This old gal…
Knew she turned the corner in oldness…when she no longer recognizes the in lingo…or the coveted products…or the popular kid shows… It’s noticeable…just how far out of style this old gal is…after spending time with those daughters of mine… Talking about their Instagram peeps…cool shampoos and makeup…throwing out new terms…that only a teacher of middle schoolers…would know… Wore some fancy new shoes…on our girl date…trying to be in style…thicker sole…acceptable brand name…but the trendy fashion was lost in translation…because this bumblehead…couldn’t walk in them…they felt like moon boots…all squishy and squashy…felt like one of us was walking like those cowboys in old western movies… Had to stop…to figure out my gait…but this daughter of mine…sweet as sweet says…your shoes are drippy…drippy…she adds…means really stylish…it’s the new phrase in junior high… So if trendy me wants to stay in the loop…and be drippy…she'll have to learn how to own…these new moon boot shoes of hers…cuz you know… If you act like you own it… And this drippy daughter of mine…agrees…
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This old gal…
Watched a pod packing video…thought to herself…we can do this…row of boxes…stabilize with furniture…stuff soft items in cracks…secure with ratchet straps…voila…Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy… Started off grand…layers of boxes…but didn’t have enough to go all the way to the top…next some tubs…still not enough for stacks to be uniform…like in the video… And one must ask…oh pod people…packing your pod…so perfectly…where are those quirky non-conforming items…that don’t fit in a box…do pod people not have yardsticks…and awkward wall hangings… Suggestions are to pack nuisance appliances…this pod packer’s choice of words…like the Kitchenaid in its original box… But oh gee…pod people…I guess I didn’t save that box…the mixer came in…five years ago…in case we might move… Then throw in my resident Spider-Man’s handy webbing there…and it might not be perfect pod packing… But it is a perfect Picasso-like pod packing piece of art…of which…we are so perfectly proud… And this husband of mine…agrees… This situation…of this husband and mine...
Thanks to the 3x fast forward push…of the house possession button…reminds me of a story my Mr. told… When he was 13 or 14 years old…his dad left to travel and find work in the fields…for three years…this man of mine…didn’t really have a home… All his belongings carried in a bag…sisters and friends provided a place to sleep…he hitchhiked or took a bus…to Kansas or Nebraska…and worked picking vegetables… Stayed with his sister in Colorado…several months a year…and traveled with them to Texas…to pick onions and carrots… At that age…he says…it was kind of an adventure…he didn’t realize the danger…or that something could happen to him… Now fast forward…50 years…the pause button pushed while we hang in limbo between Old Home and New Home… Hit rewind…and for 30 days exactly…the homeless adventure begins again…but this time with more than one bag…and an awesome travel partner…who if need be…will use her super secret Ninja moves…to keep him safe… Not sure where we will go…but can be sure…this may be the grandest adventure of all… And this husband of mine…agrees… This old gal…
Ugly cried today…not the blubbery goobery sobbing really…but to those experiencing it…there’s little doubt…that it was ugly… Five days ago…this husband and I…while walking through the inspection on New Home…got an offer on Old Home…one stipulation being we vacate said premises…in three weeks…they gave us…two hours to decide… We drove home…in silence…the Pinball Wizard actively playing in my head…decline…risk not getting another offer…accept… Of course we did…and kicked it into high gear…packing…packing…packing…carrying…carrying…carrying…filled up the Pod with what we could carry… Woke up sore…and tired…and knowing it was time to find help moving the heavy stuff…and feeling a little overwhelmed… When a text pops up…from the best neighbor ever…saying his friend was over and they’d be happy to come move the furniture… So this old gal…went out to meet two 21 year olds…who take charge…and get those pieces…to fit in the pod…just like a puzzle… Thank you…this old gal says…starting to blubber…from exhaustion…and relief…they act cool…like 60 year old women cry to them every day…tell me they know moving is tough…that they will be back when it’s time to move more heavy things…just let them know…and they can help anytime… There is good…in this world…and if put in the hands of kids like these… Everything will be OK… And this husband of mine…agrees… This old gal…
Has some gregarious genes…thanks to her grandfather’s side of the family…his sisters would visit…and laugh and talk…and have a grand old time…around my grandma’s kitchen table… That dynamic personality…passed on to my aunt and uncle and even that mother of mine…when she was in public… It's there in the next generation…and even that of those daughters of mine…fun loving…social…maybe teetering on being too loud… But my grandpa…surrounded by all this joviality…was anything but raucous…tall…thin…quiet…stoic…smoked a pipe and wore a cardigan sweater…kind of always stayed to himself… But every now and then…quiet Grandpa…would brighten up…break out into song…and do a little soft shoe dance on the kitchen floor…to a song from 1923…written by Con Conrad and Billy Rose…Barney Google... Barney Google…with the goo goo goo-ga-ly eyes. Barney Google…had a wife three times his size. She sued Barney for divorce. Now he’s living with his horse. Barney Google…with the goo goo goo-ga-ly eyes. Then he would chuckle…and smile…and walk away… A forgotten memory…triggered by Riverdance…of a gesture…so surprising…so seemingly out of character…that always warmed a little girl’s heart… And that favorite aunt of mine…surely agrees… This old gal’s love language…
Is gift giving…it stems from…perhaps…for little me…gifts were few and treasured… Kids didn’t have tons of stuff…back in the day…got a toy for our birthday…a few things for Christmas…and sandbox toys…at Easter… On vacation…it was understood…you got one little souvenir so choose wisely…and we clothes shopped only in August…for school clothes… Little me didn't feel like she lacked stuff…or ever wanted something she didn’t have…it was just the way it was… But you knew…to treasure what you did have…because that was it…if something happened to it… At the age of 6…little me fancied herself a beautician and cut Skipper’s hair…proudly showed it to that mother of mine…only to hear…you know that won’t grow back don’t you… Little me was mortified…realizing the impact of what she'd done…and still feel those sick feelings today…if it's thought about... But Skipper fit in fine…with Ken who’s head always popped off…and bald Midge…and floppy legged Barbie who’s owner realized too late…that she could not do the splits… So when it comes to parting with all those treasures...collected these 6 decades…there’s going to be quite a battle…with 6 year old me… And more than likely…she will probably win…thank goodness…for the plastic tote… And this husband of mine…agrees… What's your favorite childhood treasure? This old gal…
Loves stuff…attaches feelings to stuff…relives memories with stuff…and has been packing up stuff…for a week… it’s the thing these days…to have all personal items…all clutter…removed from the house…when trying to sell… So box we did…all those prized possessions…coveted memories…snuggled up and hidden away…the house now down to bare bones… But funny thing…this old gal…and her Mr…kind of like this sparse look…it’s open and light…and freeing… And good thing…because New House…is tiny…and has very little room for stuff… It’s funny…how life prepares you for next steps…our winter away…showing this old gal that home is where the heart is…making way for this new move… The freedom from stuff…preparing us…for paring down a bit…saving those that are dearest to our hearts…and giving others…a new life…with someone new… But easier said than done…cuz I know…those treasures of mine…will look up at me like those toys in Toy Story…and say pick me…love me… And they will get their way… And this husband of mine…agrees… This old gal…
Isn’t going to pretend…that this whole process of buying a house…and selling our house…and moving…from the only town she's ever lived…isn’t daunting…and scary… Like a roller coaster…its up with excitement…for something new…a larger town…the chance to meet new people…getting to see my Mr. on his own turf… Followed by the drop…of the What If’s…what if…this house doesn’t sell…I can’t adjust…I’m not happy…I don’t make friends… But wise words…from a dear friend…resonate through my internal frenzy…you know…she said…things are temporary…nothing has to be permanent…give it time… And this mantra has been repeated…many times…when fighting the What If’s…stages are temporary…give it time… Mix in these words from another BFF…Have Faith… And there’s a recipe for stepping off that What If ride…Give it time…and Have Faith… Sprinkle in more wise words…from those daughters of mine…it will be OK… And this husband of mine…agrees.. This husband and I…
Did a thing…bought a house…in the town where he lived for 50 years…before marrying his queen… His words when we met…were…will relocate if love is true…cliche I know…if love is true…romance novel phrase…but a big statement for my Mr…for if anyone is more scared of change than me…it would be him… But true to his word…at the age of 61 he packed his bags…and moved to my hometown…and lived in my world…for five years… And now…with the freedom of retirement…it’s my turn…to leave behind what's always been known…for something different…something new… For this man has proven to me…in the last five years…that love can be true…and loyal…condition free and accepting…fun and full of adventure… And worth…relocating for… So get ready new town…a couple of wild and crazy old coots…are headed your way… And this husband of mine…agrees… This old gal…
Celebrates her princess today… Her third little princess…grew up in the shadow of two busy sisters…never complained…just tagged along…and let it be…about them… But now it’s time…for her to shine…spread her wings…strut her stuff… Take a bow…for her quick wit and love of life… Kudos for…her caring heart…and giving nature… Standing ovation for…impressive work ethic…and desire to make a difference… A bouquet of roses for…unfaltering Faith…and remaining true to herself… So Happy Birthday…my little princess…my beautiful sunshine…my super star… This day…and these applause…are for you!! And this husband of mine…agrees... |
This Old Gal
Devoted Wife Magical Mom Retired Teacher Embracing life's grand adventures with humor and grace. Archives
July 2024
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