How is “IT”?

What “IT” am I referring to?

If you don’t know me well or follow me here, “it” could be lots of things: life, health, summer, family, friends, job, etc.. But, if you’ve read my posts in the last few months, you know a big life event occurred for me. That’s the “IT” I am talking about today.

Moving!!

Yes, April 30th, we left our lake house and ventured to a different part of Virginia, for very valid and life-changing reasons. My husband finished his full-time career as a church pastor. We are now located 7 minutes from our daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter! (My husband is now a part-time corporate chaplain.) We decided long ago, when he retired, we would move closer to at least one of our children. Since our children don’t live near each other, we had to choose.

Our daughter lived two hours north of us and closer to the area where we grew up. We still have some siblings and friends closer to her. Plus, as I may have noted before, this place puts us 4 hours closer to our sons’ homes. We no longer have to travel 2 hours to and from the airport each time we travel to see them!

We took a trip to Michigan last week. The quick 15 minute Uber ride to the airport felt luxurious. No hopping in a car for two-hours to or from! We could have chosen to drive and park at the airport, but prices have gone up there like everywhere else! We decided getting a ride or parking would both cost us, so we settled on the easiest mode! I can’t tell you how wonderful it felt to live so close to an airport! It was a huge noticeable difference! A welcomed one!!

Some of you might wonder if the airport traffic comes at a living cost: a peace disturber. No! No, it does not disturb my peace or bother us in the least! I don’t think it’s because we have become accustomed to it … we haven’t lived here long enough. Honestly, I notice a plane less than once a day. I have had some airplane/helicopter noise in every house I’ve lived in. This is not a small airport! It is international; bustling every day. Besides the occasional sighting of a descending plane coming in for a landing while I’m out on the road, I don’t notice!

We’ve now owned our new home 5 weeks. Of those five weeks, I have stayed/lived here sixteen days; just over two weeks. As you can imagine, I am still unpacking boxes and finding homes for all the contents.

We are functional but still have plenty of work to do!

If you’ve moved much, have you noticed that the organization you had in place at the former house rarely fits the new?

I am living that out with the opening of every box!!

Case In Point: Our pantry situation is much different than our last three homes. The prior two, I downsized a bit, but could keep most of my basic organizational containers. This is a whole new experience. We have what I would call an “old-school” cabinet pantry; even though our house is not that old. It’s a tall cabinet. It can hold a fair amount; problem being, seeing or reaching most of it. 😉

My husband noted it’s size right away. I just kinda shrugged thinking, I’ll figure it out and get used to whatever it is!

Yes, it is quite different, but guess who lives closer to a grocery store than ever before?

This gal!!

Which means, I don’t have to store as much as before. I can pop by a store whenever I am out; keeping a more reasonable amount of food on my shelves. Honestly, it does not behoove me to keep hordes of food. I forget what I have even though it’s before my eyes. (typed with rolling eyes.) And I never seem to check my stock well enough prior to shopping thus ending up with multiples.

I don’t want to be a electronic list keeper with spread sheets and such. I’m a much more free and whimsy food person. When we were in the thick of raising three children at home, the closest I got was meal planning. It guided my purchases and helped us stay on budget: preparing us for two weeks of dinners. I did keep a paper list to write down items I ran out of. In this 21st Century, I have upgraded to a list in my Notes App; it’s always at the store with me (on my phone). Remembering to take the paper list became an obstacle more than once. Any system requires one key element … inputting information. That’s where the ball gets dropped either by distraction or neglect. Human error can take down the best of intentions. I seem to always have a missing ingredient. I either forget to put it on the list or overlook it on the list. Why does that happen? How can I skip over a word repeatedly while I’m perusing aisles?

I digress!

To make this new pantry system functional, I have employed two new basic systems.

First are pull out shelves. Like this …

These were easy to install, fit all sizes of cabinets, and allow me to see what I have without emptying a whole shelf to view items in the back. I consider these new gems as essential to a pantry like ours. Yes, they do take up a little bit of space but what good is it having room for more products if I cant see or find them! I do not delight in such ordinary annoyances and attain to remove as many as possible! We installed five of them.

We purposely did not put them on the top shelf which is above my head. A simple pull out would not help me see what is on that shelf; a two-step stool is required. It will be reserved for seldom used bigger items not food; like roaster pans.

We didn’t put one on the bottom shelf either. I needed it reserved for bigger items like my KitchenAid Mixer. The Mixer is very heavy and I didn’t think the pull-outs would accommodate the weight. Plus the extra space for bigger items will be utilized.

So far the marks are high for the pull out shelves. It makes the pantry so functional and easy! Believe me, I did my research! I read a lot of reviews and product information before I purchase.

The second organizer I’ve employed are these containers …

Jars have dominated my last three pantries which were esthetically pleasing, practical and glass. The round jars, in this pantry, just didn’t give me enough space for all the supplies I normally stock. I instantly knew, I would need stackable and square shapes to get the best usage of space.

I’ve used pop top containers already, but purchased more to complete the process. They’ve been around for years and have great ratings. I’ve been happy using them.

Wow, this afforded me so much more space! I am very pleased with how much I have stored in the same amount of space just a few jars consumed.

Special Note: Jars are heavy. Plastic is light! Along with our new space, I am also cognizant of our age and the limitations it could mean in the years ahead. These Pop Top light weight containers should be practical and manageable for as long as we need!

Let Me Just Say: I am not a person who likes to think I am old. I don’t really like to think about mortality!! I don’t plan on being old until my 80’s, even then, maybe not! Eighty could be the new 60! That being said, I’m a realistic person. I know the reality of the hand/grip changes I’ve experienced even at this “non-old age”. I want to make my home functional for as long as possible, therefore it is driving some of my decisions!

Are you undergoing any summer projects?

How are they going?

Any changes lately at your house?

I’d love to hear what you all are up to while I continue in my “settling in” phase.

PS – I do not get any benefits from mentioning products! These are purely my opinions and NO company sponsors my posts 😉

Blessings,

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