Downsizing hurts.

Downsizing hurts.

When my step dad sold the soundview house, I didn't put much thought into what i grabbed of my mothers, I just grabbed it. I wanted to have and hold everything that she once held. There is a part of me that is so afraid to let go of anything that was hers out of fear that I will forget her. Or some items that I couldn't FATHOM letting go of. But, I cant hold onto everything for ever and they are just that... THINGS. So, for instance instead of keeping every recipe card she ever wrote.. I'm only keeping the ones I remember, liked and will use. I know it sounds silly, but it was a big step for me throwing away something that had her handwriting on it.  I have taken this attitude with my whole house as we begin to downsize. I can keep one of the things that meant a lot to me, not 10. Memory is still there, and perhaps better! I can actually see the things now that I value.

Tonight I sold my mom's old sofa. It was a cute little love-seat. I could imagine it re-upholstered some day, it would be the cutest. But, lets face it... I might never get around to updating the sofa, and I don't need the sofa. So, the lady who bought the sofa informed me that it was going to her salon and would be where the women sat to get their pedicures. HOW perfect! I can still go visit my sofa, and my kimi LOVED pedicures... We used to have pedi dates all the time, so I couldn't be happier.

I'm excited to live a little more simple. It's our new plan. Only keep what we need, and that isn't much!

SO, I've decided to have a garage sale with all my extra stuff. I will have a preview this sunday for any friends who are interested in looking...  I will be here from 12-8pm, and you can of course call and set up a time to come by and see what I have if you are interested.

Official garage sale will be the following weekend.

Caleb will be coming back up here on the 10th or 11th and we will begin to get everything paired down to move. We leave on monday the 17th and will be having a going away party on the 16th at the Tides and would love to see everyone one last time before our big move!

Exciting news

Caleb and I have some exciting news!!!! (that doesn't involve a pregnancy... yet!) We are moving to California. We had thought/prayed/dreamed about the move for a long time and it is finally for certain. We are moving. When Caleb's contract ended at the YMCA we started thinking about what we would do next. As many of you know, Caleb grew up in Southern California. We always thought we might end up there at some point, we just didn't know when. We LOVE living in Gig Harbor, but, at least for now, we feel in our hearts that there is more opportunity in California. Caleb has almost 20 years worth of relationships and connections down there, and he's already secured some projects.

So, Caleb has lined-up contract work with Brett Eastman and Life Together - with ties to Saddleback Church - doing small group content development, training, and coaching. He's also working on media projects for Contexture Int'l... and he's talking to a couple other companies. (Oh, and he's been asked to coach volleyball - we'll see about that one.)

I will be pursuing my Pilates and hopefully find somewhere to speak Spanish! :) I'm looking forward to the sunshine, beach, and palm trees.

We found a condo we'll rent in San Juan Capistrano. It will be a more "petite" place :) I will have fun learning to be an organizing wizard to fit all my stuff in the little condo. Where am I going to put my Christmas decor???? I think I will quickly get over it as I WALK to the beach! How exciting! WALK TO THE BEACH!

This has been a difficult past few months for me as I contemplate moving out of our house, and leaving my family and friends. I love the home that we have created in the Harbor. I love running into cousins everywhere I turn. I love seeing my sweet gma and gpa for visits. I love sewing with my auntie karen. I love playing at the lake with jack, cindy and kelsey. I love seeing my ally boo at the tides. I just love my family and friends, and I will miss everyone SO MUCH. But Caleb and I will be back up here often. We'll visit regularly and we'll stay connected. And we'll hope to see all the "snow birds" that fly south in the winter!

Plus, I'll keep posting blogs as our lives unfold... so stay tuned!! Much love and gratitude. Until next time...