i spent the early morning today dismantling my past.... it's really the past that looms.... or did - pardon the pun. my weaving days are on hold for now. i won't have a place for this beautiful thing soon, so it'll be packed away somewhere - hopefully safe. this loom is over a century old. built in BC (that's the province of British Columbia, on Canada's west coast) near the end of the 19th century by a gentleman for his wife, it has been passed on to 2 others before me. the rule is, it cannot be sold; it must be given away. if i knew someone who'd use it, i think i might give it away now. i hate the thought of putting it in storage for an unknown length of time, but i'll soon have nowhere to keep it. my eldest son is coming for a 2 week visit in early February to help me finish the trim and final renovations on the house. i'm getting my cute little granny shack ready for sale... beginning the decluttering process, finding people who'd like to borrow my furniture - one girlfriend and her kids, who all love to read, are very pleased to be babysitting all my books. possibly even adopting them.... i'm dowsizing once again, and moving to the city.
i gave my notice at work last week. my last day is Friday, Feb 13... good thing i'm not superstitious. as of last Thursday, i'm the official manager of the ReStore the Habitat for Humanity affiliate i belong to plans to open in 2009. there's a lot of work to do to make that happen, and i won't see a paycheck from it till that's accomplished and there's cash flow. but it's something i'm passionate about, and i've always been a bit of a risk taker. i may continue with the oil company part time for a while, till the ReStore can pay me a wage. another ending, and another beginning. both thrilling and terrifying.
9 comments:
Oh, I am so happy for you Gfid. I came by to invite you to participate in a meme (which you can do if you want) but this is wonderful news. That's a very beautiful loom and I know what it means to have something like that - a friend of mine brought one from Sweden that was the size of a small cottage (10 foot beam, no metal, all string heddles). Another friend has a baby grand piano that's been in her family for several generations. I'm sorry to hear you'll be leaving the house you've worked so hard on but I can feel your excitement through the type. I know the ReStore project will work out well for you and I just hope you'll keep posting about how it all evolves.
Wishing you all the very best.
Oh GFid, what big changes. I hope all the sale and move transpires seamlessly. To the city. I do hope you like city life?! But the challenge of the ReStore will keep you captivated. What a grand thing to do. Nothing like keeping the gray cells engaged and helping folk at the same time.
The VERY best to you!
su - thanks - i'm happy, and terrified. my loom also has string heddles, and it's all pegged together. not a nail or a screw in her. thanks for the encouragement. i have great hopes for the ReStore. it's a dream come true. and my beautiful handpainted silk scarf will be just the finishing touch for my 'casual chic' look as ReStore manager. (when i'm not loading or unloading freight or cleaning bathrooms) i fear you'll see and hear more than you care to about the subject
cicero - yes, very big changes... in the right direction, i think. when i went to the ReStore managers' convention last nov. i felt like i was meeting long lost family. i'm not crazy about city life, but it's not a very big city, and have family there. i'm a culture vulture, so that will help distract me from the things i don't like... and i'll be very busy. thanks for your encouraging words.
I am sure you will adapt well to your new environment and particularly enjoy working in the re store. Cities have souls and communities too, even though they may be harder to find, so I trust you find your niche and it works out well for you!
Best wishes
linsay - i suppose you're right... i'm a bit apprehensive about moving to the city, but over the moon about starting the store. thanks for the encouraging words
heartfelt admiration for you clearing up your life and moving onto such a worthwhile people/community project. I hope you're hanging onto to your blog when you go!!
claire - thanks ever so. only 19 sleeps till things really start to happen. of course i'll keep blogging; i don't have a big blog neighborhood, but it means a lot to me, keeping up with you all.
that's a beautiful loom. and it looks like it fills a room on its own.
i think most of the world is downsizing at the moment. maybe that's good. i hate when i can't back up from a parking space because i can't see beyond the truck/suv parked next to me.
ya, i'm selfish. if everyone else downsizes, there's more room for me.
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