Packing Up My World

August 8th, 2011 . 1 Comment »

by Victoria M. Johnson

Maybe starting in the living room was a bad idea. I realized that my most nostalgic and treasured possessions are kept there—you know, the items that I can’t possibly part with.  As it turns out, this is the worst place to start for two reasons.

  1. Because each item means something to me, packing is progressing at a snail’s pace. Family photos fill shelves. Favorite books spill out of bookcases. A Day of the Dead collection that has turned into a memorial for my dear mother. My heart collection that dressed up the fireplace mantle. SLOW is detrimental to a family that must vacate their home immediately.
  2. Because each item is special, I’m not tossing anything out. This is bad for morale, as I must DOWNSIZE. I must produce boxes of things to donate. I must fill the garbage bins. It’s impossible for everything to come with us. I need to change my approach. I have a whole house to get through!

What is Clutter?

I want to downsize, I really do. I’m ready to move into that cute little cottage-like mobile home. I’m ready mentally for less clutter (especially in the office). I’m ready for a new beginning. As my husband puts it—clear out the old to make room for the new.

But the old is still meaningful. The old still brings a smile to my face and warmth to my heart. However, I’m sure hoarders start out with this line of thinking. Maybe someday I will seek therapy. I wish I could bring back my professional organizer. But this task is too personal. I have to do it myself.

Posted in Clutter, Downsize
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Where Do I Begin?

July 27th, 2011 . No Comments »

by Victoria M. Johnson

You know how it is when you have a hundred things to do and you begin one thing, which reminds you to do two other things, which reminds you to do another? Well, that’s my life right now and it isn’t pretty.

We need to paint our new home before we can move things in. We also need to purge before we pack, but first we must sort before we purge, which requires making room for spreading out in order to see what should be donated, stored, packed, or tossed.  We can’t really clear things away, until we know where they’re going. I feel like I’m running in circles. I’m not looking forward to the dreaded tasks (purging and cleaning). I want to enjoy the fun tasks (painting and moving in).

Divas use Recycled Packing Materials

I actually got a head start with my office two months ago. I hired a professional organizer who came to help me clear the clutter. As you might imagine, a writer collects a lot of paper. She had gasped at my office threshold.

“Is this the worst office you’ve ever seen,” I asked her.

“No.” She kept her composure. “But it will take longer than I thought.”

With her help, I filled about 9 boxes for shredding and a couple of bags for garbage; and made the office more efficient. So I feel confident saving my office for last.

I decide to start in the living room. It wasn’t as daunting as the kitchen or bedrooms. It shouldn’t take me long at all.

Posted in Downsize
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A Bit of Inspiration

July 17th, 2011 . No Comments »

“Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can’t change. Life’s too short to be anything… but happy.”- Anonymous

Posted in Inspiration

Happy 4th of July

July 4th, 2011 . 1 Comment »

by Victoria M. Johnson

We’re pausing from trailer park issues on this patriotic holiday to have a little barbeque with family. No talking about packing today. Just entertaining with some scrumptous food, margaritas, good conversation, music, and a moment to thank our blessings that we live in this fantastic country of ours.

Happy Independence Day!

What do you do to celebrate our nation’s independence? Do you gather with friends, go to a festival or parade, or watch fireworks? Do you share a special tradition?

I think it’s important during stressful times to revisit those traditions that bring us comfort and renews our spirits. It also helps to surround ourselves with loved ones that remind us how lucky we are. Life is too short to do otherwise.

Posted in Entertaining
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Making It Work

July 3rd, 2011 . 2 Comments »

by Victoria M. Johnson

The wall measurement is a minor problem though. The living room wall has a cut-through to the kitchen, a feature I very much like, but the credenza we own won’t fit there.

That means our credenza will be added to the growing list of furniture we’ll donate. So far our dining room set, , sofas, 65″ TV, bedroom set, and half of my office furniture has to be donated, along with many more items.

A Diva's Measuring Tape

I knew we were downsizing, but now that we’re taking measurements, it’s not so much about having less square footage, as it is that our furniture pieces are too bulky for the places they belong. And I’m not just saying that because I want to shop for new items. Some pieces simply won’t be replaced.

One cool thing about the kitchen is that it has an open counter, and with a few bar stools we might not need a dining room table. My goal is to make our home comfortable and airy, not claustrophobic. With the right choices, we can have an inviting, stylish home for ourselves and our future guests. So I am not sad about the wall measurements. It will all work out.

Posted in Downsize, Mobile Home
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More Than I Bargained For

July 1st, 2011 . No Comments »

by Victoria M. Johnson

Who knew there was so much to do BEFORE I began packing? There are so many decisions to be made. I thank all those of you who have sent me comments–words of encouragement–through this chapter of my life. I’ll fill you in on the hold ups, surprises, and snarls. Stay tuned. This weekend will be a good time to pause from all this madness to give you an update. Don’t be alarmed. There is no way your move will be as drama-filled as mine. At least I sincerely hope you’ll have a smoother transition.

Posted in Diva

We Get The Keys!

June 24th, 2011 . 1 Comment »

by Victoria M. Johnson

I was as excited to be handed the keys to our new mobile home as I had been when we purchased our house six years ago. (The foreclosed house). The excitement and pride were equal and anyone who knows me would be surprised to hear that.

Now that we had the keys it was time for us to get to work. We stepped through the threshold and were greeted by empty rooms. The vacant home looked even more spacious—a short-lived condition—and I imagined how I would decorate it with our belongings.

The Keys to Our Castle

My husband pulled out the tape measure and I used the stud finder. I had to find as much wall space as possible to hang artwork.

“I like this green wall. Are we keeping it this color?” My husband asked, as he measured.

“No.” It’s hideous, I almost said. “It’s a nice color, sweetie, but it doesn’t go with our style.” There’s a diva lesson here. Avoid insulting something your husband just claimed that he liked. No matter how revolting it is. Instead say something like, “It’s not my taste.”

Looking over my husband’s shoulder, I saw the measurement of the wall in question. Uh-oh. There was a problem.

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Preparing For The Move

June 22nd, 2011 . No Comments »

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I’ve been away for a few days. I’ll be back Friday. There’s been so much to do in preparation for this move! Don’t worry. I’ll give you all the sordid details. Why didn’t anyone prepare me for this?

Posted in Diva

A Peek Inside Part II

June 15th, 2011 . No Comments »

by Victoria M. Johnson

Before reality sets in, I thought I’d give you more views of my cozy new mobile home. I fear the packing process will be such a rude awakening that I might not be in such good spirits. I want to bask in the glow of merriment that we’re staying put in the city we love for a little bit longer. (Photo of staged kitchen. We haven’t moved in yet).

A Diva's Kitchen

This experience has certainly been a challenge, exhausting sometimes, and it’s nice to have the strain of the search behind us. I feel for the families across the country that has had to go through similar experiences with children to worry about. I know the loss of a home is bad enough, but add uprooting kids from their schools, their friends and activities, and that has got to be ten times tougher.

Maybe a family in your neighborhood is facing the same fate. I think we not only need to stick together as a family, but as a nation. We’ll get through this period. There will be good times again. Just don’t give up. If this Diva can move into a mobile home and be happy about it, anything can happen.

Posted in Diva, Mobile Home
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A Peek Inside

June 14th, 2011 . No Comments »

by Victoria M. Johnson

Before I allow the panic to set in about squeezing my Diva life into 800 square feet, let me give you a sneak peek inside my new abode. Did I mention I love every inch of those 800 square feet? This mobile home suits my husband and I perfectly. In theory. (Let’s see if I change my mind when it comes to packing and especially when I’m UNPACKING)!

A Diva's Abode

It has two roomy bedrooms and two bathrooms. In fact it has nearly every item on our checklist. Though the home is painted quite nicely, I know I’ll change the color. I need more zing, more vibrancy and originality. The furniture in the photo belongs to the stagers, not us. But it’s still obvious that the home is a gem. Don’t you agree?

While it doesn’t have a community pool, there are other amenities. There’s the large community clubhouse that we can use for private events. The garden setting delights me every time I drive into the park. The location is fantastic and the neighbors seem friendly. We’re pleased with our decision!

Posted in Mobile Home
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We Did It!

June 13th, 2011 . No Comments »

by Victoria M. Johnson

After receiving the fantastic news of being accepted as new residents, we were thrilled and of course we celebrated. I toasted my husband for finding the property and his vigorous negotiation to purchase it. I was so happy that we would continue living near our family and friends. Though a move that required a massive downsize would be a major change for any diva, I was grateful that my life wasn’t changing too drastically. After all, I would keep my current daytime employment as a grant writer, I could stay active with my volunteer work, and my writing colleagues and filmmaking connections were still close by. We lucked out, right? We weren’t forced to move far away.

Then it hit me.

How on Earth was I going to downsize from 1800 square feet to 800 square feet? What had I been thinking?

A Diva's Bedroom

There was no way I could bring all the things I needed from our old place to our new home. I was really going to have to let some things go. A new kind of dread enveloped me. Where would I begin?

This wasn’t simply a matter of losing a thousand square feet of indoor space. I was losing the functional exterior spaces and my large garage, too.

Why had I thought moving into a mobile home was a good idea?

Posted in Diva, Downsize
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