In Virginia

Yesterday was another long day of journeying onward to settle in our new home in Virginia. My daughter and son both said their goodbyes to their childhood home and felt the pangs of sadness. After all, this house was their family home. Memories were made there, tears shed, and joys celebrated. Because of COVID, there was no fanfare before stepping into the car - just a rush to clean up the house so we would not have so much to do when we return for the walkthrough and closing on Saturday. BUT there was extreme exhaustion and burning feet.

Tonight, I sit quietly in my new great room. It is open, spacious and my new sectional is so comfortable. I just turned off my fireplace as I intermittently nod off. Thanks for spending a few quiet moments with me. I needed time alone to write because the stress level is not lessening. Tomorrow the movers deliver the furniture at 7:30 AM. There's no rest for the weary this week but expectations of future joy!

Day 10of Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSC! #SOL21, March Musings 2021

Proud Member of Two Writing Teachers Community since 2015

Extending my thanks to all the slicers who have corresponded with me.

Good Night

Off to Sleep

II will catch up with reading slices

Another Day of Packing

March 7, 2021

Dear Interactive Digital Notebook,

I thought I would wake up with a fresh new dose of gratitude BUT the day turned out to be another helter-skelter one. All it takes is something small to flip the switch. I thought the person who did not pick up her purchase from Friday's online auction would arrive between 10-2. She did not. I moved from room to room in the house trying to cover all bases. That did not work. I tried to center my thoughts but that did not work since multiple texts and calls kept coming in. Now it is the end of  daylight hours and I am exhausted. 

What will I do? Will I finish the rest of the packing before Tuesday's moving starts at 8:00 AM? Not sure! There's still so much to do so that when I return to Long Island next weekend, I might have to pick up the remaining pieces that need to go to Virginia,  clean some more, and throw out some more trash.

I hope you are listening. Even without saying a word, I feel better knowing that I can write down my thoughts and perhaps, look back and laugh. 

I thank my trusty computer for recording these musings about moving and send thanks out to Two Writing Teachers for the space to communicate with other slicers.

Saddened but not giving up because there are slicers who bolster me up each day during my life move.

Just Me

 End of a Long Day of Packing

Day 7 of Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSC! #SOL21, March Musings 2021

Proud Member of Two Writing Teachers Community since 2015

"Life Move" Timeline

"Shall we move to Florida where it is warm or Virginia where our granddaughter lives with her Mommy and Daddy?"  It was a tough decision that in the end was not made lightly. We visited friends in Naples and my cousin in West Palm Beach. We explored Virginia each time we visited my granddaughter. We thought deeply, weighed options, and finally found the right community in Northern Virginia to build a new home, our dream home.  

I think back on that time. Our intentions were genuine and our enthusiasm bursting with joy. Home builders we were, just like my Bessie Peace Gutmann framed print that was above my fireplace for years.  After we signed the contract for our new home at the end of February 2020, COVID reared its ugly head just like a monster from a medieval tale. We were living in Long Island near the epicenter so there was nothing we could do but work virtually with Toll Brothers until the heightened alert was lifted months later. By June 2020, we were able to travel to Virginia to meet with the Design Center consultant face-to-face. 

"Home Builders" by Bessie Peace Gutmann

At the same time, summer 2020, we decided to list our house for sale. The months that followed were not easy as buyer after buyer came and went. October brought two prospective buyers and both fell through. We started all over again with the house sale while having weekly conference calls with Toll Brothers in Virginia. It was a juggling act. Then, the final photos of the house gave credence to what we accomplished-home builders just like the early 1900s couple in the print.

Our Regency at Creekside new home

home builders

framing out a future

hope resides

©CV, 2021

Day 3 of Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSC! #SOL21, March Musings 2021

Proud Member of Two Writing Teachers Community since 2015

"Life Move" Tips-Day 2 SOLSC! #Sol2021

In the midst of a new life move, I need to slow down. There is so much to do; I rush around, jumping from small job to large one. Multitasking is no longer a plausible way to get to the bottom of my to-do list, nor is worrying about the move. What I need to do is seek balance when life becomes heavy. 

Balance was my guide word, my one word last year but you know what kind of year that was! I am ready for a small step plan. 

Tips for Today.

Breathe in. Exhale. - Pack with focus. - Find silver linings in what I do.

Pause intermittently. - Be grateful for small accomplishments.

Writing is a daily practice, an opening of my heart to the whispers of my soul. 

This post is the second in my March Musings 2021 series for Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSC! #SOL21. You can access the site here to read what the other slicers are saying as they begin Day 2 of their March Slice of Life writing journey. 

Proud Member of Two Writing Teachers Community

since 2015