My mind keeps asking itself those four words. Even though, I know, yes, there is something chaotic happening in my world. I understand that I just have to deal with it, be practical, be calm. But, all of a sudden, I think of the situation, and my heart beats a bit faster, and my brain floods with thoughts, and a tinge of panic electrifies my whole body. Then slowly, the feeling, fades away...
What is this all about? Let me ask you this question (particularly to those who own lots of items)... Have you ever thought about what you would do if you had to move really quickly? If you had to pack 15+ years of belongings. Do you dread it? Hope to the heavens that it won't happen?
Well, I have to say. I was NOT prepared for what happened on Friday morning. You see, for a long time, we have been noticing that floor tiles in our house are really really warm (this is my in town home, not the studio countryhome).
My sister (we share this home) was complaining about not having hot water. At first I didn't think much of it. But, then it got so bad, my wonderful mother and father came to town to fix the issue. They decided to get a new water heater (even though ours was only 5 years old). The next day, my sister warned that there still was no hot water. My father once again, came to town to try to figure things out. Nothing, no sign of what was happening. The neighbor tells my father that she had a major plumbing issue, and her whole house flooded. Upstairs, downstairs. She had to have new carpet, new walls, new ceilings, new everything. We cringed.... And, then went on with our lives... We had lukewarm water. We hoped for the best...
The next day, my sister found water seeping out from under my piano. I rushed home, my parents met me there. WE promptly started moving furniture, while my dad cut holes in the drywall... The family plumber was on his way... We knew it would not be good...
The Good news? The water does not seem to have reached my bedroom. The bad news? Our plumbing runs underground. WE have the ever dreaded polybutelene pipes that noone ever wants to have, ever. We never knew. We have owned the place since 1993, without any issues. It was never disclosed.
Our house foundation is soaked, our pipes are rotten. The protocol, the only thing to do? After much huddling around, discussing this ever so carefully. The fact is evident, the entire house has to be replumbed. It is the easiest solution. We can not open up the floors. WE have to make the old plumbing dormant and put in all new pipes. The Plumber would start Monday. That meant. Time to pack all of my belongings. Everything. As ceilings and walls will be cut open.
So, that is where I have been. Packing all my life's treasures... All my belongings. The one wonderful thing. I was able to place lots of things on my bed (all my clothes, as I had to empty out my jam packed walk-in closet), as that was going to stay. It would just have to be covered with plastic...
At first I was devastated. But then, I thought to myself... How can you feel devastated? You are able to save all of your possessions... Nothing is ruined... Then my heart broke for the people of the Katrina tragedy... I was just feeling sorry for myself. But, what about all the people losing homes in floods, in fires... No time to save anything... I am soooo lucky!!
All there was to do was pack, and not think about it too much...
I didn't want much help, as I needed to know where all my items were going. And certain treasures needed to be in certain places... Plus, I have soo many breakables...
And, I want to be able to find things easily when it is time to move back in...
I was taking photos, in case I decided to share this with you. Part of me thought, just move on, talk about something else. But the other part of me, needs to talk about it, just to relieve the whirlwind stress of the last couple of days...
Moving big furniture, lots of art... Making sure everything was safe... Well protected...
The most wonderful part of this whole fiasco, was finding treasures that were lost deep in my closet. I have lived in this house since I was 18 years old. I pretty much own everything I brought to Tucson when I left home (and much more). Oh, it is soooo exciting to find treasures I thought were lost... Jewelry I mourned about, was found!! As well as, all the rhinestone stuff and dresses from my Mexico discoteque days. So willllld!!! Horrid Huge platform shoes made me smile from ear to ear! I got them for .50 cents in the late eighties...
The nostalgia of it all, made me appreciate the fact that all was not lost. I can't tell you how I keep repeating those thoughts in my mind. Thank God that things are okay. All it was was an inconvenience, really. And, hopefully, the re-plumbing will go smoothly (crossing fingers big time!)
I played dress up during breaks, and wondered, why I ever paid hundreds of dollars for shoes like this, brought back from London... How did I walk in them???
Yesterday already seems like a blur... As it was my biggest packing day...
And, I have to say, one thing I appreciate about my personality is, I have the ability to let go of issues. I don't like to hold on, I like to move on. No point in dwelling... I need happy in my life... So, as I type this blog post, I feel just fine. I feel remarkably better, and just a little tired...
Mr. Lovee and I moved the last of the big stuff out yesterday... While I sat on an empty safe, I played my piano to my hearts content...
All the while, my life sized mermaid looked on, before being plastic wrapped :) I am so touched at how my family always come through. My sister and brother and I are so blessed to have the parents we have. They are understanding, they take good care of us. I could never express to them, the profound love and gratitude I have for them...
Last night, when I got to the country home, I took a hot shower. And felt so bad for my sister who has not been able to have one in a long time. I also sat down to read all of the comments from my last blog post. Mr. Lovee walked over to me, I looked up at him, huge lump in my throat, and said, "they made it all better." Mr. Lovee said "who did?" I pointed at the screen. At all of your comments. Because, well, they fill my soul. They do, they do :)
It is wonderful to have this country place, where I have my studio, and where, my art world will not be affected. I will have a few busy days this week, but I will see you very very soon!! xoxo Vanessa
