Category Archives: Moving

Breaking Out of the Protective Shell

Posted on August 1, 2014 by John Swinburn

The talk this evening was about local wildlife.  Deer, of course.  And bobcats.  Foxes. Coyotes.  Black bears. Roadrunners. Cougars. Eagles. Hawks.  The list goes one. I’ve only seen a few of the beasts, but neighbors swear they’re all in the … Continue reading →

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Saying Goodbye to Mike

Posted on July 19, 2014 by John Swinburn

Today, we will remove his corpse.  We will take it to a special collection site, where we will have one last look at the body that has shared our home for years and years.  I don’t know quite what to … Continue reading →

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Slow

Posted on April 29, 2014 by John Swinburn

At first, the attitude was aggressive.  Nonstop, fast-paced, hard-driving, get it done.  But it slowed after the third day.  The urgency receded, replaced by the recognition that it can’t all be done at once.  Some things take time.  Rushing can only lead … Continue reading →

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Newcomers

Posted on April 24, 2014 by John Swinburn

The day before we closed on the house, after the formal walk-through, we were inside the place, considering where to place furniture when it arrives, when the doorbell rang.  It was a guy named Larry and his two dogs, out … Continue reading →

Posted in Moving | 5 Comments

Gullibility Exposed

Posted on April 10, 2014 by John Swinburn

How could I have lived so long without knowing that “welcome wagon” was a business and not simply volunteers enlisting the support of local businesses in welcoming new neighbors? I had always assumed it was the term used to describe a group … Continue reading →

Posted in Gullibility, Moving | 4 Comments

Long-Distance Courier Service

Posted on April 5, 2014 by John Swinburn

Today will be a day of long distance driving; a 650-mile round trip to retrieve more “stuff” from the city in which we used to live.   We’ll get boxes of files, an upright vacuum cleaner, an iced-tea maker, boxes … Continue reading →

Posted in Moving | 1 Comment

Adjustments

Posted on April 4, 2014 by John Swinburn

Living in one place for a long time allows a person to get comfortable with all sorts of things: the fastest way to get from point A to point B; the “best” television stations for weather forecasts; the television channel … Continue reading →

Posted in Friendship, Happiness, Moving, Philosophy, Sense of place | 2 Comments

Friends

Posted on April 2, 2014 by John Swinburn

It’s 5:30a.m. and I’m sitting at the kitchen counter in our friends’ very nice house, thinking how fortunate I am that they are such gracious people.  They are allowing us to stay with them for a couple of nights while … Continue reading →

Posted in Friendship, Moving | 2 Comments

Decadence & Guilt

Posted on March 29, 2014 by John Swinburn

In celebration of the closing on our house yesterday afternoon, my wife and I had a decidedly decadent celebratory dinner at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House, a longtime favorite place for celebrations.  We went to the original, the only … Continue reading →

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Insomnia

Posted on March 27, 2014 by John Swinburn

For about the fourth night in a row, I awoke last night between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.  I tossed and turned for awhile, hoping to get back to sleep, but it was to no avail.  I stayed in bed, … Continue reading →

Posted in Moving | 4 Comments

Routine

Posted on March 15, 2014 by John Swinburn

I debated with myself about whether I should get up so early.  I won the debate.  It was just before 3:00 a.m. today when I got out of bed, pulled on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, slipped on … Continue reading →

Posted in Housiing, Moving | Leave a comment

Come What May

Posted on March 13, 2014 by John Swinburn

It’s the uncertainty that amplifies, or maybe even creates, the stress.  It’s the uncertainty that each link in the chain of events will hold tight.  It’s the uncertainty that the underlying assumptions are solid and based on good information.  It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Housiing, Moving | 1 Comment

Comfort

Posted on March 1, 2014 by John Swinburn

Last night, as I considered what to keep and what to give away in preparation for our impending move, I was struck by the duality of my emotions about this change. I am ready, I think, to explore new ways … Continue reading →

Posted in Friendship, Moving, Philosophy | 2 Comments

The Leap

Posted on January 25, 2014 by John Swinburn

It is becoming much more real now, this impending move.  A few days ago, we met with the realtor to discuss pricing, presentation, and the schedule for having a photographer in to get the shots to be used online and … Continue reading →

Posted in Moving | 4 Comments

Moving Maybes

Posted on January 12, 2014 by John Swinburn

My wife and I just returned from a four-day trip to Arkansas, the purposes of which were to: 1) look at some houses in Hot Springs Village that we might consider buying; and 2) visit some ethnic food markets in … Continue reading →

Posted in Housiing, Moving, Where to Live | Leave a comment

House Surgery

Posted on November 22, 2013 by John Swinburn

The guys came Tuesday to resurface the tops of the vanities in the guest bath and  the half bath, as well as the counter of the wet bar.  I had arranged with them to come Tuesday morning, thinking I would … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Housiing, Moving | Leave a comment

Will it Take a Village?

Posted on November 17, 2013 by John Swinburn

          The photos show what we saw on our most recent trip. We left Dallas early Wednesday morning, bound for Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. Some generous friends had offered to host us as we explored the … Continue reading →

Posted in Housiing, Moving | 1 Comment

Whitewright

Posted on September 24, 2013 by John Swinburn

After lunch at Casa Vieja on Sunday, we wandered around the little town of Whitewright, wondering what life must be like in this little time-worn village. There were obvious signs of efforts to revitalize the tiny downtown; Casa Vieja was one … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Moving | 2 Comments

Shifting Sands

Posted on June 17, 2013 by John Swinburn

Oh, about my last post.  Never mind.  House isn’t on the market yet.  Won’t be until we are ready for it to be.  That may be a month or two.  Or three. In the interim, please send money.  Lots of … Continue reading →

Posted in Housiing, Moving, Where to Live | Leave a comment

Good Day

Posted on June 16, 2013 by John Swinburn

So, Tuesday the real estate photographer comes to visit.  And we sign the papers to engage the real estate agent.  And we continue to prepare…to get the house ready…to sell. The idea is that the agent will not put the … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Housiing, Moving | Leave a comment

House Repairs and Indian Slums

Posted on May 22, 2013 by John Swinburn

Week before last, I had the broken ceiling joist above the garage repaired. In the process, pieces of sheet rock broke off, leaving gaping holes and cracks in the garage ceiling. So, today, I have guys in to replace the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Change, Moving | 3 Comments