Blogaversary #5

It's my 5th Blogaversary today.  I wrote my first post in a Leap Year on February 29, 2008.

It seems such a long time ago.  We were beginning a new phase of our lives and anticipating being separated from our family and friends in Illinois.  The blog became a way to keep our children updated on our comings and goings.

However, along the way I've met and made so many wonderful friends around the U.S. and the world.  Your caring, empathy, advice, humor and friendship have added a broader, warmer dimension to my life and I thank you with all my heart.

Here is my very first 2008 post.

Moving Madness

We're planning to leave Illinois in June and I'm walking around the house daily trying to organize what things will go to Hawaii, what will be sold at a house sale, what will be going to New Mexico for our son (we'll be driving there in our van on our way to LA to ship our van to Hawaii), what will be donated, what will be stored here in the attic with our daughter, etc. I don't know how people do it.

I've laughed at the things that my 29 year old son wants to keep like old toys and school items. And yet I'm keeping his old baby shoes, some of his soiled t-shirts, blankets, etc. I've even got his casts from his two broken arms!

At first, the idea of moving so far away was really more than I could bear. But now that we've finally secured a mover (Hawaii is considered a international move.), a person to conduct the house sale, reserved a space for the van on a ship and bought the one way tickets to Hawaii, I'm feeling a bit more in control.

And yet, there's that sorting of precious items accumulated over 34 years that is so painful. How do you give up things that people have given you over the years? Unfortunately, we have a huge attic and we kept everything. EVERYTHING! Are pack rats born or are they raised that way?

And now... on to Year #6!

POSTSCRIPT:  Olga of Confessions of a Grandma asked in her comment how many blog posts I've written.  I checked and was surprised to find I'd written 1,678 posts.  Since July of 2010, I wanted to see how long I could write something everyday.  We'll see.