Hard to believe, but this journey we started about 5 years ago when we bought our Florida home is almost over. In two weeks we leave our NY home, the one I designed and built myself, and start our new life as full time Floridians.
At the risk of sounding philosophical, I look at this whole thing like a 5 year long pregnancy. When we first bought our Florida home it was exciting. We told everyone about it.....it was like when you first find out you are expecting. The following 4-5 years has been like a pregnancy.....the "glow" of Florida, retirement, etc. Now, especially this last month or so has been like labor pains.....right now BIG labor pains. Selling your house, saying goodbye to friends and family, selling and giving everything away, and retiring from a great job......all hard things. I am hoping that when we get down there this time, it will feel different. We are not visiting this time. We are there to stay. Wow. Very wow.
Next week two SMALL ABF Relocubes will be delivered to our home. Everything we will be moving down there must fit in those cubes. We are feverishly packing. In the middle of my garage I have drawn the size of those cubes and am filling that space up. I fear it will be tight.
This weekend we sold so much. Actually, we have been getting rid of stuff for years preparing for this time. Now that the house is sold, (gave it away...
) we have past the point of no return. Yesterday I sold my snowblower. Last night we sold our antique dining room set that has been in the family for almost 100 years to a young couple who actually loved it and valued it more then the new garbage most kids buy nowadays. That was good. Today I sold my exmark ZTR mower and last week I sold my 4 wheel drive "great in snow" Jeep. The guy can't really have the Jeep until closer to when we leave and he is good with that.
Our youngest son just bought his first house and is taking most of our furniture. Most all of it except our bed....(I think it creeps him out.
). Haha.
For years the boys have teased me for having too many tools. Now they realize that they will benefit from that. I have spent over three days just sorting tools. I am now realizing I do not need 6 staple guns. I sold over 150 screwdrivers in my last garage sale and still have over 100 left...I guess I'll keep about 20 assorted and give the boys the rest. Of course they can have my snow shovels. I've found about a dozen snowbrushes and ice scrapers, and am leaving them at work for the guys.
There is still so much to do. It is more emotional then I thought it would be. What a huge transition! So......I'll work my last night shift at the Firehouse 11/30. We will get in our car, (we'll have just one car then for the first time in over 30 years) and start driving down. My wife will pack everything, as she is good at that. The lawyer will handle the house closing, which is supposed to take place between 12/01 and 12/15. I pray that goes well. I'll feel better when the check is in my account.
Once down there I'll buy another vehicle. I'll have my NY pension to live on and we'll be fine......but I'll still work because I'll need to stay busy. I might even drive my golf cart on the golf course for the first time. We'll see. I want to learn pickleball. I want to meet some of you good folks. I want to get my car windows tinted. I want to get Disney passes. I want to not need front license plates. I want to upgrade my golf cart.
We have already made some awesome friends down there and can't wait to make more. We are scared and excited, thrilled and sad at the same time. Up here I am one of the oldest guys in the Fire Dept. Down there I'm like "the kid". It is so funny. We are 53 years old....young to retire, but thankfully young enough to enjoy the Florida life. Scared to death and can't wait at the same time. Surreal.
Sorry for the long post. Feels good to post this knowing that many of you have "been there-done that" and made it. I can't believe I'm actually able now to say...."see you in a few weeks!......."
Frank