Preparing to Move On.

In the spring of 2025, I will be listing my home for sale. While it was the perfect size to raise a family, it has become too big for my needs now that the kids are gone (or are going). My son plans to move out in the near future, and since he’s 21, I can’t blame him for not wanting to live with mom.

I’ve been slowly getting things ready. In April, I completed my first ‘downsize’ exercise and hosted a huge garage sale. Everything that didn’t sell was donated to Goodwill and did not come back into the house. This July and September, we repainted the inside of the house with a beautiful coat of paint. The rooms look larger, clean, and fresh. This winter, I will conduct my second downsizing and see what more I can sell or donate. I will also box up those things I plan to keep, but won’t need access to, for storage. I have to keep reminding myself that this is a marathon, not a race, and to take my time figuring out what will stay or go.

This house holds so many memories. This was the first house I ever purchased. Both of my children were born while we lived here. I re-entered the military and then retired from it here. While not all of the memories are pleasant, it’s the good ones I choose to focus on. However, it’s time for this house to be appreciated by a new family, which will grow to fill the bedrooms, make new memories, and form friendships with the neighbors. It’s bittersweet.

I’m excited about my next adventure. At one point, I’d planned on moving to WA to be closer to my sister. However, she won’t be retiring for another 10 years, so I will stay closer to my support channel until then. My plan is to stay here in Michigan for the time being. I’ve been looking at homes on lakes that have beach access. My dream has always been to live on the water, which gives me such peace. I haven’t picked a place yet, and won’t until the house goes on the market, but I am learning what areas of the state I’m most interested in, home features I require, and local accommodations I’d prefer. There will be much more news to come down the pipeline as I get closer to making more permanent decisions, so stay tuned!