I placed an item from the MIL’s house into its new home last evening.  On Sunday, we’d found a gently used Christmas decoration that I’d never use and don’t have room to store.  It’s a Christmas winter-wonderland skating rink complete with Ferris wheel, carrousel, skaters, lights, and more.  I immediately thought of the little angel across the street. 

     Her little face lit up so bright when I brought it in their door I knew I’d made the right choice.  I’m delighted to give them a new family tradition.  I’m betting after I left they tried it out because the little one was so excited about it.  There’s no way her mother could’ve stuck it away for a year without a test run.

     Mom was already eyeing up their coffee table as a place to set it up for next year’s holiday.  I hope they get many years of enjoyment out of it.

   We were finally able to get back into the MIL’s house to work on clearing things out again yesterday.  The snow has melted enough over there that we can park in front of the house.  After five hours, my car held another huge load for Goodwill and some treasures for G and me.

     We piled five more loaded garbage bags out by the curb.  The house looks as though we’ve done nothing.  I am beginning to wonder if we’ll ever get all the stuff out of the house before the nursing home takes it.

     G and I were so tired when we left we were dragging.  I have to go back on Sunday to put out the recycling cans that we completely filled.  Then I’ll load my van again.  We left stuff in the living room all separated into keep, give to Goodwill, and ask-anyone-if-they-want-this piles.  And we only worked on ONE bedroom!

     My next magical trick will be to find some strong backs and weak minds to move furniture.  I’m bringing a bedroom set, a desk, and a sofa home.  (Which means I need to get rid of one sofa bed and a futon.)  I don’t love her sofa but it is in better shape than my sofa bed.