I'm a Utahn now!

OK I must be the worst packer in the history of the world. I spent close to 30 days packing, I am talking nearly every waking minute and in the end my brother and I spent 21 straight hours trying to finish the last few (many) details. I left a huge pile of garbage for Jerry to deal with later. I also left a huge goodwill pile, which I am sorry to say includes a microwave which started arcing on the last day. Weird how it gave out the very last time I needed to use it. I forgot to include a note for those who go to take things, not to endanger their lives with the microwave.

I also forgot to mention that the stuff in the bedroom closet is for Jerry when he visits at the end of May, so please leave the bathroom and bedroom items for him. I left in such a hurry that I did not remember to write directions.

I left behind a few good things, which I hope my friends will take. I learned that I don't need STUFF and I learned that it feels way better to give my STUFF to friends and charity than to earn a few bucks at a garage sale. Did you know that garage sales are banned in many Southern California cities because they realized that break-in and sexual crimes often happened in neighborhoods within a day of a garage sale being held. If someone advertises childrens toys and clothes the pedophiles get a chance to come and scope out the kids and where their bedrooms might be located.

I digress. My brother and I spent a hellish two days with only about three hours sleep and then we drove 15 hours to Utah. Luckily we made it in one piece, but the grief is just starting to hit me. I am missing my friends sooooo much. I did not really realize how much of a routine I had. Bunco on the first Wednesday of the month, Board meeting and general meeting of the genealogy society on the second and fourth Wednesday. Every Tuesday and Thursday in the family history center. I met Jerry at the music store on those nights and we would stand around the counter shooting the breeze. Jerry called the store yesterday and both he and the person on the phone burst into tears. The reality is starting to hit us. We will probably never see many of our friends again and all because Marin is super unaffordable. We love our house and I know we will have a good life, but it is a shame that we have to leave behind so many beloved long-term friends. It is very, very sad!

What would I do without good friends?

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the help I have received in the moving process. I Have been packing and sorting for months now and three weeks ago when the pod arrived I thought I would put in three or four twelve hour days and that would be it. I have put in probably twenty such days and I am still not done. Thankfully Clint Shelley, Chris Ballew and Brent Winward moved most of the heavy stuff for me yesterday. Today Tara Winward, Annie Javadi and Harriet Crandall showed up to help me sort through the piles of junk still remaining. I took two bikes to Trips for Kids. I have given away hundreds of items to friends. I have donated at least ten carloads of stuff to Goodwill and I have filled two dumpsters. The Pod is now almost full and I still have a couple dozen boxes after all that purging.

The last time I moved seventeen years ago it took one stuffed car trip. I cannot believe how much stuff I have accumulated. I couldn't have completed the move without the support of so many people from church. Heather Moore helped me empty my storage unit. Josh Moore helped me carry the furniture out of my office. Thanks to Lainie Pyper, Annie Javadi and Annie Ballard for helping me by taking so much stuff off my hands.

The end is finally near and now I get to look forward to the unpacking process. I can hardly wait!