So, we have contacted an estate sale company and will have a three-day sale in late September. What doesn't sell will be taken to an auction house (furniture) or a thrift shop (clothes, books, and countless boxes of other stuff). We will hang on to the best of Alan's cookware, knives, and a few small keepsakes. After the sale, we will put the mostly empty house on the market staged with a bed and a few other pieces of furniture from our condo which is now rented. We don't know how fast the house will sell. It could be quickly or it could take several months. Either way, once that happens, we will have nowhere to live except that lovely little place in Mexico.
I have been feeling a bit anxious and frustrated lately, like we are stuck and not moving forward with our plans. There's most likely an element of fear in there somewhere, with questions like "How will we manage this?" "This move is going to be overwhelming." "How will we ever drive for six days with two dogs and a cat that has not been outside of our home in over 4 years?" I would like to be able to approach this in the way that I TRY to live my life -one day at a time. Perhaps, once on the road, our mantra will need to be 'one mile at a time.' If only we could teach that to the animals!
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| A really bad older exposure that I fiddled around with and converted to black and white for fun... |
We can't even look at our own house the same way now that we've made the plans that you've made. Twenty years of shopping and collecting all needing to be untangled. The baby grand piano I never got around to learning to play. The wall full of cookbooks, bought before I could Google up a recipe. Tag sale finds, antique shop bargains, --that's hard enough, but then there are more than a few things passed down from family. What do I do with a box of silverware and some flowered China that Mom and Dad got for a wedding present, and no one has used since 1955. A vase and some figurines that Dad brought home after being stationed in Japan?
ReplyDeleteLee, we were lucky in that we passed along my Mother's silver to our niece a few years ago. I'm certain that it is packed away and will be passed along to one of her children years from now, to once again be packed away never to be used. We've (as a society) come to the point where, if we can't throw it in the dishwasher, it gets packed away. But, it is hard letting go of the sentiment.
DeleteWhile I won't be moving to Merida for several years, I have already begun to sell off my less significant possessions. When it's time to move, when I just really, truly need that change in scenery, I hope I am down to the basics and can unload (sell, give away) the rest quickly. I do hope the ferry becomes a reality because I do not relish the idea of taking 3 cats and my (now) meager belongings to Merida by myself. One can only hope it happens...
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for commenting. I think you are doing a very smart thing by starting early. And, let's not give up on the ferry!!
DeleteHi guys,
ReplyDeleteAs we drove to Merida last year, you might glean a few things about driving there from my blog, here:
http://meridagoround.wordpress.com/
~eric.
PS: you might consider a shipping container, which you can do if you have the right visa. Here are two links about containers. The best port of departure had seemed to be Panama City FL, but the link to the container line (lineaships dot com) no longer works. So, only one topical link: ~eric.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2010/10/20/the-ley-lines-of-globalization/
Thanks, Eric. We have talked about a container, but other than a few paintings, computer, etc. we think most of the other stuff will just be sold or given away. There's a certain feeling of freedom, in letting go of all this, that just seems invigorating. I will certainly re-read your posts on the drive and possibly e-mail you with a few questions, if you don't mind.
DeleteHoly hot cakes! Very brave of you, but I suspect you will do fine. We moved cross-country, not a-cross countries, several years ago. It was difficult. But, the animals survived and so did we! Good luck.
ReplyDeleteHappy to answer any questions. ~eric.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is freeing to get rid of the stuff and letting go is a huge accomplishment. Once it's gone, you won't miss much of it at all. The ball is rolling more and more rapidly downhill. Keep your eye on the ball...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marc. Good advice. It feels pretty exciting.
ReplyDeleteI read your blog and those of people like Lee and Debbie... you speak so wonderously of the place I moved to 36 years ago. And I love it! I still feel that Merida is a very special place but it is not one that bestows its favours just because they are requested. One must "work" for the honour of truly "getting" this city. Shedding one's past belongings (most of them at least) is part of the process. Of course a few treasures must come with you in order to transition your move with grace... But a lot has to be jetisoned. You'll find that it is not so bad once it is done and you'll enjoy the acquisition of new treasures from Mexico... Enjoy the ride! And you'll find that if you do... the puppies, kitties and so on will all have an easier time of it too.
ReplyDeleteJoanna, Alan and I credit you, through your book, with opening our eyes to the wonders and the reality of life in Mexico, and Merida in particular. Thank you so much for your pearls of wisdom and your encouragement. I think that this is the best comment I've received on this blog and I will always remember your words.
ReplyDeleteWe look forward to sharing many conversations with you and Jorge.