A Lesson

Mister and Mrs. Oliver Wendell Douglas of Green Acres television program (1965-1971)

Actually we look more like this couple 

than Mr. and Mrs. Douglas.

Especially after the week we had.

Today, I sit exhausted.  We've had a working vacation.  Staycation.  We stayed put.  To get better settled after being here over 8 years.  8 years.  Long story short…life erupted with ways to get sidetracked preventing getting settled after our move.  Learned much along the way, had fun, but the reality of getting older in which one needs to have one's affairs in order is long over due.  We haven't always been so out of it.  I recall a time when I was so put together…had everything in it's place and a place for everything.  Paper work and receipts in order and accounted for.  

THEN CAME THE MOVE FROM OFF THE FARM...exhaustion set in due to Hubby and I being the movers and packers of all our stuff, stormy weather, the tearing down of a large dog kennel and rebuilding new kennels, two grandchildren born, a Daughter's marriage falling apart, relocating Daughter and Grand daughter with packing and unloading their belongings, tearing out our kitchen and having our Dining room function as a storage area, opening another storage unit, relocating the storage unit, precious grands being born, poor health kicking in, house and garage reroofed, porch torn out and rebuilt, old boiler removed from house, new one installed, water heater replaced, a Son's marriage failing, relocating a Son, more Grandchildren being born, emptying the storage unit, Husband's health failing, etc. etc. etc. etc.  Much was put on hold and it's been something else around here.

Sidetracked became the new norm.

It ate my lunch.

Ran it's course.  Wore out it's welcome.

If possible, if one keeps their estate in order as they go, 
I believe this is the best way, BUT it isn't always a cut and dry case
as we live and experience it.  BIG SURPRISES happen that we didn't see coming.  BOO...there they are and they cannot be completely ignored.  The elephant in the room decided to stay.   

This past week was full of adventure and awe as we opened boxes in the garage.  "Look at this.  Look at what I found. That's where it was."    

Pack n' stack.  Pack n' stack.  Shuffle, shuffle, kick, kick, kick.  Bend and reach.  Bend and reach. Stretch and pull.  Bend and twirl.  Sweat n' wipe.  Sweat n' wipe.  Stretch and pull.  Shuffle, shuffle, kick.  Pack and stack.

We made huge headway…but 60 is not the new 40.  I don't care how much society/media wants to shove that lie down my throat…it isn't the truth and I know it isn't the truth.  60 is 60.  40 AINT the new 20 either.

We've spent years accumulating and at this awesome age we are…we are having to spend adequate time and muscle sorting through it all and decide what to turn loose of.  MUCH.  

One small vinyl box held papers that we thinned through.  Hugely emotional.  Estimated that this box alone held approximately 2500 pieces of paper.  It was just one small box at that. Small.  We thinned through it and lightened the load.  More to go.  A bit overwhelming, but we're further ahead than we were. 

The things you go through to get where you should be are character building.

I remember this program well...art impersonating life or life impersonating art.

Many cardboard boxes have been gone through and contents placed in smaller boxes.  Items centralized.  Grouped together.

Uncovering treasures that I forgot we had.  

Like stylish HATS.

All kinds of stuff in cardboard boxes placed up on a platform.  We've grouped all the Christmas stuff together for ease.  In due time I'll thin through this wonderful stuff and turn loose of more.  If we can get a booth at the Antique Mall, I'll see about placing some treasures there to sell.  What better place to earn coffee money.

We're further along than we were.  Still...it is overwhelming.  

Beloved...

This is my HOBBY for now,

d

 

King James Bible PSALM 39:4
LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.