So here I am at the library where I walked to for the first time from our apartment. Probably a one mile walk, or so, and it's amazing how much you miss while driving through the same ol' neighborhoods.
Rather like Life, I think. Race through Life staring only straight ahead, (expecting to see only what you saw before) and well, you'll miss the serendipitous surprises everywhere along the side of the road.
I now recommend tiny one-bedroom houses to all you empty-nesters. It's like playing house everyday and being ten-years-old again, using your once-neglected imagination so you can make four rooms feel like six, so you can, like a puzzle, fit all your pieces into closets and make all furniture pull double-duty.
And for me, it's like being a 1940's newlywed while I play my Benny Goodman Big Band music and do bouncy little dances down the hall with an apron tied around my waist. Oh how young I feel at those times--so of course--I avoid any mirrors in those moments lest they jerk me back to my nearly-fifty present and all this grey hair at my temples.
I remind myself that I am on vacation this month, keep telling myself it's ok to rest and do nothing or to watch my new favorite Style Network shows, Clean House and Dress My Nest. Tom and I now have broadcast cable--only $8.95 per month and around ten more stations than we picked up with our antenna at the old house. We chose broadcast to save money, which is rather ludicrous when you consider that last week Tom bought an LCD tv (at around half-off, he'd be quick to add). For me, our old tv was fine and I still lug our portable between the bedroom and the kitchen, but Tom had wanted an LCD for ages so it came from money out of the sale of our house.
I'm not sure why our house hasn't closed yet, but I'm thankful, for I'm still cleaning it out and sorting through the stuff and junk and nonsense left upon the shelves. And it's all taking more time than I thought, but then, we were more entrenched than I thought, too. Entrenched.
It's lovely to savor this time and say good-bye slowly. I remember, feel and appreciate all things more which I watch while slowing down.
And in this case, a slow good-bye feels just right.
******
Waving Hi to you, at the library!
ReplyDeleteAnd you are so funny, with your picture of a huge house ~ above another praise-small-entries. :-)))) I get the 'message.'
And I like the 'message.'
Me who longs for a cottage. But who won't get one, so I make believe that the rooms we still use, are all there are, in our make believe cottage. More than one can play this make believe game! :-))))
Mari-Nanci
dozens of things can hold up closing and funding on a mortgage. I'm sure it'll be alright.
ReplyDeletei'm glad you are enjoying ... God is good and delights to give us good things ... but someone would probably not think that it would be a one bedroom apt. *laughing* ...
ReplyDeletei've got that joy joy joy joy, down in my heart ... where? ... down in my heart, down in my heart ... i've got that joy joy joy joy, down in my heart - down in my heart to stay!
I love the way you are savoring this change!
ReplyDeleteI have about a twentyfive/thirty minute drive between my home and the kids school. It is filled with pastures that contain beatiful horses, lamas, dutch belted cows, chickens, ducks, and sheep...old farm houses, and a few ritzy new developments with huge houses...and even though I have to do it every day. I quite enjoy the drive.
i found your blog by way of a bunny-trail . . . and am enthralled. my sister is right where you are, in selling her (& hubby's) home and living in a small apartment for a while, waiting on what's next. my husband and i are looking forward to doing something very similar in the next 5 years (max) or so. what a delight to learn of someone going the path presently. i've read oodles of your posts and am looking forward to spending time with the rest of your blog as time allows. beautiful. thank you.
ReplyDeleteblessings to you as you walk in His path this lovely day,
haus frau