Back home

Hello! Here we are!

So we're all moved in, except for a few bins of crap, which persist because my husband is mentally ill. We moved from a relatively spacious house to an apartment that is approximately the size of a walk-in closet, and Scott thinks he can bring along his "mementos" and other useless debris that the voices in his head tell him he must never discard. Scott is way more sentimental than I am, it turns out. I gleefully shredded fifteen years of journals (I know people were alarmed by this move, but please believe me when I tell you that there was nothing worth keeping in those journals), donated all of Henry's baby toys and clothing, and practically had to be stopped from starting a memorabilia bonfire in the backyard. I got memories in my head-parts, so what do I need scrapbooks for? Is my motto.

At any rate, we're back in Brooklyn, and I don't think it would be possible for me to be happier. There's always some sadness when you leave a place, and I do miss my New Jersey friends, but we love it here. Love it. We love the things that would probably drive other people insane. Okay, I could do without the constant noise coming from the people above us, who are housing either a rambunctious child, or a pony, or both. And some of the neighbors really enjoy engaging in spirited debates in the stairwell, which can be grating. But otherwise, wow, we're pleased.

I wasn't sure how Henry would adjust to the new setting. He was pretty blasé about the move, but then, he seemed equally unperturbed when we moved to NJ, but once we were settled in, his heart closed down. So far, though, all is going swimmingly. It doesn't hurt that we're so happy to be here, that he has friends and relatives around the corner, that there's a playground across the street, or that he's a superstar in his new school. Apparently when you're in kindergarten, being the New Kid makes you an alluring, mysterious figure, and not an awkward outcast. Also, there are Legos. Which is really all he needs to make it through the day.

Comments

[Sara]

I have a suitcase of journals that need to be destroyed before anyone finds just HOW HARD LIFE WAS when I was a misunderstood adolescent. Any tips?

[Kizz]

Yay! You're back!

I went on a small momversation binge the other night and watched your appearance in the circumcision debate. I loved the way you handled that attack. You are awesome.

[beyond]

oh, i remember the days where legos (and my little ponies) were all i needed to get through the day.
sending you a warm welcome back to brooklyn!

[natasha the exile on Mom Street]

So glad that you're happy with your decision!

Also, glad that you're going to be able to post more frequently, hint hint!

[Elaine at Lipstickdaily]

Awesome! What is it about guys that they can't discard the crap? Be ruthless, I say (a motto I learned from my mother). Enjoy the city . . . order Thai takeout at 3 a.m. for me!

[Shnerfle]

While I cannot in the slightest understand WHY you are thrilled to have boiled your life down to a bouillon cube, and I should most definitely lose the struggle with the voices in my head if I were ever to do the same, I am happy that you're happy. Especially since it means that you are now back to posting. 'Cause really, it's all about how this effects me. You may now continue to amuse me. Please and thank you. :-)

[Sprite's Keeper]

You moved? Funny, the blog looks the same to me... (Glad you made it through!)

[hi kooky]

You're back in your element. Congratulations!

[Springsteen fan]

To paraphrase a hit 70s show, "Welcome Back." For this homesick former Sloper, pick up a real everything bagel and whitefish, hit the ATM, buy milk at the bodega, all within a few blocks of where you live, and avoid, for the rest of your days on earth, that crappy Bloomfield CVS. And next time you head in the city, don't worry about reading a timetable and wave at the Statue of Liberty when you hit the elevated part of the F line for me. Thanks.

[Anne]

I'm the same way with my journals. The world doesn't need to see a poem about a green glass beer bottle that I wrote while drunk.

Welcome back to Brooklyn! We love it here too.

[Tricina]

I recently went through a purging like that too. It feels fantastic! In fact, it felt so good that by the time I'd emptied half our storage space I started to poke around and collect knick-knacks, books, dishes that we never touched. Eventually, I had to be stopped. We live in a similar situation. Two people in 550 square feet, and though we've been talking about moving for a long time it hasn't yet happened, so I needed to MAKE a little space. Let me tell you. And it felt great.

[derfina]

Glad to hear it's going well and glad you're BACK.

[merlotmom]

Congratulations on your move. I read all those comments and, I have to say, I cannot get them out of my head. It always astounds me how people can get so riled up and opinionated about something that is very clearly none of their business. Are their feelings hurt because they like NJ and you and your family don't? Puh-leeze. When will people just worry about themselves and let everyone else live in peace. I'm glad for you that you are where you want to be. In the end, that's all that matters.

[J.]

So happy you're happy, and glad that you're posting again, I was starting to twitch from withdrawals. Boy, I wish Legos were all I needed to get through the day!

[Elizabeth]

I think I would *love* to live in Park Slope... Except for the idea that I have three large dogs... But I *love* the idea of living somewhere small, where you can shop everyday for your food for THAT day and you can walk everywhere. I live in a small village and COULD walk everywhere if I didn't then need to DRIVE somewhere else after that. So glad you're where YOU need to be!

[Mary M.]

I have to go with your husband...I can't let things go. It's a very deep problem that stems from awful childhood melodramas...I need to go lie down now.

[steff]

Your life seems so exciting to me! I love this little vision of living in a city. Thanks for sharing.

[steff]

Your life seems so exciting to me! I love this little vision of living in a city. Thanks for sharing.

[Erika]

You know, my husband accuses me of not being able to throw things out, b/c of a few boxes of baby things...and yet. There are at least 2 boxes of clothes (his) that have been in our attic since we moved in EIGHT YEARS AGO. And the books...don't get me started on the books. I'm a librarian, but I say ENOUGH BOOKS ALREADY!!!!!

Sorry, had to vent.

[Jennie]

" I got memories in my head-parts, so what do I need scrapbooks for?"

Thank you, Alice. This is what I will remember when I'm feeling like a horrible mother for losing my son's baby book.

[Elizabeth_K]

So glad you are back where you belong.

[Meghan]

you are hilarious and i could have written the exact same thing about my husband. i am constantly amazed at the items he finds sentimental. for instance, some old pots and pans. we got new ones, moved, less space, etc. and some that had seen better days did not make the final cut. big mistake, BIG. i could go on, but i will spare.

my dream is that my husband will take our son on an all day excursion and will let me purge the house in peace :).

glad to see you are back...i am new to your site, but cannot tell you how much i've enjoyed reading your archives and wonderland posts.

[alice]

FYI, merlotmom is referring to this --a post on a neighborhood NJ blog, some of whose readers think I'm loathsome. ME! I know!

(And thank you, merlotmom. They hated me before I moved, though.)

[Lauren]

YAAAAAY Finslippy family! New starts in old places!

[steph]

Deep breath and contented sigh.

[Christina (apron strings)]

I am glad that you're back. However, I think you are very mean. so what if I have EVERY LETTER AND NOTE written to me SINCE ELEMENTARY school? What if I forget why my friend Shelly broke up with Matt in the fourth grade!?!?!?

[laura]

How are the dog and cat feeling about the move?

[Stephanie]

Yay! Glad you're happily moved in.

[Mrs Embers]

I'm SO glad to hear everyone's getting settled in again.

You and I are such different people- I'd take personal space over city living ANY day, and I need the journals because my head isn't so good with keeping memories in it... but I adore you, anyway. :)

[tzena]

Well, pen me in as the egotistic one. Would you care to meet up with your Manhattan fans? Like, ever? I realize we live in the provinces, but still. Have mercy.

[jo]

AHHHH! You're back!!!! I love it.

[B mama]

Ohhhh, color me jealous. I miss Brooklyn.

[kaylen]

ha- what more could you ask for then legos??!!

[Lara]

Congratulations on being back home in Brooklyn! I'm wondering what Brooklyn kindergarten has legos. It's not the magnet school that my kids go to in Ditmas Park. I wish our school let kids play a little more.

[Assertagirl]

Congratulations on your new home, Alice! I hope you all feel very content there.

[Pam]

I grew up in Matawan, and then lived in Summit, and my sister is in New Providence. So I'm kind of from your old 'hood. I live outside Washington, DC now (work in the city) so I like to think I have the best of the city and suburban life. I am envious of the small space living...since I started an organizing business on the side, I like to think of how to live with less.

[Marcy]

I'm trying to purge our useless crap, and recently found the box of journals I've been keeping since 7th grade. I'd always thought I should keep these forever as mementos of my young life. This time, I read through them and thought THESE MUST BE DESTROYED. I mean, is there really any redeeming value in all that crap I wrote about boys? Seriously.

Enough about me. Glad to hear the move's gone well!

[BOSSY]

Welcome home.

[Kit]

Your husband sounds like mine... we have boxes of his 'stuff' that he will never ever need again. But oh no, can't throw them away!!! Drives me crazy. And we have been moving around a lot (with twins) these past couple of years... I am so tired of looking at his stuff! Although, I do have journals from 20 years ago, and I am not sure if I am ready to shred.... Happy new (old) home to you!

[Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com]

Maybe the neighbors above have something much cooler than a pony, something like an elephant or a very fat hippo. Wouldn't that be excusable?

No?

[Jenn]

I feel like I'm backwards from the two of you—I'm the habitual hoarder and he's the one on a memento burning spree. One thing that's worked for me is that we'll take a high-res digital photo of said mementos and then throw them away. I'm happy because I can still look at it whenever I want, and he's happy because we have room in our closets again.

Maybe this will help your husband?

[mothergoosemouse]

Hmmm...I shredded my journals when we moved from the city to NJ. I wonder if this means I can never go back.

In any case, I'm glad you did. I understand the pull; I can feel it all the way out here in Denver.

[Mom101]

Oh my goodness, you get to call yourself the New York Bradleys again - how great is that? (Says the New Yorker.)

I am so happy for you all. Also, envious of the crap disposal skills. I am more like Scott for sure. And I have my 11th grade "Purim Prom" corsage in a box somewhere to prove it.

[Stephanie]

You have just inspired me to get rid of my mementos and crap, and I'm not even moving. But I KNOW that the weight off will be the Sun! That shines! After a long, cold, dark, and heavy winter.

And what better day? The day that Summer Time begins.

Thank you.

[Hip Mom's Guide]

So totally happy for you!

[Kris]

I feel so much better about journal tossing now! My statute of limitations on journals is BRIEF. I can rarely stand going back and reading them a year later, or if I do, there's this overwhelming sense of, 'Huh. Look how upset I was about x thing and I had all but forgotten about it now. That was dumb.'
It's that feeling that keeps me from starting a proper blog. How do you feel about going through your archives here? Do you get the urge to purge those? Because, as they say, trying to get information off the internet is like trying to get the pee out of a pool.

[the mama bird diaries]

Congrats on the move!