random thoughts – Day 1,933 – (Wednesday) – preparations

The second morning of not having to get up for work arrived with the usual natural elements of light and birdsong, followed by a small meowy greeting from Kiki. Tuesday night had been spent more awake than asleep, partly due to tossing and turning in an effort to be comfortable, and partly due to excitement over The BungaLowell being under contract combined with the news received last night that my offer on what will be my next home was accepted.

Thoughts of “why does my hip hurt?” and “what’s wrong with this pillow?” alternated with “where should I put Kiki’s food station in the new house?” and “maybe I should get a sectional for the living room,” plus a litany of other issues and ideas. Monkey chatter brain was operating in high gear.

The plastics container project started Tuesday was completed this morning. A large, sturdy box procured last week from the mail room was perfect for the task. It was also awkward and tricky to manage when full. It felt like a comedy skit as I first dragged it across the rug, then managed to lift it enough to get it off the deck and then into the moving cube. If my arms were just a smidge longer it would have been easier. In the process, an edge of the box and the top edge of my right kneecap had a brief encounter the led to a flash of pain that had me dragging my leg. At least the plastic containers and plates, bowls, and cups for outdoor use are logically packed together except for the ones still in use in the freezer.

There was paperwork to deal with – both digital and old timey paper. The first deposit check for the purchase of my next home needed to be delivered to the realty office. Luckily, the real estate company has a location in Chelmsford, where Independence Day fever has taken over the town. Two days before the famed parade, chairs marked front row real estate claims along the parade route. There were chairs still in carry bags laid on the ground and opened up chairs tethered to each other with rope. Some lawns featured plastic yard chairs neatly arranged several rows deep. Bunting draped buildings and flags waved in the breeze.

Parade preparations.

A small dumpster was being set up on a lawn opposite the real estate office I was headed towards, and where the parking lot was filled with cars. Several people were busy arranging decorated Christmas trees on a trailer as I arrived. At my departure, inflatable palm trees and a Santa sleigh were being placed. For years I’ve heard that the Chelmsford July 4th Parade is a big deal, and I was seeing some of the preparations.

On the way home, a bag of plastic food containers, swimsuits bought last year that just didn’t work out, and a box of Christmas decorations that haven’t been touched in years were delivered to the donation drop bins at St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop. I caved to temptation and went inside for a walkabout, where I ran into a bank friend and succeeded in not buying anything.

Also during the day, updates were shared with Mom and plans to attend a cookout on Friday were finalized, and inspection appointments were confirmed for the house being sold and set for the house being bought. The second day of unemployment was as tiring as the first and somehow, both felt more exhausting than a day at the former job.