Moving to Ocala, Florida – Update and Prep work

Here’s an update that includes my prep work (list of To Do’s) regarding our impending move to Ocala, Florida. If you would rather listen instead of read, play the audio:

As mentioned previously, we chose an apartment community 3 to 5 miles from downtown Ocala, so we could live within walking distance to grocery stores and eateries. We were prepared to apply to both our top choices of communities (just in case for any reason one didn’t accept us). Thankfully, we were accepted by the one with the amenities we liked best and in the best location to meet our needs (namely, within the shortest walking distance to the stores, doctors office, banking, and eateries we liked). The application, check in, monthly rental payments and such are all done online too, which I love, because we have had many issues at our current place of rent checks (yes, even paying via Bill Pay) get lost, not cashed, etc. and nothing irritates me more than paying before or on the due date and the people not getting the money for 10 days to two weeks through no fault of ours!

I have our electricity, water/sewer, and internet services all set to turn on for our new apartment soon too (we move 8/21/23), so we will see how it goes. I still need to put in our change of address notice with the post office, but I think by this point in time, I have everything done that needs to be done. I have the U-haul truck and two helpers hired. I will drive the moving truck myself with hubby by my side. I think once we get everything packed into the truck we’ll see how much more we want to buy at the new place in order to keep future moves also to a minimum.

We have packed about 85% of everything and are waiting until the last 3-4 days before moving day to complete the rest. I think of it like packing for a trip or vacation but in reverse. Everything I use daily, will go into my suitcase the day before we get the rental moving truck. I’ll take an Uber or Lyft to the U-haul dealer.

I have also pre-cleaned the current place a lot and will do more of that the last few days so that once all our boxes and totes are out, it won’t take me long to do one final wipe-down and broom or vacuum and call it done. Mind you, this place wasn’t all that clean when we moved in so I will leave it at least the same or better. It’s furnished (I had never rented a furnished apartment before in my life) but they had never moved and cleaned under anything, which has always bothered me. I didn’t know initially until I dropped something at one point and it rolled under the bed. UGH

The owner never steam cleaned the couch or such either so I always had a sheet covering it (they disagreed but I felt there were blood stains on the couch cushions too, so that’s another reason I covered it). Anyway, I know one person’s idea of “clean” can vary drastically from another’s, and so again, it is what it is. I’ll take a video when we leave just to ensure I can prove how we left it should any questions arise.

Summary

I can let go (deep breath here) of all low vibes I have had about living in Bradenton (I never wanted to live here but it was cheap rent and available at least for one year) back when we had looked for a place in St. Pete/Gulfport and could not find anything reasonable or available. Some places were only available during part of a year, and lots of small houses, duplexes, or such went on AirBnB, so there’s that.
I’m glad our new place won’t have GPS issues (it’s been hard for people to find our current place for deliveries), So many times, drivers have had to text me to find us at this place in town, which I certainly never expected. I guess the city of Bradenton never thought their addressing scheme out very well back in the day. (After having delivery issues when we lived in the woods “off grid” before moving here, that had been one issues I’d never expected to have, living in a city.
I’m glad our new place won’t have mail issues (some of our mail went to another near identical address here and thankfully, those folks were nice and brought our mail over to us when it would get delivered to them). Our new apartment community has a mail center where packages are received. And the address is super easy to find for visitors via GPS.
I’m looking forward to taking a bath at the new apartment too! The current old iron tub has a rusted out spot and hole in it so I couldn’t take baths here, only showers.
I can release negative feelings I have had about no one visiting us in two years (of “friends” (who live here) who we used to know and see a lot but apparently quit caring about us after we moved away (for work back in 2017). So be it.
I can look onwards and upwards. Two years here has been more than enough and that last hurricane (Ian), pushed me over the edge as far as dealing with power outages was concerned. Yes, I realize that’s a first world country problem but we did our 17 months living off grid during 2020-2021 and we are sooo over that!
I’m looking forward to using new appliances too at the new apartment–everything here is old, hence the cheap rent I suppose.
I can focus my energy on making new acquaintances and friends and seeing new sights. As well, we will be two hours closer to northern destinations I want to visit soon! Two hours closer to getting out of the state should we need to.
I love the hills and lay of the land in Ocala too.
I love the arts community in Ocala also.
I love horses. I grew up with horses and worked with an equestrian photographer years ago too, so I am hoping I can do something there related with the equine industry. I am asking the Universe to surprise me!
I am also hoping it is more quiet there, though I am sure the trade off will be between the all ages community we will be in versus the 55-plus community we are in now, and also we will have someone living above us. But there’s going to be major road work going on where we are at currently and I didn’t want to be here when it ramps up with milling and paving happening for weeks/months! This condo has poor windows and doors and we can hear everything outside and are close to a four-lane street that will get widened.

I feel Ocala will present us with a lot of adventure, with more natural springs to explore, horses to view or ride (I am looking forward to visiting the World Equestrian Center (WEC), and see how folks of all ages accept our original music in Ocala (as Richard already asked if he could play guitar at the apartment community pool and was told he could), so we shall envision success there!

In case you missed part 1 of this post: https://sheilamurrey.net/2023/04/29/apartment-hunting-in-ocala-florida/

Part 2 was: https://sheilamurrey.net/2023/05/04/apartment-hunting-in-ocala-florida-part-2/

My 4th book is on Amazon!! And here’s how you can read it: Have Yourself a Wholly Vibrant Life: Reversing Asthma and Other Chronic Illness Naturally

To our better health, ease, joy, and sustainment in JOY!

Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey

Peace. Out.

Integrating the Spirals to ease suffering

My online Zoom video course, Integrating the Spirals is helpful now more than ever because I know people are suffering. (Let me know if you’re interested in the Integrating the Spirals course.)

As an empath I want to help ease suffering and raise hope. I want to uplift others and raise our collective vibrations and consciousness. I teach breath work and meditation so we appreciate the value of Detachment. We till our inner soil with our breath and that offers us peace and calm. Meditation is an easy way to Connect us with spirit, higher selves, Omniscience God, and receive personal guidance.

Be the best version of who you want to be–because if you’re reading my words your soul is probably beckoning you to align with it and live up to your highest ideals. Not perfect because who is perfect? Most stagnate or ‘get stuck’ while on their way to being whatever they think perfection is. Making progress is enough. Carrying your Karma lightly is enough. Be kind to yourself while living responsibly. Who you ARE affects us ALL. We Are All Connected.

Omniscience knows ALL. Omniscience is always with you. You are never alone.

The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

About us

My husband is an award-winning illustrator, plus he’s a seasoned guitarist, bass player, and songwriter (with over 400 original songs). You can view some of his artwork and listen to all of his songs at: http://listen4music.com

Here’s a video of us performing on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/416711742?ref=fb-share

About me, your Spiral Sister

I would love to speak at your bookstore, crystal shop, acupuncture/chiropractor office, natural health foods store, art fair, music, or yoga festival. I support healthy lifestyle businesses.

I invite you to check out my new metaphysical book–Blue Eyes: Ethereal Messages of Connection. There are two versions (Kindle and paperback) on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3WV68KF

I’m an Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving” available on Amazon.

Connecting…

For more updates, To Do’s, or moving to Ocala, Florida and our new adventures, follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeonyour