November 10, 2008
Great News! I just received word from Angela, the Animal Transport Specialist that my 4 parrots have been accepted into Costa Rica and out of the U.S.A. All the parrots seem very happy! My dogs shouldn't be a problem except that I'm going during the Christmas season and they won't guarantee room for the dogs....Hm.
November 1, 2008
I've finally recovered from the huge sale and am now setting about doing the things that I must do to move. Today I will get my empty house in order and throw out more things that didn't sell. Then.....
By Thanksgiving time I need to have everything packed that is going - and on its way. First it will go to Miami in a truck and then will make its way to Costa Rica by ship. It would be wonderful to have it all waiting for me at my little house in San Rafael.
- Keep in touch with my Animal Transport Specialist, Angela
- Arrange for my Website and email while I'm in transit and getting settled.
- Have a party/celebration in my studio to say good-bye to my friends. I plan to take along small special things from dear ones that I can place on a Remembrance shelf above my windows. That way - when I get lonely - I can just see my friends all around me. More planning needs to be done on this one.
October, 2008
Last weekend was the HUGE Estate/Moving Sale here at Ranchito San Pedro. I had hoped to find someone to do this sale for me but times are hard and the person available declined due to the economics. She felt that people would not want to drive from Santa Fe or Albuquerque unless I had a lot of high end items. I did not. Plus, she would take 40%. So - I decided to do it myself, with as much help as I could get. From May on I began going through the hundreds of life treasures so many of us carry along with us throughout life. High school yearbooks, 6 year old drawings, crocheted quilts for each of the kids and Mike's first hand sewn Halloween costume. After some discussion with each of my three sons, I set them aside for sale or donation and continued on to the next item. It wasn't just the house contents! I had a house, large studio, garage and one of the casitas full of furniture, housewares, art supplies and treasures. Son, Mike was here to help and Tim flew in from Seattle to help with the last 4 days of pricing, sorting, organizing and selling. Friends volunteered - and I advertised on the highway and in the local papers. On Saturday, October 25 at 9 a.m. we began and hardly had a chance to look up until it wound down for that day. Sunday was a bit slower but got busy again when we dropped prices to 1/2 at noon! It was amazing! There were times when people were lined up to buy - $1 here, $2 there.
On Monday I took a cigar box full of bills and coins that totaled nearly $7,000 to the bank! Now I can be sure that my two precious dogs and 4 parrots can get to Costa Rica with me via a Pet Transport specialist, Angela. Funny - when I look around at the empty rooms and the few things that are left I find an odd assortment. It is as if invisible hands have purposely selected the items that did not sell. Those things left behind are the very things that I was not sure I wanted to part with. The fainting couch that makes me laugh. The violet-purple salad bowl that looks so beautiful with salad greens. The big soft floral pillow. They remain behind to offer one more chance for me to decide.
I am exhausted. I have two classes to teach this week and am hoping to have the energy to do it. Thank you, dear friends and family who have helped with the "Pre-Death Estate Sale". I highly recommend it and my kids are very grateful.
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