Thursday, April 10, 2008

Friday Five: A Moving Experience

Mother Laura at Revgals writes:

We are right in the middle of a move--only twenty minutes away, but we're still a mix of busy, excited, nervous and surprisingly full of grief about what we're leaving, for me at least. So this week's Friday Five asks about your experience of the marvels and madness of moving...

1. How many times have you moved? When was the last time?

I just counted and I think my moves total 16. Wow. I didn't know that. Most of my moves have happened as an adult. My last move was when I got married. Since then I've stayed put.

2. What do you love and hate about moving?

I love the opportunity to de-accumulate. I like finding things I had forgotten about. I like the surprises of encountering a new place, and settling in. I hate: millions of hangers! where did they come from? Discovering that I have so much bric-a-brac, so many miscellaneous decorative items. I also hate leaving, and usually cry a lot.

3. Do you do it yourself or hire movers?

Mostly I have done it myself, with help from various relatives. Twice I had movers, when I moved here to my call in the big city, and of course, when I moved to Japan. Oh, the movers only helped on the way home, when the amount of "stuff" I had increased exponentially. For my move to rural South Dakota, I was helped by three farmers who brought their trucks. I was also helped by many members of my congregations who helped unpack the trucks.

4. Advice for surviving and thriving during a move?

Hmmm. Get help. Don't ever get a hide-a-bed. Or, if you have one, realize that you will have to get different movers every time you move. Nobody will offer to help with it more than once.

5. Are you in the middle of any inner moves, if not outer ones?

No outer moves on the horizon now. I'm always working on moving to a more courageous place inwardly, a place where I can take more risks and dare to fail.

Bonus: Share a piece of music/poetry/film/book that expresses something about what moving means to you.

Right now I'm drawing a blank on this one. If I think of something I'll add it later.

If there is anyone left to come over, this is the song I finally thought of:

16 comments:

LoieJ said...

I have a friend who worked for the USFS who had to move every 5 years. His wife said that it was great to not accumulate stuff; they were forced to deal with that issue periodically. My daughter has had the hide-a-bed lifted into upstairs apartments 3 times, so you are right on that. Groan.

Hot Cup Lutheran said...

ooh diane you're not drawing a blank... you're waiting for inspiration to hit so you can post a diane original on moving!

Sally said...

I collect hangers too- I think they secretly multiply!

Diane M. Roth said...

hey hotcup, thanks for the vote of confidence! hmmm, maybe there's a poem brewing, we'll see...

Katy V. said...

Whoa, the comment about the hangers resonates with me! Completely true. Nice play!

LutheranChik said...

ROFL about the hideabed.

Futons rock -- they serve the same purpose, and they're pretty disposable.

Shalom said...

The family lake cabin has its original hide-a-bed (circa 1950) which we inherited - and which will either have to stay there forever or be raptured directly unto heaven, because that sucker weighs a metric ton. You are right on about that. Well played!

Elaine (aka...Purple) said...

It does seem that inner place can provide the grounds for more risk taking and being more open.

Smiling at the hid-a-bed comment.

Dorcas (aka SingingOwl) said...

"Don't ever get a hide a bed."

LOL!

I think I hope I am coming the the festival of hommies. Do you know who may be coming? Any chance of a REv Gal meet up for lunch or something? I know Questing Parson is coming, but not who else.

Lindy said...

Hide-a-bed... same with a piano.

I like the streamlining effect of going through all my stuff and getting rid of about half of it. There's very little I actually need: My dog, my icon, and my Jack LaLane Power Juicer. The rest is fluff.

Barbara B. said...

Yes, de-accumulating is the BEST part of moving. And hide-a-beds were designed by the devil.

Diane M. Roth said...

Lutheranchik -- I agree with you about futons (in Japanese they wouldn't add an s, though).
Singing Owl -- I'm not sure who is coming, I think Possible Water (Juniper); I know there are others, but I haven't figured it out yet.

Diane M. Roth said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I'm just picturing a closet door opening up and a mountain of hangers bursting out...

:)

GreenishLady said...

I believe today's your Blogaversary, so I came by to wish you a Happy one, and took the opportunity to scroll down a bit. I've enjoyed meeting you!

Processing Counselor said...

Lot's of moves! I loved your music selection.