SHRINK, SHRINK NOT

Whew. Big progress in getting small today.

Eighteen boxes and $84.82 later, I'm finished with Tammy's Shopping Channel on Facebook! I had an absolute blast connecting with friends and then sending my treasures out the door. They went to Virginia, New Mexico, Minnesota, Mississippi, Texas, Vermont, Florida, Missouri, Arizona and Arkansas.

With those boxes out of the way, I loaded the car with our most recent molting of clothing and the last box of stuff for my sister.

Most of the cabinets are empty as is the coat closet and the loft. The ficus tree has gone to its new home. The house is getting deliciously echo-y.

Somebody told me on the phone today that I was so "lucky" to be going sailing. Boy, that really ticks me off. This has nothing to do with "luck." It is about planning, hard work and sacrifice. Where was luck when we were working 7 days a week that first year our business was open? Where was luck when we were working every Christmas Eve and doing inventory on New Year's Day? Where was luck these last nine months waiting for our house and business to sell in the worst economic crisis in decades? No, this is not luck. This is about endurance, focus and not shrinking back when the goal seems too distant.

No. We are not lucky to be going sailing.

But if there is luck anywhere in our lives, it's that we share a persistent lifelong dream to live on the water and the tenacity to do whatever is required to get us there, together.

UPDATE:
--Put a bunch more CDs in iTunes.
--Packed up all our boat books.
--Down to only ONE MORE THING to box and ship.
--Tranferred the phone to the new apartment.

TAMMY'S SHOPPING CHANNEL

Most people would totally chuck the last box of doodads into the dumpster and hit the road, er, canal. Call me green or a bit sentimental, whatever, I just can't do it. After an entire year of paring down our belongings, we're left with a bunch of ramshackle trinkets (aka junk) that are worth absolutely zilch dollarwise, but, if I say so myself, are really cool.

As birthdays and weddings have passed, we've handed out our "Velveteen Rabbit" gifts, well worn and well loved, pottery bowls and paintings, glassware and jewelry, all wrapped up with our happy juju. We're lucky to have friends who value them or at least wait until we leave to toss them in the dustbin.

Now with 12 days to go before we move, I HAVE to deal with the last small box of totally random tidbits that I don't want to give to charity, can't burden my friends with... or can I? What if they actually WANTED them?


To find out, I started posting each item of flotsam on Facebook, free to the first respondent.

My first shopper was Kathy Soulia, a former co-worker from washingtonpost.com, who now lives in Vermont. She snagged that beautiful little painting at the top and sent me this note:

"I am so glad to have a little piece of you! I will keep it forever and it will remind me of your spirit. Remember you have a friend in Vermont...as you travel."

My little treasures are restringing the web of friendship all across the country, Vermont, Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico. One little tug at each end, and there's a connection, a face, a memory, a smile.

This is so amazing, I might start giving away the stuff I wanted to keep!

UPDATE:
--Finished the last soft spot and took photos. We're going to write an article: "How to Fill a Soft Spot and Other Breathtaking Tasks."
--Updated Isabella's blog with some new photos
--We got appraised yesterday and passed our home inspection today!
--Found a home for all our scrap teak. I cannot divulge the recipient lest his wife find out ...