Despite the grumpy post last night, I’m very grateful to all of you for your thoughts and ideas regarding our house. My problem is that I want to implement all of them, and I just don’t have the time, energy, and in some cases money. Soo. . . I’ll do my best, and not let my desires consume me to the point of inactivity. 
This whole process has been very eye-opening. I’m starting to learn the difference between decorating and staging. Stripping the personal side from our home, while leaving a attractive level of personality, has been challenging. As is common with me, I’ve gotten myself wrapped up in thinking TOO much about, “Who’s my probable buyer?” “How does that affect how I’ll stage my home- less toys, more swanky masterbedroom, etc.” Realizing how much of our home reflects us has been bittersweet- as the things that are the most special, are often the first to go. Doing this early is helping me transition away from this home. I’m starting to see it as just a structure to be sold, and less as “Our first home,” “The home we brought Scotland home to” “The place where I have spent some of the best years of my life.” (Though I’d be lying if suggested those lines aren’t making tears run down my face.) 
As I proactively give away my home (emotionally), I’ve found myself with a sudden need to find a new place to nestle in. I’ve wasted far too much time on Zillow and Trulia looking at homes in Salt Lake. It’s hard to realize that we’ll have to pay much more for much less there. But then I think, “Hey, I’m Scandinavian! We’re world reknowed for making the most of small spaces- thank you IKEA.” Sometimes I fantasize that we’ll be the answer to some older couple’s prayer: taking care of their historic home with spacious lot in the Avenues while they serve a few missions.. .  It’s a lovely dream.