I don't see how I could have had so much junk in and around a 30-foot trailer! I have already moved several loads of stuff, but back at the horse camp where I lived for almost six years are about two more loads to go. It is outside stuff like the posts and fencing from my yard, a wheel barrow, four propane tanks, miscellaneous handy pieces of 2x4s and boards, one chain link kennel and the cans and bottles collected but not yet redeemed. Then our neighbor Ed will move the trailer here. I intended to get rid of it, but have decided to keep it for storage since it doesn't leak and there are no barns or sheds here other than the two little sheds already moved.
I am so grateful that Santa Claus from Gather is sending me $250 to help me get resettled. That is a wonderful surprise, and I will put it to good use stimulating the economy of a thrift store or two. It will also replace money I spent hiring guys to help me move. Some things I just can't lift alone. Thanks again Secret Santa wherever you are.
Moving from a trailer I have lived in since 1990 leaves me with a scarcity of furniture. My bed is made up of 6" piece of foam resting on piece of plywood supported by four plastic kitty litter containers. I'm an uneasy sleeper and it slides around. I'm going to look for a used bunk bed with the hope that my eight cats will sleep on the top bunk. I also need a big bookcase and a dresser or chest of drawers.
Meanwhile I'm living out of black crates. The man at our small local general store gave me eight crates on the day I started moving. Now I'm using them for makeshift furniture. I'm using a clean sheet of plywood that has been cut to desktop dimensions propped up on crates to hold my computer and its peripheral equipment. The others are stacked along one wall in my small bedroom filled with extra sheets and blankets, clothes and miscellaneous stuff. My present from Santa will help a lot to acquire much needed furniture.
I'm so lucky to have a place to move to where my two dogs and eight cats are welcome. Together Jane and I have more cats and dogs than I care to admit. After an initial time of hissing and spitting all the cats are getting along fine. Even Tiger Tom, my ex-feral ex-tomcat, and Jane's cat, Jack Demsey with similar qualifications, haven't come to blows yet.
Our pack of dogs consist of Rudy a very old small white fluffy dog with a black patch over one eye; Trilby, an 18 year old brindle Staffordshire Terrier (a big pit bull) who belonged to Penny, my granddaughter before she was run out of town for trying to bite the mailman (the dog not Penny); Fergie a huge old rescued dog whose original owner was killed last year in a car crash; Sherpa, my homeless cab driver friend's very old half coyote female who needs help getting up the five steps to the porch; Smokey Joe, just turned nine years old, rescued as a 4 month old puppy, large, black, and shaggy, part collie and the main protector of this family; and Sasha, a wiggly six-month old Heinz puppy, Jane found injured in the road.
When Carmen brought her 4-wheel drive SUV through the deep snow to move me out a few days days before Christmas, my dogs were easy to move. Cats are another problem. I was able to catch and move seven cats easily leaving Tommy behind inside the trailer. The changes made him go wild again. After a few days Jordan, the first handyman I hired, was able to catch him in a piece of heavy felt and stuff him in a cat carrier. Now he stays hidden except when I am in the bedroom. The other cats follow me around as if I'm leading a parade. Whenever I go to the bathroom or the kitchen, they are right behind me. For cats used to being free to roam outside for a few hours every day, they haven't tried very hard to slip outside - until this morning. This morning early, while letting old, slow-moving Sherpa outside, Charlie my shorthaired tuxedo cat, zipped out. I haven't caught him yet, but I'm hoping the six-foot chainlink fence will slow him down from getting out into the chaparral where coyotes and red weasels lurk.
The only trees on the whole three acres of this property are three small fruit trees. The ground is bare and there are often strong winds. We are high up on an up-slope above I-8, and we have a vast unimpeded view to the east, south and west. To the north five of the 25 big wind generators on the Indian reservation can be seen on the horizon at a higher elevation. There are gorgeous sunrises and sunsets to be seen just by looking out windows in this house.
I will miss the quiet solitude, the free ranging horses and cattle, the coyotes, and all the critters at the Indian horse camp, but this little tan house is only about 2 miles form the store and post office as opposed to eight miles before. And there are a lot of other small ranches around us for mutual support in case of emergencies. Jane and I already are finding it much more convenient to live together. I know I can get used to the changes fate has thrust upon me.
Well I'd better go back to sorting and discarding stuff before I make a trip for another load.
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Comments: 33
I have so much junk in my little apartment that I don't know what to do with if I had to move. I'm actually thinking of moving because rents are going down and vacancies are going up, so I hear.
Around here you can get a nice, 2 story, 2 bath brick house, with appliances and some furniture furnished for about $400.00! (within city limits---walking distance to many small stores, and only a couple of miles from WalMArt, Lowe's Home Center, etc.)
Or, if you'd like out of town, you can get a smiliar house, or a brick rancher, with at least a half acre yard--some fenced, some not--for about the same price)
Pets--especially cats--aren't welcome in many places, that's for sure. :o(
And it's not fair, when the pets are well housetrained, especially if you've paid a damage deposit and allow the landlord to check periodically to see that there's been no pet damage done.
Some people just don't like animals--and it's their loss, that's for sure!
I'll bet your view is spectacular though.
We're in the middle of another snow storm, which is supposed to land another foor or two on top of the ice. I'll tell you, it sure brings my critters in fast.
I know what you mean by being followed by a train of cats. I never step backward anymore, without looking where i'm going.
Love and luch to you.
I moved on Oct. 27th and still have a small pile of tubs and boxes in each of my livingroom and bedroom. I keep cutting out and rearranging but all this stuff doesn't fit and that is becoming very clear. Thank heaven my grandchildren have been furnishing their apartments and homes from my stored stuff for the past ten years or I would never have been able to do this move. I did have everything from a three bedroom home, but the furniture is gone now.
The papers, files of writing, trinkets, and collectables remain. I have leads on stores on the refurbished main street here that will consign collectables and I'm going to clear it all out and let them store it. I've found several very useful things, such as my TENS machine, and that's a plus.
Typical California rent, we had the same problem where I lived in Bishop, CA. They refurbished an old motel for seniors. A single room and bath for $650 plus pay your own electric. Only still working Seniors could afford them.
I'm so glad you are safe and back close to your daughter. Sounds like it might be pretty hot in the summer there, but the views would be worth it to me. Now you can write again.
Here's the link:
freecycle
I do feel better knowing that you're with your daughter.
Well, he's much better now and is more closer than ever to us and is bonding with Beanie the black kitty...Of course, Loquita the cheewawa protects Joey all the time...you know how it is with animals - such dynamics!
Ok Ruth here's saying Happy New Year - and all the best! Salud
The view sounds great. Take care.
Thanks to Nancy and Tonia for the tips about Free Cycle and Craigslist. I will try to call or check them out on line before we make our next trip to town.
in my new surroundings in southern Illinois I have taken in two that were homeless due to there mom going into a nursing home. I couldn't think no let alone say it
they both were declawed...
Glad you are settling in and that the Gather Santa Claus found you!!
It warms my heart that you and all the animals like the new house''well except for Tiger Tom'', but don't worry he will come around. Remember when you thought you would never tame him, but you did and he trusts you. I did not think a weasel would be able to harm a cat, they must be vicious little animals,by the sound of what they did to those poor chickens. I'm glad you are closer to civilisation not only for convenience but for your safety, and your petrol bill will be a lot less. I better keep moving my friend I have about a hundred posts to catch up with,and only a few hours on Gather this morning. I hope you are well Ruth , Karen and Tallara sent {{{HUGS}}} and there is a big one from me as well, take care.
Darcey.
We decided it was a weasel that got those roosters because the hole used was so small. But I think raccoons are also around and are a definite menace to cats. I have only let four of my cats out for a couple of hours once, and I kept watch on them all the time. I want them to know what is out there in case they get out accidently. There are no trees for them to climb here but they found a way to climb up the lattice onto the roof. There is a large mysterious closed-off area under the house where who-knows-what may lurk that would harm my cats. Jane has one big puppy that wants to chase them even though she knows she shouldn't.
Big hugs right back to you, Karen and Tallara. I have missed you a lot.
My mother had thoughts of me living with her. It never happened.
Have fun and good luck anyway!