and so it begins

I ordered boxes and packing material.
They’re scheduled to arrive today.
YBW and I did a little dance around quantity and pricing when it came to what I wanted to order from Uline. He asked for half an hour to do some research to see what he could find.
He found packing paper cheaper. But he had to go get it. But it saved on shipping.
I wanted to have everything brought to me so I could begin working straight away.
We talked about how the lion’s share of the work packing this house and getting it ready will fall to me. I’m cool with that. I was clear about wanting to have enough of the proper tools to do the job.
He agreed completely.
He wanted me to have enough of the proper tools at the best price.
I agreed completely.

I’m not in a huge hurry to get this process started. What I mean is, I’m not eager to create chaos in the form of boxes and packing paper. I’m not eager to empty certain things from certain spaces in our house.
I’m not eager to live in chaos.
Even if it was just YBW and me, and not our daughter’s family, I’d not be eager to live in the chaos, but I hate to think I’m creating chaos for them too.
Yeah, yeah, they knew what they were getting into and all that…but still…

Anyway, I’ll begin with books, dishes and glassware. I’ll sort out all the music and media requested by our kids and pack what little we’ve decided to keep. I’ll remove art and photos from the walls.
This will make it easier to have the house painted in the next month or so. Even if I end up doing some of it myself.

I’m feeling a bit anxious, but I’m also feeling motivated.
I do love a project.
And though this one is huge, I can break it down into manageable portions.

I’ve moved twelve times in my life. And thrice before I was old enough to remember. I’m an excellent organizer. I’m an excellent packer.
My sense of adventure is tingling. My concept of how we’ll live in the new house inspires.
I’ll be leaning heavily on that as I prepare this house for our departure.

Leaving this house will be hard for YBW. He’s lived here nearly twenty three years. He raised his babies in this house. Saying goodbye will hurt his soul a bit. Moving from here will take a different kind of organization and packing for my husband. If I can take the pressure of organizing and packing the physical things off him, perhaps it will ease his emotional pressure.

He always says to me, “Your life would be boring without me.” Oftentimes this is after a particularly bad joke/pun, or when he’s being especially annoying with intent.
But he’s not wrong about it as it applies to moving house.
The new house was his idea. His dream. I was enthusiastic about getting on board and it became a shared dream.
As I begin the packing up of this house, I’ll hear his words. Sometimes when I hear them I’ll chuckle, others I’ll grumble. But I’ll always agree.

Please send all good vibes for efficient packing and prep.
I’ll be so very grateful.