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Across the Fence:  Hellooooooooo Sisters!  |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 29 2021 : 11:45:27 AM
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Hi girls!
I owe all of you a bit of an apology. I honestly have not been ignoring MJF... I have just been crazy insane busy. As many of you know, I'm downsizing. For weeks now, I've been purging through all 15 rooms of this lovely old Victorian, and I am so close to finishing, I can't stand it! LOL. Long story short, we decided to have a company come in and do a buy out. I will try to get back over here soon and fill you all in as to how it's going. It was a decision well made, to be sure. I could never have done all this work by myself. Unfortunately, however, after they took out 4 HUGE U-Haul trucks and 2 HUGE white box trucks full of stuff, we are STILL not done. They have to finish removing a couple of things from the house, finish taking the things out of the garage that they are taking, and then clean my furniture and carpets for me. It's a little bit stressful because the whole process has taken much longer than anticipated due to little hiccups they've had on their end. But I am confident everything will work out perfectly on God's timing. I'm just really looking forward to phase II: the little repairs and cosmetic things we need to do before putting the house on the market. Sigh... It feels like it will never get done, but it will! It will!
Right now, we are living amidst a lot of boxes, all packed up for the move, and most of them are on the very few uncarpeted floors, which are awaiting to be cleaned. It's fine, but it's definitely not HOLIDAY fine. Fall is my favorite time of year, and I haven't been able to enjoy it one bit. 'Matter of fact, my garden still has a lot of produce to be picked and processed. We haven't tended to it very much at all, but have definitely shared a lot with friends and family. All is well. I just hope they can come get the rest of the cleanout/clean-up done by the end of the next week, BECAUSE...
My parents are coming for a visit just prior to Thanksgiving so we can have one last super nice holiday here in our home! I am so excited to see them! It has been two years! I am planning to take my Mom to tea at that lovely Victorian tea room I posted about a while back, and the guys will putz around at the local junk shops in search of treasure. Then Mom and I will make a wonderful holiday feast! After that, I'm hoping to take them to see Christmas lights, although not many places here seem to be doing it this year. Whatever we DO get to do will be wonderful. I just want to see my mother and stepdad, so bad. Even if we just plop ourselves down at the table and start at each other all weekend, it will be wonderful! Just so excited to finally be together again! Yay!
At this point, we are probably going to hold off listing til after the Superbowl, when apparently things really start to pick up again in the real estate market. I've been looking this whole time for a new home, and have found a few, but the market has been so hot that they're listed online in the morning, then gone by the afternoon. The orginal plan was to list this before the holidays, but the realtor made a very good point: Do we really want to have people traipsing through the house with wet boots and colds during the holiday season? We would have to stop whatever we were doing at a moment's notice (think: making cookies, etc.), and vacate until the tour was done. Nah... I can wait. I would like to make our final few holidays here beautiful and memorable, for sure!
I have not had time to really come to MJF and read up on all the goings on since my last visit, so please forgive me if I have missed anything. If there is anything you want me to know or see right away, please do post here. I think if I were to open my emails today, the dust, cobwebs and bats would fly right out of the screen. LOL. I suppose that would be great for Halloween, BUT...
So please - what's new with all of you? Is everyone doing well? Darlene - are you all healed up now? What have I missed? Is everyone having a wonderful autumn? Can you BELIEVE it's almost THANKSGIVING?! I have so much to share, too, and lots to update on some of the strains I started. Please bear with me a little longer. You have ALL been on my mind every day, you are ALL in my prayers. I'll be back in the swing soon. Just a few more things to accomplish, then I'm taking a break from this house for a little while. I should be able to catch up with all of you then! Just want to send you all warm farmgirl hugs and let you know I'm still here, and miss you all TERRIBLY!
Hugs and love -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Edited by - Ninibini on Oct 29 2021 11:49:32 AM |
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nndairy
True Blue Farmgirl
3028 Posts
Heather
Wapakoneta
Ohio
USA
3028 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2021 : 1:49:58 PM
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So glad you could stop in for a minute Nini! I've been wondering how you're doing and praying for you. Glad to hear you're hanging in there. I hope you have a wonderful visit with your parents. Here's a little fall for you to enjoy
~Heather
Farmgirl Sister #4701
September 2014 Farmgirl of the Month
"The purpose of life is to enjoy every moment" - Yogi teabag
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6534 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6534 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2021 : 1:54:34 PM
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Nini, it is wonderful to hear from you and happy that you are getting your home packed up and glad that all is well but just busy busy!! The company that does the buy out sounds like it was what was needed and has saved you the huge task of doing it all yourself. You sure have been one busy Farmgirl!! Yes. it is hard to believe that October is over Sunday and then comes Thanksgiving, Weren't we all just talking about being excited for Fall to arrive?? Whew, this Fall has been speeding by. Take care and I look forward to when you are free to give us update!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9269 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9269 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2021 : 2:24:29 PM
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Nini,
So glad to hear from you. So good that you are getting help to get things done. You surely have been busy! We are still settling in. I don't know why it takes so long but I can't do much at a time so that's a big part of it. Will be praying for you and for the sale of your home! Big hugs!!
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"I am a bookaholic and I have no desire to be cured." 
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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HollerGirl56
True Blue Farmgirl
1334 Posts
Barbara
Flat Top
WV
USA
1334 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2021 : 2:35:24 PM
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Oh my-to clean out a fifteen room house sounds like a horrid task. I am so glad you are finishing up. I am hoping I die first and hubby has to deal with all our belongings. God bless you and keep you going strong. Miss your posts.
Old Age Ain't No Place For Sissies!------Bette Davis |
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suny58
True Blue Farmgirl
4341 Posts
Dianna
Jack
Al.
USA
4341 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2021 : 4:21:00 PM
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Oh Nini, so so good to hear from you and know you're good!! Except for the purging! I too did that several years ago and am feeling so much better abput so few material things! You will feel like a huge weight has been lifted!! Stay healthy and well and do enjoy some of tge cooler temps and beautiful colors!!
Heather I adore your pictures!!
Here's one for you Nini, our pumpkin decorated with flowers still in the garden!!
Blessings ladies! Happy late fall....
Farmgirl #7103
FGOTM January 2018
Dianna
"Blessed are they that see beautiful things in humble places, where other people see nothing." Pissarro |
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HealingTouch
True Blue Farmgirl
3448 Posts
Darlene
Kunkletown
Pa
USA
3448 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2021 : 5:18:45 PM
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Hi Nina! So glad to hear from you. Such a daunting task to purge everything that has been a part of our lives for so long. I have been doing it a little at a time. Some things my husband just won’t let go. The house is one! I am so ready to down size and move and he won’t budge!
Enjoy your family’s visit. Family is our most precious treasure, isn’t it? Many blessings and prayers!
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
Darlene
Sister 1922
October 2016 Farmgirl of the month
John 11: 35 Jesus wept.
When Satan's knocking at your door, just say "Jesus will you get that for me?"
When it gets to hard to stand, Kneel!
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17077 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17077 Posts |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2021 : 11:52:08 PM
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Hi Girls!!!
Oh, Heather! The kitten! The tractor! The pumpkins! The milk can and buckets! The CALF!!!! Melt my heart! Thank you for the pictures, sister! They made my day!!! How I have missed you! I promise to catch up as soon as I can. Thank you so much for being so patient with me! Please drop me a line when you can - I always love your letters and emails!
Hi Winnie! How were your apple days? Every time I see apples, I think of you and smile! Truthfully, doing the purge this way saved us physically. My heart just can't take all the up and down the stairs - nor can my knees or hips! Age! What a thing! LOL! I have to be honest, though. We did not receive much money at all for our possessions - it was more than shockingly disappointing. HOWEVER, the work these guys did - oh my WORD. God bless them. It was totally worth letting them take our stuff out in trade! I don't think I could have paid anyone enough to do this! If we were younger and healthier, we would've done things much differently. This really was the answer for us, though! Absolutely!!!
Oh, Denise, I hear you! I'm sitting here with my entry way and kitchen chock FULL of boxes... it took so, so long to get them packed up... I have no idea where we will end up moving, but the thought of unpacking them again - yikes! All in due time, sister, all in due time! Small successes add up to big ones - and sometimes the small successes mean the most! Take your time - I will, too. We can commiserate when it's all over! LOL! Go easy on yourself through this process, take your time and really enjoy setting up and decorating your new home! I'm sure it will be wonderfully warm and wonderfully "you" in no time!
Oh, Barbara! You crack me up! One reason I really wanted to do this now was so neither one of us would be left to do this on our own - or worse, our son! I have to be honest, it was very hard with my husband's dementia. Some days it felt like he was working against me, creating more work than had I done it myself. HOWEVER, we also got to go through so many pictures, letters, possessions... It was a wonderful walk down memory lane. I am so thankful we got to do it together!
Hi Dianna! Your pumpkin is absolutely GORGEOUS! Oh my word!!! And yes, you are so right... A HUGE weight has been lifted! I started out with the whole "does it spark joy" mentality; but that quickly changed to "Swedish death cleaning!" I would be lying if I said it wasn't hard to part with things - especially our son's baby things and toys. And then there was the last piece of Hershey's Gold my Grandma gave me before she passed away. And my craft room took a HUGE hit which was really tough to do. But the more I thought about it, all I could think was did I really want to manage these things for the next 20 years? NO!!!! So I did save a few keepsake things that brought me to tears when I tried packing them up to go, but other than that, I let our son decide what HE wanted to keep, then went down the line with our foster kids, family and friends. The funny thing was, the things that I wanted to keep were the things that were important to our loved ones, too. Now I know who to bless in the will! LOL.
Hi Darlene! Oh, I totally understand. At first my husband felt a bit overwhelmed at the prospect. I listened very carefully to him, though, to try to figure out what was really upsetting him. I finally realized that one big reservation was that he was worried about not being able to do the work. His whole perspective changed when I told him that we could have someone else to do the clean up/clean out. That made ALL the difference! This really was SUCH an overwhelming task.
I was also extremely worried when I saw my husband become emotionally compromised when standing over his train set. Thankfully, it meant just as much to our son and foster son as it did to my hubby. He was so happy when our foster son offered to store it for us until either we or our son had a place to set it up again. He just wanted to make sure we keep it in the family. In all of this, I tried to be very sensitive to my husband's feelings (to everyone's feelings, really). They all need to always feel important, appreciated, needed and loved. They need to know the memories will last. Especially my husband. Celebrating him and honoring his life is a very important focus in this process. We definitely kept what mattered.
The "letting go" part, even when you've thought things through and have prepared your heart and mind to do it, can be really tough. Downsizing after a lifetime of home, family and memories, and the flood of emotions that accompany it, can be so hard. What helps is trying to turn focus away from saying "goodbye" to the past and toward the prospect of a future full of exciting possibilities. Things will definitely change; but surrounding ourselves with the people we love, carrying on important traditions, and cherishing the memories are truly all that matter.
Gracie, girl - hugs, hugs, hugs right back atcha! I'm feeling the love - and a good hug always helps a farmgirl through! You're the best!
Love you all girls!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Edited by - Ninibini on Nov 01 2021 11:59:50 PM |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
6480 Posts
Debbie L.
Oregon
USA
6480 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2021 : 07:16:20 AM
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Hi Nini, glad you are back and thank you for the update. I certainly understand about the purging, and keeping the important memories. Went through it a year ago when we relocated from Colorado to Oregon, it is difficult and stressful. But there are new memories to be made and new adventures waiting for us. Good Luck seeing it to the end and enjoy every minute of being with your mom again, what fun you gals will have!
Hugs, and more hugs.
Big Hugs,
Debbie
#1582
Blessed in Oregon
Farmgirl of the Month September 2012 and February 2018
“My altars are My Mountains
and the Ocean.” Lord Byron”
When I am Old I Shall Wear Purple !!
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4140 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4140 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2021 : 4:33:11 PM
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Hang in there Nini, change is never easy.
Farming in WI
Michele
FGOTM June2019
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
6771 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
6771 Posts |
Posted - Nov 08 2021 : 1:41:51 PM
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Nini, you are such an amazing woman! You are doing so much and I wish I could be there to help out. Thanks for giving us an update. You are on my mind frequently. I’m glad you decided to wait until after the holidays to list your home. We did that 2 years ago and I hated it. Really added more stress to the holidays and was not fun. Enjoy your last holidays in your home and have a wonderful time with your parents! Many hugs to you!
Krista |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9269 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9269 Posts |
Posted - Nov 13 2021 : 05:05:01 AM
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Nini,
Sp glad to hear the train is be kept safe for you! When we moved out son had to come move his big backyard train. Fortunately, my husband had a trailer to haul it so gave him that and our neighbor, a gem of a man, also had a trailer and told him he could store all of it at his place and he would help him move it when everything was set to do so. He'd had it set up in our backyard for years. The grandkids rode in it and loved it. He originally got it at an auction that JT's family was having.
Very important to keep the things that mean the most.
So sorry you didn't get as much for your things as you could have selling them outright but we always have to weigh the cost. Sometimes it is more worth it to do it the way you did for you and your husband's sake.
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"I am a bookaholic and I have no desire to be cured."
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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Across the Fence: Hellooooooooo Sisters! |
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Hellooooooooo Sisters!
