Yard Sale

In addition to moving into a new home next year, I am also moving this month out of my apartment in the city.  After 30-something years in the same place, it’s time for a change of residence. Everyone said that the things I’d unearth would amaze me, that I’d be overwhelmed at the memories that would be stirred up: “what a cathartic experience it will be,” they said. 

It’s only a studio apartment so there never was much room to collect or accumulate on a large scale. The only thing that did stir some emotions was opening a box of old snapshots of people, some of which I had forgotten about, and of course many–too many–of young men no longer here. Had I gotten rid of most of the items uncovered, I probably could call the experience cathartic, but packing them into boxes could hardly be described as a purge.

If the house didn’t have the large basement, or if I’d had some new spiritual enlightenment causing me to cast away all my worldly possessions, I would not be re-locating most of the items packed away in my closets.  It’s so much easier to move it and deal with it later, or in other words, not deal with it. Maybe I could post an ad in the Hudson Gazette, “Internationally Known Interior Designer (that would be me) Must Liquidate! No Reasonable Offer Refused!” It could be the sale of the year–up there with the Yves Saint Laurent auction–with crowds flocking to Brokeback Manor. 

I was up to the house Monday, and I was again so impressed with what hasn’t happened. Every time I tell people this they all reply, “Now you know how your client’s feel.” Why do people think that all designers and architects are insensitive to their clients’ feelings?

I’m used to things taking longer than originally stated. I knew from the beginning that Mitch’s completion date was totally unrealistic, and I added in my mind four months to his date.  However, after seeing the progress so far, I’m now thinking a summer move in, not spring.  The good news is that some of the windows were there, not in place, but leaning against the side of the house. I think the installation of the doors and windows will be the next photo-op. Stay tuned.