Today's New York Times had a delightful article about two Senior Nomads. The couple decided to sell a bunch of their possessions, store the rest, and rent out their townhouse. They have been traveling Europe for almost two years now and use AirBnB to find their rentals.
I just started reading the blog, see link above, and will be interested in seeing how it develops. My one dislike, is probably one that others will have about this one. It is difficult to read from oldest to newest. I'll have to investigate Blogger settings to see if there is a simple way to do that. For now I clicked on the oldest year, 2013, and then the first month they started posting, June.
Kelly and I will read a month of post each day as incentive for our own downsizing.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Monday, February 23, 2015
A Minor Break
Last week I was looking at the schedule for the Tannahill Weavers and noticed they were playing at a library in Western Virginia at the end of March. There was another Irish group playing the day after I looked at the library schedule. So, we decided to drop the downsizing and made the four hour drive to Bedford VA. We found a nice AirBnB to stay at and enjoyed a lovely concert by Socks in the Frying Pan.The group is on their second tour of America and Bedford was the first stop. Check out their website and if you get an opportunity, go listen to them. One suggestion, if you find a concert you can go to, use your browser to go to the venue's web site. The app they are using for ticketing is cumbersome and requests more information than I want to provide.
This week it is back to downsizing and hoping the sun will come out. Right now it is cloudy with occasional rain. There is still snow on the ground from last week's storm, but it is melting.
Monday, February 16, 2015
Questions about Stuff
This morning I began the usual thought process which begins something like this:
What did I learn from yesterday's efforts, and what can we accomplish today?
In the past two weeks, there were days I simply didn't have the energy to tackle the effort of downsizing or to begin blogging about it.
On those days I'd pamper my self and my husband with an extra break, some hot tea, and most especially, some cuddle time.
Fortunately he knows when to enjoy a nap.
I've also spent some time reading through a few different downsizing blogs for inspiration and ideas.
FLY LADY helped me get kick started on reducing the CHAOS (Can't Have Anybody Over Syndrome) a few years ago. It seemed I was ever in the middle of kid raising, remodeling the house, painting and parenting, too embarrassed to have the boss and his wife over for dinner. The Flylady declutter program was a good start. BUT, I Never did get around to having the boss over. A friend from Moldavia told me that he was accustomed to Americans having houses too full to have company over. Wow.
Time has passed, the kids are grown, and now, in downsizing mode, what captures my imagination is the book: The life-changing magic of tidying up ~ the Japanese art of decluttering by marie konda.
The two authors have this in common: Discharge from your life the things you don't LOVE (Flylady) or the things that don't bring you JOY (Konda).
Flylady suggests that for 15 minutes a day, You do a "get rid of that old thing" fling boogie. Each day is a new area, the one common denominator is starting off with a polished clean kitchen sink.
Konda suggests that you give your self a time limit and get it all done. At once. Category by Category. In this way you'll skip the forever doing the tidy up thing.
She states that once you have your house in order, you will only allow your self to bring home the things that bring you joy. You will discard all that does not belong. You will surround your self with things that bring joy.
Your physical and mental house will ever be in order once you have finished putting your house in order.
Do it once. Forever. It will change you.
This appeals to me.
I'm reminded of two photos Paul published in earlier posts.
Room number one: The photo of the room taken after my daughter took to her new home the Cal King bed. Clear. Clean. Pristine.
Room number two: The disheveled room of boxes and other disorganized castoffs in the catchall room.
Where would I rather spend my time? In room one! I can write a letter or sip on tea or sit and talk with a friend! Clearly, I'm ready, Konda, for the do it once and forever be changed. Let's roll.
As things pass over the threshold out of the door, on to bless some one else's life, the clearer and more determined I am in my own mind about living a life with less. A Lot Less.
I am Loving the progress, as slow as it seems some days. I am impatient at times. I want more done.
Less stuff is the goal. More time to play. I am motivated to be clearer about what is useful. What is needed. I'm not yet at the realization of JOY or LOVE to keep an item. Maybe I am too practical?
The idea of organizing EVERYTHING just seems to be such a life waster time chaser. I don't want more organized stuff. Who wants to be an ODC Hoarder? Not Me. Therefore, I continue the pursuit of Less.
What to sell? What to give away?
This morning my thoughts turned to the clothes that I've moved from the bedroom we live in to the empty room that now serves as a staging area. Everything in the re-staging room is in the reassignment phase of it's life.
At one time, these items:
1. Earned money (uniforms for work)
2. Brought a smile (hoola hoops and nerf footballs to break up the monotony during slow days at work)
3. Made me feel Pretty (an amazing lace gown with spaghetti straps I won't wear again post cancer and an awesome handbag or two)
Since then, these items have one thing in common. They all take up space. Each item takes up time. How much time do I want to spend on the experience of yesterday at the expense of the joie de vivre of today?
Tomorrow will go something like this:
It's another morning in the process of downsizing. I will my self to do more paperwork, some past, some current.
While dear Husband showers, I go through another drawer and decide item by item which stays. Which goes.
I'm still looking for usefulness. Utility is my primary filter.
Will I use this in the next two months or two years? Will it matter to me if I never see it again? What dollar value do I place on the items I use every day? Am I willing to buy all over again rather than pay to have this shipped? Who will be the wise steward or lucky recipient?
While I look at each possession as it passes through my hands, I will try to find in my self the experience of "Joy" or "Love". I might realize again that I am not yet interested in Joy or Love when it comes to possessions.
I keep this item, because when I have it in my possession, I feel ____________ .
(Smart, organized, prepared, equipped, like a boss, like a girl scout, like some one ready for the Apocalypse)
What did I learn from yesterday's efforts, and what can we accomplish today?
In the past two weeks, there were days I simply didn't have the energy to tackle the effort of downsizing or to begin blogging about it. On those days I'd pamper my self and my husband with an extra break, some hot tea, and most especially, some cuddle time.
Fortunately he knows when to enjoy a nap.
I've also spent some time reading through a few different downsizing blogs for inspiration and ideas.
FLY LADY helped me get kick started on reducing the CHAOS (Can't Have Anybody Over Syndrome) a few years ago. It seemed I was ever in the middle of kid raising, remodeling the house, painting and parenting, too embarrassed to have the boss and his wife over for dinner. The Flylady declutter program was a good start. BUT, I Never did get around to having the boss over. A friend from Moldavia told me that he was accustomed to Americans having houses too full to have company over. Wow.
Time has passed, the kids are grown, and now, in downsizing mode, what captures my imagination is the book: The life-changing magic of tidying up ~ the Japanese art of decluttering by marie konda.
The two authors have this in common: Discharge from your life the things you don't LOVE (Flylady) or the things that don't bring you JOY (Konda).
Flylady suggests that for 15 minutes a day, You do a "get rid of that old thing" fling boogie. Each day is a new area, the one common denominator is starting off with a polished clean kitchen sink.
Konda suggests that you give your self a time limit and get it all done. At once. Category by Category. In this way you'll skip the forever doing the tidy up thing.
She states that once you have your house in order, you will only allow your self to bring home the things that bring you joy. You will discard all that does not belong. You will surround your self with things that bring joy.
Your physical and mental house will ever be in order once you have finished putting your house in order.
Do it once. Forever. It will change you.
This appeals to me.
I'm reminded of two photos Paul published in earlier posts.
Room number one: The photo of the room taken after my daughter took to her new home the Cal King bed. Clear. Clean. Pristine.
Room number two: The disheveled room of boxes and other disorganized castoffs in the catchall room.
Where would I rather spend my time? In room one! I can write a letter or sip on tea or sit and talk with a friend! Clearly, I'm ready, Konda, for the do it once and forever be changed. Let's roll.
As things pass over the threshold out of the door, on to bless some one else's life, the clearer and more determined I am in my own mind about living a life with less. A Lot Less.
I am Loving the progress, as slow as it seems some days. I am impatient at times. I want more done.
Less stuff is the goal. More time to play. I am motivated to be clearer about what is useful. What is needed. I'm not yet at the realization of JOY or LOVE to keep an item. Maybe I am too practical?
The idea of organizing EVERYTHING just seems to be such a life waster time chaser. I don't want more organized stuff. Who wants to be an ODC Hoarder? Not Me. Therefore, I continue the pursuit of Less.
What to sell? What to give away?
This morning my thoughts turned to the clothes that I've moved from the bedroom we live in to the empty room that now serves as a staging area. Everything in the re-staging room is in the reassignment phase of it's life.
At one time, these items:
1. Earned money (uniforms for work)
2. Brought a smile (hoola hoops and nerf footballs to break up the monotony during slow days at work)
3. Made me feel Pretty (an amazing lace gown with spaghetti straps I won't wear again post cancer and an awesome handbag or two)
Since then, these items have one thing in common. They all take up space. Each item takes up time. How much time do I want to spend on the experience of yesterday at the expense of the joie de vivre of today?
Tomorrow will go something like this:
It's another morning in the process of downsizing. I will my self to do more paperwork, some past, some current.
While dear Husband showers, I go through another drawer and decide item by item which stays. Which goes.
I'm still looking for usefulness. Utility is my primary filter.
Will I use this in the next two months or two years? Will it matter to me if I never see it again? What dollar value do I place on the items I use every day? Am I willing to buy all over again rather than pay to have this shipped? Who will be the wise steward or lucky recipient?
While I look at each possession as it passes through my hands, I will try to find in my self the experience of "Joy" or "Love". I might realize again that I am not yet interested in Joy or Love when it comes to possessions.
I keep this item, because when I have it in my possession, I feel ____________ .
(Smart, organized, prepared, equipped, like a boss, like a girl scout, like some one ready for the Apocalypse)
A Good Day
Today may not have looked like a successful day downsizing, but I feel like we did accomplish quite a bit on the monetary side. We reviewed all the various insurance policies Kelly has and discontinued three of the five policies. One because she is no longer working and workers disability insurance will have no benefit. The other two were duplicates of her medical insurance.
We also updated her name with that company. I completed my initial tax estimate. I just need to wait for some figures to complete them. Ends up I contributed twice to an IRA in 2013 and I need to correct that, so I have to wait for the final interest estimate from my investment company so I can complete the paperwork for my taxes.
We also sold the rower via Craig's List and have an offer on the treadmill, but we will hold off on that one for a few weeks as we would like to get a bit more than was offered.
The snow started coming down around 3 this afternoon and we currently have a light dusting, but estimates are for up to 8 inches by the time the snow stops tomorrow afternoon. Doesn't sound like much, but it is a surprise to me. I wasn't expecting any snow in Virginia.
We also updated her name with that company. I completed my initial tax estimate. I just need to wait for some figures to complete them. Ends up I contributed twice to an IRA in 2013 and I need to correct that, so I have to wait for the final interest estimate from my investment company so I can complete the paperwork for my taxes. We also sold the rower via Craig's List and have an offer on the treadmill, but we will hold off on that one for a few weeks as we would like to get a bit more than was offered.
The snow started coming down around 3 this afternoon and we currently have a light dusting, but estimates are for up to 8 inches by the time the snow stops tomorrow afternoon. Doesn't sound like much, but it is a surprise to me. I wasn't expecting any snow in Virginia.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Were Does the Time Go?
It's hard to believe that a week has gone by with neither of us posting. Kelly was going to post a few days ago, but her computer froze and when she brought it back up her lengthy post was no longer there. Ah, the joys of not saving.
We have had good progress in downsizing. The room that must not be entered had maybe a fifth of the items removed. Some for donation and others that Ava was able to take for her rental. We also got some of the exercise equipment posted to Craig's List and hope to sell the rower this evening. (We are meeting with the buyer, but you never count on a sale until the buyer shows up and gives you the money.)
Today I saw this TED talk in my Google stream, it's a few years old, but a good reminder of why we want to downsize.
http://www.ted.com/talks/graham_hill_less_stuff_more_happiness#t-323198
Having both been in the military and moved many times, Kelly and I both relate to moving boxes a number of times before actually opening them to see why you kept it. I'm of the opinion that if you have moved something two or three times and never opened it, then you should just toss it. I think Kelly would want to go through the box and make sure she didn't have anything tucked away like money, savings bonds, or other valuable item.
The trip to Italy is on hold for now. We both decided to wait for the weather to be a bit better and also to let us get rid of more stuff, so we don't feel guilty about taking a "vacation." Kelly has also added some cities to her weather app, so she looks at what the weather is in Frankfurt Germany, Catania Italy, Montevideo Uruguay, Taos NM, Fort Bragg CA, and Brookings OR.
We have had good progress in downsizing. The room that must not be entered had maybe a fifth of the items removed. Some for donation and others that Ava was able to take for her rental. We also got some of the exercise equipment posted to Craig's List and hope to sell the rower this evening. (We are meeting with the buyer, but you never count on a sale until the buyer shows up and gives you the money.)
Today I saw this TED talk in my Google stream, it's a few years old, but a good reminder of why we want to downsize.
http://www.ted.com/talks/graham_hill_less_stuff_more_happiness#t-323198
Having both been in the military and moved many times, Kelly and I both relate to moving boxes a number of times before actually opening them to see why you kept it. I'm of the opinion that if you have moved something two or three times and never opened it, then you should just toss it. I think Kelly would want to go through the box and make sure she didn't have anything tucked away like money, savings bonds, or other valuable item.
The trip to Italy is on hold for now. We both decided to wait for the weather to be a bit better and also to let us get rid of more stuff, so we don't feel guilty about taking a "vacation." Kelly has also added some cities to her weather app, so she looks at what the weather is in Frankfurt Germany, Catania Italy, Montevideo Uruguay, Taos NM, Fort Bragg CA, and Brookings OR.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
What is our end goal?
Kelly and I have talked over the downsizing options that I laid out in this post. We both agree that we need to focus on option three, take a bit more time to save the items we know we will use in our new location. What we still talk about, but haven't made a decision on, is what will our final living situation look like.
Kelly said that she wants to spend more time in New Mexico, to see how she likes the town where my condo is. Maybe six or nine months, to get a good feel for the place. We both agree that even if she does like the town, that we should downsize and sell my place. Our future should include, not her place or his place, but our place.
What we are still unsure about is what will that place be? Will we go the rental route and move as we tire of a location? Or will we buy and always have a base to come back to when we travel? I have done home exchanges and had very good luck with them. What I like, is the people I have exchanged with have always been pet people, so there is built in pet care. I take care of their pets and they take care of mine. We both leave info for a pet sitter in case any longer trips out from the exchange home are taken.
If we rent, exchanging is questionable. In theory, you should get the permission of the rental owner before you initiate an exchange. However, renting allows us to move to different locations in the U.S. and Europe. But moving every few years may be hard on Trinity, my 8 year old cat. She really
doesn't like the car. Lokki, on the other hand, loves the car and travels well. Lokki is Kelly's Toy Pomeranian.
If we buy a home and do exchanges to feed our travel bug, will that be enough travel? If we exchange a couple times a year for a month each time, will that allow us to see all the places we think we want to see? What about far away destinations? If you sit on a plane for 20+ hours, i.e. New Zealand or Australia, would we be happy with only 30 days away? Or would we rather spend six months or more?
Our Western tour of NM, AZ, and UT was just over 30 days and while we both felt it was a good amount of time, it was also time to get back to our pets.
So, do we rent and stress the cat every 9 to 24 months or do we buy and go away from our pets when travelling?
Kelly said that she wants to spend more time in New Mexico, to see how she likes the town where my condo is. Maybe six or nine months, to get a good feel for the place. We both agree that even if she does like the town, that we should downsize and sell my place. Our future should include, not her place or his place, but our place.
What we are still unsure about is what will that place be? Will we go the rental route and move as we tire of a location? Or will we buy and always have a base to come back to when we travel? I have done home exchanges and had very good luck with them. What I like, is the people I have exchanged with have always been pet people, so there is built in pet care. I take care of their pets and they take care of mine. We both leave info for a pet sitter in case any longer trips out from the exchange home are taken.
If we rent, exchanging is questionable. In theory, you should get the permission of the rental owner before you initiate an exchange. However, renting allows us to move to different locations in the U.S. and Europe. But moving every few years may be hard on Trinity, my 8 year old cat. She really doesn't like the car. Lokki, on the other hand, loves the car and travels well. Lokki is Kelly's Toy Pomeranian.
Our Western tour of NM, AZ, and UT was just over 30 days and while we both felt it was a good amount of time, it was also time to get back to our pets.
So, do we rent and stress the cat every 9 to 24 months or do we buy and go away from our pets when travelling?
The Room That Must Not be Entered
As promised, here are some shots of THE ROOM. The volume of stuff isn't large, but the variety and disorganization is what is daunting. Kelly has started attacking the room. Removing books from a shelve and going through a box or two every day. Slow and steady is what will get this done. Items she selects for donation I put in the bag for the DAV and put out by the front steps for pickup. Yesterday we got rid of two bags of books, a box of wine glasses, some clothes and kitchen utensils. Like I said, a variety of stuff that will result in new discoveries everyday.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Measuring Progress
When I sit down in front of the computer each morning, I mentally take note of what I've accomplished toward the goal of downsizing since yesterday, then I plan what I'd like to tackle today. I also take time to read online what others have done or are doing to keep the wheels turning. Paul and I sit at the breakfast table and talk over our plans for travel, and I let him know where his manly manly moving skills can best be used for the morning.
Today begins the second Tuesday since we returned from our extended travel. The sense of being integrated into a routine is beginning to establish itself.
Here's a basic outline of categories I use to help me maintain a sense of progress. Each day I begin with a new category, and what I believe will require the most decision making. I find the later in the day, the more difficult it is for me to be clearly decisive, so the rough and tough stuff gets attention straight after breakfast.
1. Paperwork. Past, Present, and File for the Future.
The evidence of accomplishment shows itself in the copier paper sized box of documents that require shredding. It's satisfying to see this measure of progress, as this is my least favored area to address.
2. Clothing. What do I still wear, stays. What can I sell (Harley Davidson Leather Jackets!), what can I give away (silk pants and skirts from 20 years ago!), and what a relief to have all of this room in the closet again. I still can't decide what to do with my collection of sarongs, which I adore wearing around the house in the heat of summer.
3. Housewares. As we will be living here until the house is listed for sale, I am essentially going through one cupboard a day to cull through the items not used in a year or more for now. I am asking family members to let me know what they want once we empty the cupboards for good. I am mentally deciding what goes into storage and what is given to some one else's kitchen.
4. Furniture. We'll be using most of the furniture until mid march. I believe we have homes or buyers for a good portion of the big furniture already. What we don't sell, we will donate. Somedays I want to put a sticky note on each item and it's destination, as I worry I've promised the same thing to more than one person!
5. Vehicles. State inspections, repairs, paperwork in order. Dust off for a photograph and post online. The motorcycles will likely sell easier once the weather warms up. We haven't yet decided when or if to list the second car. We will likely list the Mustang once Tax Returns start coming in for the local area.
6. Books, Boxes, and the other things I haven't unpacked in twenty years. Taking this one a box at a time. A box a day is the goal, and an easy goal to relax to one box every other day. Online sites recommend just keeping the box shut and letting it go. I've discovered savings bonds, birthday cards with cash, and photos of ancestors, so I will not exercise the option to toss without first exhuming the good stuff.
Books that were printed on acid paper are yellowed and crumbling, so that's an easy toss away. The older books from the 1800's and the early 1900's will be tougher to sort through. Still letting that one roll around for a future decision. As the books go, the shelves will clear, and I'll feel better about having less. Paul, are you ready to open the door of the room with no key and take 'before' pictures. I'm cringing at the thought! Which is a great reason to start there today!
7. Relax. We are retired. The desire to move before the bugs and humidity of summer are upon us in the state of Virginia remains a prime motivator. Two mortgages doesn't make financial sense for us, and running two households isn't something we want to do any longer than we have to!
Today begins the second Tuesday since we returned from our extended travel. The sense of being integrated into a routine is beginning to establish itself.
Here's a basic outline of categories I use to help me maintain a sense of progress. Each day I begin with a new category, and what I believe will require the most decision making. I find the later in the day, the more difficult it is for me to be clearly decisive, so the rough and tough stuff gets attention straight after breakfast.
1. Paperwork. Past, Present, and File for the Future.
The evidence of accomplishment shows itself in the copier paper sized box of documents that require shredding. It's satisfying to see this measure of progress, as this is my least favored area to address.
2. Clothing. What do I still wear, stays. What can I sell (Harley Davidson Leather Jackets!), what can I give away (silk pants and skirts from 20 years ago!), and what a relief to have all of this room in the closet again. I still can't decide what to do with my collection of sarongs, which I adore wearing around the house in the heat of summer.
3. Housewares. As we will be living here until the house is listed for sale, I am essentially going through one cupboard a day to cull through the items not used in a year or more for now. I am asking family members to let me know what they want once we empty the cupboards for good. I am mentally deciding what goes into storage and what is given to some one else's kitchen.
4. Furniture. We'll be using most of the furniture until mid march. I believe we have homes or buyers for a good portion of the big furniture already. What we don't sell, we will donate. Somedays I want to put a sticky note on each item and it's destination, as I worry I've promised the same thing to more than one person!
5. Vehicles. State inspections, repairs, paperwork in order. Dust off for a photograph and post online. The motorcycles will likely sell easier once the weather warms up. We haven't yet decided when or if to list the second car. We will likely list the Mustang once Tax Returns start coming in for the local area.
6. Books, Boxes, and the other things I haven't unpacked in twenty years. Taking this one a box at a time. A box a day is the goal, and an easy goal to relax to one box every other day. Online sites recommend just keeping the box shut and letting it go. I've discovered savings bonds, birthday cards with cash, and photos of ancestors, so I will not exercise the option to toss without first exhuming the good stuff.
Books that were printed on acid paper are yellowed and crumbling, so that's an easy toss away. The older books from the 1800's and the early 1900's will be tougher to sort through. Still letting that one roll around for a future decision. As the books go, the shelves will clear, and I'll feel better about having less. Paul, are you ready to open the door of the room with no key and take 'before' pictures. I'm cringing at the thought! Which is a great reason to start there today!
7. Relax. We are retired. The desire to move before the bugs and humidity of summer are upon us in the state of Virginia remains a prime motivator. Two mortgages doesn't make financial sense for us, and running two households isn't something we want to do any longer than we have to!
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