Yesterday

May 12, 2012 | My Jottings

Our house is starting to look more and more like this.

So we decided to do something we’ve never done before when moving.

The premise is that we can pack up a little bit every day, and then carry the packed boxes out to a storage container in our driveway.

This way we wouldn’t have to move all the contents of such a big house (4500 square feet) all at once on moving day, resulting in a possible commitment to an institution of some sort.

 

A little bit every day. You know, climbing a mountain begins with one small step and all of that.

Oh, here the delivery man is again! Two storage pods!

Then the movers will come on May 30th and carry the boxes I couldn’t manage, and all of our furniture out to these pods. Then the big truck will come and load them up, and deposit them in the driveway of the new house, where the movers will unload everything.

Hopefully, this will make the whole process a little less stressful.  Hopefully.

Michael was taking everything in stride. Or in chair.

Mildred and Edith never take anything in stride. They barked and whined at the front door and could not figure out what those two huge, dangerous white things were in our driveway.

Then, Michael’s friend Steve picked him up to take him fishing on Boulder Lake. It’s fishing opener weekend in Minnesota, and the cabin and the boat were waiting. (I had the bed to myself last night, which means the covers actually stayed in place all night long.)

I admired the storage units, changed my clothes, and drove off to a local church where my adorable granddaughter Lil’ Gleegirl was going to sing in her pre-school program.

If you need help picking her out, she’s the most beautiful little girl there dark haired sweetie in the plaid dress.

She quickly scanned the crowd of parents and grandparents to make sure we were there. Why does a simple smile and a wave make me cry? Can anyone explain that to me?

After the singing, which was fantastic, we went back to her school, which is Preschool-5th grade and will be where she and her sister and brother will attend next year.

Lil’ Gleegirl was anxious to show me her own cubby, her favorite play area with big blocks and puzzles, and below, how she can take out a rug and then roll it back up after she has worked a puzzle or two.

There were snacks for everyone. Lil’ Gleegirl’s teacher told me she was one of the most cheerful and enthusiastic children she’d ever known. I told her I completely agreed, and that she was definitely the most cheerful and enthusiastic member of our entire family.

Then, because it was Grandparents’ Day, the children got to go home with their grandparents. Lil’ Gleegirl wanted to take a tubby, have a sliced apple, and watch part of Lady and the Tramp. I worked on applying new badges to Mr. McBoy’s new Boy Scout uniform, and soon I had to take her home in time for her brother’s big to-do for scouts.

When I dropped her off, her daddy reminded me that a mother robin is nesting on a downspout next to the house by their front living room window, so I got out to see. Little baby robins have hatched and the mother is busy feeding them, and scolding anyone who comes too close. The three children have named the robin Avery.

But before Lil’ Gleegirl got out of the car, I told her how much I loved seeing her sing, visiting her preschool classroom, and how fun it was to just be with her at any time. She casually answered, “Yes Grandma. I think it’s really fun to come and stay at your house for fifteen days.”

Comments

  1. Roberta says:

    I was wondering how anyone could keep their sanity, when I saw the “emptying house”, the boxes, the containers and the truck!
    I find familiar situations that are undergoing that level of change DISORIENTING, to say the least. But then I came to the photos of Lil’ Gleegirl’s concert, school (and her precious face!), and I recognized you had an antidote to all that stress. Well, a good dose of an antidote, at least. So, Lil’ Gleegirl is planning on settling in at your new home. What a compliment!!

  2. Just Julie says:

    Roberta, I am so glad you understand how “disorienting” this really is for me. You are a sensitive, read-between-the-lines sort of friend. And yes, Lil’ Gleegirl is an antidote for almost anything. Isn’t that funny about her “fifteen days”? God bless your weekend….

  3. Sharon says:

    She is the most enthusiastic person I have ever met. She makes friends easily. She laughs easily. She is easy to love. Life has to be so much better when nearly everything is cause for celebration and everyone wants to spend time with you.

    Is 15 days not a normal amount of time to spend at Grandma’s house?

  4. Just Julie says:

    I want to be more like her! She is inspiring and she doesn’t even know it. I think in her mind, 15 days is just normal, yes. 🙂

  5. Ganeida says:

    I hate moving! I do not envy you. The grandkiddy~winks on the other hand….:D

  6. Just Julie says:

    🙂 xxoo

  7. Dorothy Sooter says:

    Great idea getting the Pods. little glee girl is beautiful. Those eyes
    are amazing.

  8. Just Julie says:

    Thank you Dorothy!

  9. Kay in UK says:

    What a pretty little girl! I can hardly wait for Louisa & David (daughter and son-in-law) to have children so that they can come and stay with Grandma – realistically, it’s not going to happen with son and daughter-in-law’s children.
    I love the photo of your guard-dogs! I want one!!!
    On a doggy subject, here’s a link to the winner of the Britain’s Got Talent show last night:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMlISucZ_Mg
    Aren’t they adorable?
    xxoo

  10. Just Julie says:

    I loved Ashley and Pudsey! I think Pudsey looked so very calm and casual during the whole performance – what a dog! I will show Edith this and she will go crazy. Honest. Thank you Kay…. 🙂

  11. Ember says:

    You are going about this difficult move in such a practical and organised way. I so admire this and I think it’s amazing that you are still able to pay attention to your family with just joy and loving-kindness as well. Between 1998 and 2009 I moved house seven times. It did my head in, but it did wonders for enhancing a firm commitment to living simply!!!

  12. Just Julie says:

    It might look organized, but things are pretty chaotic to me. Seven moves! Oh my. I can see why keeping things simple affects all areas of life. And thank you as always for saying something kind and encouraging, Ember….your words are a lift.

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