us. Otherwise … sheesh who knows. I’d probably still be looking for plates and wondering if I somehow threw out all the condiments. And ziplocks, definitely ziplocks. But my daughter and almost 18-yo granddaughter are tornadoes and they knocked out the kitchen in no time. Isn’t that the most important room?!
My husband Greg and I were commiserating about the fact that once upon a time we would have moved and completely unpacked including hanging pictures on the wall – in about two days. But it’s been quite a long time since we last moved (18 years!) and apparently we got old in the meantime.
I’m still working my way through the remainder of the eleventy hundred details that needed my attention … most of them are done now, thankfully. I only had to submit an address change to the post office twice to start getting forwarded mail on July 3rd and YESTERDAY we finally got some.
I’ve found that my brain cannot hold as much information as it used to hold. I had lists upon lists, trying to keep things from falling through the cracks. So far there have been no dreadful emergencies and I’m back down to a very reasonable three lists.
Here’s the part that is so very different for us – after 36+ years of home ownership we (Greg and I and his mom) now live in a three-bedroom apartment. It’s beautiful and brand new and the amenities are crazy good. No lawn care, no worrying about fixing house things … weird. It sort of feels like a really long Airbnb stay. I’m sure that will wear off but it’s … weird. The dog has had a rude awakening – she had a dog door and a fenced backyard and now she has to go out on a leash. Weird. I was actually really worried about her making the transition, but she’s done great.
Funny story. The apartment complex wanted SO much info, and we had to fill out SO many things, and there are SO many apps to learn … that when I got to the question asking me for two pictures of my dog I sort of snapped and sent these:
I’m telling you, it’s easier to buy a house than it is to rent an apartment! And don’t try selling a house at the same time unless your brain is better than mine, I don’t recommend it.
Oh and we got a new car. We needed it, it was planned for the near future … but I’m old and there are SO many buttons and things to figure out. I do love it and I’m grateful we found it, and I hope I get that lane assist thing figured out soon.
We need new phones, but NO. I just can’t right now – I should be more excited about it, I suppose, but I used up all my excitement on the new mattress that does not require me to do anything except lay down. I’m good at that.
People keep asking if we’re settled. The answer is no, for me anyway. I know it will come, probably sooner than later, but I just feel so out of rhythm. My routines got blasted out of the water, and now I’m trying to rebuild the ones that need to be rebuilt (some don’t, it turns out, and that’s freedom). It’s a good time to change things up, and my early mornings with God are turning into a new something lovely.
Well that’s enough words for today. I know, I haven’t told you about my guts. How it was so hard to walk away and why. What surprised me. What I expected that didn’t happen.
Soon, dear friends, soon! Feels good to write to you today.
Love,
~Angie
This is so funny because I thought about contacting you today and wondering how things were going. So now I know some good and some crazy. But I guess that’s how it’s always been right.
Jan! Yes I miss you – let’s connect!
oh those are great photos of your dog! 😂😂 I bet you cheered up someone’s day when they went over your paperwork. praying for your settling in to be so blessed there!
Haha yes she’s ridiculous! Thanks for those prayers.
Wonderful post, Angie. I can relate. They say moving is like dying and there’s some truth in that saying. The dog … Oh my, so much like our dog when she’s meeting the Evil One. Very funny, and I was glad to hear from you again. Make sure you get enough rest.
Blessings
“Moving is like dying” – it felt a little like that! Your dog and mine sound the same haha!