This weekend I’m working to remove a bit more of me (clutter) from Brook Hollow. Its a bit weird to see the spaces without my paintings, furniture I made, shelves filled with books, and of course the ever-present piles of things that are too interesting to get rid of or I had a mind to give to one of the babies for entertainment. I’ve already donated my ironman mask, and have bagged my tie dye tee shirt and stars and stripe shirt so i’m paring down to my more serious self.

Given the clearing out I have to say the house looks better, and i’m hoping after some intense cleaning it will sell quickly and easily…one can hope right? It’ll be a little while though, my contractor can’t get here till mid June, and thats the last big work to do on the house, roof, ac units, exterior paint, interior paint, faucets, water heater, cabinet pulls, a few windows have been replaced since i moved in during 2008, so I’m hoping not to have to invest a lot more.

Curiously, I’m finding the process of emptying out the house empties part of me as well. Memories both happy and sad drift away a bit as each box moves out, things that had been in my visual field for years, now gone, seem to open space for new possibilities. Ultimately pretty much most of the furniture will go too, then it will be time to shop for furniture that might work in both Brook Hollow and maybe the bungalow at Appalachian Trail too if all goes well tomorrow. I’m already thinking of a garden, new porches to greet the day and send it on its way, and the ability to make a small fire to while away the cooler evenings. I had been thinking of ponds but my favorite oldest daughter recently reminded me of the challenges ponds make for mosquito control…

So like most days, some reflections, some missing of things, but on the whole, optimism about the next life stage, without stairs!!!

Please be good to each other, you’re all in this together!