So excited for you and your (growing) family, Laura!

My cousin (my sole remaining cousin, *sob*) is down in Myrtle Beach, clearing out the remaining houses left by my uncle and deceased cousin, this task having been put off because of Our Current Ongoing Emergency. She and I talked on the phone last night, and it looks like shipping the (five) boxes of antique china that belonged to my grandmother will cost more than the (not rare, not expensive) pattern costs on the open market, and certainly more than we'd get if we sold it to a dealer.

I'm kind of torn -- I'm not a china person, the fanciest I get is my nice Corelle, which can go right into the dishwasher, and I never host dinner parties. So grandma's china would be pretty much staying in boxes and getting stored in the cellar.

So it would be a link to the past going away.

Yawn, should not have been up so late when I have to get up early, but am awake anyway.

Safe travels, msbelle. Miley is so very lucky!

I'm sorry, Theodosia.

Theodosia - I hauled by grandmother's china back home after Mom's death and have never used it. And if I ever move again, I will sell/leave it behind. Like you, I don't host dinner parties and don't really do china. What you might do is keep one or two of the nicer serving pieces as a reminder, but let the rest of it go.

Nerves both good and bad as I head to the airport and to get Miley. Stressed about flying, but excited for dog.

Oh wow! Safe travels, msbelle!

So it would be a link to the past going away.

How much of a link is it, really, in boxes in the basement? If you were going to use it, sure, but just owning it? Having the memories seems just as meaningful to me.

Congratulations, Laura and family!

msbelle, so glad Miley's coming home today!

I am experiencing anxiety. I need to do a Thing that I've been putting off for so long it's become much more fraught than it ever needed to be. I have to just do it. It's so stupid how anxiety makes the thing I'm anxious about worse. This is a maladaptive trait.

Safe travels, msbelle!

Oh, that is sad, Theo. Could you maybe pick one piece and make a point to use it regularly? A teacup or sugar bowl or something?

I'm packing to move. The mover's coming Thursday. It's not going well. I'd swear my stuff is breeding when I turn my back - I keep finding STUFF. I don't think I'm going to have enough boxes ... I don't have room to move, there are so many boxes and things piled up.

Meanwhile, I had to apply for a reserved parking permit. Did that, got the signs printed (had to visit two police stations and get someone to help me, but they got printed ... and I ended up with mild heat stroke/exhaustion). Put the signs up today - they have to be up 72 hours in advance. I have to upload the photos showing that they're posted ... but the DOT's website doesn't give a link to upload the photos. I get the page that shows what they need, but no place to upload them. I've talked to three people and left a voice mail plus an email for another person who may help.

I have landed in Dallas. With middle seats empty the plane was full. That is too many people. I was not 6 ft from anyone around me. Less people wearing their masks in this airport. I got out of the terminal as fast as possible and have found a bench near the entrance to the parking garage with no one around.

Also, I think he's not-well and is not really interested in another four years. I think he would excuse away his loss as being an aberration of the pandemic and slink away.

I doubt his ego would even consider that, especially considering how much his family is sucking in at the public teat.

Good luck msbelle!

Good luck Toddson too—moving is always a pain but that sounds extra.