First, let me tell you a little bit about my day, then I’ll talk about my feelings. Wow, I sound like such a girl!

Up after the sun, but before my 7am alarm. I had to see my girls and family before they all left for work, school, home and I left for Atlanta. MG was being a three year old and didn’t want to get dressed, we all tried. She didn’t want La La to help her, she didn’t want Poppa to help her,she didn’t want me to help her, but five minutes later, I want Auntie J to do it, ok! One leg, two legs, shirt, all dressed.

Next was bye bye, give kisses to Auntie, where are you going? Are you taking a plane? When will we FaceTime and just as quickly as it started, they were gone, kisses and hugs, see you soon. Then it was Poppa and La La’s turn, bye daddy, see you soon! Safe travels.

Then TRS came to pick me up with Miss S for breakfast, that was a treat, we hadn’t been out to breakfast, just the two of us ever and it had been a long time since we got a chance to sit and visit, it was great and I got hugs and kisses from Miss S! I love having a bunch of kids call me auntie!

A few hours of work, then off to the airport (I left my sisters house at 2:40 and arrived home t 11:58).
The flight was uneventful, sat next to a nice man, we talked about books, I finished my Carl Hiassen book and gave it to him, one less thing for me to take with me! I dozed off after takeoff, woke up just before the drinks, like clockwork!

So, coming home…
As I was getting off the train in Atlanta at baggage claim, I realized this was the last time I was “coming home” to Atlanta. The next time I travel to Atlanta, I will be staying with friends or at a hotel, I won’t be going to pick up my car, I will be getting a rental car. I got a little choked up as I was climbing the escalator realizing that.

For 19 years I have called Atlanta home, can you believe it, 19 years! I have lived in five cities, 6 different residences in that time. I lived in a house as an au pair in a McMansion in Sandy Springs when I first moved to Georgia, next was an apartment in Dunwoody with one roommate, then another apartment down the road in Dunwoody, with two friends (not anymore, when they say you shouldn’t live with your best friend, they weren’t kidding!) then my first apartment by myself in The Highland, ahhhh. Then buying my first house in Snellville, “Where everybody is Somebody” (I promise, that is the city slogan!).

Three years later, I moved farther out to Loganville (try saying that with a straight face!) where I have been for the last ten years, in a house that I have loved and a neighborhood that has brought me amazing amounts of happiness over the last ten years. I believe that a lot of my life would not have been the same if I hadn’t moved into the neighborhood, good and bad. I think it goes along with what I wrote about fate and coincidences.

When I moved in, I was told this was a “Leave it to Beaver” neighborhood, they could not have been more right! There were neighborhood parties, friendships, Halloween parties for the kids, parades honoring our veterans and patriots, we hosted neighborhood baby showers, if someone was sick or had someone pass, flowers and food was organized. The day I bought the house, there was an article in the Gwinnett Daily Post about this neighborhood with A PICTURE OF MY HOUSE! (I attached a picture) what are the odds?

I have to tell you, I was happy where I was and who I was with, but Georgia has never truly been my home, they say home is where the heart is, that is very true, my heart was with someone, so I was happy where they were. About a year after I moved to Georgia, I was ready to leave, I was either going back to NYC or the Peace Corps, I had my application in hand and then I met the wasband and I stayed.

After we separated, the house went on the market, I was ready to move on, make a fresh start and I would not have looked back. I had friends at the time that I was close with, but not as close as I am today. As time went on and the house did not sell, I began to settle in and get comfortable, in the house, my surroundings and in my own skin.

I formed new friendships and strengthened the ones I had had for a long time, TS, CKM, SDL, LK to name a few, the ones who were really there for me when I was going through a really rough time, my SLAH family, DF, SJ, SS, then as I started working again, I made new friends, RS, JCT, MB, SS, SD, and even recently at my “new” job, DL. I rekindled friendships that only got stronger, JT, BG, NB, MM, HNM, CTS, DG, I know I am just touching on my list, please know there are so many more who are near and dear to me. You and I know who you are!

Now, even though I know I will keep in touch with everyone, (I am going to do my darnedest to keep my promise!) with the amazing technology we have available to us and my love of travel, it’s really hitting home that I’m leaving. I am excited to be starting a new chapter in my life, I am moving towards something wonderful and I am excited to experience this with someone so important to me, we will have new adventures that I cannot wait to share with all of you.

But it is still a little bittersweet as I drive down Ponce de Leon to Scott Blvd to Hwy 78, I’m not going to be stopping at Fellini’s for a slice and a coke on the way home from the airport, pull into the neighborhood that caught my eye and makes me happy every time I drive home because it is so beautiful and welcoming, pull into my driveway and look at this place I have called home for over ten years. I know it will be surreal when the truck is loaded and we head out leaving all I have known and what I have called home for almost half of my life.

It’s official! My house is “For Sale”!!! Ok, now someone come and buy it!

The realtors came today and looked at the house and were actually amazed that I got as far as I did! There is nitpicky stuff left to do, but for the most part the house is ready to be sold! I will take pictures very soon to show you.

They were amazed at how big my master bedroom is! (Yeah, without all that “stuff” all over the place!) I like it, it’s just kind of empty, nothing on the walls and the walls are off white, for someone who is artistic, this is a blank canvas, give me a paintbrush, wait don’t!

They helped me stage the living room while they were here, it looks nice and my friend, SDL’s artwork is displayed prominently! The office is done, CKM’s photography is featured there! Come one friends, who wants me to display their fabulous artwork?!

So, after a walk through, we went to lunch, a girl’s gotta eat! I’ve known this couple for quite a few years so it was nice to sit down and chat with them, very relaxed. We usually see each other at TS’ house for a party, so this was fun. The only time we talked real estate at lunch was when I inquired how business was, the rest of the time was, well, everything else!

We got back, talked price, less than we originally talked about, but there is a house up the street that’s bigger and for more money, so we’re not much less, just a few thousand (wow, I sound so…blasé about a few thousand!) and we talked about how low I’ll go on the price.

While N and I worked on the paperwork, thank goodness it was less than the refinance! BC trimmed the trees outside, now that’s what I call service!

I do have a backup plan! The property management company for the neighborhood works with agents who do rental property, so while I would rather sell the house, if it doesn’t, I am going to rent and I know the house/property will be well taken care of, they are a bit nuts, so as a landlady, I want that, what a contradiction! Keep your fingers crossed for me my friends!

I love finding out that people read my blog. This morning, MM texted to thank me for writing about the St Joseph statue! He couldn’t remember what it was called, happy to help! My dad called me this morning and said “guess who reads your blog? LD’s new daughter-in-law, TD!” That’s awesome, I’m flattered! He was talking about some of my exploits and she said she knew, so, TD, thanks for reading!

All good things so far, so here’s where the little sad comes in. I took Bella to her new human today. JS has always liked my cats and when I said I was looking for a home for Bella, he said I’ll take her, so, when he came over a few weeks ago, they met and seemed to get along, I think he fell hook line and sinker for her! She is hard to resist, especially when she sits next to you and puts her paw on your leg or hand, just a reminder that she is there and if you felt like petting her, you could.

So, I lured her into the carrier with treats, I know, bad mommy but I didn’t know how else to get her in there, when she saw the carrier come out, she headed for the hills, but she is such a sucker for a treat, I caved. As I was driving, I called DCM for reassurance I was doing the right thing. I know, I know, I have complained a out her doing her business in the dining room, but she really is a sweet cat and I really did try to make it work. I know she will be happy, no other cats around to bother her and I know my two will be happier, no competition.

It was still bittersweet. I kissed her goodby through some tears, made JS promise to send pictures and updates and headed home, calling CKM and KB to tell me I was doing the right thing, for everyone. I was calling more to let them know that she was with JS as they have listened to me kvetch about Bella more than once.

I know this is a good thing, I know this is a good thing..there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home.

Not just for us humans, but our furry family members.

The sneezing fit indicated it was time to pack it in for the night (not sure if the pun was intended), hit the showers and write to you.

While packing is stressful for us: What do I need? Where do I start? What goes? What stays? What’s for sale? Donations? Where am I? I get to a point in each room that I have to move to another.

Our pets are not so lucky, they keep looking around asking what in the world is going on, why is that there? What’s with all the big things in my way? Although, my cats look at the stacks of boxes as cat toys and mazes and things to climb on, so I guess there’s a bonus there for them.

It’s still stressful. The house is disrupted, in disarray, what was serene and stable is now utter chaos. Jymy and Peanut seem to be doing alright, they lay there while I pack,probably thinking how I could do it better, how they would do it, then they are underfoot…leading, directing?

Even though they seem ok, I still see looks of panic on their faces. Bella on the other hand is not doing so hot. She was stress out enough before, this is possibly putting her over the edge I fear. The fur on her back and tail were growing back and it seems to still be growing, but now there are spots where she’s rubbed raw on her back, she’s back to rubbing her belly raw and her poor ears are suffering. She’s also still using the dining room as a litter box, the major reason I had to pull up the carpet.

It really is sad because she is a very sweet cat, beautiful and affectionate one on one,
but she never gelled with the other two and I don’t think she ever would. She is a solitary cat, no small kids and no other animals.

JRS is going to take her in a few weeks, I was going to wait until i left, he’s moving into a new place the same weekend I leave, but I don’t know how long Bella will last, so I asked him to take her sooner than later and I think that will happen next week. I will definitely miss her as I grew quite fond of her right away, but that’s not enough.

So, just be aware of what your furry family is going through as you start on the next chapter of your lives. They are family after all.

Today has been quite a day and I think my body hates me, at least I’m 99% sure that my feet do!

I got a few hours of sleep, which is par for the course, set the alarm for 6:30, JRS (it always tickled me that we have the same initials!) was coming over at 7 AM, yes, that was SEVEN AM on a Saturday morning to lay the dining room floor, we got bamboo (this was after a very long back and forth with the realtor and several people, porcelain or bamboo), a nice dark brown for the dining room, ooh and a light color, named Toast, for the landing on the stairs, it will be very nice. (Thank g to my furry children for making it all possible, grr) but it will look great.

Well, apparently, you can’t lay bamboo floors when it is going to rain and there was a 90% chance of rain today, guess what it didn’t do at all, so guess what didn’t happen. My friends and family are smart, so I’m not going to say. Well, apparently there’s a 99% chance tomorrow, so Monday it is. I did find out that you can walk on bamboo floors within about four hours, very cool.

So, while I did some packing, JRS pulled up the carpet tacks, I swept when he was done and laid some more bleach down. I later got some pant to cover up the loverly smell that is now in the concrete, please cross your fingers that is going to work. We went upstairs so I could paint the way tippy top trim in the master bath, lucky me, I have a vaulted ceiling in there. I got most of that done, the corner I couldn’t get near, near a different ladder.

JRS left and I got back to work. I got a text from TS that she was on her way and when she got here, she said the nicest thing to me! Even though everything is all over the place, I can tell you’ve gotten a lot done! That felt great because that’s how I felt, it looks like crap, but I know I’ve done a lot!

We got started, packing things in the master bedroom, tackling the bookshelf, packing all the books from two rooms and then she packed the monopolies, the monopolies and more monopolies, then almost cried when she saw some in another room and downstairs! Sorry TS!

It was time for a break, Welcome to Moe’s! Then Home Depot for that special paint, then back to work!

Then we tackled the only other room that is actually a bedroom, the lavender room. We cleared it to and staged it, it looks great! We made it into a guest/kids room could be a teenager, maybe younger. It is simple and just right, TS has a knack for that, she scoured my house for just the right things to put here and there. What do you think? When we were done, I closed the door!

It was about that time that the sneezing hit, sometimes the only cure, a shower, so off I went, ahhhh. Back to work!

I learned something today, you can put boxes in the closet until you have a moving van, as long as its not packed too tightly, interesting, I was thinking that I had to take every box down to the garage, whew!

We took what could be considered a break and sat outside for a bit, then worked on the front porch, brought my other crayon chair outside and TS added some lights to the walk, it looks nice! (I was thinking of CKM as the star of light was coming from the new light, it would make a great photo of the day!)

Sneezing fit sent me back inside.

Next room to be staged is what I like to call my “art studio”, ok, it’s a hobby room, but I like art studio! When CKM was over last week we did quite a number on it, I’ve been working on it during the week and then TS and I went though and set it up to be a hobby room, there’s a sewing table, a basket of yarn and some paints to the side, when I clear out some of the boxes and things, it will be quite cozy and nice.

In the middle of all of this, it was time for pizza. Unfortunately for TS, she is very allergic to cats and guess who kept trying to say hello! The entire time, she’s looking around to see what would be good for staging in different rooms, it was great!

Sometime in there she staged my powder room, how did I miss that!

About 30 minutes more in the art studio and it was time for TS to go, she had been here about 9 hours, I say she deserved a break! THANK YOU!

After she left, I got back to work, packing things in the office (I couldn’t look at the art studio anymore!). Then I came into the bedroom, the idea today was to allow me to sleep in my own bed for the first time in a week. I moved things around, packed some more boxes, then moved the bed, let me tell you, a box spring is heavier than it looks! I put the bed back in its place, changed the sheets, I can’t wait to crawl into them! I made a path, sort of, around the bed and to the bathroom, lets just say, if someone wanted to surprise me or sneak up on me, they would have a very hard time! And a hard time not hurtling themselves or falling! I guess I booby trapped the house!

About an hour later, I was done, hopped in for another shower, sat down to write to you and I am hoping to pass out soon! I do know that every time I get up my feet are saying nasty things to and a out me, good thing I’m not listening!

Tomorrow, finish the upstairs, maybe work on the downstairs. I can’t wait for this part to be over and I can sit down and do absolutely nothing!

Hey, where are the packing fairies? Poof! You’re packed!

So, we know that I’m moving and no, not ever post will be about moving, but today it will be, so there!

When I became single again, we decided to put the house on the market. Out came the boxes, in went the stuff. The house didn’t sell, the house didn’t sell, the house didn’t sell, then the house didn’t rent, but the stuff was still in boxes.

About a year or so ago, I decided, ok, I’m going to be here a while, even when DCM and I talked about moving to Colorado, it wasn’t going to be for about 3 years, so, I decided to get comfortable in my house, I was going to be here for a while and out came the stuff from the boxes and then a few months go, out went the boxes, to the curb and into the recycling netherworld, wherever that may be.

I’m settled, feeling like its mine, I even refinance the house, it’s now in my name 100%, sigh of relief, sit back a relax. Ha!

Conversation with DCM, I think I’m going to move to Colorado sooner than I thought (discussion ensues, all good). Oh no! Where are all my boxes and I have to take everything down again? Oh brother!

So, here I sit, getting ready to put my house on the market and I have very few boxes! Here’s where the timing is everything comes in…you knew I’d get there eventually!

CTS posts on her Facebook page…all new products, does anyone need boxes? CKM happens to see the post and says, yes, JRS needs some! I proceed to have a dream about seeing CTS and talking about boxes (she also was the first to see my newly painted bedroom) and she was excited about her new tote on wheels, it was a dream people!

Then today, an email goes out from the property management company, someone is giving away boxes in the neighborhood! How fast do you think I emailed them? Faster! They called me immediately, I went up to their house, at the front of the neighborhood and four trips later, I have boxes and boxes and boxes, wardrobe boxes (with the rods) and boxes and boxes of bubble wrap! They and to save a box for their grandkids, they promised!

So, as they say, timing is everything and this case is it! Thank you to whoever put that into play! Now, gotta go, need to fill some boxes!

The bedroom and bathroom are now back to a neutral color…sigh.

As you may have deduced, I a moving across the country and what I have to do here is sell my house, fingers crossed for me my friends! And what has to happen when you need to sell a house? You have to stage and fix stuff, and pack, pack and pack, ugh.

So this weekend, I had a Painting, Packing, Pizza Party! Sounds fun, right? Right!

CKM and CA came over Friday night to help convert the, get this, Pucker Up Green bathroom, yes I said, Pucker Up green! And today, SDL came with Miss A and her sister, DJL to help CKM and I paint the PUMPKIN orange bedroom! Ever have the desire to sleep in a tangerine? This would have been your opportunity! I say that SDL came to help CKM and I because CKM spent the weekend, bless her!

We had a really good system going in the rooms, in the bathroom CA did the upper trim, I did the lower trim and CKM took care of the middle with the paint roller. It worked quite well, we rocked the bathroom in about three hours. Yes, there was pizza involved, not to worry, we started with that.

The good thing, the paint came with primer in it, so we didn’t need 3 coats, just 2. The bathroom is now a nice cream, kind of bland compared to the rest of the house but its a room that someone can look at and imagine how they might want to paint it,

Today, same system, different players. SDL on the upper trim, me on the bottom and CKM in the middle with the roller. The good thing was that the bedroom did not have vaulted ceiling like the bathroom, no light fixtures to get around, definitely easier. We finished in about three hours as well. We definitely made a great team and I didn’t have to do it by myself which is the best part!

I’ve attached a few photos, you can get an idea of the colors it was to the color it is/needs to be. The realtor is happy and my response to her text, after seeing the pictures, first “you’re awesome and a Wonder Woman”well, yes… and, “you must be dyin!” ” nope, I still have the rest of house for color!”

CKM and I did some packing last night, but, folks, I got a lot of stuff and even though we know we did a bunch, it didn’t seem like it! Tonight after everyone left, I packed up some stuff in the living room. Next weekend is part two of Pizza, Packing, Painting Party, luckily for anyone who comes to help, no painting!

Thank you SDL, CKM and CA for helping me paint, you guys were fantastic and a life saver! And thanks to my neighbor, DG for the extra high ladder and cutting my grass, you’re awesome! I am one lucky girl!

What a day!

It started early in Boulder, had to get up, get moving, get to the airport and get back to Atlanta!

DCM dropped me off, we said our goodbyes and off I went. It was sad and not sad…we’re going to see each other in a few weeks and then I’m moving out the in about a month and a half, so, it’s all good.

Got to the airport, walked through the doors and back outside to curbside checkin because the line for Southwest Airlines was ridiculous! An hour inside or five minutes outside? Hmmm..I wonder.

As I am going through security, I decide this is a good time to let my dad know I’m at the airport and a thank you text to DCM, guess what I realize is not in my pocket, yup, you guessed it my cell phone! I break out the work blackberry, call DCM and say ” Guess what’s in your truck!” His response..”we’ll it’s not me because I’m walking into the terminal with your phone!” Is he THE best or what! He had been trying to get me on my blackberry, but it had been turned off! Crisis averted!

I had enough time to get a tshirt for DG, for taking care of my babies and one for CKM and a hat for my dad, get to the gate, get on the plane, settle in (for a long winters nap, kidding!). During the flight, the man sitting next to me asked about my watch, so of course I shared the love.

Watched a movie, then I was back in Atlanta, about 20 minutes early. Still took me 2 hours from the time we landed to getting home.

I stopped by Home Depot to pick up supplies for the painting party! Yup, that’s right, I said painting party, I’m selling my house, of course there will be some painting!

I had sent out an email “The 4 P’s: Packing, Painting, Pizza Party!” People have rallied! Tonight, CKM and CA came over and were fantastic! CA said she was good with trim work and boy is she good! CKM was a demon with the roller and me, you ask? The bottom trim, I’m kind of lacking in stature, so I got the lower to the ground stuff.

My bedroom is…lets just say, it’s like sleeping in a tangerine and my bathroom..think Kermit the Frog. So, we worked on the bathroom, now, it is a nice cream color, back to the boring color the builder wanted, sigh… But it’s what I need to do, it was one of those colors it’s hard to get past, I understand. Now, the possibilities are endless. Thanks to DG for the use of the giant ladder!

I picked up a very nice neutral color, told the realtor and she said take a picture after you start send it, let me check it, I told her it was just right, not to worry. She worried, so I sent a picture of the color card up against the wall, almost. Perfect match, told ya!

Crazy enough, while we were working, here cams Bella, my newest addition to the furry family. She hasn’t been upstairs since in a very long time, she doesn’t get on that well with the other cats, but she was determined to be up there with us painting. Peanut never said boo, but Jymy wasn’t too happy, but Bella stood her ground.

About 11:30 my allergies kicked in really bad and I had a sneezing attack, I think that was my cue to pack it up for the night.

So, now I sit here, writing to you, Peanut is on my left side, Jymy is on the other end of the bed and Bella is sitting on the floor to my right, can’t believe it! I have all my kids with me, I like it!

Tomorrow is a big day, CKM and I are doing the Dirty Girl Run, it’s a 5k obstacle race for women only. http://www.godirtygirl.com/. Time for some shut eye and rest, for after the race, we do this all over again!

Thank you thank you thank you CKM and CA! I soooo could not have done this without you!