This will be the start of something big! At least for me, right now, Dec. 11th. I've been in my new house (home) for two days. I'll be writing about this move for a while, and two weeks before Christmas is not exactly the time for a big move, yet, I did it! I am grateful for
friends: helping move all my kitchen and art, and others who unloaded the attic several weeks ago
packers: so kind and ensuring that everything was packed safely & prepared
movers: who worked fast & tirelessly from 9am to 7pm, lifting, loading, then un-loading. Finally, moving a few things again per my direction so I could access certain boxes first, etc.
family: helped through these past months supporting, working, calling
colleagues: asking often how things were going
finally: service workers, who changed the cord on the stove I brought because it didn't fit the plug here, who showed me how the water heater worked when I didn't have hot water (the former owners had evidently turned it off to save energy), and the person who set up my cable, phone and internet service.
All helped with expertise, cheer, patience and kindness. I am so grateful.
I visited my husband early yesterday morning and it took about 7 minutes to get there! I am going to work this am; it will take about 5 minutes. My daughter and oldest granddaughter Ingrid came by yesterday, and took me out to dinner. Ingrid goes to her preschool about 17 blocks north! It took about 3 minutes to arrive at the restaurant.
Sorry this is so filled with minutiae, yet it's those little things, as many of us say again and again, that are meaningful to our lives.
For now, a few photos of organized chaos.
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| Part of the living area, TV temporarily sitting on the cedar chest because I haven't moved it yet. People make such crazy statements in the middle of a move. |
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| Part of the dining area, the kitchen tree & boxes filled with china & books await. The table goes elsewhere (just an occasional table). I need to find a new dining table. For now, any surface will do. |
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| Part of my office-notice that this desk has the important stuff started: phone, router, wireless! Books are next. |
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| Another part of the office, with some plants and miscellaneous things. Remember, any surface will do! |
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| The extra room downstairs, which will be a large closet for quite a while. |
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| part of the kitchen, still also in process |
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| The first thing I did, ready for Christmas! Have a great week everyone: I'll be unpacking, & hope to begin some shopping! |
Happy for you that the move went smoothly--or as smoothly as a move two weeks before Christmas can be. You sound excited and happy in your new home. Here's to making great new memories.
ReplyDeleteI think it's going to be terrific, Deb, & I love re-organizing so just need time! And don't we all? Thank you!
DeleteAny move can be difficult, but it sounds like you had all the right helpers to make is a smooth transition and you are already reaping the benefits of location, location, location! Enjoy taking the time to make your new house a home. You are on your way!
ReplyDeleteThe location is what grabbed me immediately, Michelle. I will love taking the time to make a home. Thanks!
DeleteMaybe two weeks before Christmas is just the right time to move. You will have unpacking mixed with some holiday joy. You know that you don't have to get everything perfect before the holidays.
ReplyDeleteGreat point, Terje. It will be a memorable Christmas because we may have to make a dining table of the boxes! Ha! I am ready for my break now for sure. Thank you!
DeleteThis will probably be me next year at about this time.
ReplyDeleteGood to know it can happen right before Christmas!
Good luck getting settled in.
Thank you Elisa. I will have to hear the rest of your story about moving now. You've made me curious!
DeleteYippy for closeness - closeness in proximity to your work, family, friends, and closeness in your heart. Both came through in your sharing. Congrats on being moved!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dana-hurrah! I am glad to have this part behind me!
DeleteSounds like this really was the perfect time and way to move! I am so happy for your details about "time" - how great to be so close to husband, your school, and your granddaughter!! Small details but BIG significance. So happy for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maureen. It is important to do this right, I suspect. I really don't want to do it again any time soon.
DeleteSo glad to hear that your move went smoothly and you had all the necessary help at just the right time. You've found the right location and house, now to make it into a home - one box at a time. Happy unpacking and discovering new places for all your goodies.
ReplyDeleteOne box at a time sounds like a wonderful poem, Judy. Thanks for that & the wishes.
DeleteYay! I'm so glad you are in, Linda. Good luck unpacking and getting everything set up just so. Sounds like you found the perfect location.
ReplyDeleteSo maybe in a few months, I will be able to do some more writing, etc. I am looking forward to no more cleaning out! Thank you Katherine!
DeleteYour cheer encourages me and lifts my spirits. You remind me to look at the positive. The location sounds fantastic and I love the pictures of the place in progress. Happy, happy settling in.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lee Ann. I find it hard to believe sometimes that I can walk to restaurants, shops, the grocery, the library. Good perks!
DeleteI love your attitude! You will have a wonderful Christmas because you know where your priorities are. Organizing and getting settled can actually be fun. I hope you continue to enjoy your move.
ReplyDeleteMy grandson (11 & out of state) says he's ready to unpack & unpack, wearing an elf hat! I am ready & said I'd provide cookies! Thank you Margaret!
DeleteIn your new home, just in time for the holidays...I could sense the ex excitement and sense of new beginnings, too. How marvelous, Linda.....congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is feeling better each day, Tara. I know it's a good decision, although it was one of the hardest ones I've made. Wish you could all come visit to have a good book conversation!
DeleteI am so excited for you and all those shelves! I can just imagine them filled with books. Just think, a month from now you will be so much more settled and those "any surface will do" places will be established. I also love all the minute tidbits in this slice. I am so happy for you that you can be so much closer to everyone and everything (lets not forget the library) that is so important to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you much, Betsy. Oh my, I did forget the library! And I visit often already! It will be more settled after filling up the shelves, etc. & then I can rearrange! Do you do that? I moved my classroom for several years until I got it just right! Just like home.
DeleteI love that you thanked all the people who helped make your move successful! I also LOVE that you put up your Christmas wreath right away! I bet you will love being so close to so many of the important places in your life! Have fun settling in!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I gave you a "Liebster award". You can read about it on my blog tonight!
The wreath was the one thing that started me thinking it was home, Jennifer. Thank you for noticing. And, I certainly couldn't have done all this without so many loving people helping.
DeleteLooks like you are truly blessed - with loving friends who helped, with a lovely place to build new roots, with closeness to your husband and work and your family! May Christmas be wonderful in your new place!
ReplyDeleteThank you Beverley. I feel very blessed, & am excited to begin this new adventure! I hope your holidays are wonderful, too!
DeleteLooks like the move is going smoothly! So glad you are getting the important stuff unpacked first! I really would be happy to come over and help!
ReplyDeleteCarol, you are dear. Let me see how the week goes. Perhaps you can help organize the books. I still don't have all the shelves placed yet, but hopefully soon. We really need to get together!
DeleteYou are one busy camper, and such a happy bee...to mix metaphors. But metaphors tend to get mixed when you move! You should gift wrap all those boxes and put them all over the house. Then just open a couple a day to extend the Christmas festivities!
ReplyDeleteNo, no, I have to buy other gifts to wrap, Donna. The boxes to open are just enough. One step at a time, please! Thanks!
DeleteYou are so right about the little things being the heart of living. Knowing how many minutes it takes you to reach some of the most important people in your life really communicates a lot about your world. I am so happy for you that you are moving forward and can work on the best part-getting settled into your new place, instead of having to continue anticipating leaving the old one behind.
ReplyDeleteThank you Christy. It seems to be moving along so well, just a lot to do!
DeleteI think good decisions ARE the hard fought, well-considered ones. The pictures and your captions say so much. And those few minutes to here and there sound like they will add up to a lot of joy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I think the easy driving will be a new gift for me. I've done so much commuting that this is interesting to be able to hop in the car & be "there" soon! Or even walk when it is warmer!
DeleteCongrats on your new home! May the little conveniences always make the move worth it.
ReplyDeleteI love organized chaos. Such is my life in two words. Thank you so much, Linda, for allowing us a glimpse into your life. It really means a great deal. Your spirit, your 'effervescence' - I think that is the perfect word. Everything is a gift. :)
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