ready, set, go for what's next

Three days, three whole days - that's the time it's taken me to clean out (up) my life. Once it was confirmed and I accepted the new job, I flew into uber-focused-on-order-and-cleanliness mode and began a project that I thought would take me no more than a day to a day and a half at most to complete. Nope. Three days - and that's just my apartment. I still have my trash-truck car to clean out, get cleaned off and the oil changed. Thank goodness I don't start work until Tuesday! (well, that or Wednesday - my background check must clear first)

I wish I could report on here that I've had a wonderful riding weekend, but I did nothing more than move my bikes out of the kitchen (so I could mop). I've not donned a helmet in three whole days either, nor have I hit the gym. I have, however, sweated like a pig, and as I write this, my back hurts. Well, four loads of laundry carried up and down my stairs, vacuuming, mopping, scrubbing and 14 bags (stuffed) of clothes/purses/shoes being carried down my steps, loaded in my car, transported to a Goodwill Donation Center and unloaded again isn't exactly like sitting on my butt eating bon-bons all day, now is it? (does anyone really do that?) It took me two trips to Goodwill to deliver the bags. I'm still in shock over how much I hoarded for the last 9 years.

I first made my bedroom closet a priority. I couldn't even close the door all the way at night due to the crap crammed into and falling out of it. There were various bags full of letters/bills/misc. documents from over the last three years stuffed in that closet along with all my clothes, shoes and suitcases. I don't know how I ever managed to dress for work long before I was laid off! Now, the closet is in perfect condition with every clothes item hung with care (zipped & buttoned). My shoes have been picked over (buying a couple of new pairs over the next few weeks), and my work clothes lined up ready to wear starting next week. To say it was a relief to expunge that hideous black hole is an understatement, but it was an ordeal unlike no other. I took just two small breaks in the five hours it took to clean that one closet!



Next, it was my hall (coat) closet. Same issue with in only it had piles of laundry (four huge loads to be exact) stuffed up into my coats that were subsequently smashed into the wall, many of which I got rid of (and a couple I never even wore). Imagine my surprise to pull a coat out, check the side pockets for loose change and find a dirty pair of panties in one of the pockets instead. Yeah...I know. So.not.necessary.to.share. But that is just how much my dirty laundry had piled up. I've been washing it, one load at a time, but I guess it was just the same stuff I've been wearing over and over again in the last seven months. The rest has just sat, stale and stinky. When I washed the four loads of it today, I used two scoops of detergent in lieu of one.



Anyway, I know I said I wouldn't share this kind of stuff anymore, but really - what do I have to show for the last three days? I am going riding down by the ocean tomorrow morning. I have to as my legs hurt from not exercising (true!), and I need to feel the morning coastal air on my face. But my ride will only last a couple of hours. I will then return home, and this is my plan:

1. clean car out
2. drive car to get cleaned
3. drive to get oil change
4. pick up groceries
5. get everything ready for first day on the job
6. eat healthy dinner
7. get gym clothes ready for 5am workout (oh, that's gonna hurt!)
8. go to bed

I may have some time in there to go shopping for a couple of items like new running shoes. I never did get around to buying those this weekend. And I HAVE to measure Boo's Terrarium and call the cricket shop. I may need to drive over there this week to order her custom-built terrarium. I'm going to have an adjustment to make with the new job, time, getting up, new schedule, etc. - but Boo is really going to have a rude awakening. Poor thing. No more spoiled dragon with ample apartment 'walk abouts,' pettings, couch naps, etc. She's going to feel as if she's in solitary confinement. Of course, I may be wrong. Perhaps, she'll be blissfully happy to have me out of here, left to some real peace and quiet. Either way....we'll both find out next week. In the meantime, I'm ready, set, go for what's next...