Almost There

Where did the month go? Some days, I thought the month was lingering in slow motion. Other times there was so much to do for the moving out of Long Island and moving into Virginia journey, I totally forgot the date and day. Now that my March Musings 2021 journey for March SOLSC! #SOL21 s almost over, I am tired and disappointed that I had little time to write during the daytime when I was fresh. As I think back on this month, I realize that my exhaustion is from the energy expended in the move. 

I have one day left to write a daily slice of life capturing the small moments of the past month so I need to beat the clock before the end of the night.

I am almost there. Like an athlete running the course, I, move forward with bated breath excitedly anticipating what will happen next. I know that I will end March having written each day and responded to other writers' slices of life. I have corresponded with some old friends and other new ones, appreciated the variety of writing styles and welcomed suggestions on different formats. Will I be able to sustain my writing routine with a fresh new lens during National Poetry Month? I certainly hope so and maybe I will be able to write during the daytime like I planned for March.

lights flashing

lighting future passageways

"hopeward" bound

©CV, 2021

Day 30 March SOLSC! #SOL21 at Two Writing Teachers

Rambling Thoughts

She wakes with a smile on her face as bright as the sunshine outdoors. 

"Grandma, I love you." 

These words melt my heart. 

All the stress of our life move floats away as I see her smile and feel her presence. 

She brings me Teddy who needs fixing. 

His bell fell off during her first sleepover. 

Grandma fixes that. 

My mind floats back to my childhood. 

I feel Nonnie's hand in mine during our morning rituals. 

I turn the clock back to today:

The taste of hot chocolate, sweet berries, peanut butter on toast. 

I shall remember this first sleepover with delight after a year of virtual happenings. 

Being a grandmother is a joy that opens a new world of surprise and wonder.

I am filled with delight. 

I breathe in the freshness of spring and hold her little hand, 

Realizing the grandness of one cherished word, "Grandma".

Day 27 of March SOLSC! #SOL21 at Two Writing Teachers.

It's Time to Rethink Unpacking

After a round of unpacking and arranging the shelves in my master bathroom, I  finally take the time to sit down and reflect. I am exhausted, frustrated, and still not finished sorting and organizing. Tomorrow will be Day 3 of arranging just this one room. How did I get through the packing stage without crumbling? Perhaps, it was the deadline of moving day that became the incentive. Now the routine of constant unpacking is getting to me. Friends are telling me to take my time and understand that these moments, days, weeks are stressful. As I think that I had no words to express my feelings, these thoughts flowed out.

It's time to rethink unpacking. 

The obsessive routine haunts

My dreams, wakes me wondering.

It's time to stop the merry-go-round.

Find my center, undo the stress, relax.   

While thinking these thoughts, I googled poems on unpacking and found a very interesting one by Thom Gunn, "Thoughts on unpacking".

Unpacking in the raw new rooms, I clear,

Or try to clear, a space for us, that we
May cultivate an ease of moving here
With no encumbrance near,
In amplitude. But something hinders me:

Where do these go, these knick-knacks I forgot?
—Gadgets we bought and kept, thinking perhaps
They might be useful someday, and a lot
Of others that were not:

Bent keys, Italian grammars, Mickey Mouse caps.

You can read the rest here. I read the last stanza to my husband.

In the stillness, I decide to the quiet voice inside and start anew with a renewed spirit. I will clear a space for us because my little granddaughters will be here in the morning and I am ready for a day of pure fun.

This is a combined slice of life post for both Poetry Friday Roundup and March SOLSC! #SOL21.

Poetry Friday hosted by a poetry colleague, Susan Bruck who is honoring National Poetry Month Kidlithosphere Roundup by collecting special projects from Poetry Friday poets.

Day 25 of Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSC! #SOL21, March Musings 2021

Imagining My Dream Bathroom

Each morning I wake with the desire to organize another room of my new house but I need motivation. I am at the point of being overwhelmed with the magnitude of the process. Today's task is to set up my master bathroom. In order to get into the mood for this laborious process, I luckily  find an inspiring quote from Soakology . 

"Soap is to the body what laughter is to the soul."

Laughter would be a welcome surprise right now and so would quiet. Before I start, I decide to share a before picture of my master bathroom. It is quite messy but you only see one part of it. The linen closet is filled with bottles of all different essentials, toiletries, medicines, cleaning products which are normal essentials but there is a mess of jumbled-together products. I need to take baby steps in order to turn this room around.

I think you can see that I am ready to get started. I lay down some large boxes to act as a cutting board. This job tasks patience. I pause to remember something from my past. My mother taught me how to line up a pattern on the material so I could cut the cloth in a straight line. It is tedious work that takes me a couple of tries before the liner fits nicely into the container. I feel like I am "on a roll" but oh, no, I am distracted by something else. 

This is a typical occurrence so the flow of work does not go as planned. Did I finish my organization plan? Let's say I wanted to. I think this job will take me several days because of the other tasks that are also important. I will keep you posted and hope there will be some after pictures that show how my dream bathroom turned out.

Day 24 of March SOLSC! #SOL21 at Two Writing Teachers.

Organizing My New Kitchen

Today is devoted to organizing my new kitchen. Actually, it is a reorganization because the first plan did not work as well as I would like. It takes time and perseverance to complete this task since I have quite a bit of space. 

-disorganization phase prior to writing this blog-

Actually, I am perplexed. I see bottles of spices for cooking, another set for baking, and lots of clutter. I unpack another box and find my old cookbooks. While I use the internet for many recipes I also want to do due diligence to my old tried and true recipes in the cookbooks. I peruse the cabinets in the perimeter around the appliances and the drawers under the eight foot of center island counter space. Each cabinet needs to be designated for a distinct purpose. So I stand back with wide open cabinets to take a good look at the whole job, sigh, and take on one cabinet at a time. 

Hours later, I am still in the organizing phase but too tired to continue. There is tomorrow to finish my grand plan of making my kitchen one that has fluidity and practicality, a place with warmth reminding me of my former kitchen that always was the hub of the home. I want my kitchen to be a place for conversation, laughter, and joy-a place for my little granddaughters to knead dough, bake cookies with me, and enjoy a licking-the-bowl good time like I did with my Nonnie, and my children did with my mother and me. Perhaps, tomorrow will be the day to sit back and say, "Ah, my kitchen is complete. I can move on to another room to organize. 

There are many more boxes awaiting me. For now, I contemplate on how to make my kitchen a place for loving gatherings with the following quote by Kitchens by Emma Reed in mind.

"Kitchen. Noun - A gathering place for friends and family. A place where memories are homemade and seasoned with love."

Day 23 of March SOLSC! #SOL21 at Two Writing Teachers.

Is your kitchen the gathering place in the home?

First Day of Spring

Sixty degrees and sunshine marks the first day of spring. It is uplifting. I itch to go outside walking in nature but my honey-do list is endless. The work of organizing the kitchen in my new home simply has to be completed. A sense of nervous impatience to rid the house of unpacked boxes brings a decision to postpone a nature walk until later in the day. 

Finally, I am ready for a short ride to visit my granddaughters. The weather feels like warmer than earlier in the day. The ride is pleasant and the forest-like environment in the community of Reston where my little ones live is restful and peaceful. Tall trees line the road like elegant guardsmen, a welcoming sight, and the daffodils sprouting up in vivid clumps is delightful also. BUT, the best part of the first day of springtime is the joy of seeing two happy little granddaughters enjoying nature. 

Springtime turns a blank canvas into a colorful piece of art.

Daffodils dance under a golden sun while trees stand guard.

Children discover the gleeful joy of nature's playground.

©CV, 2021, draft

Thank you to slicer "Arjeha" for providing information on the sijo poetic format and posting his original poem. Click here to read all. Please feel free to comment on my first-time sijo poem in draft form.

Day 21 of Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSCI, #SOL21, March Musings 2021

Friday Night Pizza

Each day after closing on our Long Island house on Monday, we spent on unpacking so when the social committee of Regency at Creekside (the development we now live in) announced a social gathering on the lawn with a food truck selling individual pizzas, I said, "Let's go". Unfortunately, the weather did not permit the event. 

Lucky for me, after our closing on Monday, I bought fresh pizza dough from a local Italian bakery on Long Island. Tonight, although I was exhausted from unpacking, I decided it was time to make the pizza with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. I combined two pizza doughs to make one large pizza. I kneaded the dough using on my Nonnie's pizza board. 

Yummy, what a treat that was! I think my Nonnie would have been proud of my efforts. After all, I was only four or five years old when I started following her around, learning everything I could about baking and cooking. I will remember this pizza party after a long week.

Day 19 of Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSC! #SOL21, March Musings 2021

One Shot COVID

It was a gray sky day with rain soon to follow as we piled into the car to travel to the other side of the county. Rain started as soon as we entered the vehicle. It was one of those stay-in-the-house cozy days with the rain falling as soon as we entered the car. Today marked the end of a long wait for a COVID vaccination for my son. He was the last one in our household to be vaccinated but the journey to get a vaccine has been a long wait. 

We basically gave up on idea that my my son would receive the shot/s on Long Island when we knew the closing date on our Long Island home. On January 16th, I registered Derek for COVID vaccination in Prince William County, Virginia and today he finally received the vaccination. Here is a peek into Virginia's mass vaccination site's procedures. Derek lined up outside in the rain for a 12:30 PM shot. He first had to fill our paperwork. When admitted into the building, He had to show his proof of residency in Virginia which was scanty because of his disability status. He showed his Virginia disabled parking placard, his NYS non-driver enhanced ID card, and a piece of mail sent to the new address. After that, he waited, and was finally ushered into a large hall (basketball court). There were approximately 25 people waiting for the J&J shot. 3 lines were formed, data taken, and then another wait. The head nurse spoke to the group with a mic and then, 3 pharmacists started the vaccination procedure. Derek sat for the required 15 minute time frame and then we traveled back to our new home in the rain.  Next in line on April 1st my daughter and son-in-law will receive their first dose of the Pfizer shot. 

chilled rain falls

winter blues dampen earth-

 daffodils bring hope

©CV, 2021

☔ 

This is a combined  slice of life post for both Poetry Friday Roundup and March SOLSC! #SOL21.

Poetry Friday hosted by a wonderful poet friend, Linda Baie. This week she offers a Spring Dress Rehearsal. Check it out at TeacherDance.

Day 18 of Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSC! #SOL21, March Musings 2021

St. Patrick's Day in Virginia

Every St. Patrick's Day we wear green, celebrate with corn beef and cabbage, and enjoy the festivities surrounding the event. Several years ago my husband learned how to make corn beef and cabbage from a close friend. Even though most of my kitchen and dining room items were still in boxes (we closed on our Long Island home on Monday afternoon), we wanted to celebrate in some fashion. 

Before my husband started the cooking, he drove me to my daughter's house to grandma-sit my one-year-old granddaughter. She spiked a very high fever a few days ago leading the doctor to give her a COVID test. I was worried about her when I arrived but she not only looked so much better than the first day of the illness she was in a happy mood. I had little time during the day to do much else than watch her so it was up to my husband to cook the meal. The thought of an traditional Irish meal was tempting so at the end of the day, my daughter, husband, and two little ones followed us back to our house where all the food was ready. 

Upon arrival, we quickly set up the patio at two different tables outside. It was chilly but we made do with the weather since the dinner was delicious. The outside fireplace provided a warm glow and heat. My three and a half-year-old granddaughter was so excited that she shared the box of mini black and white cookies (better known as half-moons in Central New York)that I bought her with the family after dinner. 

What a great way to celebrate an event that has always had memories attached to it. I even got to hug my granddaughters for the first time since since COVID brought such sorrow to earth.

Day 17 March SOLSC #SOL2021, Two Writing Teachers, March Musings 2021

Proud Member of Two Writing Teachers Community since 2015

New Life Begins in Virginia

We did it! We are officially Virginians. Today is our first day in our new home without having to drive back to New York. It is a full one since boxes are stacked all around us. Which ones shall I  open first? I think kitchen organization is a must. There is the organization of the new master his and her closets that is important and let me not forget the master bathroom because it took me all day to find some of the medicine bottles I needed.  I promised myself I would not stay up late and here it is 11:30 pm and I'm still writing this slice of life so I decided to use Elena Wetmore's slice of life story at Standing Tall as a mentor text for a new challenge: write a meaningful story in three words.  

officially sold house

new life begins:

sorting through belongings

thinking through mishaps

writing as cure-all

grandma duty tomorrow

- What's your 3-word story? -

Day 16 March SOLSC #SOL2021, Two Writing Teachers, March Musings 2021

Proud Member of Two Writing Teachers Community since 2015

Closing Day on the Ides of March

The Ides of March are upon us. I recall many a time that I have heard the word "Beware" used when speaking about Mar h 15th. I start the day off excited, not anticipating any negativity. Perhaps closing on this date is fitting. After all, we spent a long year of delays on both my homes. 

The rise of COVID-19 did its best to add stress into the mix of buying a new home and selling one. We faced many waiting periods. At first, we waited for travel bans to be lifted so we could travel to our new construction. We waited for construction materials, furniture, and appliances to arrive. We waited for buyers to decide if our Long Island house would be their final choice. Waiting is difficult when you wish your dream to materialize immediately.

Today, our closing finally occurred and in a small conference room, we eagerly signed all papers officially closing on our Long Island house. After some congratulations, visits to two different banks, we said our goodbys to our neighborhood and town. I ref;ected on our Long Island life filled with joys and sorrows. I felt the excitement of a new adventure but a bit of sadness for leaving  longtime friends but Long Island is a doable ride.

closing a door

one step forward

anticipation

©CV, 2021

Just when we started to feel the relaxation of moving past another hurdle, a phone call comes in. My 14-month-old granddaughter was sent home from her day care school due to a high fever. "Could you please take care of Aurora  at our house the next couple of days?" The adventure begins before we even reach Virginia!

Day 15 March SOLSC! #SOL2021, Two Writing Teachers, March Musings 2021

Proud Member of Two Writing Teachers Community since 2015

Preparing to Close

last day before the closing

scurrying to accomplish

what needs to be completed

tidying rooms to sparkle

leaving house keys for buyers

penning a warn welcome note

saying goodbys to our home

via current photographs

of memorable events

38 years of memories are tucked inside.

I took this photo to remember all the social events with dear friends and family that took place here.

I am ready to let go and begin a new life chapter!

Day 14 March SOLSC! #SOL2021, Two Writing Teachers, March Musings 2021

Proud Member of Two Writing Teachers Community since 2015

Back to Long Island Again

It was a slow wake-up for us. We needed to be on the road heading back to Long Island for the closing but we overslept. I could barely keep awake as we inched closer to New York but I did notice that the weather was cooler. Would our house be ready to welcome us back?

Hello house,

you waited for us

to return.

We are ready

to make you

a welcoming sight

for new owners.

They will love you

as you grow older.

We will remember

all the memories,

the good times

and sad ones.

Homes are

safe havens

of happiness.

You were that for us.

Home is a shelter from storms-all sorts of storms. -William J. Bennett

House, be that shelter for the next family

We wish you well as we make you shine.

Day 13 of Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSC! #SOL21, March Musings 2021

Proud Member of Two Writing Teachers Community since 2015

Last Look

On a mission to see her childhood home one last time before our big move, my daughter drove from Virginia for the last look. While my daughter did not realize it, she became the superhero who "saved the day". 

Why you ask? At the eleventh hour, I realized that I could not reasonably accomplish the important task of getting my house packed before the movers would arrive. There were too many interruptions and exhaustion set in. In a short time from her arrival in Long Island, Devin got the last phase of the packing organized. Without her help, my husband, son, and I would not have been able to complete the process successfully. I am glad that she had her organizational skills and fresh perspective ready to come to our aid. 

Moving  Day, March 9, 2021

Exhausted, we now turn into our Virginia home ready to unpack the car and wait for the Ethan Allen delivery truck to arrive in the morning. The following day, the movers will deliver our belongings and then we head back to Long Island for the walkthrough and closing. Then, I can have a last look and wave goodby.

More thoughts and photos will follow.

Day 9 of 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 kept my spirits up to my moving day.