We have been working on our house nonstop since last Thursday to get it ready for market. I am TIRED. My arm is sore from scrubbing the oven, scrubbing scuff marks off the stairs, and scrubbing blinds. Paint has freckled my hands (permanently, I fear) and a big blob ended up on my favorite jeans. Why did I wear those even after I said to myself "Now don't wear these, you'll get paint on them!"? I'm so mad at myself. No matter how careful I say I'm going to be with paint, it always ends up in places it shouldn't.
Moving on, the curling wallpaper is glued down, windows are washed, the ceiling fan blades are dust-free, and the window sills are painted. A carload of my son's belongings were moved to his dad's storage space, and the smelly dog toys are in the trash. The listing for our house goes "live" tomorrow and I still have 2 more bathrooms to scrub, doors to clean, and more touch-up painting. I'm starting to think we may never get it all done and it is going to have to be okay if we don't. We have three family gatherings to host and church and work, so I'm about to put this thing on cruise control and coast, cher.
I met my favorite girlfriends for dinner last week. When I see their faces I light up because I know we are in for lots of laughs and sharing and dog talk. Friends that allow you to be who you are and accept the less-than-perfect you are rare, and I am so grateful that we are friends, journeying through this life together.
I was presented with a beautiful heart necklace, a book called "Joys of Friendship", and a card that says "Your strength may surprise you". Wow, I totally did not expect any of it. The necklace says "A True Friend Reaches For Your Hand But Touches Your Heart". Awww! I was a bit overcome, I could hardly express myself properly.
I've known these girls since my days at the animal emergency clinic 10 years ago. I was a newcomer to animal medicine, green behind the ears with a weak stomach. These two girls helped me through countless nights of frantic "parents", dying animals, irresponsible animal owners, smells, vomit, and doctor idiosyncrasies. I honestly don't know if I would have lasted as long as I did without their expertise and guidance.
Even though we no longer work together we continue to have our girls night once a month or whenever our schedules permit. I'm going to miss them so much, for our bonds have grown beyond animal medicine; laughing and crying and sharing personal heartaches. It is not uncommon to have 3 hour dinners and try to solve the world's problems over margaritas, or lately, ice tea. :) Missing them already....
Hope everyone is preparing hearts, minds, and homes to receive the true gifts of the season. Peace and blessings to you all!
Moving on, the curling wallpaper is glued down, windows are washed, the ceiling fan blades are dust-free, and the window sills are painted. A carload of my son's belongings were moved to his dad's storage space, and the smelly dog toys are in the trash. The listing for our house goes "live" tomorrow and I still have 2 more bathrooms to scrub, doors to clean, and more touch-up painting. I'm starting to think we may never get it all done and it is going to have to be okay if we don't. We have three family gatherings to host and church and work, so I'm about to put this thing on cruise control and coast, cher.
I met my favorite girlfriends for dinner last week. When I see their faces I light up because I know we are in for lots of laughs and sharing and dog talk. Friends that allow you to be who you are and accept the less-than-perfect you are rare, and I am so grateful that we are friends, journeying through this life together.
I was presented with a beautiful heart necklace, a book called "Joys of Friendship", and a card that says "Your strength may surprise you". Wow, I totally did not expect any of it. The necklace says "A True Friend Reaches For Your Hand But Touches Your Heart". Awww! I was a bit overcome, I could hardly express myself properly.
I've known these girls since my days at the animal emergency clinic 10 years ago. I was a newcomer to animal medicine, green behind the ears with a weak stomach. These two girls helped me through countless nights of frantic "parents", dying animals, irresponsible animal owners, smells, vomit, and doctor idiosyncrasies. I honestly don't know if I would have lasted as long as I did without their expertise and guidance.
Even though we no longer work together we continue to have our girls night once a month or whenever our schedules permit. I'm going to miss them so much, for our bonds have grown beyond animal medicine; laughing and crying and sharing personal heartaches. It is not uncommon to have 3 hour dinners and try to solve the world's problems over margaritas, or lately, ice tea. :) Missing them already....
Hope everyone is preparing hearts, minds, and homes to receive the true gifts of the season. Peace and blessings to you all!
34 comments:
Oh, you made me tired just reading all you have accomplished and still have to do! I agree... do what you can and then believe it's enough. What a wonderful gathering with your friends - they sound like gems and obviously you are, too. I don't know what I'd do without the friends I have that know me through and through and love me anyway! Hope you have time to breathe and enjoy the season!
My girlfriends are what I miss most about living in a new area. Plus being rural, there's not much opportunity to make new ones. I joined a photography club but that has been disappointing as far as socialization. Good luck with the house sale. Has the market improved somewhat?
So great to hear from you, Gail -- and that things are moving forward.
Selling a house is sooooo stressful, especially when you add in the holiday element. Take care of yourself, please! It will get done. xoxo
as i was reading thru your list of house chores, i was thinking, 'yup, i should do that, yup, need to do that'. sad. wish i could hire you! :) i do hope the house listing will go well. maybe folks will be in the Christmassy family mood and will want to go house shopping! i know you've got a lot of stress right now, so i'm glad for your sweet friends. :)
What a wonderful support system you have in your friends!
Oh mercy, that sounds tiring and stressful! It sounds like you have some wonderful friends. Good luck with your house :)
So much to do, try not to get stressed out, it will all fall into place.
Remember well those days of preparing a house to sell and the packing and moving. It's been seven and a half years now...where did the time go!
Coast and enjoy the Christmas season.
Ohhh, but you've accomplished much in little time! But I really felt your pain when you mentioned the paint on your favorite bluejeans. I've done that and, like you, have kicked myself black and blue for not listening to the little voice that says, "No, no, no!" Grrr, why don't we listen? Anyway, the hard part's done, relax a bit and enjoy the Season. You've got an amazing network of friends, blessings forever!
Thank goodness for girlfriends! Love that card in your photo.
Friends are fabulous, true blue friends kindred's, gather them gently.
Moving is major and slam dunk exciting. New horizons and we pack our memories for the journey too.
Great sharing.
Oh my, and I thought I had a lot to do...! You are so amazing, Gail, how you are handling everything! Reading about your girlfriends was so touching - what wonderful gifts, and I can absolutely see why they gave it to you! I'm sure they'll miss you terribly!
Have a good time, Gail, and I hope you get everything done in time!
My goodness Gail, I am getting tired just reading this. How much you have done!! Do be sure to take care of you in this process.
lisa. xo
Love all the joy you express as you talk about your friends! Good luck with all that work. I bet the house is looking great!
Beautiful card and a wonderful line "Your strength may surprise You" Yay for all girlfriends! Good luck with your new phase of life!!
Ohhh the gifts are beautiful & you got such a great shot of them! =)
I miss girls night out... we should really start that up again!
God bless =)
It's exhausting just reading about the prep required for your house to go on the market! My own house could use that....just because! I love the fact that you have a "girls' night out" with old friends...and I envy you. ;-)
WOW!! You have been busy. So glad to here you got to take a break and visit your Girlfriends. Sounds like you needed it!!!
Take care my friend.
Hugs, Linda
ah yes, the good old getting the house ready. can you believe that we moved 13 times in 21 years....i know right....call me CRAZY !!!
hang in there....and your friendships sound wonderful !
I wish I could be there to help you with all that scrubbing...We could get it done in a flash. Hope the sell goes quickly for ya.
Friends are the best and what would we do without them? I love having girls night out with my friends...We become little girls and just have the best time ever...
Sure been thinking about you and all the fast paced things going on in your life right now....Prayers for some good rest..
shug
I yiyi, That's A LOT of work... and all BEFORE you have three parties!
Gal Pals are the best! They can change a bad day to good in a second-- It's great to have them and their support. Yeah.
Merry Christmas, jj
What a wonderful group of friends. You'll just have to continue your girls' nights via Skype.. or something. :)
Oh, I hope you get to rest soon. I know what a godsend your girlfriends are. I know they buoy you when you're down. Wishing you every happiness.
Dear Gail,
Just stopping by to wish you and your family a most wonderful Christmas.
lisa. xo
Friends are gold! I am so glad that you have some tried and true friends. Wish I could have been there with Y'all! Maybe someday!
Hugs,
♥charlotte
Thinking of you today.....Hope you all enjoyed a Blessed Christmas season...Have been praying for you and your family...
Hugs,
shug
that's an amazing post! I love your image, it's perfect and the story is touching, forgive yourself for the jeans, give yourself permission to get new ones when you have time :)
I'm just catching up after being away for awhile. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate...so nice that you're able to be there for you mom. I wish you the best in 2012. I have truly missed you!
I'm just popping in to wish you a Happy New Year, Gail! May 2012 be joyful and happy for you! Hugs, xo, Rosie
Have you sold the house now, I hope so:) Last time we moved I though everybody should move every 10th year just because you do get rid off all the unnecessary stuff etc.
So how your life is going, I wish everything is settled somehow and you have your peace in your new life:)
Have a good year 2012.
Hugs, Henrietta
We've just returned from LA and I dropped by to see how you were doing. I hope you've been busy with getting settled/the holidays and all's going well. Happy New Year, my friend.
Just the shot in the arm you needed!
Ohhh, Gail, I could imagine you at the Carousel Bar, walking down Royal, laughing and feeling youth's love. The Monteleone was really good to us; there was a slight screw-up with the online reservations so they up-graded us to a suite. Only in NO would something that nice happen!
Hey Gail,
hope all is well with you & what's going on w/ your family! be safe =)
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