I figure since I have until December 31 to get out of this house, I might as well start early and pack up what I can. It never hurts to get started on a "big job" as early as you can. As I'm packing, I'm also looking at things that I don't use any longer, or haven't used in 3-5 years...things I'm tired of looking at, dusting, packing up, you name it. I'm trying to move "lighter" than I moved into this house. Time to minimize as much as possible, take things to Goodwill. No more garage sales, no more time spent on it. My time is more valuable spend elsewhere, with my granddaughter, on crafts, visiting friends, vacationing, etc.
I'm starting in my bedroom, where it is half bedroom, half craft room. So much to go through and pack. Most of the craft things I will keep, but I will be getting rid of some things that I just haven't used and probably will never use. It's so hard to make a determination of what to get rid of. In the past, when I have gotten rid of something that I haven't used in a couple of years, almost automatically the next week I'm needing it. It has happened with kitchen items especially. Can be quit frustrating. Or I can find alternate things to use. It just depends. But it's time to get rid of "stuff" I will never use, or at least not miss.
I've made a list of things I need to do to the house to get my security deposit back. And there again, it depends on timing. I will probably to up to Ukiah and get a storage locker, and move boxes little by little. I can have Scott take them up during the week for me, as he is there every week to work now. With 3 of us in the house, there is no room to store packed boxes, so they will have to be moved periodically into storage. A storage locker here in Martinez goes for more than $200 (10x10). In Ukiah I can get one for $65. Such a difference. So that's what I will do. I'll go up one day and sign up and pay for one, since you have to do that in person. Then weekly or so I'll have Scott take boxes up there for me. It will then allow me to rent a smaller U-Haul van to move all the final furniture and stuff, when it comes time. Once I get more boxes out of the house, and a little more room to move around, I can start washing windows, blinds, cupboards, etc. I won't clean the carpets until the last week, but I can get other things done before that. I'm so thankful that I am retired that I can spend the time on this now, rather than going to work and doing a few hours every night...thank you God!
I've been looking at houses for rent in Ukiah and they are definitely less expensive than the bay area, much more affordable. I am in a 2 bedroom house for $1750 and can get a 3-4 bedroom 2 bath for $1200-$1400, with a 2-car garage and large yard, and maybe even a view of the valley. Woot, woot! So much more affordable...and less traffic, less people (Ukiah's population is under 22,000). They have all the shopping stores I'd ever want, people are friendly, neighborhoods are family oriented. I can't wait. My sis-in-law, Tresa, went up there with me about a month ago, checking out the area, and it's going to be quite pleasant. We found an Applebee's for lunch, they have a couple Starbuck drive-thru's, WalMart, Michael's, Kohls, Lucky/Safeway/Raley's/Grocery Outlet...a nice farmers produce store...all the things to keep me happy. So I'm looking forward to the move.
Well, off to packing now, and hope I get lots done. Be back soon...
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