F-R-I-E-N-D-S!!!

While pondering our move to Oregon I did think long and hard about leaving family and friends.  The thought of lowering our cost of living and exploring new areas won out.  But I still miss my family and friends.

Once a month I plan a four to five day trip to LA to visit, get my hair done, have a facial, eat in my favorite restaurants and shop at my go-to stores.  I really have to cram it in and follow a tight schedule.

A few of us have our “own table” at Julienne’s and others at Panera.  We hit all the best places in town.  This past visit I found out one of my very dear friends had donated her brain for science.  That gave us all a good laugh.  We told her she should have waited until AFTER the funeral!

You get a real dump of information in a short period of time.  Who lost a husband (don’t bother looking for him), whose dog is on the sick list (you know my thoughts on this), where everyone is going on their next trip (my favorite)….and a few health issues to catch up on as well.

On my next visit I will know who my real friends are when I need to be driven around.  I lost my driver’s license on my last trip to LA.  Really??????

You don’t have to be crazy to be my friend…..but it helps!

Pamela

CANADA - EH?

We just got back from our first driving trip into Canada.  Even though Seattle was our intended first stop we did a quick stop at Gig Harbor and glad we did.  Charming town to enjoy, walk around and have a bite to eat.  Then on to Seattle and it’s environs.  A stop at the Space Needle is a must.  They have just completed a multi-million dollar renovation and have a rotating glass floor with views of the city down below.  The area is also home to the Museum of Pop Culture, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle Center, IMAX Theatre and various performances and eating venues.  Lots to see and do in this area.

Then on to Pike’s Place Fish Market to catch a glimpse of the fish throwing.  They were offering a special delivery package to Dodger fans as the Seattle Mariners were playing the Dodgers this weekend.  Lots of food stalls and places to shop in the area.  We did not go this time, but I highly recommend a tour of the Boeing Plant located about 25 miles north of the city.  Be sure to reserve your tickets online ahead of time for this tour.

The next morning we took an early morning drive to Snoqualmie Falls.  This has been on my bucket list for many years and it did not disappoint.  The falls are spectacular, the drive was beautiful and breakfast at Salish Lodge was over-the-top.  Delicious, entertaining and a treat not to be missed. 

An easy drive to Vancouver, currently one of the top five worldwide cities for livability and quality of life.  There was quite a bit of smoke from the fires in BC but it did not damper our time here.  Stanley Park is a must.  A public park bordering downtown Vancouver with a little over 1,000 acres of parks, ponds, gardens, restaurants and other outdoor activities.  We had a couple very good meals at The White Spot in Vancouver.  Looks like a little diner, but with 60 locations in BC and Alberta, they have been doing a real good job of serving delicious food since 1928.

Took the BC Ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay in the  morning.  Be sure to get reservations ahead of time, show up early and book yourself a seat in the SeaWest business lounge once onboard.  It’s a quiet zone, with WIFI, private facilities, snacks and fresh coffee.  Worth it.  Spent some time exploring more of Victoria than just the downtown area.  Butchart Gardens, of course, is a must.  Two-three hours of enjoying the gardens and something to eat is perfect.  Any time of year is worth a stop here.  Then more driving around the island and a trip into the downtown area.  If time, high tea at The Empress is quite nice.  Many options for getting on the water.  Lots of nice food.  Victoria and Vancouver have some amazing restaurants, but even the casual dining is worth talking about. You can take horse-drawn carriage rides around town.  The hop on/hop off bus tour is a good overview of the downtown and beach areas, too.  Beautiful little city.

Black Ball Ferry Line was another stream-lined operation with service from Victoria to Port Angeles, Washington.  Not quite as nice as BC Ferry, but got us where we wanted to go.  Then a very long but beautiful drive back to Beaverton.  Again, we experienced lots of smoke from the fires.  Much worse than the days we were in BC.  The drive along Hood Canal, through Olympia and back into the Portland area was enjoyable and an easy drive.  Happy to be back home and ready to plan our next trip next month to Crater Lake.

Pamela

EVERYTHING I KNOW I LEARNED FROM A BOOK!

Libraries and book stores…what else do you need in a new town?  Found the public library downtown Beaverton and just love it.  Has all the amenities we are used to and a few that are new to me.  There is the Cultural Pass to Adventure Program which enables library uses to get free entrance passes to locations throughout Oregon.  My favorite program is Library of Things.  This is a collection of items for loan that expands the boundaries of traditionally defined library materials.  If you want to try a pasta machine but really aren’t ready to buy it, just borrow one.  Or what if you want to hunt for treasures with a metal detector.  They have one of those too! I might be spending a little more time in the library…..

Powell’s Books is an independent bookseller in Portland with five stores, over 500 employees, over two million books in stock and just a great place to hang out.  Last night we dipped our toes into the literary pool and saw a local author speak about her “cozy little murder” books.  Lots of local color here, a place to sell your old books, stock up on some new titles, buy a gift or two and get lost in the stacks.

-Pamela

PANIC! AT THE DISCO

My son invited me to attend a concert with him last week because his favorite band - Panic! at the Disco - was in town and he hasn't met a young lady - yet.  Or maybe because I am just that much fun???

We took the train into Portland to the Moda Center (home of the Trail Blazers), walked two short blocks and had the time of our life!  There were two "warm up" bands, great food and drinks and then Brendon Urie jumped up out of a hole in the stage and the singing and dancing began.  It was so much fun with total audience participation in a sold out stadium!!!  Urie does it all - writes, produces, plays the guitar, drums and piano and dances up a storm!  I was exhausted just standing at my seat - sort of dancing and singing - sometimes - LOL!

It was nearly midnight before we slipped out (after the second encore) and raced down to the train to avoid a long and tiring wait - that was my idea of course!!!  We realized it had been raining as JJ walked me home - perfect ending to a perfect "date nite" with my amazing son!

Gabi

TUALATIN HILLS NATURE PARK

Pam had been working so hard - all work and no play - well....I convinced her to take a 1 hour walk with me at the nearby nature Park.

The Tualatin Hills Nature Park is a 200 acre wildlife preserve located a mile from our home featuring about 5 miles of trails through dense forest, creeks, wetlands, meadows and best of all NO DOGS ALLOWED - for the safety of the wildlife!!  There is no admission or parking charge and they have a lovely visitor center with clean restrooms and it is open every day, year round from dawn to dusk.

We really enjoyed our walk in the shady forest - met up with bikers, hikers, runners, a class of young children and a tweeker playing with his water bottle - but it was still very peaceful, quiet and very enjoyable!

Pamela decided to help me fill up my spare time since I retired and suggested that she sign me up for the Thursday work party to help clear out the poison oak/ivy in the underbrush at the center - sounds a bit more challenging that I am up for at this time!  LOL

We did walk for about an hour and it was lovely - we will absolutely go back - after we visit all the new places this amazing area has to offer.   Wednesday - Ice Skating???

Gabi

WEATHER IS SUDDENLY A 'THING'

Joe was born in Hawaii and Pamela and I were born and raised in Southern California - where weather  seldom changes and is almost never an issue.

We knew that the changing of seasons, lots of rain and even ice and snow would be a huge change for all of us and still look forward to all that - but we did not expect weeks of 95+ heat when we got here with NO AIR CONDITIONING!  Suddenly, we are consulting the morning news and our phone weather apps before we plan a meal, an outing or even a trip to the mailbox.  Three flights of stairs (each way!!) to even get to a cool refreshing dip in the pool has to be seriously considered!

I guess we are spoiled - well, I am sure we are - but more importantly we are resourceful with early morning trips to the market or to take a walk and afternoon trips to the movies, the pool or even the ice skating rink?  LOL  

Today the high is 74 so I better get busy by Monday we will be back in the 90s - Yikes!!!  Oh, and for everyone that told me it rains every day here - that is certainly not true - we have been here 32 days and not a drop of rain!

In spite of the heat we all agree - Oregon is absolutely gorgeous - with lakes, rivers, waterfalls, forests and flowers EVERYWHERE!   Great choice for our first runawayandretire adventure!!

Gabi

....ONE MONTH LATER

June 28th was a Thursday and it was the start of the upheaval called "moving" that had become the 800-pound gorilla that robbed us of sleep and sanity. The days ahead would see us cram everything into a 22-foot diesel van and somehow make it arrive in Beaverton, Oregon, unpack everything and drag it all up to a 3rd-story apartment . Then would start the civilizing process of adjusting to a new area and adapting to the blending of Pam's and our lifestyles and demanding personalities -- not mine but Gabi and Pam's --. Thankfully, I had the foresight to get tickets to the Pendleton Roundup Rodeo and ZZ Top concert at the county fair to distract them from micromanaging me.

July 28th was a Saturday and, after a month of getting utilities, insurance, licenses and registrations, we filed into the "stadium" in Hillsboro's Washington County Fair to relax to the dulcet tones of that "little band from Texas", ZZ Top. As we found our seats (folding chairs), and after adjusted to the 97-degree heat and blinding late afternoon sun, the ear-splitting drum and guitar intro announced the opening and "under pressure" began the transformation of my room-mates into ZZT fans. Maybe it was the crowd, the music or just the relief of getting through the move, but it all felt like we were home and there was life after we "ran away and retired".

Joe   

DON'T BURN YOUR BRIDGES - Why not?

Everyone knows that I don’t like bridges – Beau Bridges being the exception.  So why didn’t anyone tell me that you need to go over a bridge to get anywhere in this part of the world?

Portland’s “Bridgetown” moniker is not a joke.  The Willamette River, divides the city into east and west sides and features a dozen crossings.

Yesterday we took a day trip to Seaside, Astoria and into Washington.  We drove over the “mother of all bridges” from Astoria to Chinook.  The Astoria-Megler Bridge stretches 4.1 miles.  It has cantilevers, trusses, steel decks…..and I think a loop-de-loop.  I’m not sure about that as I had my eyes closed!  This crossing used to be serviced by ferry (why can’t we just leave things as they were….) and when the bridge was first installed it was a toll bridge.  Having been paid off early, we can go freely and easily if we must…..

We stopped for the best clam chowder ever at a diner in Chinook.  Surprise!  Surprise!  They asked each dog owner if it was a “service dog” before allowing every one of them a place at the tables all around me!

Then on to Cape Disappointment State Park.  I want to see the town council meeting notes when they discussed the name for that area.  Cape Disappointment is the Washington point at the mouth of the Columbia River.  The Pacific Ocean is on the west side, Ilwaco on the east and Clatsop Spit to the South on the Oregon side.  Missed the Spit!  Ilwaco was more fun to pronounce than to drive through. The Cape was really beautiful with its lighthouse and the piles of driftwood strewn along the bay.

Loved the road trip.  Cool day in the car.  Beautiful scenery all the way. And just one bridge too many…..Next trip we will visit the cranberry bogs…..sometime in September.

Pamela

WHAT'S WITH THE ATTITUDE?

For years I have heard others say that people in Los Angeles are rude.  I don’t personally think so.  I feel like you get back what you put out there.  And if I see a black cloud over the person about to help me, I quickly step aside and wait for the next one.  Problem solved.

Now that I am in a kinder and gentler state (of mind and state of Oregon) I do find the people to be more friendly.  When dealing with a store clerk you get friendly but you also get kind, helpful and just a little bit more.  Today I had to return something to the local bike shop.  I am 99% sure it will go well….but there is always that nagging feeling that you waited too long to return the item, that was a seasonal sale, corduroy is no longer in fashion or the clerk just says “no”.  I thought that was a drug related answer!  So when they give you an immediate return AND they are happy to see you and help you, I guess that is a bit of a shock.

So, I still don’t think people in Los Angeles are rude as a rule…..but I do think the people in Oregon (at least those we have met so far) are above and beyond kind!

But each one of them really does own at least one dog!  (Is anyone seeing a theme from me on the dog issue????)

Pamela

FREDDIES - WHAT?

We have been in our new home for 3 weeks and are settled - unpacked, cars fit in the garages and paintings are hung!  It is our new HOME!

Now we are venturing out to find many of the stores and shops we are familiar with such as Trader Joes, Costco, Kohls,  Nordstroms and many more.  Every single fast food chain and mid range restaurant is represented except for In n Out and there are many new ones to try.  We had lunch at Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que last week and it was delicious!!!

Our big discovery is Fred Meyer's - a mix between a huge market, Target or Walmart, Chase Bank, Adidas and Nike shops, pharmacy , jewelry store, liquor store,  hardware store and garden shop in a football field size store with plenty of parking, really nice employees and amazing low, low prices. One day cherries are $1.69 a pound and the very next day milk is $ .99 - are you kidding me?

Oh, and they issue points for shopping that you can use to lower the price you pay at their gas station - as much as $1.50 a gallon.  We are currently paying $3.39 a gallon at other stations and $3.05 at Freddies.   Is it possible we will pay $1.55 a gallon on our next fill up?  We had shopped at Freddies in Alaska on a motor home trip but didn't really appreciate the full value of having not one, but two of them within 2 miles of home!!!

WE LOVE OUR FRED MEYER STORES - wish they delivered up our 3 flights of stairs!!!!

Gabi

TRANSITIONS ARE COMPLICATED!

I retired on 6/1/18 after working from the age of 16 to 70 and that is a big, huge change!!!  Even during the period where I was self employed I have always had deadlines, goals, demands - always demanding and sometimes (often) impossible!  Suddenly - after a very demanding period of downsizing, packing and moving 1,000 miles to a new land - I can pretty much do what I want, when I want and that is AMAZING - just very, very different!

My sister tried to help out (LOL) by saying she signed me up for a work detail at the near-by Nature Center to clear out the poison oak - really?  My husband is steering clear of me so I won't be tempted to supervise or manage him and his activities!!!

So, for now I am very content to sleep a little more, eat a lot better, swim in the pool, go to the gym and get to know Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.  Oh, and eat handfuls of wonderful, delicious cherries!

Gabi

yummmmm....

CITY OF ROSES?

Really?  Having lived in and around Pasadena, California all my life, the mention of City of Roses only means one thing…..Pasadena, California.  The Rose Parade.  The Rose Bowl.  But, no.  Portland, Oregon is also known as The City of Roses ( in addition to Little Beirut, Rip City, Stumptown and a few other crazy nicknames….).

So today our train trip took us to the International Rose Test Garden and the Japanese Garden.  Getting there is easy.  We took the TriMet MAX Light Rail to Washington Park Station.  From there you can hop on bus 63 or the Washington Park free shuttle.  We took the bus on the way up and got to watch our driver do a needlepoint of her dead cat while waiting for the appointed time of our departure.  And we were able to enjoy the fumes of our fellow passengers pot remnants in the interim as well.  Win!  Win!  On the way down  we took the free shuttle and our driver Orion was able to give us a full dissertation on the art of archery…..being that she is named after the prominent constellation.  I assume her middle name is Nebula but you don’t want to ask a girl like that too many questions.  We got enough information by just sitting there acting deaf!

The Rose Test Garden is beautiful and the aroma matches that.  So many different varieties.  Rose trees, bushes, hybrids, ones named after famous personalities and a few covered in bees.  Ramps and stairs to get around.  Many benches to sit and soak it all in.  And need I say…..dogs are permitted! No entrance fee.  Go early to beat the crowds.

Then across the street to the Japanese Gardens.  Being good Oregonians we bought a membership.  Tickets are under $20 and less for seniors.  It was just as you would imagine.  Peaceful.  Meditative.  Restful.  (Well there was the 1500 ft incline to get there and the stairs and the uneven stepping stops……and unattended Alex running and screaming through the people…..but basically restful).

Back on the train headed home.  No train robbery but there were about 15 transit police that boarded to shake down the passengers.  They caught a full stringer on this expedition.  Oregon doesn’t have sales tax so they have to collect $$$ through other avenues.  This one will cost you $175.  Better to buy the $2.50 all day pass.

A beautiful day to enjoy The City of Roses…..

Pamela

BEACH! BEACH! BEACH!

That’s what you do in Beaverton when it get’s hot…..you hit the beach.  It has been unseasonably warm for this part of the world.  We were told we might have to get used to the rain, but to date no rain.  But lots of warm weather and no air conditioning here.  It’s like many cities in Europe, they just don’t get enough warm weather to warrant air conditioners….but when you need it, it would be nice.

So being the happy wanderers that we are…..we loaded up the van and headed for the coast.  An hour west of our home we hit the coast and headed south.  Drove through Tillamook where we will return for our lunch stop.  Then stopped at Neskowin on the coast.  Small, quaint town with beautiful views of the ocean, the tree-lined basalt sea-stack known as Proposal Rock, Proposal Rock Inn, Hawk Creek Café and other small-town offerings.  If you want to stay at Proposal Rock Inn be sure to ask for a seaside room and one as close to the water as possible.

For the next two hours we stopped at viewpoints and recreation sites.  The coastline is dotted with them and each offers it’s own views, hiking, sightseeing, eating and sleeping options.  AND DOGS!  My goodness.  I almost think Oregon has an unwritten rule – “need not come unless you bring a dog”……. 

Salishan Lodge and Golf Resort is a place of note.  Reminds me of The Lodge at Torrey Pines and Pebble Beach offerings.  Beautiful location with lodging, spa, golf and year round activities

Back to Tillamook for a cheese sandwich, some mac ‘n cheese or some Tillamook Ice Cream.  NOT!  Nobody warned us of the crowds.  We were just going to pop in for a quick bite but 2,500 other people had the bright idea before us.  The line for an ice cream cone looked to be about an hour.  So if the Tillamook tour or food is on your list of MUST SEE’S, plan the timing appropriately.

Second best place for lunch – Blue Heron French Cheese Company.  A great stop for a sandwich and a bowl of clam chowder.  Then back on the road to Beaverton.  A great outing and then a dip in the pool. 

Pamela

ADJUSTING TO A NEW STATE - the state of confusion.....

We all know it gets harder to remember things and learn anything new the older we get.  Add to that a complete change in your location.  Each day we are dealing with a new hurdle….and we haven’t gone anywhere near a running track!

We want to change our car insurance but we can’t do that until we register our cars and we can’t do that until we pass the driver’s test and we can’t do that until we LEARN THE RULES.  In Oregon you need to be alert to state troopers with speed guns and also those with stop watches.  You can get ticketed if you leave your car door open longer than is deemed necessary.  Glad that is specific! Also, not allowed to pump your own gas.  It takes some doing to STAY IN THE CAR when you drive into a gas station.  The attendants may not have on the white uniforms with the military style caps, but they run to your car and take care of you pronto.  Kind of cool.

It's illegal to walk down the street in Portland with your shoes untied…..so I am on the hunt for ugly, old lady shoes!  I also heard it’s illegal to predict the future in Yamhill…..but I’m not sure if that means I can’t determine the future while I’m in Yamhill or if I can’t predict the future of Yamhill while I am in Beaverton.  Another research project.

Last night we got the bright idea to search for a cleaning lady on the internet.  Did you know you can get a cleaning lady who will also sage your home and end with a massage?  So many choices.  We went into the project thinking we just wanted a clean house…..but now we are rethinking that option.  Joe is opting for plan C and Gabi and I are going with the “CLEAN THE DAMN HOUSE” option.  More on that later.

Pamela

I-K-E-A (I CAN ENTERTAIN AGAIN)

So we gave away everything we owned – and that is not an easy task!  Downsizing and minimizing is the order of the day.  But you do need a place to put your belongings (you can only stuff so much under the beds)….so off to IKEA we went.  Took the train to avoid the traffic and spent a few harrowing hours negotiating the aisles and following the yellow lines through the store.  Three hours later and $1078 on our credit cards we had a house-full of stylish furniture. A few headaches as well.  We shop mostly online to avoid crowds but if you buy IKEA products online you are not eligible for the deliver and assembly option.  AND we would NOT buy a wall unit that comes in a 36” x 12” box unless it came with a delivery person with a tool box.

The boxes and delivery guys showed up two days later and went to work.  In less than one hour they had put together three kitchen counter chairs, two bookcases, two dressers and one night stand.  AND no extra screws and parts left on the floor for you to wonder – WHERE DO THOSE GO?

Today we were able to put away the rest of our belongings and get on with our regular routine.  The complex we live in is having the “Start of Summer” luau but I am pretty sure it is a party for US!  I think we will leave our bikinis and bathing suits at home.  We don’t want to scare our neighbors on the first social event we attend.

Enjoy your summer.  We hear the temps in California are quite high.  We are enjoying cool, beautiful, breezy weather in Beaverton.

Pamela

WELCOME TO OREGON

Land of the Empire Builders, Land of the Golden West;

Conquered and held by free men, Fairest and the best.

On-ward and upward ever, Forward and on, and on;

Hail to thee, Land of the Heroes, My Oregon.

Land of the rose and sunshine, Land of the summer’s breeze;

Laden with health and vigor, Fresh from the western seas.

Blest by the Bloody Marys, Land of the setting sun;

Hail to thee, Land of Promise, My Oregon.

Well, the state song actually is “blest by the blood of martyrs….” But that sounded morbid.  I changed it just a wee bit and I think it adds to the flavor of MY OREGON.  We walked into our new home July 1.  Had some pretty good movers help us get all our belongings on the third floor.  Then the daunting task of stuffing everything in the proper place.

Unpacking.  Breaking down the boxes.  Getting the trash down to the ground floor.  Trying not to kill ourselves in the process.  Going almost a week without internet and TV connections was pushing our patience just a bit as well. We plan to make this move every two years……but it’s kind of like asking a women who JUST had a baby when she wants the next one.  NEVER!

Today we decided to “treat” ourselves to a relaxing day.  Took off on the MAX light rail from behind our home and headed off to IKEA.  Have not been there to shop….ever!  What an experience.  We gave away all our furniture in Los Angeles and then bought everything we need at IKEA for $1,000.  And included in that price they will deliver and assemble all our special items.  Now we have a place for all our clothes and special mementos from our previous adventures.

Tomorrow is the 4th of July.  A commemoration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.  Our special day to say we love America.  We love the freedoms that are afforded to us.  We proudly fly the flag today and forever.  Enjoy!

Pamela

ONE WEEK TILL RUNAWAY SO MUCH TO SHARE AND TO DO!!!

We have been making lists - checking them twelve million times - waking up with panic attacks and having a blast planning our next adventure!!!

Pam sold her house and had a two day garage sale to finalize the downsizing effort.  Friends and family showed up to help and the outcome was amazing!!!!

Gabi sold her car - whew - who needs 3 cars - and finalized her career including all pending dental work. 

Joe focused on the things in storage and all of the computer equipment as well as removing the garden from our balcony.

We also managed to have and  attend parties at Dodger Stadium, the pool and virtually every restaurant in southern California.  We have the most amazing friends and family and that will be the hardest part of our journey which begins in Beaverton, Oregon on July 1st!

We will have so much to report on our actual drive to Oregon, unpacking and settling in and even more as we rest up and begin to travel around Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.  Once we get  settled we will be posting updates constantly!!!

Aloha.....Gabi, Pam and Joe

COUNTDOWN TO RUNAWAY - 2 MONTHS OUT:

Whew - so much accomplished and so much more to do!  Running away is a lot of work - but we are quite certain worth the effort!!!

I am entering the last month of employment tomorrow 5/1/18 and all that accompanies this amazing time of my life.  A very dear friend is arranging a party in my honor on 6/2 and promises that we are going to "turn up"!

On 6/3, we are hosting a swim party for the family - one last chance to party at the Marina, ride the water taxis, swim and say aloha - and encourage everyone to take home plants,  deck chairs and all sorts of things we are leaving behind.   Pam is hosting a surprise family event on 6/16 to celebrate Father's day, my birthday and every member of our wonderful family!

During this past month we have been visiting our doctors and dentists, bankers and lawyers to get everything in order - even JJ has his wisdom teeth extracted - on the company insurance!  We have changed our medical insurance plans to Medicare - and arranged to sell my car.  My daughter Tammy sent her husband Bob and my grandson James down to pick up a load of china, silver, Indian Kachinas and blankets and jewelry and other things that had been in the family for generations.  My daughter Lori and her sweet Geoff will be arriving on Thursday to collect the things she "dibbed" in the process including a lovely old Credenza that belonged to my Mom.  This process is very satisfying - seeing my children choosing what they would like to have and seeing their joy in receiving it while I am still here!!!

Pam has been arranging some trips for us to take once we have settled in our new home in Hillsboro down to Crater Lake, Rouge River and Klamath Falls, up to Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria and out east to the Pendleton Roundup (Joe's first choice for a trip!) as well as getting her home ready to sell and finishing up her downsizing - while she is working full time too!

Joe is going through years of computer parts and pieces giving some to friends, donating some to charity and keeping the 'must have'  items to keep our systems up and running.

We have one small issue to resolve - we do not yet have a new home finalized - YIKES!!! 

All of us are taking time to watch the boats sail by, visit with friends, family and neighbors and store up volumes of memories for when we runaway and retire!

Gabi

What it Takes to Downsize

Attitude.  The most important element of the down-size/change-your-life movement is your attitude.  It starts off like the water lapping at the shoreline, increases to waves you can body surf on and end like a tsunami.  Start with the closets.  We all have a variety of closets with different clothing elements.  We have a coat closet.  The everyday wear closet and then a variety of prom dresses (really?), out of season clothing, clothes you will fit into some day and closets filled with monsters!

You are always surprised when the moment hits to “clean the closet”.  It is usually when you are on deadline to get something else done and you have a brilliant idea to detour right into the clothing abyss.  Before you know it your home looks like a cross between someone going on a very long voyage with many costume nights involved and preparing for the big donation sale at The Salvation Army.  What happened?  Who do these clothes belong to?  Do I really shop at Forever 21?

At the end of a very long and sometimes tearful day, you have filled 13 bags to go right to the donation box.  Put everything else into the closet and pat yourself on the back for a job well done.  Two weeks later you rethink the first go-round. Let’s take another look.  And so begins the crescendo that ends in a couple drawers of clothes and ½ a closet with your everyday wear.  Now we’re getting somewhere.

Year books.  Baby books.  Coffee table books.  Photo books.  Really?  Who collected all this.  Haven’t looked at the year books in years…..trash.  Keep the essentials and toss the rest.  This is getting easier and even a little fun.  Photos took the most time.  Disassemble every book and album.  Put the photos in piles of who they are and pare it down.  How many pictures do I need of my dad’s second cousin’s wife on the crazy side of the family? Now I am down to four shoe size boxes with a lifetime of family photos and memories to enjoy.

We are onto crystal, china, sterling silver, collectable arts and other treasures.  Nobody wants them.  We enjoy them for years of family, entertaining and fun and now we want to go lightly into the world.  No baggage.  Just fun and games, remember.  Our kids don’t entertain and they have this living life less encumbered and easy to move lifestyle down to a science.  We can learn from the younger generation.

After several referrals and calls I happened on to Jim Konoske.  If you have anything worth selling Jim can do it.  Knowledgeable, honest and kind.  My new best friend. He takes the things out of your house, shops them around to a variety of auction houses and sends you a a a check.

After some discussion the kids will take a few things with a gentle reminder to not make a “family treasure” into an albatross.  We get bogged down with the history of an article instead of what really serves our lifestyle.  I love to remember my grandmother from a vase I have sitting on the counter….but not the 350 lb. church organ that moves with you from home to home.  Enough.

All that’s left is selling the house, packing up the few items you are taking with you, calling the cleaning crew to remove the detritus of your life out of your home and then the call to the moving company.

What happens on the other end is definitely the ongoing chapters of our moving on life.  Stay with us for all the news and laughs along the road.

Introduction

For the next 2 1/2 months we will be focusing on ending a career, selling a home, selling or giving away most of our possessions and planning to move two home together into one 1,000 miles away - whew!  We are making lists - checking them 50 times and then making new lists - but  stopping every day to laugh and plan for what lies ahead.  It seems to take a bit of planning and a lot of hard work to run away and retire!!!