As I soaked in an industrial amount of Epsom salts and lavender oil tonight; I reflected on all the ways I could have avoided the aches and pains coursing through my body. Â Two ways in particular:
Don’t be such a hoarder!
Be more exacting when culling the belongings
In four days we arrive in Sweden.  When that time comes, I don’t want to have huge amounts of clutter.  To that end, for the past few months, I’ve been taking approximately 3-4 sacks of stuff per month to charity shops (thrift stores for my US friends).  Does that shock some of you? So many belongings that I can bring that much and still have more?  Sometimes it shocks me.  I’m really not sure where all of it was.  This is not exactly a huge two bedroom…
Primarily, I’ve been bringing toys our toddler has outgrown and clothes he’s outgrown or we are through wearing.  Yet somehow, as I type this I have 5 large boxes as well as other miscellaneous items ready to go to the charity shop.
Thankfully, the debra charity shop (debra.org.uk) will pick up items of furniture or boxes as long as you have a large load.  It is a charity dedicated to “individuals and families affected by Epidermolysis Bulls (EB). Those born with EB have skin so fragile they are called ‘butterfly children’ – their skin is quite simply as fragile as the wings of a butterfly.† The debra website says it more succinctly than I could.  So, they help me out and our gently used goods go to help out children who are suffering from a horrible illness.
Enough of the sad stuff though…back to the results of these hoarding tendencies.  I have spent quite a bit of time the past few weeks culling, but today was epic.  Hubs took the boy out of the house and I worked so hard that every bone is my body is aching and I had to bathe not once, but twice!  I’m not a fan of stink…
Thankfully, I think we have most of it ready. Â Tomorrow, the garbage bin will be picked up and Saturday, the recycling. Â Of course, we will be gone by Wednesday so my landlord will hopefully help out with that. Â She is amazing. Â She will let in the cleaners and the carpet cleaner I am hiring so we can leave without any worries.
If I could only get through to the airport in Gothenburg to give the “Ok to forward†for our cat. So far, no dice.  Cross your fingers!!  The cat is a no negotiable.
The saga continues…
My next post will be kind of fun. Â I want to discuss with you toddlers and their role in a move. Â Help or hindrance? Â That is the question. Â For now though, I will take my aching back, legs, neck, feet, and wrists to bed. Â I’m really going to miss living so close to Epsom. Having access to unlimited Epsom salts rocks my world :). Signing off!