Thoughts on Moving

Since the main priority around here for the last few months has been either preparing to move or moving, I thought I'd ruminate on the subject for a bit whilst I'm waiting for a phone call (and avoiding the crowd of boxes spilling into every living space and surface of our lives).

I spent the first month mostly just culling our stuff. Man did we accumulate a lot of stuff in a few years! Even though 98% of it was all second-hand of some variety, it was surprisingly difficult to let go of things that weren't "worth" moving. Living on a tight budget and in a small space the last few years meant that everything that came into our house (for the most part), was a very deliberate and something near agonized choice as well as a long, mostly-patient, scavenging process. But, as we're trying to fit everything into a 6x12 trailer, MUCH had to go.

It was very interesting how easy it was to let go home decor items. And surprising. This is the girl that started reading Better Homes and Gardens at age 9. And started clippings for an inspiration board for my dream home at age 10. I think part of the ease of letting go in this area had to do with the fact that we don't know when we will be in our own home again, so why hang on to my seasonal items? My snowflake candelabra, my fake acorns, and gord shaped candle lanterns?

I think the other reason was that I realized how much I like cleaner lines. I took down everything but the things I couldn't bear to have down for a month+ (mostly family pictures and a few other things) and MAN it looked good! Not saying I'm becoming a modernist or anything, but I do think it's SO easy, especially when on a tight budget, to fill our lives with teeny, inexpensive pops of cuteness that don't mean anything except a reflection of our desire to nurture by beautifying our environment.

It's kind of like the way I used to buy clothes. The rule in our house was that once we hit Jr. High, we bought all our own school clothes. Thus the bargain shopper was born. I was so easily suckered into buying a shirt off the clearance rack that wasn't quite right because it was only a couple of bucks. It would go home and rarely leave my closet, hanging next to the other dozen "steals." My sister, however, will pay full price for a shirt she loves and wear it every week (or twice!) until it wears out. I'd like to marry the two- hold out for the steal that I love!

I think this rule will apply to finding a job, and when we finally buy a house (you know, in like 10 years or so). There's a scripture that I love, that has been so influential in my life. 2 Nephi 9:51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your ^alabor for that which cannot ^bsatisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and ^cfeast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.

Let's hear it for the fatness!!

As I look at all the things I have spent both time and effort to find and money to buy and more time to arrange and modify and organize over the last 2 1/2 years trying to build a home, I have to say I did a pretty darn good job. Sure, there were things I could have done without (mostly because now we are moving and not taking most of it with us). But I'm satisfied with the home I built. I am less satisfied with the number of projects I conceived, planned, bought materials for, and didn't finish (there are waaaaaaaay too many materials in my craft closet...any body want a box of wood?) and sometimes not even start. But I did good making our space work for us. And I can do it again. And THAT should be an exciting thing! I get to do it again!

I'm NOT thinking about the fact that I'll be moving again way too soon.