14 Days Out...

Making A Pretty Long List & Checking It           More Times Than TWICE

The decision to go back to Scotland to "visit" actually happened rather quickly.  It's where I have been called.  I decided traveling with no pre-determined end date sounded like a good idea.  A really good idea!  And the more I thought on it, the better & better this good idea was sounding.  I have been more than humbled by the support from family & friends.  I felt inside like it was a little wild - certainly out of my zone since I've worked like a sled dog for over 40 years.  But ultimately it did boil down to this:  

"What better time will come along?  Why wait anymore?

When should I leave?  I decided to stay in Alaska through August.  Cuz who leaves Alaska in the summer, right??

                         Ninilchik Beach

Creek at Hope

  

Plus, I figured that I needed the months for people to get vaccinated and COVID cases in the UK to settle down. Who knew I'd only get partially there on this part?  As we know July & August has been exploding with cases around the world. 

So a friend came over for dinner one night in December and told me he was staying in Alaska.  He looked around and said "I think I'll buy your house."  YOWZER!! - Do I need a bigger push that this is?

Sell house CHECK √

Next was the circumstance of care and transport of Bella, my beloved pet - my family who I would not leave. But she was very ill.  She had been deteriorating so I was researching how to fly her over - with special arrangements & care.  Bella was diagnosed with liver cancer in February and passed in April.  As sad as it has been, it would've been impossible to take her.  Impossible to show the house through the sale process.  In this tremendous sadness of losing her, some good was coming out of it.  I could now allow myself to focus on the joy of planning my new adventure.

Bella's Care CHECK √

Okay so I sold my house, what was I gonna do with all my stuff??  The logical thing was to down-size & simplify at the same time.  I rented an almost too-small storage unit for the things I wouldn't be selling.  So I organized much of my personal possessions for the moving sale.  My two wonderful sisters offered to come stay and help me.  And boy howdy did they - I could not have done it without them!!  Furniture pre-sales and three days of strangers trouping through my garage and a lot was sold.  I also made 5 trips to local social service organizations with donations.  There are some homes & apartments around here that have seriously fabulous baskets, vintage home furnishings, and cool kitchen gadgets!  All said & done, I made enough for a couple of RT tickets to US from UK.  Which was the my goal for the sales.

Personal teaching moment:  Those sales showed me that I was most partial to baskets of all kinds (metal, plastic, & wood) and local artist's metal creations.  Lots of things to put on walls.  Oh, and I loved my stuff more than other people.  Yeah, I really did.  It was indeed a tremendous exercise in letting go.  Super uncomfortable at times (I will NOT lie it really was), but I am grateful for it...now.

Get rid of crap & make $$ for airline tickets CHECK √

Time to move OUT!!