Next: another closet

My, how the time does fly.

Thirty-three years ago, I moved into my house.

In another couple of weeks, I'll be moving out.

When I first contemplated it, the task of moving from a house and into an apartment was daunting. But now that I've done all of the research -- into real estate agents, moving companies, new apartments -- it seems less complicated.

But it's still going to be a tough row to hoe.

I interviewed three real estate agents. I looked at a half-dozen apartments. I talked to moving companies.

The solution appears to be throwing money at the problem. But selling the house will more than cover that -- and probably cover me for as long as I am on the right side of the grass.

I'll also save money. No more yardman. No more housekeeper. No more property taxes. And the list goes on.

They key to the process is to take it one step at a time. Today, I'll do this. Tomorrow, I'll do that. As the ancient Chinese writer Laozi said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

The first step is weeding out the junk. Over the past three decades, I have accumulated so much stuff. I've adopted a flexible guideline: If I haven't used it, read it, or needed it for five years, out it goes.

Family and close friends will have first dibs on books, tchotkes, unneeded furniture, etc. The next step will be to call Diversity Thrift.

Anybody need a 1950s wicker picnic basket, complete with checkered tablecloth, early-plastic plates and cups, and an unopened package of paper napkins? There are even slots in the plastic plates to hold the plastic cups. Sixty years ago, the family often used that picnic basket. It's been all over our neck of Virginia, from Natural Bridge to Yorktown. I've had it since my mother died and have never used it.

I spent the past weekend cleaning out two closets and the attic. I bought a 10-pack of yard-waste bags for the throwaway stuff. I used them all, as you can see in the picture above. The trash men hauled it all away this morning.

I have another closet and a pantry to handle next.

One step at a time.

There are lots of small things I'll move myself. If I weren't taking a fitness class five mornings per week, I'd never have the energy to do this.

Moving day is about three weeks away.

I suppose I'd better buy some more big plastic bags.