Saturday 12 November 2011

The Move on a Special Date

Photo copyright: Maggie May

I've been really busy over the last few days because of my son's recent house move.
The move happened on the 11th day of the eleventh month of the eleventh year of the 21st century. (Armistice Day). It will be impossible to forget that date.

It seemed to run smoothly and although it was exhausting for all the friends who lifted things into and out of the hire van, and then into the *new* house, it seemed to go well.
It is amazing how friends rally round in times of need and Sam is very lucky to have such a good bunch of friends. I don't know what he would have done without all the help. One friend even hired a small van and all of them made several trips from the old home to the new in their cars as well as the van. All of these friends worked really hard and it couldn't have been easy.
These friends' kindness and hard work will not be forgotten by any of us.

I couldn't do as much physically as I wanted to do mentally. One of the tricks that old age plays on one is that somehow or other, the mind doesn't age as fast as the body does. I can be sitting in a chair, rearranging things and moving things, in my head, but when I come to actually try to put these things into practice, then my body often cannot cope with the exertion and lets me down.
I work for ten minutes and rest for twenty. It is a very sad state of affairs.

If I thought all the boxes were going to be moved from my house as soon as the move occurred, then I was very wrong. Sam's house, although bigger than the last one, has boxes and things stacked in every room. So it will be weeks before he takes the ones from here.

The house will need to be redecorated throughout (eventually) and at some point a garage needs to be built. However, the house was the important part and all the rest can happen slowly. The children will be nearer their school, Sam will be nearer to friends and to us and the neighbourhood seems very friendly.

I would like to thank all the friends who helped with the real hard work, two men and two women.... I think you all know who you are, and I know several of you read this blog.



23 comments:

Wendy said...

Yes, isn't it nice to feel one's friends helping out at these times? I'm glad the move went well and I do empathize with you about working for 10 minutes and resting for 20. I seem to mentally organize things in this house, but when I go to physically carry them around...whew! Not as young as I used to be!

Hope your home gets decluttered soon.

Jackie said...

Maggie...I'm happy that moving day had such a historic date!!
Congratulations to Sam and the children....I know that the children are thrilled to be closer to their school
It is heartwarming to read about the way that friends help each other.
Don't overdo, Maggie. Continue to take the best care of you. Receive hugs from me.
I love you, my friend.
Jackie

Mimi said...

Yay for good friends!
I've taken part in a number of this type of house move, and the atmosphere of co-operation if great. I bet the friends enjoyed it too, even though that doesn't take from the hard work involved.

So glad for your Maggie, that your son will be close by.
Working for 10 minutes and resting for 20 seems a good policy to me!

SandyCarlson said...

It's great to have the help of friends. I am glad you son had your support and that of others.

Hilary said...

It's wonderful to know you have friends to count on. Nice for your son and grands to be in their new home in a pleasant neighbourhood.

Celia said...

Good for you to respect your body and give it rest as it needs. our a good role model for us all. Time necessitates adjustments for all kinds of reasons.

Wonderful seeing friends do such supportive things.

Sueann said...

What a blessing for you and your son! I am glad the move went smoothly! Sounds like he has a very nice place now. And nearer to friends and family is always a plus.
I hear you about the mind saying one thing and the body saying another. It is a tough pill to swallow!
Hugs
SueAnn

Formerly known as Frau said...

I'm so happy he is settled and living near by. It's amazing the kindness of people and when in need that's what friends are for. Have a wonderful restful Sunday!

Gail Is This Mutton? said...

Great to have friends you can count on. You're right about the mind not catching up with the body. As my mum said the other day (she's 79), "Getting old sucks."

mrsnesbitt said...

Aye - friends are a very good thing!
Dxx

Brian Miller said...

smiles. love helping people move....so tangible and fresh starts are cool...hope you soon enough are relieved of the boxes...truth told i still have 3 boxes at my parents house...the running joke is that i leave them there so i have reason to visit...of course i love them...and the boxes have been there for 15 years now...smiles.

Ayak said...

So pleased to hear thst the move went well for Sam. Lovely to have such good friends xx

secret agent woman said...

I'm glad for your son and his kids - sounds like a good move for them. Hope the boxes aren't too much in the way!

Irene said...

You need to be very organized when you move house and it's a shame that you are not in the kind of shape to help out the way you would like. It must be very frustrating. I know you would have that place straightened out in no time at all. As it is, you will have to rely on Sam unpacking his own boxes. That would drive me nuts. XOX

Jeni said...

Ah -moving! One of my least favorite things in the whole wide world! My last big move was on Dec. 7, 1979 -also an anniversary of a very important event -and thank goodness, my kids and I were just moving from the house next door to this one! Unfortunately many things went wrong that day so I have often said it was sort of like Pearl Harbor revisited -just no deaths involved! I know exactly what you mean about the mental tricks that get played on us as we age -my mind keeps giving me notions of being able to do lots and lots of things until I start trying to do them and then -well there's a rude awakening to behold for sure! Just wondering too -Technobabe posted a farewell message on her blog today but apparently changed things so only "Team members" could comment on her place. If you can post on her blog, tell her -from me-that I'll miss her a lot!

Anonymous said...

How heart-warming that there is so much kindness in the world.

Bernie said...

Think of you and your family often dear lady. So happy Sam and the girls are in their new home and all has gone well. God Bless. Sending big hugs....:-)

Akelamalu said...

Good friends and family make EVERYTHING so much easier don't you think? :)

Suburbia said...

So glad it all went well Maggie x

Happy Frog and I said...

It's great when friends pull together, glad to hear the move went well. x

Sally Wessely said...

I'm glad your son had such great help. The thought of moving would just do me in because I, like you, do not have that much energy, stamina, or strength.

My daughter will have to move soon. I dread the thought. I looked at her garage the other day and wondered to myself how the move will happen. She will have to rally all of her friends.

Rose said...

I'm glad all went well with Sam's move; he's so lucky to have such caring friends. I'm sure he's happy to be settled in at last.

My mind seems to think, too, I can accomplish more than my body does. Those rest breaks are important!

Anonymous said...

Glad the move went well and it is such a nice thing to have such helpful and caring friends. Your house sounds like my mum's. She currently has my sister living there and my sister's daughter and the house is a tip. My mum is struggling with the tip on a daily basis though sister shows no signs of ever moving out!

CJ xx