Blue Door Blues

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go. ~ Oscar Wilde

 

The blue door is our trademark!

Well, this is a case of someone causing less happiness when they go. One of our tenants called this morning to let us know that they just bought a house and will be moving out by the end of the month! We knew they were looking for a home to buy, but didn't realize they were this far in the process. We are happy for them and wish them well, because I remember how exciting it was when we bought our first house, but the timing is less than good for us. 

This may well be the worst week of the year to try to rent a townhouse. Heavy sigh...

But on the bright side, this will give our daughters, who will be managing our properties while we're gone, a chance to learn first hand how to prepare a unit for re-renting, showing the property, vetting prospective tenants, and making a decision on the applicants. We'd hoped to leave the kids with a full house, so to speak, but I'm sure they'll be able to do this.  

This is what happens when you leave your land life for an extending period of time. You have to trust the people who are taking care of things while you're gone. We're blessed to have kids who want to learn the business of landlording, because the properties will eventually become theirs. (FYI, lest you suspect we're land barons, let me assure you we're definitely a mom-and-pop operation with just 10 units.)

In other news, our two suitcases were picked up on Tuesday and are on their way to the ship in LA. This is the first time we've sent luggage ahead instead of dragging them around airports ourselves. I wish I could say that we are limiting ourselves to those two 50 pound bags. However, we now plan to pack a couple more and check them in St Louis. I think we'd have been okay, except there are so many little things we'll need besides clothing to make our life on the Star comfortable. Like...

• Storage bins--Our verandah cabin only has three drawers for clothing. Collapsible bins will fit neatly on the closet shelf and help organize our undies and socks and jammies.
• Hanging shelves--They fit over the closet rod and are great for folded shirts and pants, with the added benefit of being able to see what's available more easily than in a drawer. 
• Drying bar--Some of my clothes have never seen the inside of a dryer. This collapsible bar slips over a door and holds 10 articles of clothing. 
• Magnets--For affixing excursion tickets and other important slips of paper to the cabin walls so they won't get lost.
• World Map--a gift from my friend Marcy for our first WC. We still have plenty of countries to scratch off.
• Trekking poles--The DH always carries my POC in a backpack when we go on excursions. It can get pretty heavy and messes with his balance, especially on uneven surfaces. The poles will help him out with that.
• Consumables--toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, OTC medication, cpap supplies,...

Plus the DH has a few things under the tree I know he'll want to take, so we definitely need a couple more suitcases. Someday, I'll travel light. I'll use just a carry-on and personal item for a multi-week adventure like all those chic Youtubers with their ultimate packing secrets. Someday, I'll pare down and have a wardrobe that mixes and matches like crazy. I won't feel the need to bring so much stuff. Really, I will. 

It just won't be this time.