7/10/14

More of the Same and Blue Mountains

 

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What can I say about this summer?  It’s been difficult?  Long? Exhausting? Hot? Not to mention depressing and confusing….

Our downsizing has continued.  Some days we do nothing, other days are full of accomplishments.  The basement is now  mostly organized.  All the boxes have been explored and categorized.  Unused items have found other homes….occasionally in the trash and we have moved on to phase two: painting the kitchen.

“The kitchen paneling and wall paper will look better painted” the realtor said and we both agreed.  The paneling is done and looks great!  Now dreading  painting the wall paper!

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The confusing and often frustrating part of this project is our ambivalent feelings about selling the house.  Most days it is a “go”, definitely the right thing to do.  But there are also many times it’s a “how in the world are we going to manage in that little duplex without a basement or garage?”  These thoughts mostly arrive in the middle of the night or in odd moments while sitting on the deck looking at the flowers.  And then there’s the cats.  How do we downsize them?

Speaking of the flowers…last year we were in Alaska during the daylily season.  This year I took many pictures as a way of keeping their memories while saying good-bye.  DSC_7163

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We received encouragement from a blog post during one of our downtimes.  The Winnie Views post of “How to Eat an Elephant” arrived just at the perfect moment to help me to realize that the plan of updating the house for 3 months, selling the house in 4 months and heading out to AZ by December 1 was causing the stress.  So the plan is now thrown out the window.

The new plan is to keep painting, keep throwing out the stuff we don’t need and take a break from it all!  We headed for the Blue Ridge Parkway and our little bit of heaven at Mt Pisgah Campground.

It is now day 3 here at 5,000 feet and my body, mind and soul are being renewed.  We have done very little but walk and ride the campground and sit, inhaling the cool breezes and peace that flows through the mountains.

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We hope the tranquility will last and stay with us once we return to the flat lands.

14 comments:

  1. So good to hear that you've had a chance to get out of the house! Put your feet up when you need to, and toss out the calendar. Arizona will be there when you're good and ready. LOVE the flower pictures, especially the first one!

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    1. Thanks, John! And thanks for the reminder that Arizona is not going anywhere. Glad you and BJ are having a wonderful trip...so looking forward to another magical winter in the desert.

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  2. What a great place to regroup, relax and get revived!!! Just beautiful and the mountains do have a way of giving peace to the mind, soul and body!!!
    Your flowers are just beautiful...:-)

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    1. The mountains must be in my blood....I always feel whole when I am in the hills. Great to hear from you and thanks for the good words. See you soon I hope.

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  3. Looks like we're marching in lock-step! Last week, I took a little break from my "house work" to go shoot the Milky Way, and another day went over to stroll the beach of Lake Michigan's Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. It gave me some renewed motivation to continue the attack on the house!

    I think, in the end, there's a reason this transition process just cannot be rushed. The further I get through it, the more confident I become that it's the right direction to go. I also know that once I'm finally free of the house and on the road, the accomplishment will be that much sweeter and rewarding. Best of luck to you guys, and p.s. those Blue Ridge pics are fabulous! I want to get back there one day!

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    1. Thank you for your encouragement. Your blog really did speak to us at the right time. Even if we did not move.....which I know we will.....the downsizing and organization is a priority at this time in our life. It just feels so right to throw out the unimportant stuff and de clutter our lives.
      Will be following your journey...

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  4. Good! Glad you stepped away a bit....and the perfect spot. Fresh air, the coolness of the mountains, and being lost in thought...it will all come together. Breathhhhhhhhh!

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    1. It is good to remember that so many, like yourselves, have done this very thing successfully and are now reaping the fruits of your labor. Have a great summer!

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  5. Wow...you Two have been busy.....What a awesome place you found in the Mountains....they do have a way of making all things "right with the World" :) GREAT macro photo's...have a terrific weekend...Horst sends

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    1. This is an awesome place and it has been a favorite place for the hot months of summer. Most of the time it feels like one is in an air conditioned resort.
      Stay safe on your trip and enjoy those young 'uns!

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  6. Lynne, I am SO glad to see you in the mountains enjoying the peace of Mt. Pisgah. Such a good decision to leave the frustration and work and take a break!

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    1. Can't believe how different I feel after a couple of days up here. Thinking if we get bogged down again, we will just pack up and come back.

      Hope everyone is well and happy!

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  7. You're definitely due a break. The mountains can cure many an ailment.:-)

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  8. Good to hear from you...enjoyed your trip! Looking forward to seeing you and Wanda this fall.
    Would not recommend this place in October as it drops down at night into the 50's in July! But the leaves would be beautiful.

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