I thought I had made a lot of progress on the house until some friends stopped by with dinner this evening (thanks!), and I looked at the house through their eyes.
YIKES! There are still a lot of bags and boxes around. Luckily, tomorrow’s recycling day and I can get rid of a lot of them.
I still can’t find some things, and that’s very frustrating to me. I feel like I want to look until I find the item, but realize that it is not the best use of my time.
My friend Roya gave me some great advice last weekend:
Those who matter don’t mind, and those who mind, don’t matter.
Over the next few days, I will be keeping that in mind!
You just moved an entire house. You'll have stuff in boxes for months. In my case it was years before I had boxes unpacked and something other than blankets tacked up in lieu of curtains. It'll get done when it gets done and not before. If anyone has a problem with it, well, they can certainly pitch in and help.
ReplyDeleteGive yourself room to breath and don't be so hard on yourself. It's not going anywhere so you'll get to it eventually. You've got to be in the mood for that sort of thing and after hauling all that stuff you probably just want a rest. Give yourself permission to take a break :)
It takes me a long time to really settle in to a new place and begin to feel like it belongs to me and is my HOME. And that quote is so very true. We had friends over for dinner the TUesday after the Saturday we moved. Hell, we had been entertaining all through the renovation, albeit, very casually. It was more beer-and-pizza-sitting-on-boxes than fine china and silverware, but still fun.
ReplyDeleteSurely the point of your friends' visit is to see YOU! Your house is just the icing on the cake and just think of how much will have changed (read: been put away) the NEXT time they come to visit.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to write down Roya's advice and post it in many conspicuous places. Our friends and, most importantly, we need to search out the blessings of our hearts and not the "in progress" of our house. Have a wonderful visit with your friends--they are so blessed to have you in their lives.
ReplyDeleteYou get a two year pass when you move. Don't sweat it.
ReplyDeleteI told one client -- when the project was 90% done and there was some fretting about not being done before an event -- that guests are coming to see you and not your home.
If people are coming just to see your house, they're not guests, they're on a tour.
A little harsh? Maybe. But we are not our homes.
Bette Midler also has a great saying...
ReplyDeleteIt's bloody near 100 degrees out there, you're working, moved an entire household, AND invited friends to come from near and far to visit with you. My dear, they are all lucky you have time and energy to visit...what shape the house is in is totally irrelevant. Next bozo who says something gets placed on drill-finding duty and also gets to mow the yard. At noon. In today's weather. Oy.
ReplyDeleteActually, the guests were very nice! I am just being hard on myself because I want everything done now!
ReplyDeleteFriends who really know me understand this!
xo
Breath...relax...enjoy your progress one day at a time. :-)
ReplyDelete- Sue
Best quote ever! You just moved in -jeesh- give yourself awhile!
ReplyDeleteIt's been 20 hours since you posted. More boxes emptied?:)
ReplyDeletexo Jane
One box at a time!
ReplyDeleteJust relax and breathe your way through it. Enjoy the process. This is your NEW home!!! All in due time...!
ReplyDeleteThe full quote is "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind". Amen, Dr. Seuss!
ReplyDeleteYou're doin' well, Meg! Keep on keepin' on ;)
And I hope you find your treasures.