If I could live anywhere, ever....

For years I have known that after graduation, David would be applying to graduate school. But, it has seemed so far in the distant future, intangible, and very hypothetical. Now, after four years of school in Athens, the place that we have come to know as home and where our children were born, he is starting his applications.

We have been working through his list together, looking for a program that he would love, as well as a place that would be a good fit for our family, and community where the kids and I could thrive as well. It's exciting, overwhelming, adventurous, and scary to think about up-rooting from the only place that I have known as a parent with a two year old and four year old. Especially since most of our options are very far from home.

This process is causing a lot of introspection on my part, like, what is important in a place to live? What do I like and dislike? And where would just be really freaking fun...

If I could choose every little detail of where I could live it would like something like this:

-Small to medium size town or city
-No mosquitoes or fire ants (and no poisonous snakes would be an added bonus.)
-Temperate weather much of the year
-Either mountains, hills, or a beach- or at least a nice lake
-Friendly, down-to-earth people, with a lot of families/people with young children
-A community that values people over things
-Somewhere that I can find people as crunchy and alternative as me (after all, I am a home-birthing, local-eating, co-sleeping, extended breast-feeding, positive disciplining, anti-punishment and rewards, intactivist - I just learned this word last night!, peace-seeker, knitter, and future Waldorf/ slightly unschoolish homeschooler.)
-A nice farmer's market
-Activities for young children, i.e. children's museums, nice parks and playgrounds, etc.
-Outdoor activities - hiking, kayaking, etc.
-A town with a few good local restaurants, independent shops, artists, and coffee shops
-Pro-biking?!

And all of that in an inexpensive, low-crime, kept-up area with affordable housing ideally with a YARD and more than 700 square feet, in a town that has a top university. And then all of our family could re-locate there.

Ha, ha, ha.

Anyone know where my dream land exists?

And all of that to say, we might just be staying in Athens. And you know, that wouldn't be too bad. I love our house, we have some friends, I only get lost about once every 3-4 months (which is very impressive for me I might add), and I still have a long DIY list...

One Year Housiversary

On this day one year ago, we were handed this key to our house...

It's hard to believe that it has been a year. On the one hand, we have come a long way. But, we also have a long, long way to go.

I'm looking forward to another year of making our farmhouse our home!

The house as it was then...

 

And today:

I wonder what it will look like next year.....

I am back. At least, parts of me.

We finally have internet. After a week without it, 10 hours on the phone, tampering, rebooting, unplugging and replugging, I am reconnected!

We cleaned out our apartment, and are settling into our new home. This experience was nothing like what I expected. I didn't expect to be as stressed or have so much anxiety throughout the moving process. Moving with a baby is much more difficult- something that I seemed to not take into account. I am a "get it done" type person, and when I don't get things done, it really stresses me out.

I have learned a few things. Experience is a hard teacher.

-Have a babysitter for the closing. Especially if it's at naptime with a teething baby.
-Too many boxes is better than not enough boxes.
-Don't move during finals week or during major work deadlines.
-If possible, go to the grocery store the day before the move and stock the fridge at the new house. Or at least keep bread, peanut butter, and jelly on hand!
-Get a size larger U-Haul than you think you need - it's cheaper than having to take two trips.
-Pack your linens by wrapping breakable items in them. If I were into killing birds, I would use that expression here.
-Have a "packing party"; even if it's just for moral support, anything is more fun when friends share it with you.
-Remember to have extra patience & grace for your spouse and family members. Moving is stressful on everyone.
- Have a few "special" or new toys on hand to entertain the kids.
-Pack several days worth of clothes in a suitcase so that you can find them!
-The day of the move, start the morning off with whatever helps you relax: a bubble bath, a glass of wine, a walk, or yoga...everything will get done, and it's better to feel good when you are doing it.
-"Don't sweat the small stuff."
-Possessions are temporal.
-When in doubt, throw it away.
-It's ok to experience a wide range of emotions when moving. Relocating a home is a lot of work, physically and emotionally! Savor the happy memories and look forward to the new ones!
-Flowers make any room look happier...even if everything else is a mess.
-Say goodbye to your previous home.

I am still recovering from the ride...but we are already loving our new home and are so thankful to be a part of the vibrant history. So much more to come...

Naked with no internet

Amongst all the annoyances of moving, my inability to find clothes and not having internet have to be at the top of my list. So I am sitting at Starbucks, in maternity jeans, because that is all that I could find. I now live out in the "country" with snakes and bugs and other gross things that inhabit 160 year old homes, and no internet. We have a nest of baby bird on our porch; it's so cute to watch the mother bird feed them. But the birds don't seem to care about my oral blog posts...

The good news is, I have been somewhat productive and have so many things to show you. Hopefully we will be connected tomorrow!

Caroline

Utilities: The very essence of boring

Even the word itself sounds so blah: Utilities. That is what I've spent the last day doing...

Running around town, hours on the phone.

Water. Electricity. Internet. Garbage Pick-up. Recycle.

So unless you are some rare bird that finds these things interesting, my life has actually been rather boring.

Though, a house that was built in the 1850's that is surrounded by acres of land, at night, with no electricity. Now that's exciting. Or at least, spooky and skin-crawling. We lit the entire home by candle light.I would have taken pictures, but, that's the nature of candelight. It's a little too dark for photos. Thankfully, the electricity is now turned on.

Closing

We closed on the house yesterday! It is ours! After two years of house-hunting, putting offers on three houses, and waiting six months to hear back, we have finally closed on our dream home. It's been an emotional few days; we can hardly believe that we are moving past this liminal stage in our lives and settling down a little.

Closing was interesting. It went well for the most part, except that I think I have developed carpal tunnel syndrome. Not only did I have to sign my rather long name (23 letters), I also had to sign as "attorney in fact" for our co-signer. So it looked like this

(Their long-ass name here) by and through his attorney in fact (my long-ass name here).

On every single document, in addition to my own name. Like 200 times. And, because we missed a page, and I signed my own name incorrectly, we had to go back to the attorney's office twice. Also, bringing a teething baby to a closing was an awful idea. Next time - get a babysitter.

But, that all seemed so trivial when David and I opened the door and walked inside our first home. Without a real estate agent. Just the three of us, coming home. It seemed so peaceful and quiet. David said, it makes me feel like we need a herd of animals and a brood of children running around barefoot. I agreed.

We took our first load of boxes over, and began picking out paint colors. The U-Haul has been reserved, and we will be making the big move on Friday.

Caroline

The key

When you buy a house that was built in the 1800's, this is what the front door key looks like!

Our final walk-through went well. The roof hasn't caved in and there isn't water spewing from the toilet. However, there is a 6 ft. long snake in the yard. Any ideas on how to get rid of snakes? Other than a shovel and shotgun? Go ahead and call my Laura Ingalls. We are country folk now.

We close tomorrow. I still cannot believe it. Smile & tear.

Caroline

Countdown to Home Ownership

Finally, some good news. Our closing date has been moved up. We will officially own our farmhouse on Monday, April 26th! Maybe I can squeeze in a few projects before we move in on the 30th.

More inside photos...consider these "Before Photos"

The Living Room

C

The Fireplace in the kitchen

The Bathroom

The Breakfast Room

 The Foyer

The Master Bedroom

The Back of the house (circular driveway) 

Back yard

It's surreal. I can hardly believe that it's almost here. After 6 months, we are going to own our own home.

Caroline