The polish on my right ring finger, painted with OPI's Gimme a Lido Kiss, scraped off when I unburdened my story with the 8th SUV load and bestowed it upon the Goodwilll greeters on W. Burnside and 22nd. Now I know, hindsight being 20 20 and all, that it's a real good idea to wait until the last box is unpacked to book the manipedi appointment. In the end only a few fingernails were left adorned with a kiss of paint.
I needed to move. Don't drink the water may be the name of my next story. The LEED and Fancy certified place I resided for the last 4 years evidently has poisoned water. Corroded pipes with carbon black swirling around trying to make cancer soup in the resident's cells. I luckily found a charming special place to move to. I had just a few days to plan and pack up before the water was turned off for pipe repairs. I made it. I am settled. I need fresh paint on my fingers and toes to celebrate.
I learned a lot in the move. Namely, I have way too much stuff. Stuff may not fit. So it must be bid adieu. Moving can be stressful, so I say plan to have fun each day of the move process. Suggestions may include a mid move: movie, hike, edibles snack, nap, fun lunch date. HELP from pals that are entertaining is key to having fun packing, unpacking and moving the couch around 3 or 4 times to find the perfect Feng Shui fit.
I went to the store IKEA four times during my move week. I have been there twice in 8 years, prior. It's a super place to get stuff you need. And hellishly overwhelming if you don't have your shit together. You must know what you want. Really really want or you are screwed. Wandering around aimlessly can waste a whole day. Look at the displays and take a photo of the item numbers you plan to purchase so you know what to get in the warehouse, later. My couch and bed couldn't make the narrow turn to floors two and three respectively, so they stayed in the parlor. So, I learned about Craig's List. I sold my pile of don't needs and doesn't fit anymores. We must make room for the newly selected additions to our story.
Anyway, if you ever decide to go to IKEA, bring a couple of friends. The carts are out of control. Someone needs to hold it steady. I climbed up the warehouse scaffolding to grab a piece of the desk I promised my son, lost my balance with the box and it nearly crushed me. No one offered to help me up off the cold floor. Maybe this is a usual happening? Punishment for climbing? I sweat a lot every time I have ventured to this anxiety spiking store. Miles of aisles and heavy boxes to maneuver would knock the fitbit my friend has out of orbit. I do love the displays and the plethora of snappy and sensible options. On the Get a desk and mini pantry cupboard trip, I manage to hoist both 55 pound pieces onto the f in errant cart and also managed the check out and get it into the car. All By Myself. If there is a next time I am going to have my pals come and help load and then assemble over a bottle of Don 42.
I ask, why are there not brakes on those crazy carts?
Practice what I preach in my workshops and one on ones, is a lofty goal, but I must to keep the integrity of my own success stories. A common theme for my clients is to wish for a clean garage, set of drawers, closets, etc. When you move you are forced to dump everything on the floor, literally and metaphorically. Then separate it into categories: throw away, give away, keep and I am not sure yet, piles. I decided to set up a system for move week. One room a day. The beginning of a successful mapped out action plan was in place. With built in fun once I got my to dos checked off. I enlisted my tribe. I asked my pals to come over for one hour each to help me pack up that one room. That's it until the next day. My kids even got into it. My son was done in 45 minutes. Mom I don't get attached to things, he says as he went through his room. Nearly everything ended up in the pile to give away. But I do need a desk for my room, please.
My big kitchen table that my twins share for meals and homework didn't make it up the steep staircase, either. Hence the IKEA desk adventure.
So if it weren't for carbon black poisons and corroded pipes I may still be sitting on all that stuff I don't need, without a chip in my nails. I also would not be on the floor since my bed frame and box springs didn't make it up the last flight. Don't get me started over the Sears delivery folks sending me just half of a split box spring (twice) after 6 calls and 4 confirmations that I would get a whole box spring. Who orders half of box spring? I Linda Blaired it on the last messed up delivery. I feel badly for loosing my cool and getting so cupboard slamming mad about a silly delivery. Besides the Sears snafu I am happy to have exactly everything that matters to me in my new home. I was forced to look at my stuff and sort. This inevitably transfers over to our emotional lives. Cleaning stuff out is transferrable. Our tolerance for any kind of crap reduces. If you are a dick, back away from any friend that is moving because they will not put up with your crap at this juncture. We are on a roll when we are in consolidation mode. Out with the stupid clock that is always a few minutes behind no matter how often we reset it-throw it away, and out with the shitty friend that is never on time. Eliminate the bed and the notches that were added and begin again. Weed out the bed and the people that don't belong in it. We can clear a lot of our stuff up when we take a few days to face it all. Our piles of stuff that get in the way of us enjoying our remarkable life.
I am off to the Onyx Nail Salon to see BB for my post move finger and toe paint regime. It is my treat. My celebration for cleaning out my crap and learning how to navigate IKEA, Craig's list, carbon black and two Sears delivery muck ups. And more. Shoot too many colors to chose from: How Great is Your Dane, Princesses Rule, In the Carpool Lane, or Taupe-less Beach? It is nice to have such simple dilemma of choice on occasion.