Moving

We are moving out in approximately one hour, and I am writing a blog because we are officially set and ready to go! We are just waiting around for our move out appointment. One hour extra time. That’s pretty good.

Everything is clean. We scrubbed the kitchen and bathroom and baseboards and trash cans. I got down on my hands and knees and scrubbed the kitchen floor, which I haven’t thoroughly cleaned since, well, since ever. I’ve never seen such a clean place, if I do say so myself. It’s a rather satisfying feeling. But then I am one of those people who gets a kick out of cleaning and things away.

Everything is packed. Our little Honda is loaded from top to bottom and all the little cracks in between. It is so packed that if you open a door everything falls out. The last backpack will fit in under my feet. When we looked at the huge pile of boxes and suitcases in the living room yesterday, I really didn’t think it would fit. I said, “Maybe the car is bigger than it looks,” and what do you know – it is. Good old Honda who still needs a name.

It helps that all the furniture stays here. We actually took a load of stuff up to Kevin’s parents last weekend. I am a little perplexed as to where all this came from. When we moved down, we only had one (definitely not so maxed out) car load plus a few more boxes. We have purposely not been accumulating things because we’ll just have to leave it behind. Moving constantly makes me very aware of accumulation. Why do we have so much stuff? I guess we did have Christmas and birthdays – a sewing machine, a tool box, a drill, a suitcase, some books. (I don't mind accumulating books.) We also borrowed a TV from Kevin’s parents. So I guess it makes sense. Still, it makes me feel nervous, having too much stuff.

Generally this part where everything is packed up and the walls are bare is a little depressing, like taking down the Christmas tree. But I have to admit that this time I feel accomplished and relieved. Looking at the stuff that was still here and knowing it would all have to be packed was stressful. It’s quite satisfying to see it all gone. I do feel a little sad. It has been a good apartment and our first married home. It was great to unpack and hide our suitcases away and leave our belongings on the counter. Oh well, now it’s time to move on. To Kevin's parents, to Wheaton, back to California, to Georgia, and to China.