Apologies in advance

I am sure that posting will be light for the next few weeks because of the move. The imminent move. The frighteningly imminent move.

We need to be out of here by March 1, which means that we need to, uh, pack. Pack, and more importantly, discard whatever we're not taking with us, which is a lot. We've spent the last three years filling up this four-bedroom, two-floor-plus basement house, and we're somehow going to have to pare down our belongings to fit a 900-square-foot apartment. I don't really know how this feat is going to be accomplished, but I suspect several charities are going to get some very large bags full of our belongings, and several more of our neighbors will be bequeathed whatever's too big to stuff into bags.

Why is the idea of tossing away everything so exhilarating? Or is it just me? I like to buy crap just as much as the next consumer, and yet the idea of setting everything out on the curb fills me with glee. We have very few items that I'd feel sad about losing. I'm afraid that once I start shedding belongings I won't be able to stop. I'm going to be in the new place and realize that I gave away all my pants.

The new place! We have a new place! So, uh, I hope this house closing goes smoothly, because otherwise, whoops. We're renting in the heart of Park Slope, and I will officially be that most loathed of creatures—the Park Slope Mom. I intend to start pushing around a double-wide stroller, just for the hell of it. While walking slowly. And drinking a latte. And shouting at my imaginary daughter Finona not to run into traffic.

Comments

[The Casual Perfectionist]

Yay! Good luck with the purging! I mean, the move! Good luck with the move! :)

[Melis]

There is something wonderfully liberating about tossing all of your worldly goods, willy-nilly, to the curb isn't there? I myself feel like a great weight is lifted when I de-bunk, a happy joy at knowing I am responsible for less than I was before.

Discard with glee I say! The charities will love you!

[Miss Grace]

I LOVE purging. It's like a fantastic do-over.

[A.D.]

You are not the only one! I love moving, because I have to consider individually each item taking up space in my home. And "I might need it someday" has a lot less force when faced with "I haven't used it in three years" and "It will cost money to move this to my new place."

Good luck with your move!

[Anne Prince]

We will miss you, Scott, Henry and most importantly Charlie.

[Danielle970]

So you're moving to Park Slope? Yay for city life!

[The Window Seat]

As an ex-Carroll Gardens girl, I can say with confidence you'll love the Slope! Have so much fun and good luck with the move!

[Lori L.]

I hope the move goes smoothly!

[J.]

I'm facing a smaller but farther move in April, So Cal to Alaska, and I'm already getting rid of things. Small things, but things nonetheless.

[Katie!]

I have to tell you how thrilled I am that someone else shares my love of getting rid of crap. We are facing a similar move (4+ bedrooms, etc. to tiny place in new city) and I am SO EXCITED about going through the basement and closets and attic to throw everything out. My husband is a total packrat, so I have to purge in secret. It's an ongoing problem in our relationship, but I always win. Hope you do too.

Good luck with the move! Can't wait to hear all about it!

[PB Rippey: blogma (sleepless m]

We're already in the small apt., having purged, but don't have the house yet--we're looking. A very challenging situation, small space + 3 cats + toddler + heatwave in January + house hunting. Sometimes all I can do is laugh when I find another patch of cat hairball regurgitation with my bare foot. It's better than crying. This too shall pass, remember that. It helps!

[Kizz]

Yay! You're headed home!

[alexandra]

I love moving b/c you get rid of so much junk. You will love your new liberated life. Clutter does weigh down a person's soul...breathe freely!!

[Sarah]

This is random, but, if you have any furniture etc. that you don't feel like taking out of your state... let me know?

(New condo, small salary, same state)Sarah

[Carrie]

Wow, 900 square feet. Just, wow.

I've been writing about purging, too. My Freecycle group has gotten some goodies, lately, but other stuff I've gotta sell, which means it's still sitting around here. (Kicking stupid saleable stuff.)

[Maria]

Um, did we know you were moving? Not that I have a RIGHT to know just cause I read your blog and I've never met you once. But I'm feeling like I'm way behind in the news!

[LaLa]

I was wondering the same thing, Carrie. I went back and scanned previous posts, but I found nothing. Why ARE you moving, if you don't mind sharing and/or repeating the story?

[Elizabeth_K]

Congratulations! She posted (maybe Twittered?) a while ago that she and Scott had moved for more space but found it slightly ... stultifying (my word, she would have said it much better). It was a post about how she was cleaning, cleaning, cleaning her house to get it ready for buyers. And she found one! Which is what I meant to say: AWESOME! Back to big city life for you guys ..

[Alice]

Wow, I thought I had already said why, but I actually never did. I mentioned the move way back here:

http://www.finslippy.com/finslippy/2008/10/if-youre-wondering-where-i-am.html

Soon I'll talk more about why. Thanks for the nudge!

[ameliorate me]

I don't even know what a Park Slope mom is, but I'm laughing at your funniness. Good luck with the move.

[Anna]

Wow! We downsized into a 1000 sq ft apt. 2 years ago, but your move sounds like a lot more fun. It's not as cool to be in an apt. in South Carolina! I loved getting rid of all our crap, it's just freeing!

[Pandechion]

"Finona? Sweetie? What do you want to do? Sweetie? Mommy can't understand you when you're crying. What do you want to do? Do you want some juice? Do you want to get back in the stroller?"

(Karma-baiting impression of a Park Slope Mom blocking sidewalk traffic on Seventh Avenue, courtesy of your former neighbor, who is due in five weeks with her first child, and very glad you're coming back.)

[Speedy Canizales]

Throwing out stuff is exhilirating for me too! I have NO problems throwing out unused/unwanted/unnecessary crap on a daily basis.

The only thing that troubles me is the cost to acquire what I'm getting rid of. Don't get me wrong, I still give it away or throw it away, but it makes me a little sad knowing that money could've been used to buy something else. Or saved for something else. Then a few days later something will catch my eye, and the vicious cycle begins all over again. If only we knew in advance the difference between LOVE and MEH.

[Esther]

You're not the only one. When we moved last spring, I had a wonderful time weeding out our posessions. There's something cleansing about it. It feels great!

[Swiggy]

My best friend from High School was from Park Slope. Oh how I wished I lived there too. I learned how to rollerblade in the park.

I'm so homesick.

Good luck with the move! Enjoy Park Slope.