A Weekend of Lasts

I've only moved a handful of times in my life but with every move comes my need to remember certain things. I have a ritual of taking one last look at places, at streets and people. Somehow doing these things helps to paint a permanent picture in my mind.

This weekend as Jeff and I ran our seemingly endless array of final errands, I found myself paying closer attention to the area in which we live. I wondered if I will ever be back to Boca Raton. I wondered if there will be any reason to return to our neighborhood. As a homeowner, you become so attached to the home that you've made, the one you cared for so lovingly, that it's hard to believe you're leaving it behind. You wonder what will become of the place you've called home for over four years. You hope the new owners will take care of it like you did {Fingers crossed our house will sell quickly!}

We will undoubtedly be back to Florida since my stepson and in-laws still live in the area. But it will be different. My in-laws are selling their house and moving to a new town in South Florida. It will be strange to visit them in their new home, one that is unfamiliar to us.

These pretty flowers just started blooming in front of our house!

As I titled this post, the weekend was filled with a final good-byes. First we said good-bye to our in-laws who left today for vacation. We said a final good-bye to our local pet store. I said one last good-bye to the Boca Town Center, Whole Foods and Publix. I took our cats to the vet for the final time. I picked up our clothing at the dry cleaners one last time. I even paid a visit to our favorite car wash because our cars need to be clean before they're shipped. With every stop, there was the awful ache...the one inside saying, "This will be the last time I'll be here."

Doughie at the vet, trying to hide in the sink.

Of all the things I will miss, I have to say that hands-down it will be our pool. While it's pretty much your average pool, it's been a savior during our time in Boca. When I was working, I made a point of spending weekend time at the pool, even if just for an hour. When I was laid off, the pool became more of a getaway for me. Oddly enough, I can recall only one time in the four years we've lived here when the pool was crowded. Rarely do you see many people out there--it's just too dang hot, I suppose. There's nothing like sitting with the sun pouring over your face, the sound of the water lapping against the walls and the neighbors' AC's running in unison. The sounds cancel out all other noises and it becomes the perfect place to read, nap, or just swim a few relaxing laps. I loved that time to myself.

My little slice of heaven.

I always sit in the same place at the pool and I
I always end up staring at these palm trees.

We are about to embark on a few hectic days ahead of us. On Monday, I'll be busy doing last minute things around our house and packing our suitcases. On Tuesday the movers arrive to pack up the house. They come back on Wednesday to load the moving truck, and then we fly out on Thursday for good. Then, I start my job on June 29th. I know the time is going to move quickly...I still can't believe I start working a week from Monday!

I hope to update my blog this coming weekend. We'll be cooped up in a hotel until the weekend of July 4th, so I should have plenty of time to spend on my laptop. I'm sure I'll have quite a story to tell about how we're traveling with our two cats on Southwest Airlines, and then driving three hours from Chicago Midway to our destination. Oh yes, it's going to be A LOT of fun. Ugh.

Until then, a final good-bye from Boca Raton. Next week I will officially be a Midwesterner again!

I couldn't end this post without saying Happy Father's Day, Dad. I love you!