Moving on up

I've always enjoyed this tune from an era of pride and hope that blossomed in the 1970s.  

Moving on up!

It's not like we're enjoying a long-overdue respect or a nouveau riche lifestyle and relocating to a deluxe apartment in the sky.  It's more like we are planning to move and that I agreed to tackle my "discomfort with heights". 

That's right.  I don't like high places.  I rarely go out onto our balcony.  When I do, I hold the railing tightly if I look over the sides.   Also, we recently discovered a wasp's nest nearby! 


For our next habitation, one of the young folk convinced me to consider an apartment with a nicer (higher) view in addition to living in a well-managed, affordable and secure building.  Okay, okay!

It has only been two years since the last move yet once again I am reviewing the top 10 tips for downsizing.  I like to plan well in advance, especially when it comes to clearing out the clutter, the things we accumulate throughout our lives.

It's curious and daunting what objects - or animals - make their way into your home, demanding your time, money and space.  

I love planning projects, making task lists and logistical checklists.  I like getting creative with floor plans, taking measurements, cutting out scaled-down, two-dimensional paper shapes of furniture and placing them in various arrangements. The kids thought I was being obsessive last time but it sure helped when we moved into le petit apartement and made everything fit into place.

My evil plan of pushing one or two birds out of the nest last time didn't work. One wasn't quite ready and another ended up moving back in.  So here we are again, still in our cozy, crowded apartment of four humans and two cats.  

Benefits of moving often:

1. You get to review your collection of people, animals and things;
2. You can offload extra furniture and kitchen supplies to your grown children for when they move out.  When they move out...;
3. You discover interesting things at the back of the fridge, cupboard, pantry; 
4. You finally locate that article of clothing, important document or much-loved book that went missing!
5. You get to move into a new home with a fresh coat of paint;
6. You plan ahead for a positive change in your life and a change of scenery. This sure helps one get through a long, dark winter!

It's not like you're losing connection to a community by pulling up roots.  With the positive influences of technology, email and social networking, you can still keep in touch with old neighbours and friends.  Well, maybe not the annoying old bigot next door... 

Links of interest:

• Apartment Therapy:  http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ 
• Smart space-saving solutions for a small apartment:  https://www.ikeafamilylive.com/en/home-story/space-saving-solutions-40#photo-142 
• Top 10 tips for downsizing:  http://www.styleathome.com/homes/real-estate/top-10-tips-for-downsizing/a/308
• Moving Out! A Young Adult's Guide to Living on Your Own:  http://www.amazon.com/Moving-Young-Adults-Guide-Living/dp/1897508956   
• Do you have others to offer?  Please copy and paste in the comments box below. 

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You may also want to visit the blog for The Year of the Rabbit, a novel about fate, family and forgiveness.  
 
Thanks for dropping by.

T

Family visits, heirlooms and dust collectors

I enjoy cooking meals and maintaining a clutter-free living space.  House cleaning though is not one of my favourite  activities.  When the humble abode looks like it could use a once-over and I need incentive to clean, I invite people to dinner. 

I recently hosted a small gathering of family and friends at le petit apartement.  Most of the pre-visit housecleaning was done in a rushed manner.  My helpers had vanished into different rooms, the cats were not helpful at all and I was still recovering my energy level due to a social and networking event the night before.

Regardless, all went well as I quickly rounded up tumbleweeds of cat fur then discretely plowed piles of winter gravel under furniture in the front hall. 

House cleaning is much easier when horizontal surfaces are clutter-free.  Snoozing cats are exempt.  

The ensuing visit from family and friends was enjoyable and boisterous.  In addition to consuming a pot of hearty chili, warm bread, salad and exotic fruit, we imbibed a variety of red and white wines.  The dessert container of profiteroles disappeared in record time, washed down with coffee or tea.

One relative had transported some family heirlooms that had been in safe keeping long since our dear parents had passed away. The "Mother" tea cup and saucer appeal to my sentimentality.  I look forward to using it.  

The swan vases may go to another relative. Otherwise, they'll likely collect dust or may suffer a fracturing fate from a frollicking feline.

My talented sibling gifted me one of her recent wine bottle lantern creations.  If you read this blog back in May 2012, you will recall my visit to her home, sipping wine while exploring a new artistic activity.

I admired this recent lantern creation with the image of the mother pelican and her three offspring. I was delighted when my sister showed me the little battery-powered tea light candle in addition to the traditional kind. 

 

What intrigued me was the symbolism, the story of the mother pelican feeding and reviving her young with her own blood. Makes one think about the sacrifice made to ensure children get a new chance at life.  I was deeply touched by this gift.

 Pelican symbolism links:

• http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/symbols/pelican.htm
• http://www.sacred-texts.com/lcr/fsca/fsca41.htm
• http://www.rosarychurch.net/pelican.html
• http://bestiary.ca/beasts/beast244.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Louisiana

If you want to see more of these unique and practical  lanterns, visit Vitre-Verte at http://www.vitre-verte.com.  

Most of the family potluck contributions were consumed but surprisingly, there was still some wine left-over!  I recorked the white for cooking or a relaxing accompaniment with weekday dinners.  I used the red to marinate a sirloin roast for tonight's dinner.  It was very tasty, served with rice and Bearnaise sauce.  

Thanks for dropping by.  Apologies if I made your mouth water.  Although I do not have edible treats to offer, may I tempt you with some excerpts from The Year of the Rabbit - a novel about Fate, Family and Forgiveness?  See what others have said after reading the book.

T