We (my kids & I) moved apartment while my husband was still hospitalised, trying to recover from the accident (which he never recovered from). . .the timing was weird because obviously I had no idea he'd never even know the new apartment. It made it MUCH easier when he did pass, because I didn't have a constant feeling that I'd see him around the corner.
Change is good

Wishing you the very best as you move far from WA and start your new phase of life. I hope you find a rewarding job, have nice neighbors, and will be very glad you moved. Let us know how it goes!
Doye

So glad to hear from you. I sold my house and am temporarily at my son's. I did the same with packing. One day I cried so much. I finally got up and walked away from it all. My sister in law came and helped with the rest. At some point I'll have to unpack it all. But for now its in storage until I figure out where this "new life" is taking me. Happy traveling!
Rachel

Wow. All I can say is Congratulations on the sum total of your accomplishments! That is quite a lot of change, all added up.
Very courageous. be proud of yourself.

Dennis, I don't know how you have managed to get so much done! I tried to do a little housework today, but everything I did made me cry. I moved his coat, I cried, I touched something he might have touched I cried. I did laundry, I cried. I just cried the whole damn day. My gumtion has left the station and I can't get it back. I cannot imagine how totally exhausted you must be. Glad to hear from you, hugs and love, Michele

Congrats on everything you have accomplished...

Welcome to Arizona, it's a beautiful place to live, well maybe
the summer can be debatable when its hot...

I have been here just over a year, but miss my love more than
anything.

safe travels

You must be psychic - I was just wondering how you were doing and whether the move had happened yet, etc. It's a mountain of change you are scaling, but WOW - kudos for getting it all done or at least nearly done!

I moved from Florida to England, gave up my career and 99% of my possessions, and last year finally sold the family home in the US. That included getting rid of/sellingoff/donating/shipping the last remnants of my old life, chunks of mementoes of my children's lives, and my husband Cliff and his family. The worst day was when I out my sons' baby books in the same garbage bag as my late mother-in-law's wedding picture along with all the sympathy cards I received after Cliff died. It was too much....

I wish you tons and tons and tons of happiness and success in your new adventures. Forgive me if I sound like your mother for a minute, but please remember to eat, sleep (!), and maybe add some B-complex to your regimen (stress vitamins) just to be on the safe side.

Thanks for the update - let us know how the next steps go, too.

Love and Hugs,
Martha

It's good to hear from you. I knew you were doing the selling packing, moving thing. But the interview on arrival? Wow.
A tip, hang your Interview clothes(slacks, shirt, jacket, tie, Etc...)and pack all needed accouterments (shoes, socks, belt, tie clasp if you use one) in a bag over the hanger. Then carry this in the cab or car with you to immediately hang in your new place. It will save a lot of time and frustration getting ready for the interview.

Safe travels and good luck
Jewell

Dennis,

Good to hear from you, and glad to hear that this stage is coming to an end, or at least the end is in site.

Be sure to let us know when you get settled, and great advice from Jewells1 - you will be suprised how much stuff you can't find when you need it - after packing.

Safe travels are a must, Good advice from Jewells, Never can find things you need when you need them.

I was thinking about you too as I'm interested in AZ. myself. Good luck and do let us know how you like it there.

Dennis, sounds like things are falling in place. It sure makes things (loss) easier when you don't have to deal with obstructions and the unexpected. Good luck to you in your new endeavors and safe travels buddy. ~Pete

than you all for the support. I find myself stunned that I have "pulled it off" (well, almost) but i've always "been lucky" that way..Its probably why I work in Project/Program Management..I gave myself a deadline, and I have beaten it, which is usually my goal when i do that at work..my goal for this was to be done and gone before November 9. (her birthday, Nov. 11 - 1 yr anniversary) and that will be easily accomplished now.

Michele- the de-cluttering team i hired several months back was a key step in this for me...Up to that point, I was finding it nearly impossible to start..there was simply too many memories..EVERYWHERE... I knew i needed help dealing with that..and I knew I would have to make the hard decisions to let things go when they arrived..They cleaned out ALOT..

It gave me a good way to get started.. I still get sidelined every now and then with some tears..I stupidly sat down last night and looked at bottles of Melodies perfumes...that was bad enough until whatever part of my brain kicked in and decided to spray some... dumbest move i have done lately...Memories washed over me... had a short, intense cry..then forced myself back to packing...

my grief has "transformed" over recent months..I realized about 2 months ago, that when we got the End Stage Renal diagnosis for Melodie, 3 years ago now, I think at that time, I started a mourning...We both knew without a kidney transplant, that we had only "borrowed time" left..I kept denying it..thinking things would "work out"..Heck..she even had a meeting scheduled to discuss a transplant..for Nov. 19th..my recent realization though, has made it "easier" (not sure if thats the right word at all) to have shorter meltdowns..I still have them, for certain..but now, they last 5-10 minutes...they are pretty intense...but do not drag me down into despair..I dont know if it will stay this way, get better or get worse..I've decided I just take things on a day to day basis now and deal with things as they arise..

I'll for sure keep everyone posted here on progress.

thanks again to you all

You are truly moving forward with your life.

I, too, did a lot in the first year. I'm now in my second year, life has hit a regimen, a routine a definite symphony and a sort of harmony.

Like you, I still meltdown, I still can't walk barefooted over the floor in which he laid as I waited for the help of the paramedics. It's in my head, I know, but still I hold that part of my home as a tribute to him......so strange.

I wish you the very best of luck in your new home and in finding a new job.

Let us know how life is going as you create a new you!

Roz

I'm so proud of you Dennis! You're amazing....best of luck to you in the job market as well! Keep us up to date!
:)
Darcie