So, What's New?

I don't know if anyone has wondered where I've been, but I'm back. Actually I haven't left at all, but have been extremely busy getting my house ready to sell. It still isn't listed but it should be soon. Right now it seems to look like this most of the time! I'm spending a lot of time sorting and getting rid of things and packing things away, and reliving memories.
The realtor sent a stager to the house and I am trying to follow most of her suggestions. I thought I knew a lot about things like getting rid of personal items, and moving out a lot of the furniture. But a few things surprised me!
     1. Clearing all surfaces, such as countertops, and picture rails, and shelves. I am of the persuasion that these areas should be filled with quirkly,charming items.
     2. Moving half of the  books from bookcases, and only have books on the shelves....And not using the top shelf.  I have 15 bookcases in my house, and some of that space is filled with sewing boxes, and antique globes, and an old typewriter, and teapots, and china, and little houses, and crafty, handmade things, etcetera,etcetera,etcetera. Well, it used to be. Now, I have mostly bare surfaces. And I don't like it at all.
     3. Drawers and closets should also be only half full, and NO EXTRA HANGERS in closets. Really, I am still laughing at that one. Funniest of all was when she told me I should neaten up my laundry chute. My laundry chute is one of my favorite things about this house. But it's true. If you open the little door downstairs, the clothes do have a tendency to fall out. So, fewer dirty clothes, which I guess, won't be a problem if  I get rid of half of what's in the closets.
I've moved before, but that was before "staging" became popular. I do think it is a good idea for people to come in and imagine their own lives instead of mine, but I wish I had taken more pictures before I started! I'm not sure who lives here now, but she is very messy, with boxes everywhere! Twenty one boxes took this trip to the Salvation Army. And they weren't the first to go.

You may have noticed that I completely missed March, and a couple of major holidays this year. I have to say that St. Paddy's Day isn't nearly as much fun as it used to be, but I did wear green. I spent Easter in Kansas City and visited my favorite church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help. I can't believe how the grands are growing! Tom will be in high school next year. Lindsey is almost 12 and Joey is 9. Time is always getting away from me.