6 months after our move

What has transpired?

I am taking a look back to see what we have done, what is working well and what is still ahead after our cross country move, Hubby's retirement and general life changes.

It has been quite a journey since we started painting walls in our former house about 15 months ago. Or as we are saying, so far so good!

Moving from Georgia to California including selling and buying homes:

The move itself went well and we feel comfortable in our new home and location. Even the dog has adjusted to the changes in routine and people.

We got unpacked rather quickly although there still are 2 boxes of photos/ decorative items as well as some pictures to be hung. We bought the big items we planned for (new HVAC, washer & dryer, 2 beds, bedding, den furniture, shutters for 3 windows) and some we didn't plan for (water heater, recirculating water pump). We restocked the pantry, toiletries and some emergency supplies.

So far for emergency/earthquake supplies we have in the pantry canned and boxed food plus lots of gallons of water, some first aid supplies, a battery powered lantern and extra pet food. For the car I repurposed a backpack which so far has emergency blankets and ponchos, long lasting LED light stick, first aid supplies, face masks, foot and hand warmers, gloves, and 5 year shelf life food bars and water packets. I've added shoes and socks to the car in case we aren't wearing good walking shoes and a few bottles of water. I still need to add supplemental cell phone chargers, a hand crank/solar radio/siren/light, more car first aid supplies, etc.

Many home repairs have been completed: popcorn ceilings removed and painted, termites treated, plumbing fixed, electrical to code, bathroom fan installed, stuck doors repaired, window uncovered (although why it was dry walled over remains a mystery), outdoor porch lights re-installed, etc.

Hubby cut down the overgrown bougainvilleas that were a hassle to trim each week (big thorns) and used up too much patio space. He scrubbed the patio walls and had the irrigation hose disconnected, put down pine straw and put in some large decorative pots and plants.

The repair list has been added to as we experience the home and we plan on getting new attic insulation and we are still waiting for the Association to take down the dying tree in our front yard.

We couldn't figure out a new wall color for the open floor plan and our furnishings so we decided to live with the existing one. Hubby did paint a dark master bedroom feature wall, dark walls in a small room and dark ceilings in 3 places. That was a huge improvement.

Feeling at home in our new location:

We have learned our way around and found that we like the library cafe and a few local restaurants. The local art gallery is becoming a favorite including the events they put on. I am enjoying taking an OLLI class and Hubby is enjoying golfing. We found a primary care doctor, dentist, vet, orthopedic masseuse, and hairdressers. I met up with some online friends and saw East coast cousins who were vacationing in California. I've met some locals that I can see becoming friends.

We like the weather and can get to the coast or to my FIL's assisted living facility in 20 minutes, to our local son & DIL's in 60 minutes and to the others in 7 hours. I have gotten involved in yoga, the Pet Club, and the local AAUW chapter.

The biggest win is all the time and fun we have had with family! It is so great to be close again and we and they are figuring out how best to fit into each other's lives on a regular basis as it is a change after 20 years. We are also able to help out such as dogsitting for 3 weeks while the local son and DIL celebrate their 20th anniversary with a European trip. 

Finances:

We have managed to retain most of the profit we made from selling our house and buying a less expensive one. We decided to try being a one car family at the time of our move and so far it is working for us ans saving lots of money too. Hubby has utilized the free bus service some and the train. I do need to get the Lyftt app on my phone and learn how to use it!

I took a look at expenses for the first 6 months here vs the same 6 months last year in Atlanta (excluding one time home expenses at each end) and so far our housing, home insurance, property taxes, utility and cable costs are about half to two thirds of what they were in Atlanta. Food and gasoline are about the same as we are driving a lot more and food costs are similar. We will see if that continues.

I found a free Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will form on the CA AG's website and we completed those. We are going to research if our Georgia wills and Durable Powers of Attorney are valid and double checking all beneficiary designations on accounts.

Hubby worked full time until the end of September which meant working remotely with monthly commutes to Atlanta at our cost. He completed all the paperwork for retirement, I started my SS on my 68th birthday and we both signed up for Medicare. He bought a laptop computer and got a personal cellphone as his work ones were returned. 

Since we know our income in 2018 will be less than half of 2017 we are maximizing our itemized deductions this year including paying our full property tax bill instead of doing 2 payments. We will be tapping into our savings for the next 5 years until we both reach 70 and have our full retirement incomes, but that is planned out as much as one can.

What is ahead for us?

We will be spending the next 6 months getting the hang of living on my SS, the yet to be finalized income from his pension and savings. That is planned to last for the next 2 1/2 years.  I say yet to be finalized because it takes months for the Feds to process retirement and finalize the pension payment so you receive a partial pension in the interim. Then I will have mandatory minimum withdrawals from my 401K as well for the following 2 1/2 years. After those 5 years Hubby will take SS at 70 and his mandatory minimum withdrawals from his 401K and 403B as well. Best laid plans and all that LOL.
 
I need to finish preparing our emergency/earthquake supplies for home and the car and getting the last of the unpacking and home improvements finished. The new to us house will require less attention as we complete improvements although we plan to do a a partial remodel on the guest bath in the second half of 2018 as it still has some original fixtures that aren't in good shape.

I also need to find a dog sitter so we can plan some vacations or as an alternative figure out a pet friendly vacation. We do like to travel.

Hubby has to figure out his retirement activities, I need to up my weekly activities and both of us need to make new friends. We will continue to spend lots of time with family members and stay in touch with friends and family on the other side of the country.

We also plan to broaden our distance in our search for restaurants, arts and theater that provide us with what we need to be happy in those arenas.

So it has been quite a journey and the new normal is here at last. Some surprises along the way but our extensive planning made it go fairly smoothly so far. Now on to the not unusual challenges of retirement, aged relatives and everyday living!

More progress - the large pictures have been hung in the new house

We love art and have quite a few pieces including ones done by family. Slowly they are getting hung. Lots of smaller ones left to hang though.

The living room before and after. The painting over the couch was done by my MIL. 

Similarly the dining room before and after.

Our bedroom was pretty empty before. Now we have a real bed, storage bench and one picture. Progress.

The hallway got the framed original ballot from the 1994 South Africa election.

The air bed in the guest room has been replaced with a real bed and a poodle making new friends with our DIL and her dog. The last boxes to unpack are still in there though LOL.

  

The den is still pretty empty except for the TV cabinet that we purchased, a random table and lamp and more art waiting for homes. This empty space actually was very handy yesterday as we set up a folding table and seated 6 as part of Father's Day dinner for 12.

 

Two months in and it is feeling like home. The house is proving to be very comfortable and easy to live in which is a relief. Now to buy den furniture but first we are off to Berkeley for a long weekend with our younger son, DIL and grandbaby! Just the kind of family time this past weekend and coming weekend that we were hoping for when we decided to move back to California.

New home and it's plusses and quirks

 So we have lived here for 11 days and there are a lot of things in the plus column.

- People are so friendly!
- The weather is delightful. We can have the doors open with just screens a lot of the day.
- The house layout is going to work well for us at this point in our lives. We probably could have gone a bit smaller but then we would have had to do major remodeling work and we just aren't up for that at this time.
- The dog is really enjoying her walks here and is going crazy smelling the racoon and coyote scents in the grass.

Let's take a tour of the home.

Welcome. The entrance door is great with a retractable screen. We will plant some flowers in the front beds eventually and/or decorative pots with flowers.

  Want to be outside? We have a small patio in the back.

Inside is a work in progress. We plan to have the whole house painted and buy more furniture. We will hang our artwork once the painting is done.

The living room is enjoyable to sit in. Our living room furniture goes well and the dog thinks the carpeting is great for running.

The den room is off the living room at the front of the house. This room needs furniture and the TV needs a stand that will fit in the alcove.

The other end of the living room is the sunporch/office that opens to the back patio.

Our dining room furniture fits perfectly.

The kitchen is very nice and the two of us can actually cook together in this space. The laundry room is off to one side.

The family room mostly for TV is off the kitchen. This room is dark right now because one of the windows was dry walled over but we will change that.

Now to the bedrooms and baths. The guest room is at the front of the house. Right now we are using it with an air bed but it will get a queen size bed soon.

The guest bath is the only room that hasn't been remodeled completely. Eventually we will do that I think.

The master bath has been redone in a style we like a lot. However there were no towel bars/hooks at all! How do people manage with that?

And the emptiest room in the house - the master bedroom. Another bed to buy very soon.

So other than the garage and the utility patio area that is it.

Well that was a lot of money and there is more spending to come

The credit card should be feeling the burn after this past 9 days!
- Plumbing repairs and (surprise) a new water heater
- New washer and dryer - but I have to say I was happy to be able to do laundry at home today. The laundromat was nice and faster to be sure, but I'm not into doing that each week.
- New HVAC system & thermostat today - still needs some work as they dislodged two ceiling can lights in the hallway and we aren't sure why or how to fix it.

Still to come
- A new printer
- Termite treatment
- Buying a bunch of miscellaneous household items at Home Depot
- Buying 2 beds and furniture for the den
- Some electrical work and fixtures
- Getting some drywall work done and some minor handyman type things as well

Undecided
- We got a quote of $3,000 for painting the entire house. We may learn to like the wall color more than we do right now lol. That would mean we could paint the 3 ceilings, one feature wall and one small room ourselves. We might also paint the inside of the closets.

What we haven't had to spend on, but thought we would
- Carpet cleaning - a bit of club soda and elbow grease removed the spots
- New shower head - it was just a loose at the connector
- Less annoying doorbell - the volume and type of ring could be adjusted on the existing one

Surprisingly more expensive here
- Food, especially produce. This is a shock as we live in a major produce producing area of California. I'm going to try the Saturday Farmer's Market next weekend to see if that is better in terms of price and selection. This weekend is full of family visits.
- Restaurant food.
- Toiletries.

Surprisingly less expensive here
- Auto insurance.
- Live theater tickets at small venues.
- Our cable/internet/phone bundle part of which is included in our HOA feed.

That is just what we have experienced in a little over a week.

I am pleasantly surprised at the exercise programs available in our community and will be spending less in that area. There are also lots of free or inexpensive entertainment options in the community. We are talking more walks. The response to a request for a repair of an item outside our house was swift. The city library is fabulous.

Our house is smaller, but feels larger as it is a relatively open floor plan on one level with attached garage while the house we sold was 2 stories and a partial basement with lot of rooms and a detached carport. That is a 1941 home vs a 1980 home reality. We have discovered that there is good storage space in the attic area over the garage with "Attic Master" pull down stairs and plywood flooring.
We are also seeing that this house dustier inside faster as we can have the screen doors open a lot. Trade offs.

I am trying to explore a bit each day now as I run errands and also to take different routes so I can learn my way around this city. I have found the post office, a bakery, restaurants, a pet store around the corner, an ATM for cash withdrawals without a charge within walking distance, a car wash, etc. In a few weeks it is onward to learning the adjacent cities.

Moving has certainly been an adventurous learning opportunity and full of unexpected financial consequences. I do think that it is going to turn out well for us physically, socially and financially.

Moving after retirement is definitely for the determined or wealthy

We have been in our lovely new home now for 3 days and are happy that we made this move. The weather is so delightful and the house suits us well. We are also pretty tired LOL!

We arrived on Wednesday afternoon and brought a few things into the house. A quick run to Trader Joe's yielded salads for dinner and food for breakfast and lunches. Good idea to pack the towels, coffee making supplies and paper plates/plastic cups and utensils so they were readily available. Basically we camped in the house.

The day after we arrived we had a plumber in to fix leaks identified during the inspection and to brace the water heater safely (CA and earthquakes issues). Turns out we had to replace the water heater at a high cost but all got done. The move helpers were great and the truck was unloaded.  Camped out again but with furniture to sit on. Went out for dinner.

Friday was spent unpacking many boxes, a visit by a cousin who lives nearby, and getting cable/internet/phone service set up. However for some reason now our printer won't work and we are still trying to figure that out. Hubby also bought a piece of baseboard and installed it on the wall behind where the washer and dryer will go since it was missing there. Very tired but we cooked dinner in our new home for the first time.

Saturday I was full of hope for clean clothes but the new dryer was broken and had to be returned. We do have a new washer but I am not trying to air dry loads of clothing indoors. Most of the kitchen stuff and clothing is unpacked. It is interesting to figure out how to use the available storage which is laid out so differently than in our previous home. I went to the closest grocery store and rediscovered how much time it takes to shop in a new store but came home with more essentials.

Tomorrow is more unpacking, a visit from another cousin and hopefully a nice long walk.

I'll take photos to share once there aren't boxes stacked all over the place.

There is a new resident's tea on next Thursday afternoon and we will attend. Time to get back out in the larger world.

We made it to our new home in Camarillo, CA

I think it is going to be a lovely home. We arrived 2 days ago and are in the midst of unpacking, water heater replacement, cable installation, etc.

The drive was as smooth as one could hope and all the dog friendly hotels were indeed friendly and nice. We drove across part of Georgia, Alabama, a tiny bit of Tennessee, Arkansas, the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles, New Mexico, Arizona and the finally California. The dog turned out to be a champion traveler!

Lots to do here so just checking in now that I have internet service again. Thanks for all of the well wishes and encouraging words.

More later.

30 Countdown to Move Out: Days 19 - 25

Give me your ideas please! What to eat once the kitchen is packed up? Breakfasts are especially hard for me to imagine beyond a carton of yogurt. I do have paper plates, plastic cups and plastic utensils available plus the frig.

One thing I highly recommend if you are moving to an area that will require a change of health care providers is to schedule appointments with all your main providers before you move! Find out how to transfer your medical records, what to ask to find the best next provider and get prescriptions with refills for any medications. You don't want to be scrambling for routine health care right after your move. That being said, I had the last of my appointments this week. I did have to cancel an annual Opthamology appointment due to the traffic nightmare created by the freeway bridge collapse here in Atlanta but that will not be so hard to replace and isn't urgent.

Happy I accomplished these things this past week:

Sale of current house:
- Cleaned inside cupboards, etc. in prep for final walk through.
- Scheduled haulers for April 13 for items that need to be junked (e.g. old mattresses, etc.).
- Received new microwave and installed it.
- The third item in the house broke and the plumber will be here on Monday morning to fix a leak in the bathroom sink. 

New house:
- Our cousin is picking up our mail at the new house so we won't have any past due bills for electricity, etc. by the time we get there.
- Scheduled cable installation and plumbing repairs.
- "Popcorn" ceilings have been removed and the ceilings painted. Photos look good.

Cross country move: 
- Hubby changed our health insurance to CA and found out how to change his address in payroll.
- Booked hotels and laid out route for drive across country April 14 - 19.
- Had the car in for a check up prior to driving across the country.

Packing & downsizing:
- The older car went to its new owners who are friends and our dog's foster family.
- Finally figured out way to pack a large oil painting and large framed print.
- Packed 11 boxes total. Just the last minute stuff left.

For myself:
- Good bye dinner with closest book club & neighborhood friends & lunch with best friend.
- Haircut.

What I am looking forward to this coming week:

- Mostly this being over with and getting on to the cross country drive! Going to face that day by day and not focus on how far it is LOL.

30 Day Countdown to Move Out: Days 12 -18

Just general happy news - our state tax refund showed up without me having to call and nag like last year!

And in honor of all who have used it to pack things, here is how bubble wrap was invented -
how bubble wrap was invented

Happy I accomplished these things this past week:

Sale of current house:
- Arranged final meter readings & account closing dates for all utilities.

New house:
- Confirmed that no further documents needed before we take possession on April 19th, but some are needed afterwards.
- Hubby signed the contract for the "cottage cheese ceiling" removal & painting.
- We got the key!!!

Cross country move: 
- A neighbor agreed to loan us a dolly to use on loading day. A cousin has one to lend at the other end.
- Submitted change of address for post office & set stop date for newspaper delivery.

Packing & downsizing:
- Returned some packing materials we won't be using. Picked up more free packing paper. This plus free boxes has probably saved us $100+. Bought 2 picture boxes & picture packing kits for large art works and a flat screen TV packing box & kit. Sometimes you need specialty products.
- Packed 6 boxes. Focused on art, kitchen, clothing.
- Hubby padded/bubble wrapped lots of small furniture pieces, wooded chairs, etc. Which led me to wonder who invented bubble wrap!
- Sorted through my clothing carefully and managed to let go of more items that are nearly worn out, don't fit or won't be needed in CA.
- Took another car load to the thrift store. Posted for free a table & 4 chairs, 2 ottomans, cedar chest and they all left the house on Saturday.

For the dog: 
- Received her ID tag with new address.
- Scheduled May vet appointment, filled out new client form and sent vet records

For myself:
- I'm giving myself a break and planning dinner each morning and then shopping for what is needed instead of trying to plan the whole week as we want to use everything up which is a challenge.

What I am looking forward to this coming week:

- My closest book club friends are throwing me a good bye dinner on Thursday. I'll miss this lovely group of women.
- We are meeting with a retirement benefits counselor as Hubby's retirement date is mid-September.
- Getting a haircut.
- Finishing most packing and final house cleaning.

It was a good & productive week

Last week rather zoomed by. In hindsight a lot happened.

Happy I accomplished these things this past week:

For the new house: Initiated wire transfer of remaining funds for home purchase. Bought supplemental homeowner's insurance for an HOA property plus earthquake insurance. Signed yet one more document for home purchase. Paid the termite inspector for the new house as the bill didn't make it into the escrow settlement.* Closed on the house in California!

For the move:  Hubby ordered more pads for protecting items in the truck and schedule workers to help load. Started a list of what to pack in the "open me immediately" boxes. Also collecting what has to travel in the car vs in the truck such as batteries. Decided on a route and nighttime stops. 

For packing & downsizing: Picked up more free moving boxes and packing paper. Bought some packing supplies. Gave away an easel, sofa, rug, end table, dresser, large plant and plant stand. Decided to get rid of 3 more pieces of furniture. Packed at least 15 boxes of mostly hard to pack art, antiques, tools, etc. Donated a carload of stuff & threw out a bit.

For the dog: Ordered a new dog ID tag with the new address. Made a grooming appointment for truck loading day so she will be out of the house.

For myself: Kept up with chores & yard work. Went out for coffee with a close friend and gave myself some down time to read and relax. Went to my book club meeting. Got a smile by buying Wonder Woman forever stamps instead of plain ones. I also started a nutrition counseling program.

What I am looking forward to this week:

- Dinner Saturday at a friend's.

- Starting first steps in nutrition changes.
- Finalizing my spring capsule wardrobe and perhaps shopping for an item or 2.
- Clearing all paperwork and details on selling house.
- Packing every thing that can be packed before last minute.

30 Day Countdown to Move Out: Weekend edition (Days 9, 10 & 11)

And daily life goes on in the midst of controlled chaos. Went out for coffee with a close friend; I'll really miss her. Did laundry. Walked dog. Cooked. Picked up some groceries at Whole Foods. Sprayed the yard for weeds. Last round of yard work I hope!

 

Move prep:
- Listed a dresser in free section of NextDoor and within 2 hours 8 people expressed interest. It is gone to a college student's first apartment.
- Decided to get rid of 3 more pieces of furniture.
- Used up the flour, white sugar & brown sugar by making banana blueberry, almond muffins. 
- Bought more bubble wrap and an area rug protector.
- Picked up more free packing paper.
- Packed 11 boxes. Focused on hard to pack stuff like art, antique chair, tools, stereo equipment, fans. Started on baking and other kitchen items. Threw in extra blankets  & pillows as padding.
- Made quite a large pile of items to donate and took it to the thrift store.
- Started another donation pile LOL.

The more we pack the less we want to own - or at least move across the country.

In the midst of packing - happy & frustrated

So far I am very happy that:

We have agreed on our driving route and stopping locations. Now we can book pet friendly hotels for each night.

I posted on NextDoor asking for moving boxes, packing paper and bubble wrap. Have received very nice boxes and packing paper saving quite a bit and re-using instead of land filling. I will be saving them for a cousin's upcoming move.

Glad I bought the wide rolls of larger cell bubble wrap. Same with glass  & dish packing box insert and heavy duty boxes. I also bought a rug wrap which I think will be great for a large area rug. Still need to buy more specialty packing items though.

Happy with the packing sequence so far. We started with things that aren't actually used like decorative items and art. Moved on to things we can live without for a few weeks and/or are hard to pack. The kitchen, bedding and clothing will be last.

Glad we decided to give away the furniture we aren't taking instead of trying to sell it. We certainly have received our money's worth from each item. Also very glad that we cleared out a lot of stuff as part of preparing the house for staging.

Thinking it is a good idea that I am testing out a small capsule wardrobe to use for traveling and the first week we are in our new home so it should let me take the minimum in the car . Right now the weather is pretty much the same in Atlanta and Camarillo although a bit warmer here. Looking at our planned route it is a bit cooler in some locations along the way.

And I am finding frustrating:

How to pack large paintings, floor lamps, glass table tops
Still have a lot of "administrative" details to take care of with new HOA, current utilities, scheduling hauling of mattresses, etc.

30 Day Countdown to Move Out: Day 8

We have got to keep up with everyday life while also preparing to move. There is always yard work needing doing so I sprayed for bugs. I went to Trader Joe's for groceries and the post office for stamps (Wonder Woman forever stamps!!!). Played with and walked my dog. Going to my book club tonight for some friendship time.

Progress on move prep:

- Picking up wool coat from the dry cleaners after noticing that my DILs cashmere sweater had moth holes. We haven't had moth problems in Atlanta but I guess you can in LA.
- Ordered a new dog ID tag with the new address.
- Bought some specialty packing supplies.
- Browsed Maytag washers and dryers while I was at Home Depot - research for purchase for new house as these are the only appliances not coming with the house.

- Started going through emails and saving documents related to the home purchase just in case.

30 Day Countdown to Move Out: Day 7

Have you used Docusign or a similar electronic signature tool? That is how most, but not all, documents related to the sale and purchase of our homes have been handled.

Much easier than signing papers that your realtor brings over or spending hours signing at closing, but the tendency is not to read the document as it jumps you to the next signature line without scrolling through the text. We have had to print, sign, and then scan or photograph and email a bunch of documents too so it is not a universal tool - yet.

The end result is that I need to spend about an hour going through my emails and saving the documents. It is on the To Do list.

Today's progress:

* Closed on the house in California!

- Sent a large couch, area rug, end table, large plant and plant stand on to new homes. I'm finding that giving things away is making me unreasonably happy.
- Packed 4 more boxes.

I also started a nutrition counseling program in the take care of myself category.

30 Day Countdown to Move Out: Day 6

I am feeling surrounded by unpacked boxes LOL.

Today I did some final pruning of the yard, made the dog a grooming appointment for truck loading day (please don't let it be raining that day) and generally tried to get the house together a bit in the midst of chaos. Gave myself some down time to read and relax.

I made some progress on moving prep too.

- Cleared my desk and the dining room table of a lot of paperwork.
- In the process signed the home and earthquake insurance papers and emailed them back.
- Paid the termite inspector for the new house as the bill didn't make it into the escrow settlement.
- Picked up more free boxes.
- Sorted through all the non-standard size free boxes to see what might work for paintings/prints, table lamps, my antique chair, etc.
- Went to Home Depot to familiarize myself with helpful packing materials for difficult to pack items. I will be back to by foam corners and covers for 2 pieces of art, a rug cover, more bubble wrap and some shrink wrap for sure. Probably back to U-Haul for floor lamp boxes and a TV box.
- My former painting teacher picked up my painting easel for use in her classes. She gave me some great advice on how to pack paintings.
- Sorted through light bulbs and batteries to see what needed to stay with the house.
- Started a list of what to pack in the "open me immediately" boxes - top of the list is toilet paper, LOL. Also collecting what has to travel in the car vs in the truck such as batteries.
- We prepared the family room sofa and rug for pick up in the morning.

30 Day Countdown to Move Out: Day 5

A "do anything but pack" day.

- Bought supplemental homeowner's insurance for an HOA property plus earthquake insurance.
- Picked up more free moving boxes and packing paper.  The kindness of strangers is saving us lots.
- Initiated wire transfer of remaining funds for home purchase.
- Went grocery shopping and started figuring out how to end up with zero food the day we leave.
- Hubby ordered more pads for protecting items in the truck.
- Agreed to give easel to former painting instructor and large sofa and rug to a non-profit for autistic children.
- Organized all lists of things left to do related to move and new home into a spreadsheet and tossed the pages of random notes.
- Signed yet one more document for home purchase.
- Hubby reserved workers to help load truck.

And last but definitely not least:
- How could I have forgotten about rattlesnakes? Saw info for a Camarillo parks and rec dept class to train your dog to recognize and avoid rattlesnakes! Comes with the promise that no dogs or rattlesnakes will be harmed during training LOL.

30 Day Countdown to Move Out: Day 4

I certainly woke up knowing that I did a lot of packing plus the laundry yesterday. Living in a 3 story home (laundry in basement) is a form of exercise. I'll have to make up for that when we are in a single story house.

Today:

- We sold the older car to our dog's foster family who have boarded her since we adopted her 7 years ago. So glad it will help them out.
- We gave away a lot of items: a carload to thrift store and to neighbors a bookshelf, umbrella and stand, gazing ball and stand, plants, rug, futon and ottoman, end table, 2 lamps, cafe table and 2 chairs, baker's rack and more. Busy day.
- Finished filling the last 2 of 9 boxes packed yesterday. Only packed one more box.
- Had a long discussion about the coverage we should select for our piece of homeowner's insurance and for earthquake insurance. Will get some additional quotes from agent tomorrow and make decision.
- Had offers of free moving boxes and hope to pick them up tomorrow and then return some that we bought.

30 Day Countdown to Move Out: Day 3

Big progress today:

- A neighbor wants the last book shelf and is picking it up tomorrow.
- We photographed a car which we will sell and a couch, end table, TV stand, table & 4 chairs, 2 rugs, dresser, cafe table & 2 chairs, futon with ottoman & end table, easel, patio umbrella & stand which will be given away.
- Bought first batch of boxes and started packing. Thank goodness for the free used but clean packing paper I picked up Friday evening and for free bubble wrap.- Gathered all decorative objects and decided to send to new homes 3/4 of the items. This included pottery, candles/candle holders, other decorative items, artwork,  & mirrors. Packed remaining items.
- Packed all photographs, games and hobby items
- Sorted through some more tools eliminating items.
- 2 friends have expressed interest in buying our car after an email I sent out after lunch!

As we pack I am updating our home inventory and keeping a list of what is generally in each box.

I am following some advice I found online regarding labeling boxes carefully as you pack by putting all labels on the sides of the boxes instead of the top, labeling what's in each one and the room it belongs to in the new house, and giving each box a number to coordinate with my list. 

I think I will also label how heavy they are to assist with loading the truck properly.  DH found some markers in his desk at work and brought them home for box labeling so we don't have to buy any more.

 

30 Day Countdown to Move Out: Day 2

- Scored some packing materials for free today - a wardrobe box in great condition and some bubble wrap. Hoping that the person who offered packing paper responds with where and when I can pick it up. The wardrobe box may end up being used to pack my antique chair but if not it will be great for coats, etc. I will keep scavenging LOL.

Don't you love the carved face? We used to hang our Christmas stockings from the ears when I was a child. Before that it was a prop in my Grandfather's portrait studio and my Mom thinks he picked it up secondhand. The label says it is from about 1905 and made by the Michigan Chair Company.

- Found some "how to pack" videos" to watch regarding tough to pack items like lamps, paintings, decorative items, TVs, etc.
- Received retrofit certification for new house.
- Sent completed HOA paperwork to escrow.
- Set up transfer of electric utility to us.
- Put 2 plastic chairs, 2 plastic end table and misc. tools at curb - gone within 2 hours.
- Agreed that we would list the older car and some major furniture items for sale this weekend.
- Got that car washed and vacuumed.
- Agreed we would start packing with pictures, artwork, decorative items and tools this weekend which will also help decide what not to take in those categories.
- Pulled out all boxes, storage containers and packing materials that we have in basement.
- Finally received settlement statement from escrow for new house. Will initiate wire transfer on Monday. Closing is Wednesday, March 22. Yikes.

My head is rather spinning!

I just got home after a whirlwind trip of buying a house in Camarillo, CA and then babysitting my 3 month old granddaughter. Throw in a 90th birthday party for my FIL as well as continuing along with the selling of our Atlanta house and these last 3 weeks have been crazy making.

So let's see what was good about it all besides seeing family and getting to know our delicious (and exhausting as only an infant can be) granddaughter.

- All the paperwork required on both houses has definitely boosted my phone skills!
- We achieved our goal of selecting a new home in one day of looking. We viewed 5 properties and selected what seemed to be the one that suited us best and required the least remodeling. Hoping we don't live to regret this LOL. We are only downsizing by 700 sq ft but our new 1980 home is single story, a more open concept and has more contemporary looking finishes than our 1941 house. There is still quite a bit of work to be done on it so we are starting with removing the "cottage cheese" ceilings, and fixing plumbing, electrical and HVAC issues before we tweak colors, closet doors, and remodel the second bathroom. The kitchen and master bath have been redone as have the windows.
- We found a new vet in our soon to be new hometown who seems like a good match for our pup and her Addison's disease that requires monthly shots.
- The town library is absolutely fabulous although the collection isn't huge.
- The ocean is about 20 minutes away.
- My FIL is seriously happy that his older son will soon be 20 minutes away instead of across the country.
- We will be through this whirlwind on April 14th as we drive away from Atlanta.

Now to keep up the pace to finish this race and not let concerns about these huge life changes grow into depressing thoughts. I will admit that my major concern is going from a vibrant city life to a quiet, slow paced suburban one. Not the lifestyle I have ever sought out in my adult life, but there will be gems of things to do to be found and friends to be made. We did meet one of our new neighbors and she seems kind and generous.

Onward to more paperwork, culling of furniture and one car and packing.

Wow - a flurry of interest in our house!

We had the first showing yesterday and the couple liked it enough to ask for the disclosure form. Three showings today and one Sunday morning with the open house in the afternoon.

Fingers crossed for a quick and easy sale!