Sweet escape.

After a week spent sorting, decluttering and cleaning our house in preparation for meeting with our new realtor, I needed to step away and reassess. Or just forget for a while. She gave us a looong list of things we need to do to increase the flawless factor a far as prospective buyers are concerned, but when accompanied by bad news, the last thing I wanted to do was start tackling those household tasks. Mario was with me on that. Although he hadn't spent the week cleaning out closets and hauling bags of unused goods to the thrift store, he was feeling burned out and discouraged come Saturday morning as well.

Instead, we went out to breakfast. Then to the hardware store to stock up on tools to get the jobs done. Instead of heading home to put them to use on our curb appeal, we kept driving. In the opposite direction.

 

We stopped at a couple antique stores, where I resisted the urge to buy a set of blue Pyrex bowls in mint condition. Knowing how much we need to put towards moving and sprucing up our house has me feeling frugal. I've been thinking about that set ever since. If it's still there around Christmastime . . .

My weekend was not Pyrex free, however. On Friday we went out to lunch, our heads hung, after the realtor left. Across the street is a local antique shop chock full of Pyrex. I scored the dandelion print casserole dish on the top and stumbled across this Pyrex baby bottle. At half off, I couldn't resist. It's darling. I called it my "the realtor made me cry [like a baby]" present. Totally legit, right?

After driving aimlessly for a bit, we stopped at a park and had a snack. Since Jared was knee high to a grasshopper, the boys have had a tradition of doing funny acrobatic moves whenever a grassy area presents itself. I usually begin with a stern it's all fun and games until someone breaks their neck look, then find myself laughing at their shenanigans. Those boys. Oh, those boys. I'll eat you up I love you so.

A totally random but funny sign we saw on our drive. Rest assured no chickens were harmed.

In the early evening hours we made our way home. We enjoyed a home cooked meal and a family movie night. 

Sunday, we woke up refreshed and ready to tackle some tasks. We hadn't planned to, but the break from reality was just what we needed. All three of us spent hours sorting through the basement; emptying and refilling big plastic totes; filling more bags destined for the Salvation Army. By the end of the month we should have multiple items in every department of the thrift store. To say that having less is a relief is an understatement. It's not so much about getting rid of things, for me, but more about gaining an appreciation for the things I have that are loved and used everyday. 

This week will be more of the same. Mario and I made a list, broken down by room, on the back of a diner placemat. We know what needs to be done and in what order. Although Mario is off to a conference in Boston this week, I hope to steal some time to get reacquainted with the gym and begin studying for the GREs which are only a few weeks away. 

I feel more balanced and calm coming into this week and am determined to preserve this mindset. I know anxiety will creep in, especially with the new semester starting and Kiddo's school resuming. Thankfully, I am only taking one last course, but I will also be looking for work. We will simply have less time to spend around the house. It's important, for our sanity and forward progress, to not lose momentum. One day at a time . . .

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