Yes, we are all still alive... thanks to all who have been checking in on us. The work of finding a place to live and then actually going through all of our 13 years worth of things has been incredibly draining. Even Bogart does not insist on walking outside for things other than are absolutely necessary. I know he understands that I am very busy, and very sad, and he is as well.
Even simple things like what to do with the contents of Klaus' underwear drawer were heart-wrenching. Wading through so many years' worth of things - some sentimental, some functional, some very what-were-we-thinking? - has kicked me hard in the stomach. Finding a place to live took a LOT out of me (and Bogart, he was absolutely essential in persuading my next landlord to take us). Packing is always stressful, but when you are packing, taking things away to Goodwill, selling things on Craiglist, and still trying to figure out what to keep and why... well, I haven't had much time or energy to do much else.
Every once in awhile I find something that makes me start crying uncontrollably and then an hour or so is lost. Today's time-waster was finding Klaus' cologne. One whiff made me into a sobbing puddle.
It has been only a little more than a month since Klaus entered the hospital and our lives have changed immeasurably - sometimes time speeds along, other times it is slower than molasses.
We plan to move this Sunday. I have splurged and hired movers. I am so incredibly happy with that idea.
Love,
Lulu & Bogart
Woof!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget we're all moving with you! You have all of us with you at all times!
Lulu, you are Sweepy's SuperGal
and I am Bogart's black namesake.
We love you lots.
Don't ever forget.
Girlfriend and paw pal ~
ReplyDeleteWe Griffindales (both the 2leggeds and the 4 leggeds)are Aire-praying HARD for you two...
Moving is stressful and we are pawsitively exubewent that you did hire movers. So much to do, we wish we could be there to help you pack and hold your hands & paws as is needed. Wishing you love and peace...always.....
Mumsie & the whole Griffindale gang...especially Roy, Jack & Lola dales
Don't forget to take your protein pill & put your helmet on. We're here when you need us.
ReplyDeleteA A & C
p.s. You don't have to have a 'why' to keep stuff. You're allowed.
ReplyDeleteTake the cologne with you. It will be a comfort in the coming years.
ReplyDelete(I still sniff the tobacco pouch my late husband used).
Keep truckin Lulu and Bogie, it will all get better. Lynne is right, keep the smelly stuff, it's helps during the "adjustment" process! Kitties doing o.k.?
ReplyDeleteCisco Kid Airehead Terror & Humans
Glad to know you are ok. Thank goodness you hired movers. Mommy hates moving. Mommy said crying is good for the soul. She crys all the time and it isn't a pretty sight bu I'm always here to lock away the tears adn I bet Bogartt licks your away too.
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts & prayers are with yiu still.
Love Moan & the Mommy too!!
Lulu,
ReplyDeleteYou keep whatever you want for whatever reason! I know that it is NO way the same thing, but i still have a bag of my Sadie's dogfood.(she is my first airegirl who has been missing since october 2007). We love you so much!!!!!
HOllie
My mom and I know THAT sorting out feeling...
ReplyDeleteMy Doggy Nanny's garage is still filled with boxes and bags of 'stuff' from her other house and life...
Don't feel the need to pitch..
Don't feel the need to 'plain...
Just do what YOU feel khomfortable doing...if you do...
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
We sure wish we all could come and help you, but we are there in spirit for sure. We hope this move will help with your healing and grieving. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteWe still think about you and how hard it must be. But take your time and let the tears flow, they are healing in their own way.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the move.
God bless.
The OP Pack
Lulu, to read your words just takes me back 2 years, but unlike you, I did not have to go through Mike's things in order to downsize and move. I know people say how strong you are, but I can only imagine how drained and sad and tired you are. But like me, you have to be strong for Bogart and the kitties that depend on you day - to - day.
ReplyDeleteI still have Mike's cologne and sometimes I even wear it (if I am dressing "rugged" that day, lol) and I have 2 of his sweaters (when I wear them I think of the term Boyfriend sweater that I saw on an ad someplace).
And I still have his Canali suits and Tux and some of his expensive jewelry, but I have also given favorite things of his to friends of ours and enjoy thinking of them enjoying his stuff too.
I just found out on NPR radio about an organization called Menzfit, and I think I will donate his expensive things to them and feel good about them helping someone...
Please take care of yourself, eat and take vitamins and sleep, blessed sleep. Pace yourself if you can and let others help you, they will be happy and grateful for something they know will make life easier for you right now.
we hope your move goes very well, and that all you have to do is point your finger! or paw!
ReplyDeleteyour pal, Morgan
Moving house is crappy at the best of times, I can only imagine how crappy it must be on this occasion.
ReplyDeleteThe removelers was a great idea. Just don't forget to pack the timer!! Take care and as always we're thinking of you and Bogie.
Love
D & the Leuradales
How you are managing all this in such a short span of time is beyond us. We wish you a smooth move.
ReplyDeleteIf we could be there to help you pack, we'd be right there! Hiring movers was a great idea. we're here if you just need to vent. I went through the same process of deciding what to do with my Mother's things after she passed away suddenly and it is very draining at times. I still have boxes that I haven't gone through nearly 5 years later, I just can't bring myself to do it. Take your time and do it when you feel ready.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you from the TN Bull Terrors Feather, Darla & Pappy, along with the DawgMom, Angie.
You've gone through a lot in such a short time.Make a special effort to take care of yourself.Sometimes one can forget to stay nourished when grieving. Glad you're spluging on a moving company. That's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteKisses and hugs to you and Bogart!
ReplyDeleteLorenza
Big licks to you Lulu & Bogart!
ReplyDeleteSuzuki
xxx
We're so very glad to hear that you've hired movers, Lulu! If it makes it a little less stressful for you, then it was well worth it!
ReplyDeleteYou're in our thoughts!
Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch
Dearest Lulu & Bogart, we are all with you - the new house will need to contain all of your doggie blogging friends. Take care xxx
ReplyDeleteDear Lulu and Bogart,
ReplyDeletewe are keeping you in our thoughts and in our hearts at this stressful and terribly sad time.
lots of love, Jeannie and Marvin xxxxx
Good luck with the big move. Hang in there you two.
ReplyDeleteSlobbers,
Mango
We is all with woo in spirit. Woo let them movers do the job while woo and Bogie sit back. I thinks woo should keep some stuffs...there is no reason to rush and get rid of something you might regret later. Good luck and don't forget to rest!
ReplyDeletePainter Pack
Mya Boo Boo
Hi, Lulu...
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you hired movers...Great move!!!
It's amazing how certain things affect you...Sometimes you laugh & sometimes you cry...But, both emotions help you down your path...
Put all those things that you don't know why you are keeping in a safe place...They are important...
Much Love,
Abby & her Mom xxxooo
Our paws are crossed your move will go smoothly Sunday. ~S,S,C & F
ReplyDeleteGood Luck with your move!! We will be thinking about you:)
ReplyDeletePugs and Kisses!!
Pugsley & Family
Lulu - Bogart & Kitties:
ReplyDeleteLet yourself cry- keep what you want even what you think you don't want - in time you may feel different.
I understand too much - pack things up put them away for now not forever just for now. I still cry when come across my husband's cologne and I still have it but I LOVE that smell - even have a shirt that smells like Jeff and wear it when my heart and soul needs to be close.
I'm sure Bogart is mourning with you; and he wants to comfort you...
So glad about the movers to bad you can't hire someone to put everything in place a your new house...Walk in and everything be where it should be.....
We love you guys and please if you need help call "Charlie's Angels"
P.S. - if you don't have one think about getting a rocking chair....
XXoooXxoooXoooXxoo
What you are doing is a very hard job and having to do it so soon makes it that much harder. "Splurging" on movers is a very good idea. You, Bogart and the kitties are in our thoughts often. If you ever want to meet a new DWBer please let us know.
ReplyDeleteMum knows that feeling so well. You try to sort out and see something that brings another bittersweet memory..
ReplyDeleteJust please take time and also take comfort in tears they heal as well.
Hope the mve goes smooth for you. That must be so heart wrenching.
Keep strong when you close that door the last time..
Lots of heaing purrs from me and healing loving thoughts from mum
Ginger Jasper and his mum Carol xxx
Sounds like you're holding up amazingly well after going through so much in such a short time. We hope the move goes smoothly for you. Soon you'll be settled in your new home and the future will look brighter.
ReplyDeleteSending big hugs,as always.
xox
Chef
You're hanging in there! My G-Mom says that time heals all wounds. I hope she is right.
ReplyDeletelove,
Rambo
Thank heavens for movin' help...that's just waaaaay too much work....we're sooo glad you decided to get them!
ReplyDeleteSorting through loved ones things is so very hard...and you're right....the colognes...the aftershave...even smellin' a bottle of Sea Breeze now can make Mumsie think of her dad!
We're movin' right with ya, Lulu and Bogie...so don't forget to get a HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOGE boxie for all of us dogs, kitties and hammies to jump in and get a free ride to your new digs! We're here for ya, guys!! Always!
Lotsa love, Scruffy, Stanny and Laciegirl
hoping that the move was easier then the packing...we're thinking of you and the handsome devil every day. moving is one of those hard things during a planned situation -- must be really tough this time.. let yourself remember, take your time, memories are one of those forever kinda things...sometimes it's sad and sometimes they will give you something you can get a chuckle at..
ReplyDeletetake good care,
theBUSTER, Ms.Blue & Ms.Persephone
Lulu.... you need to keep ICE CREAM on stand-by for the sobbing puddle events. It is called comfort food for a reason. Keep the cologne..... wear the cologne while you work. I wish that I could come help you. I'm so glad that you have "movers" for this big event. We are all making this move with you..... you may feel all alone but your not!!!! We are praying for you a LOT. Your going to make it through this time in your life and this MOVE. We are with you. Thank dogness that you have Bogart to help. I know your probably tripping over him everytime you move!!! It is a dogs job to get in your way. It is just their way of say I'm here and loving you. Don't forget to post your NEW ADDRESS for all of us!!!
ReplyDeleteAireslaps from the tribe and a hug from me...Sherry
Oh, how I wish we could just reach out and embrace you.....you will have to accept this cyber hug....We continue to pray for you...we think of you often, and though we don't know each other personally, we still care ALOT about you guys....
ReplyDeleteSloppy wet kisses.
Wow, you've moved mountains since we last checked in! Well done girl!
ReplyDeleteLots of Love
Finni, Nelly and Elke xxx
I hide well in luggage! we cant wait to see your new place!
ReplyDeleteTail Wiggles & Puppy Kisses,
Coco - The Princess
Wise choice, hiring the movers. That should make things a little easier for you.
ReplyDeleteWe're with you, Lulu. This is a very difficult time for you both, but please know you have friends who care and want only the best for you and Bogart.
William Tell & Family
Hang in there you two... Things will get better - really...
ReplyDeleteLots of love
Cleo & Co
Dear Lulu and Bogart, We are thinking of you! Good luck with your move! You are in our thoughts and prayers!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Valerie Joey and Kealani
BIG HUGS!!!! I'm glad to hear you hired movers. That would be a lot of work for you right now.
ReplyDeleteKaos
Will be thinking of you for the move
ReplyDeletewoof
Beanz & Chips
yay for movers. big yay for decisions made.
ReplyDeletewe might not visit often, but know that woo and I keep you in our thoughts.
Laurie