The Mandelbear's Musings

So I'm in the last few days before I leave Rainbow's End North, on Whidbey Island -- the last place where I lived with Colleen -- forever. It's already been sold, and the new owners are filkers and likely to keep the name, the maypole, and maybe RainbowCon, so I may be back some time in the future. But I'm not counting on it, and meanwhile all of our Stuff has to be moved out, and the house needs to be thoroughly cleaned.

(Wednesday, 2/20) Actually, almost all of our stuff has been moved out -- the junk haulers were back for a second trip yesterday, leaving only the stuff remaining in the kitchen and the back bathroom, and a few computers and periherals that my back was complaining about loading into (Bolt EV)Molly. (One could easily argue that I don't need that many computers, but whether I sell them, donate them, or give them away, they still need to be taken out of the house and moved to someplace where I can save their files and wipe their disks. Besides, one used to be my Mom's.)

Everything in that house has a memory attached to it, and in most cases a story. Many I have kept, for the memories, regardless of whether it makes sense. This does not help my procrastination -- or rather, helps it way too much.

(Sunday, 2/25) Aaaaaaaand I made a trip up yesterday -- you can read about it in Done Since 2024-02-18. There are actually a few more items left up there, mostly in the kitchen; we'll take care of them a week from today when N and I go up with our wonderful housekeeper E' for the cleaning. Most will either get stored or donated. Fridge contents, spices, etc. will be dumped.

As I write this, Sunday evening, about half of the items are still in Molly, including Mom's iMac. I'll move them tomorrow. And take a box to Office Depot for shredding -- a lot of it is checkbooks for accounts I no longer have. I will be left with too few photos, too much Stuff, and too many memories. Next Sunday, we will go up with our favorite housekeeper for the final cleaning.

(Monday, 2/26) Sometimes I lose track of the fact that I'm grieving. Other times, I lose track of which loss I'm grieving -- there are so many of them by now. It doesn't really matter; they're all tangled up.

As if I didn't have enough to worry about.

Morticia and Cricket have been fighting all week. Ticia is acting scared and skittish, and still isn't eating much. (OTOH she doesn't seem to be starving herself, so I'm not excessively worried.) She continues to sleep with us, though she seems a little shy of people reaching down to pet her.

Went out with Naomi on Sunday (i.e. a week ago) to look at tools and hardwood. Rockler also has CNC mills and laser cutters, in the $5K range. That said, there are some fairly inexpensive kits out there.

Went out for dinner with Colleen Saturday (i.e. yesterday) -- Anthony's in Alderwood Mall. Their menu has acquired quite a lot of variety since the last time we went there.

Did a lot of puttering around the house. The downstairs washer is broken; symptoms indicate the drive belt. Fortunately, the upstairs washer is fast and efficient.

Lots of links in the notes, on a wide range of subjects.