Big changes afoot

July 21, 2017 by Shannon Fennell 1 Comment

After almost 18 years in Grande Prairie, Alberta I will be moving on.  I will be moving to Ontario to be close to family – having nearby family is important and I no longer have any around here.

My house went on the market on Monday and it has been shown everyday to very positive responses.  It is a pretty damn nice house!  You can click on the photo to see the listing if you want.

I have been working steady to clear out the house – selling off furnishings and stuff, culling, shredding and recycling.  So far I’ve donated five full loads to different groups, and sold off my dining room and hutch, all twin beds, my bedroom suite (which I only just bought!) dressers, shelves, cedar chest and loads of smaller items.

I am working through the house a room at a time, getting all the furnishings out/sold and then making sure everything is clean and perfect in that space as I can leave it.

It is amazing the stuff you carry around.  I am only taking personal things – clothes, business tools, important treasures, so am being ruthless.  I had been hauling around a china lamb that had a “basket” – a baby room item.  I bought it at a rummage sale when I was 10 years old.  I really liked it.  I think I paid 10 cents for it.  However… ahem, why the heck have I packed that thing around for 46 years?  Hmmm?  It’s gone now – donated it.

The furnishings are easy.  It is the little things that are harder.  All the souvenirs we bought on our travels, for example.  I’ve got a mahogany trunk, wooden dishes and containers, small statues, Northwest Haida bentwood box and plaques, small stools, mats, tiles… I’m going to have to pick the most important, to me, to keep.

I’ve also got all the art to deal with – paintings and larger work.  There are at least half a dozen larger ones I want to keep.  The rest… not sure what I can do.  I will try to sell, and maybe give to friends (only if they like them).  Last resort – donate.

The biggest headache is my office and studio.  I’ve got 20 years of accumulated make-up supplies and equipment, PLUS my records and paperwork.  I kept all my charts from shows (all in binders) and photos of my work.  I will be scanning everything I can and then getting rid of the paper.

The culling of the make-up supplies is going to be the biggest challenge.  I build props as well so have bins full of reuseable things that come in handy – used dryer sheets, odd-shaped plastics, bits of wire, fun foam, bamboo, dowels, etc.  So much stuff.  I’ve already recycled a couple of blue bags worth of plastic containers to empty a dresser.  Then there are all the prosthetic supplies.

And the costumes and accessories!  I have bin upon bin of hair accessories, a trunk full of costumes, a shelf of hats, and props lying around.

But… one thing at a time.  That’s the only way to handle it.

So… huge change, but I am ready to head off on a new adventure in a new place. Although… I am feeling a tad anxious about driving in the traffic of the Greater Toronto Area!