Moving forward! (From Hereford Times)

Moving forward!

9:36am Tuesday 17th July 2007

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It’s all go. . .or at least it would be if we could get rid of the furniture and things the kids don’t want to take. Isn’t it funny how things change from generation to generation? When I was married at 19 what furniture we had was what you could call ‘early poverty’. We had been married 10 years before we had anything that hadn’t belonged to 2 or 3 owners before us. These days with hire purchase so readily available the kids have beautifully furnished homes very early in their relationships (and a boatload of debt as well sometimes). Of course our tastes in furnishings are different from theirs so is it any wonder that there are things they don’t want.
Almost 5 years ago when I moved to England I sold or gave away everything I owned. I even rid myself of a lot of sentimental stuff I’d had for years. It wasn’t easy then and I am finding that 4-1/2 years on it’s not any easier. The only thing I had going for me at the time is that in America people have garage sales. . .you don’t have to have a garage to have one mind you, it can be done in the garden, the driveway, the patio, where ever you have space. I simple put a series of signs up at main intersections that said ‘Moving to England – Everything Goes’ followed by my address and the time of the sale. I did this twice and not only did I sell nearly everything but I had some interesting conversations along the way. Some people thought I was off on a great adventure, others thought I was a bit crazy to leave the lovely Florida sunshine to come to the ‘unpredictable’ weather in England (this year I suspect they may have been right).
I know you have car boot sales here but it’s difficult to get a mattress in the boot of a car. Meanwhile I keep listing stuff on eBay. Unfortunately furniture doesn’t seem to go that well on eBay. Stuff we think wouldn’t sell goes for silly money. Stuff that is in really great condition and listed at a really cheap price doesn’t sell at all. ARRRGGHHHH!!!! I listed a set of sofas that I want to get rid of for free. One particular lady pestered me to take them off of eBay, agreed to come and get them and a week and a half later backed out of taking them. So back on to eBay to list something a 2nd time, pay for the listing twice just to give it away. If you know anyone that might want odds and ends of furniture, some free, some really inexpensive and they have a way of collecting it, send me an email to cindi.read@yahoo.com and I will happily send you a list of what we need to dispose of.
We are five weeks away from completing on the house and moving to my hubby’s daughter’s home for about 10 days and then on to Florida. There are so many details to see to. The mad setter had to be shipped but not until he’s got the rest of his vaccinations and his doggie passport. The removal company has been contacted for our personal stuff, clothes, brick a brack, some tools. For the last few days in the house we will be eating off of paper plates and using plastic knives & forks. Household goods are sorted into piles; the kids will be home this weekend to see what they want to take then the rest of it will have to go to charity. Without a car in the week I find I can’t get much done so I rely on hubby to be home on Friday and through the weekend to help sort things out. We’ve hired the transit van to deliver furniture to Manchester and Reading to the kids. This happens over two days so there will be a lot of driving involved.
When we are out and about, I find myself trying to memorize how everything looks, thinking that I’ve loved living here for the last 4-1/2 years and there are many things I will miss (not the rain, please). I just want to remember what a wonderful opportunity I’ve had to live here – stories to tell to the grandchildren when they are older.
And so the saga continues. . .are you bored yet???