It's Really Happening! I am now having to come to grips with downsizing!
A few minutes ago, the Amazon driver delivered a 73 pound package at my front door. The package contains an AV/Network cabinet that I am going to populate with all of my HomeLab equipment. By doing this, I am in essence putting my foot down and saying these are the items that I am going to be taking to the Retirement Community with me. I have promised myself that I will only be taking the AV cabinet, 4 tubs of electronic parts/wood carving equipment/tools, and one bookshelf full of my engineering, math, magic, exercise, bible study, and MBA volumes. I have to whittle my 6 bookshelves down to one in the downsizing. I have already decided to give up my extensive collection of tools, parts, and 3D printer / printing supplies to my son. Most of the tools will go to my son-in-law and/or my next door neighbor. I won't be needing them where I am going.
On my mall walk this morning with my good friend Jim, I talked about the sudden fears that I have had about the move. It's not just the downsizing, but the angst about whether I am doing the right thing by leaving my home of 37 years. It was the first house that me and my wife bought and now we will be moving into a 2 bedroom apartment in the retirement community. We have not signed any paperwork dealing with the property yet, as I still have to meet with a transition planner from the community and my financial person to get his okay on moneys to be spent. I may be surprised at how much my current house will bring in, but then again I may be disappointed. The initial entrance deposit will be large and weighs heavy on our minds even though our estate will get back 90% of the deposit at our passing. However, getting in this early in our retirement will probably be a good thing in the long run.
I still haven't gotten some answers on the technical parts of the move yet. Like when we get there is there internet connection outside of the wifi that is provided. How does the cable work? Will there be extra charges/rental of cable equipment or is that included in the monthly fee? Can I use my TiVo setup instead? How would that work? What about my phone? I was just about to transition my landline to a Google Voice phone, but that requires an ethernet connection which might be something that is not going to work out in the community. I just don't know at this point. I do know that what I am going to at least at first blush seems to be very promising. I don't think that I will be bored, but I am having to leave behind a whole lot of my life.