Things We'll Miss...And Things We Won't...

As we're beginning to pack up my truckload of books, I realize there are things I'm definitely going to miss about living in our current place. One is the view we have:

I mean, seriously, who get a view like that in their early twenties?! Oh wait, I guess I was spoiled and went to Point Loma where I had an ocean view for 3 out of 4 years...what can I say I'm used to it now?


The downside of this view is cropped out though - the train yard in Interbay. When we first moved in I think I got heart palpitations from the thundering BOOOMS of trains joining up. Three in the morning and I would think a bomb had gone off in Interbay.

Or there's the braking...I'm not sure which is worse. The brakes emit a long, super-high pitched EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE that's comparable to fingernails on a chalkboard. Either one I won't be missing much...

As of this morning we've already sold our couch and overstuffed chair, a DVD rack, and our headboard and footboard. And technically we've sold the futon although our friends Stephanie and Peter are letting us hang onto it until we get closer to the move date so we actually have someplace to sit.

For the first week we just bummed it out on the floor.

Roy thought it was just a giant bed for him...

And speaking of my Roy Boy, let me tell you of a little adventure we had in the elevator the other day.

First let me introduce Theo. Theo is a stout, medium-sized terrier who lives one floor below us. The owner is the nicest lady, and when Roy's not around Theo is great. But Theo has something against Roy...and the lady never keeps him on a leash. One time Matt was walking Roy into the parking garage and Theo just charged. Luckily Matt was able to avoid a scuffle, but for whatever reason Theo just does not like our Roy.

That said, I was coming back from a walk and waiting for the elevator. It opened and there was the lady and Theo...luckily the lady was holding onto Theo's collar but he went all savage on us and began barking and growling and all that stuff. I smiled and waved and said we'll catch the elevator on the way back and the lady smiled back.

A minute or two later a gentleman had joined me waiting for the elevator and it opened and we got in...me constantly trying to teach Roy some elevator manners. Namely not poking his nose into grocery bags. The man got off on the fourth floor, and right as the door was about to close to take me to the fifth Theo bolts into the elevator.

Theo and Roy went nose to nose, absolutely silent.

Oh crap, here it comes...I thought.

Then Theo charged, teeth bared. Instincts kicked in and with my left hand I swung Roy around behind me into the corner of the elevator and with my right foot I caught Theo by the throat.

I stood like that, balancing on my left foot and fending off Theo with the right all the while keeping my 85-pound dog cornered behind me and my right hand waving in the air to keep my balance.

How the HECK am I doing this??? raced through my mind.

Then the elevator began to close.

no no no No N0 NO

What could I do? The way I was standing the buttons were behind me. Do I drop the foot keeping Theo at bay to hit to Open Door button? I strained with my right hand for the button still balancing on one foot as Theo continued to savagely growl and lunge and just before the door closed...

...an arm stuck inside and the lady wedged herself into the stubborn door and grabbed Theo by the collar, apologizing profusely.

Phew.

And that's one more thing I won't miss.

Going to Golden Gardens dog park and seeing the Sound at sunset. I will miss...but we can always drive over there.

For the next couple of weeks the Morning Cup is going to be mostly about the Big Move. As we've been preparing we're realizing we don't need all this stuff. Its clutter, and to be cheeky its cramping our style. I mean, do we really need everything that's crammed in our closets? Quite frankly, no. So we're downsizing. I had five large bags of clothing to give away. And my closet still looks full!

I actually gave away books.

Please pick your chin up from your desk.

My reasoning was if it was something I picked up for 50 cents and wanted to read "someday," but its been sitting around longer than a year...chances are I can find it for 50 cents somewhere else when I really decide to read it. Or I can check it out from the library.

It went like this: red leather copy of Pride & Prejudice I bough in Wales? Keep.

Circa 1970's paperback version of Virgil's Aeneid I bought for a dime 5 years ago? Give away.

I've been obsessively reading every simple life and uncluttering blog and website there is, and maybe I'll even share some of the things I've learned with you.

That's all for today, folks! 'Till next time: Less stuff more life!