Dont Mince Words

The MaxiPad

I sold my first house, the sweat-equity 1908 money pit, in 1998. Since that time, I’ve lived in four states and had 12 different addresses. I consolidated my stuff down to the bare necessities and when I got laid off the last time, I sold everything and UPSed 18 boxes to Virginia. I’ve been in my “retirement” house for three months now and I’m so thankful I’m not a hoarder. I’m building a home without the nicked and scuffed leftovers of prior lives.

One thing has changed since my last home purchase – the internet and ecommerce. Home delivery and Amazon have made the need for a boyfriend or husband to hump something into my car obsolete. I see the UPS guy more often than all my old boyfriends combined. The other night, he was removing a package from my front porch when I opened the door.

“I’m so used to coming to your house, I forgot other people on your block might order things too,” he said laughing. Several nights later he was back delivering my fall California wine club package. I tipped him $20 and thanked him for helping me move in.

About 90 percent of my home is furnished now. It’s nice to be able to buy things that fit the space instead of making old things try to work. As I write this, two white guys are on a 40-foot ladder painting my balcony. That’s another thing that has changed.  If it requires a tool or prop I don’t have, I hire a man. That’s what they are good for. The time I save can be spent drinking beer while sitting on my new sofa online shopping.