Day After Closing, second attempt to write...

I would like to blame AOL for this being my second attempt to write this, but the truth is my fingers just tripped over each other. Must be the tremendous speed at which I type - or maybe I am just clumsy.

Sunday I went to the old house and one of the girls in the house to the west brought out her beagle puppy. They got him right after I moved. I wonder if they missed the baying? I had stopped for a Dairy Queen on my way to the house - I needed it. The beagle boy managed to jump high enough to get a good lick off it. I was impressed - I am usually able to protect my food from any dog. I learned the skill because I had an older brother who always tried to eat my food. I was fast with a fork to the back of a hand.

Anyway, once the beagle boy let me pet him and play with him, I was in a much improved mood. I filled the car with useless stuff, swept the basement, wandered the rooms, went up and down 3 flights of stairs, made a trip around the outside of the house to check things out, and generally decided I was highly pleased not to have to work that yard one more year.

Monday I went back with my beloved dolly to get a solid wood kitchen table, several chairs, an executive chair that had to come up a flight of stairs, and a few odds and ends. I remembered the scissors and cut a bouquet of flowers that I now have in a vase in my condo, but I forgot the shovel to dig up a few things to drag along to the condo.

I was delighted when my neighbor to the east was outside with her grandchildren. She offered both a hand and the use of a shovel. Once I opened up the double front doors, we were able to carry the table out without having to dance with it. The chairs all went in just fine, and I dug up a few things. I took a hunk of my favorite peony, a few tulips, some black-eyed susans, and decided to leave the lavender because it really wasn't up yet.

She invited me into her home to see the work they have done on their kitchen and main bathroom. I was enthused - they have two beagles also! I picked up the first one, and she was so excited to see me that she peed all over. I was honored. I asked about the other, and my neighbor got her out of the crate in the garage (sad, very sad!). She peed all over me before I could even get her into my arms. I was doubly honored.

So, I sat on the floor and let them both just jump all over me, lick me, whine at me, and tell me their life stories. Beagles are like that. They sniffed and I petted and my neighbor just Didn't Get It. She said, "Wow! You really DO like that!" I laughed, "Oh yes, it's like therapy for me!" I was in such a more relaxed mood after that. How can anyone be unhappy or stressed after two of the sweetest, happiest dogs in the world have peed out of excitement and joy?

I barely got out of the house in time for the New Owners to have their final walk through. I was still unsure if everything was going to go according to plan.

Of course when I got home I was in Big Trouble. Molly and Baby were all over me. Why didn't they get to see their former neighbors? Why did I let them pee on me? Sniff, sniff, sniff, whine....two more life stories to listen to and enjoy.

I hopped in the shower, got dressed, fed the dogs early (no complaints from them), got everything together, rushed to the title company and started to Sign Papers.

There are a LOT of papers involved with the sale of a house. The agent and I were in one room, and their agent and they were in another. I found this odd, but it let my agent and I talk trash again. She admired my ankle bracelet and the half of a chocolate bar that I took out of my purse while seeking the keys to the old house - she ate the candy bar; I kept the anklet. I signed and signed.

They gave me a check for the difference between what my house sold for and what the bridge loan on it was. It's pitiful, but at least it's done.

It is ALL DONE. I never have to pull weeds there, I don't have to vacuum carpets on three floors, and then sweep the basement too, I don't have to pay utilties and taxes on two homes, I don't have to drag anything else here, I don't have to ever, ever go there again. I have a nice ranch condo with the bathrooms all on one floor and a full basement too. I can vacuum in a few minutes. I don't have to do any yard work at all unless I decide to tend a few flowers on my own.

I did good.

Then I drove all across town to have dinner with one of my best friends. She bought a condo around the same time I did. We both had a drink. Some peachy thing that Outback makes.

I came home after that. My condo is my home. No question of that any longer. 30 years of history in the old house - it's history.

I am creating new history in this home.

I am happy here.