Bittersweet

We have a condo in Murrieta, about 90 miles south of our place here in LA. We bought it when Robyn got a job in that area and rather than drive back and forth and stay in a motel, we had a place where she could hang out and we could visit periodically. It is nice, two bedrooms, two baths, with a courtyard and a patio where one can sit out, have and adult beverage, and watch golfers on the nearby course chip and put on the fourth green.
Time has passed. We no longer visit the spot and it was appropriate that we either sell or rent it out. Rent was the decision and we hired a management company to take over the place and maintain as an income rental. I wanted to rent it furnished but they said no. “If a renter provides their own furniture, then they are more committed. We rent it unfurnished.”
The question is what to do with basically a complete household of furniture. The management company said they were happy to call a junk dealer have have it all trashed. I decided to seen an alternative. I found a nearby charity, like goodwill, that would come and pick up all the clothes and furniture. This weekend was set for the move out.
A friend and I went down and boxed up books and clothes. The movers arrived and in less than two hours had everything except the beds (they don’t take beds) loaded.
I know its just ‘stuff,’ but I was saddened to see so much of what we had accumulated over the past 30 years just given away. We had spent many happy hours there just to ‘get away’ for a day or so. We had made friends with some of the permanent residents, but they, too, had either moved or passed on. We were all that was left. Both Robyn and I had served on the condo board, which was an adventure to be told at another time. Briefly I can tell you, “Don’t do it.”
One of our critters, Heidi, got out and we found her the next day three miles away sitting under a tree along side the freeway. She gave me a “what took you so long” look. Had we not found her, my guess is that we would have sold the place. Cat, Brackets, got out and we never saw him again. Robyn spend a number of weekends sitting with the doors open, hoping, but to no avail. Tuxedo, Gigi, and Shiloh enjoyed traveling the hour and a half and then exploring the place.
Our friends from Ottawa stayed in our place for a few days one winter and liked it so much they bought a unit nearby. They come down after Christmas and stay until the weather turns. Denise’s brother, Dennis, bought the unit next door to ours.
But enough. Yes its sad, but it is time to move along. Fair well, 29340 Calle Gaviota. You had a good run. But its time for a change.
JVH