Don't you just love a house that has just been cleaned. It smells so good. I know, I know, it's just the chemicals and all but it smells fresh and clean. I love it.
The house getting cleaned is just another step to move toward putting it on the market. The carpets get cleaned on Monday morning and it hits the MLS on Tuesday.
I worked most of the afternoon in my craft room and got things organized, dusted and vacuumed. That was what I did while Gayle was cleaning the rest. When Roy got home from work I had him carry two heavy boxes downstairs and put in my car so I can take them down to Theda's. Mostly is the stained glass and some other items. It's a little heavy to carry in Somewhere but I may want to continue to do stained glass and mosaics later. She is gonna take care of it for me. Sure hope Theda doesn't want to move anytime soon!
I am feeling so liberated. Margie and I talked today and we decided whether or not we were going to full time RV that we needed to purge and get rid of "stuff." Makes sense to me now. Wouldn't have thought about it until I began planning my retirement.
If it doesn't snow too much tonight, I'll make a run to Theda's. She is going to take care of Sedona for me for a few weeks. I'm gonna miss her but that will work out better when it comes time to show the house. She always enjoys being down in the country. It's a little vacation for her.
That's my update! Later...
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Garage Sale Over
Well, finally two days of busy, hard work and it's over. I had a very successful two days because I got rid of so much stuff and made a little money to boot. My friend Debbie said "so did you make enough for a tire for Somewhere?" How funny to think in terms like that!
Friday was more busy than Saturday so when I do this again, I'll have it on Thursday and Friday and leave out the Saturday. I was going to box up everything and have another sale later on but decided that much of the stuff just needed to go to Goodwill. So Theda and I loaded up the car on Saturday just before the bottom dropped out with rain and I took a car full down to Goodwill.
It is just amazing to me what people will buy and what they won't. I had some really good things and they were not touched. I had some "junk" and they bought up all that and wanted more. Gosh, how can you know people.
I did find out that my ads in the Tennessean, News Channel 5 free classifieds, Craigslist and garage sale source.com all worked. I tried to ask how people found out about it. Most said they read it in the paper, some Channel 5, some just driving by. How can you tell what will work? It worked, that's all one can hope for.
I cannot say enough about good friends. Theda took off work and came up to help me set out and sell. OMG, I could not have done it without her. One person cannot do a yard sale alone. Roy was here but had to work days on both of the sell days.
Sunday they both helped me box up the stuff that will either be in another sale or will be given to someone. Only have about four boxes of that kind of stuff. I have two boxes for Taylor. They were four glassware things I just couldn't part with and couldn't sell them for what they were worth. She will cherish them when she gets out on her own, notice I didn't say when she gets married. My hope is she will get out on her own before marriage. She will also get my flatware. There are some things that just don't need to go anywhere than with family.
I feel so liberated. Another huge step closer to full timing.
Got a notice from the IRS this weekend that has prayed on my mind. I have to go to a CPA now to see if the IRS knows what it is talking about. It has to do with my 2007 return so If I have to pay like they say, I may be working longer. Time will tell. Not going to worry until it's time.
Later...
Friday was more busy than Saturday so when I do this again, I'll have it on Thursday and Friday and leave out the Saturday. I was going to box up everything and have another sale later on but decided that much of the stuff just needed to go to Goodwill. So Theda and I loaded up the car on Saturday just before the bottom dropped out with rain and I took a car full down to Goodwill.
It is just amazing to me what people will buy and what they won't. I had some really good things and they were not touched. I had some "junk" and they bought up all that and wanted more. Gosh, how can you know people.
I did find out that my ads in the Tennessean, News Channel 5 free classifieds, Craigslist and garage sale source.com all worked. I tried to ask how people found out about it. Most said they read it in the paper, some Channel 5, some just driving by. How can you tell what will work? It worked, that's all one can hope for.
I cannot say enough about good friends. Theda took off work and came up to help me set out and sell. OMG, I could not have done it without her. One person cannot do a yard sale alone. Roy was here but had to work days on both of the sell days.
Sunday they both helped me box up the stuff that will either be in another sale or will be given to someone. Only have about four boxes of that kind of stuff. I have two boxes for Taylor. They were four glassware things I just couldn't part with and couldn't sell them for what they were worth. She will cherish them when she gets out on her own, notice I didn't say when she gets married. My hope is she will get out on her own before marriage. She will also get my flatware. There are some things that just don't need to go anywhere than with family.
I feel so liberated. Another huge step closer to full timing.
Got a notice from the IRS this weekend that has prayed on my mind. I have to go to a CPA now to see if the IRS knows what it is talking about. It has to do with my 2007 return so If I have to pay like they say, I may be working longer. Time will tell. Not going to worry until it's time.
Later...
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Your Bank Account & Choices
A friend of mine sent this to me via email and I'm sure you all have read something similar. It's special to me because I used to teach a class about on supervisory skills and depositing into your trust account with employees. Also I taught a stress course and one of the big topics was about choices. This rendention made me think of those things and it is something that I hope I don't ever forget.
YOUR BANK ACCOUNT Wish I could give credit to the author but I don't know who it is.
This is AWESOME....something we should all remember!
A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursi ng home today.. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.
As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.
'I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.
'Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.'
'That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied.
'Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged .. it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. 'It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.
Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.
Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.
So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!
Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing.
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less..
Bet you thought from the title it was going to be about my dwindling finances! Ha! fooled you.
Later...
YOUR BANK ACCOUNT Wish I could give credit to the author but I don't know who it is.
This is AWESOME....something we should all remember!
A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursi ng home today.. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.
As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.
'I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.
'Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.'
'That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied.
'Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged .. it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. 'It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.
Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.
Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.
So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!
Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing.
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less..
Bet you thought from the title it was going to be about my dwindling finances! Ha! fooled you.
Later...
Monday, February 16, 2009
Thank goodness for good friends!
Thanks, thanks, thanks, my bff Becky. Today on President's Day holiday Becky came over to lend a hand. Am I glad she did. We brought a lot of stuff from the storage room upstairs, priced it and put it in the now completely full garage. I still have a few boxes we brought down to go through and price and toss. There is still so much to do but I am so much farther ahead because of her help.
Here are just a couple of shots showing Becky collapsing on the sofa after several trips up and down the stairs. Oh my, it was difficult. Becky was a lifesaver because of my shoulder injury a few years ago. She did the heavy totting.
I was able to find a few treasures amidst all the stuff. I found a box of scrap booking supplies that my son has so carefully placed in a corner when he came up five years ago to help me move into my town home. Hey, I've got it now even though I won't be scrapbooking.
I'm feeling really liberated right now. I just hope lots of people turn out for the sale.
Later...
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Garage Sale Update
OMG, who would have thought I had so much stuff. It's overwhelming. I have been carrying stuff out to my garage for all of yesterday & most of this Sunday morning, so I decided to take a break and update everyone.
First off I set up three 8 foot tables in my 1 car garage and soon realized I needed all four set up. Now I have set in boxes under the table. My goodness where did all this come from? It was important at one time. 
Here are a couple of shots of the garage. Now, I'll have to move out into the driveway in order to get the furniture, etc in there. And it's is supposed to turn cold on Saturday. Thankfully Friday is supposed to be halfway decent as far as weather.
Here are a couple of shots of the garage. Now, I'll have to move out into the driveway in order to get the furniture, etc in there. And it's is supposed to turn cold on Saturday. Thankfully Friday is supposed to be halfway decent as far as weather.Theda is coming over to help on the sale weekend. Becky may come over on Monday to help me get stuff from upstairs to downstairs. Nothing heavy, I'm saving that for Roy.
My plans are to box everything after the sale and leave it out in the garage. Gayle from my work is coming over on Sat the 28th to spit & shine everything and that will be a relief because I won't be in the mood to spit & shine.
Well, got to get back at it. Don't want to get lazy by sitting around.
Later...
Friday, February 13, 2009
Quck update
Just wanted to jump in quickly and give an update. Papers are signed to put my town home on the market as of March 2 for $163,900. Let's hope it sells for that.
Why wait until March 2? I am getting ready for a moving sale which should move out a lot of stuff so that will make me have less clutter. Less is more, right? Figure that one. I'm sure this will not be the last moving sale I will have but it's a start. My sale will be Feb 20 & 21.
Then I will have someone come in and clean and spit shine everything and then I'll be ready. I want it to have the best first impression when that MLS hits the Internet. Believe me it's worth having someone come in and do it! I hate the down deep cleaning. After Gayle leaves from cleaning, I'll decide if Sedona must go visit Theda for a few weeks. I'm thinking yes, but I'll have to check with Theda first! Ya, think???
It would be good if my town home sells really quick, then I could save all the money from household expenses and recoup some of my housing losses, plus have a bigger cash nest egg for when I hit the road.
Craigslist hasn't been that great for me this time but I have sold a few things. I'll keep up with continuing to post things on Craigslist while I prepare to move 'em on out/up!
Now you know what's going on with me. I'll give an update after my sale.
Later...
Why wait until March 2? I am getting ready for a moving sale which should move out a lot of stuff so that will make me have less clutter. Less is more, right? Figure that one. I'm sure this will not be the last moving sale I will have but it's a start. My sale will be Feb 20 & 21.
Then I will have someone come in and clean and spit shine everything and then I'll be ready. I want it to have the best first impression when that MLS hits the Internet. Believe me it's worth having someone come in and do it! I hate the down deep cleaning. After Gayle leaves from cleaning, I'll decide if Sedona must go visit Theda for a few weeks. I'm thinking yes, but I'll have to check with Theda first! Ya, think???
It would be good if my town home sells really quick, then I could save all the money from household expenses and recoup some of my housing losses, plus have a bigger cash nest egg for when I hit the road.
Craigslist hasn't been that great for me this time but I have sold a few things. I'll keep up with continuing to post things on Craigslist while I prepare to move 'em on out/up!
Now you know what's going on with me. I'll give an update after my sale.
Later...
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Realtor Found!! Yippee
This week has been so very productive toward reaching my goals in 2009. I found that "perfect" realtor. Her name is Babs White with Fridrich & Clark. She came armed with great information. A marketing plan that I really liked. Great attitude and confidence. I believe she can sell my place and I believe I can make my beautiful home attractive to someone who walks in and says it's me! That's what it is all about right?
If you go to Babs' website you will not find my property. Why? Because I have a lot of downsizing to do, decluttering, whatever one calls it. She said the first week of selling property on the hot sheet is valuable timing. She wants me to have a yard sale, and get everything "perfect" so that my town home will stand out from the rest. So boy do I have my work cut out for me and that is exactly what I have been doing for a while now but boy do I have more to do.
She will not put it in the MLS until I'm ready. She wants me to have a garage sale before she lists it. She said the hot sheet was good for about the first week and she wants me to be spit shined & ready for that. So I'll need to clean the carpets, I may get a housekeeper in for one good thorough cleaning , sell everything and see what happens. I asked her what her first impression was when she walked into the house. She said, "cluttered." OMG, you would not believe the stuff I put up & hid before she got there. I had one magnet left on the frig and she said it had to go.
Anyway, it's not going to be listed for $165,000 but for $162. I'll have to live with that. If I get anywhere close to that, I'll be happy I guess. At least it will be gone. I figure I can work a little longer and put my house expenses in savings and I can make up the difference. Boy, when it gets going things just speed up quickly. I can't believe the things I have yet to do.
Today has been such a beautiful day. The temps have shot up, the sun is out and it is such a shot in the arm. There is definitely something to be said about that sunlight deficit disorder. I just love the warmth and sunshine.
I visited Somewhere today. Oh my, she looked good when I drove up. It has been since Jan 2 since I had seen here, been around her or anything. I took a big load to Somewhere today. I thought my gosh, when I go full time I'll have to have another sale to get rid of stuff I thought I wanted but have no room. I did run the genny about and hour and plugged in the heater and turned on the TVs to run her about 1/2 load. That keeps the genny from gumming up so got to keep everything in good order for when I either go on the road or live in her for a while. My hope is that the condo will sell soon and I can move into Somewhere and save some money for hitting the road. Well actually for buying new tires, getting my HHR ready to be towed and I'm sure I can think of other high ticket items. So while I sell my house, I may hold onto my job and sock $$ away so I can stay debt free.
I also made a trip to the mission. That felt good. I have discovered that the Union Rescue Mission is a better place (IMHO) to take clothes because they do not resell. As women get ready to leave the mission they are outfitted with appropriate clothing to go on job interviews or to go to work. To me, it's better to give clothing to them than to give it to Goodwill that resells everything. I surely am not going to sell clothing at yard sales. You can only get pennies and I would rather give to a worthwhile cause. I also took my Nashville podium to the Mission. I bought it in an art gallery and fell in love with it. A homeless person painted it. It was a depticition of downtown Nashville. I took it home where it belonged.
I am feeling quite positive and good about my status. I've decided I'll have my downsizing sell on Feb 26 & 27 rain, shine, cold warm. I'll have one and see how it goes from there. Jonathan telling me what he wants has helped me so much. At least now I know what to keep and what to get rid of. I have posted some things on Craigslist but I haven't had much activity on it. Guess it's too soon.
My friend, Margie & her DH Roger, is going through the same thing as me with downsizing to prepare for full timing. I can't imagine getting prepped for two people, it's stressful enough for one.
Roy will be here next week so he will be able to help me move some things from upstairs to downstairs. Guess I'll be parking outside so I can start setting stuff up in the garage. Sure hope it doesn't get too cold. I'm used to getting into a relatively warm car.
I can ask; having fun yet? YES I AM!
Another RVing friend, Gary & Vicki, sent me a cross stitch pattern for Where I've Been map of the US. I can't wait to get started on that but I think I'll wait until I get on the road and doing it at my leisure. Seem I have enough projects to work on right now.
Later...
If you go to Babs' website you will not find my property. Why? Because I have a lot of downsizing to do, decluttering, whatever one calls it. She said the first week of selling property on the hot sheet is valuable timing. She wants me to have a yard sale, and get everything "perfect" so that my town home will stand out from the rest. So boy do I have my work cut out for me and that is exactly what I have been doing for a while now but boy do I have more to do.
She will not put it in the MLS until I'm ready. She wants me to have a garage sale before she lists it. She said the hot sheet was good for about the first week and she wants me to be spit shined & ready for that. So I'll need to clean the carpets, I may get a housekeeper in for one good thorough cleaning , sell everything and see what happens. I asked her what her first impression was when she walked into the house. She said, "cluttered." OMG, you would not believe the stuff I put up & hid before she got there. I had one magnet left on the frig and she said it had to go.
Anyway, it's not going to be listed for $165,000 but for $162. I'll have to live with that. If I get anywhere close to that, I'll be happy I guess. At least it will be gone. I figure I can work a little longer and put my house expenses in savings and I can make up the difference. Boy, when it gets going things just speed up quickly. I can't believe the things I have yet to do.
Today has been such a beautiful day. The temps have shot up, the sun is out and it is such a shot in the arm. There is definitely something to be said about that sunlight deficit disorder. I just love the warmth and sunshine.
I visited Somewhere today. Oh my, she looked good when I drove up. It has been since Jan 2 since I had seen here, been around her or anything. I took a big load to Somewhere today. I thought my gosh, when I go full time I'll have to have another sale to get rid of stuff I thought I wanted but have no room. I did run the genny about and hour and plugged in the heater and turned on the TVs to run her about 1/2 load. That keeps the genny from gumming up so got to keep everything in good order for when I either go on the road or live in her for a while. My hope is that the condo will sell soon and I can move into Somewhere and save some money for hitting the road. Well actually for buying new tires, getting my HHR ready to be towed and I'm sure I can think of other high ticket items. So while I sell my house, I may hold onto my job and sock $$ away so I can stay debt free.
I also made a trip to the mission. That felt good. I have discovered that the Union Rescue Mission is a better place (IMHO) to take clothes because they do not resell. As women get ready to leave the mission they are outfitted with appropriate clothing to go on job interviews or to go to work. To me, it's better to give clothing to them than to give it to Goodwill that resells everything. I surely am not going to sell clothing at yard sales. You can only get pennies and I would rather give to a worthwhile cause. I also took my Nashville podium to the Mission. I bought it in an art gallery and fell in love with it. A homeless person painted it. It was a depticition of downtown Nashville. I took it home where it belonged.
I am feeling quite positive and good about my status. I've decided I'll have my downsizing sell on Feb 26 & 27 rain, shine, cold warm. I'll have one and see how it goes from there. Jonathan telling me what he wants has helped me so much. At least now I know what to keep and what to get rid of. I have posted some things on Craigslist but I haven't had much activity on it. Guess it's too soon.
My friend, Margie & her DH Roger, is going through the same thing as me with downsizing to prepare for full timing. I can't imagine getting prepped for two people, it's stressful enough for one.
Roy will be here next week so he will be able to help me move some things from upstairs to downstairs. Guess I'll be parking outside so I can start setting stuff up in the garage. Sure hope it doesn't get too cold. I'm used to getting into a relatively warm car.
I can ask; having fun yet? YES I AM!
Another RVing friend, Gary & Vicki, sent me a cross stitch pattern for Where I've Been map of the US. I can't wait to get started on that but I think I'll wait until I get on the road and doing it at my leisure. Seem I have enough projects to work on right now.
Later...
Monday, February 2, 2009
1,000 games, Roy comes back and Steeler win
For those of you who don't follow basketball, much less women's basketball, you may want to skip this post. The Lady Vols coach, Pat Summitt, is going for game 1000 tonight against Oklahoma City. It will be a tough game with the way our girls are playing, if we don't pull it out tonight, there is always the next game. I have all Pat's books, autographed and I have a great collection of cars depecting the National and SEC Championships. She is a great coach and has molded a lot of good leaders from her teams. I salute her!
That begs the question, what on earth am I going to do with those hard back books and the collection of 9 cars when I hit the road full time? hummmm
Next, Roy, my nephew, is coming back to Nashville. CSX was finished with him at KY so he will come back here next week to work in the Nashville yard. I have made his swear he has to keep his room & bathroom picked up because the town home will be shown by real estate agents. He swears, no problem. We will see! I am actually glad he is coming back, I've missed him and I know Sedona has missed him. She will be excited too.
That super bowl last night was a great game. Good thing because the commercials were a bomb. I was actually for the Cardinals but the Steelers play the Titans so that will be good when they come to town. It will make the ticket prices go up. When I was a PSL owner of two seats at the Titans, the Steeler's game is where I would make my money to pay for all season games. I always enjoyed them coming to town. Later after I sold my PSL's the Colts were hot, hot, hot. Gee, think how much I could have made w/those tickets. LOl Now I can watch the games on my big screen and have all the potty breaks and cheaper beer than going to the game. Don't have to burn up in the August/Sept games and freeze in the Dec games. Ahhhh, life is good.
That begs the question, what on earth am I going to do with those hard back books and the collection of 9 cars when I hit the road full time? hummmm
Next, Roy, my nephew, is coming back to Nashville. CSX was finished with him at KY so he will come back here next week to work in the Nashville yard. I have made his swear he has to keep his room & bathroom picked up because the town home will be shown by real estate agents. He swears, no problem. We will see! I am actually glad he is coming back, I've missed him and I know Sedona has missed him. She will be excited too.
That super bowl last night was a great game. Good thing because the commercials were a bomb. I was actually for the Cardinals but the Steelers play the Titans so that will be good when they come to town. It will make the ticket prices go up. When I was a PSL owner of two seats at the Titans, the Steeler's game is where I would make my money to pay for all season games. I always enjoyed them coming to town. Later after I sold my PSL's the Colts were hot, hot, hot. Gee, think how much I could have made w/those tickets. LOl Now I can watch the games on my big screen and have all the potty breaks and cheaper beer than going to the game. Don't have to burn up in the August/Sept games and freeze in the Dec games. Ahhhh, life is good.
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