Saturday, June 16, 2012

Moving In


Boy, I haven't been here for a really long time. I did know that I wouldn't have too much time for blogging during our move, but I hadn't expected that the move would demand ALL of my time.

We actually moved into our new home about two weeks ago, but the weeks before that were full with painting (as in painting the walls of a room), remodeling, cleaning, packing, end of school year stuff, etc. It was a very hectic time, and of course it is still very busy.

The nice thing about owning your home (among many others) is that you can paint your rooms in any color you want. That's what Kaefer and I did - she painted her room and I painted the master bedroom, the entryway, the living/dining room and the studio - so far. Color choices are sometimes hard, but so much fun.

 One of Kaefer's color choices - "Carolina Parakeet"

Me painting the master bedroom - "Seafoam Pearl"

The work on the downstairs bathroom was in full swing and I couldn't resist to take a picture of how to cut tiles.

Kaefer and the Geek assembled the new worktable for my studio - a nice sturdy table we had bought at IKEA.

Then came the moving day itself. We hadn't hired a big moving company but a small local business who moved just the big items - furniture, boxes - but all the packing and everything else was done by us. These guys were phenomenal! Of course it was one of the hottest days, but that didn't slow them down. They were pretty amazing.

My friend Jeanne helped with her truck, moving all the garden stuff and our office.

On the morning after our first night in our own home I walked through the house and took some pictures of the chaos.
 My studio

The living/dining room

Kaefer's room

A wonderful surprise awaited us when Sergio, who was tiling our bathroom, brought some Mexican breakfast his wife had made for us. The day before, one of our neighbors welcomed us with a plate of Starbucks treats - we had a wonderful breakfast this way, hearty and sweet. I was so touched by the kindness of these people.

We went back to the old house that day to clean it and clear everything out. The hardest part was to say goodbye to my little friend who had visited me almost every day since April 2011 - Geeda.

Now we are trying to make this house livable - unpacking boxes, assembling shelves, constantly searching for things. Some decorating in between to keep up a good spirit, like hanging up these beautiful Moroccan lanterns on the porch. My wonderful backyard neighbor had given them to me before we moved out.

A few days into living in this house I witnessed a beautiful moonrise from my bedroom window. If I had had any doubts before, I now knew that we made the right move.

During these stressful weeks of moving we have been blessed with wonderful people who helped us, friends, neighbors and strangers. We experienced a wonderful community around us, a great support web. We couldn't have done it this way without their help, their trucks, their food. It's amazing how little things can make someone's life easier. We feel truly blessed.

As this house seems to be...


.

23 comments:

Linda R said...

Oh I am so happy for you, but I am so sad you didn't bring your kitty pal - I couldn't have left him/her I'm such a furlover...keep coming with the photos they are FUN FUN FUN and I'm TOTALLY loving the Parakeet color.

Kay L. Davies said...

I'm so happy for you, Carola. Sad for Geeda, however. She will miss you. I hope the new people like her.
I love the names "Carolina Parakeet" and "Seafoam Pearl" — the second is perhaps more to my liking but it is wonderful to be able to paint the walls the way you want to paint them.
Your movers do look like good guys, and your new neighbors sound wonderful.
K

Deborah Tisch said...

Carola,

I was fine until I saw Geeda and read how hard it was to say goodbye. Now I'm all teary.

Best of luck to you and your family in your new home!

patty said...

Oh, Carola, I love this post! All your sweat and hard work is going to pay off and this house is going to be just amazing for you. I can tell! And the kindness... well, it's obvious you have made the right choice my friend!!

seabluelee said...

Carola, I'm happy to hear that you are in your new house now. I am too, and can relate to the process of unpacking and settling in. All your colors are beautiful. I think you're brave - I opted to have my entire cottage painted a lovely shade of...white! :-) Happy nesting!
Lee

La Vie Quotidienne said...

So exciting for you. You are going to have such a wonderful time creating memories in you new home. Congratulations!

Lynn Cohen said...

Mazol Tov/Congratulations! I am so happy for you! Everything you shared seemed especially blessed. What workers wives send breakfast for the entire family? Amazingly wonderful.
The colors explode with life and excitment.
I love those lanterns!
That moon shot is awesome!
Live there in good health and happiness for many years and create wonderful things there too in your well light art studio!
xoxo

Kokopelli said...

Wonderful pictures from the move! Moving is always chaos, but it will dissolve sooner or later. Don't worry! BTW, love the antique drawer in the corner of your studio. And that kitty is so cute! Couldn't you take it with you as it is someone else's cat?

Orsolina said...

Oh, das sieht nach Arbeit aus, aber eine schöne. Offensichtlich sind alle Umbauarbeiten beendet. Ihr habt ein sehr schönes Haus, die Abend-/Nachtaufnahme wirkt total klasse.

LG Biggi

Kelly said...

Yay! I'm so happy for you! I love seei the painting and the colors... Please post pics after yu guys get all settled in. Congrats and enjoy!
Kelly

Micki Wilde said...

Oh your new house is lovely and your studio with that lovely big window is fabulous.....Lucky you!!!

I hope you have the best of times in your new space x

Rhonda said...

Congratulations. Everything is falling into place. Poor Geeda will surely miss you.

Frida said...

Love the colors you have chosen for your rooms. I would love to have a studio :-)

Esther said...

I love the cheerful colors and I think the stories of community are beautiful.

Randy said...

Boy, you have been one busy bee. I just love that last shot. Beautiful colors and so warm feeling.

Ginnie Hart said...

I am just thrilled for you and your family, Carola! And I love your choice of paint colors.... :)

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Ich wünsche euch alles Gute in eurem neuen Zuhause :)

Maria Ontiveros said...

So much goodness in your post today. . . love the pictures of sawing and painting; the breakfast looks super yummy; such a bittersweet comment about Geeda; and the light coming out of the final picture is breath taking!
Rinda (who thinks Germany is looking pretty unstoppable in the Euro)

Darla said...

The paint colors are wonderful, so much happier than white walls (although I do have some white walls).

I'm excited for you just reading about your new home and seeing the pictures. What a pleasure it must be for you.

Darla

Maery Rose said...

What a great view! And I love the paint colors you are going with. I still have a few rooms in my new home that I need to paint and make my own.

Friko said...

Herzlichen Glueckwunsch zu Umzug und neuen Einzug. Ich hoffe, euer Leben im neuen Haus wird gluecklich und zufrieden verlaufen.

Schade um die Katze, hat sie eine Besitzer, ich hoffe, sie wird jetzt nicht streunen muessen?

Euer Haus ist wirklich schoen, es ist schon besser, im eigenen Haus zu wohnen, man kann sich einrichten, wie man will. Ich moechte nicht zur Miete wohnen, so wie das in Deutschland haeufig vorkommt.

Sally H said...

your new home looks wonderful. I get the feeling you are going to be very happy there. Beautiful photos and gorgeous colours you have both chosen. I am sure Geeda will let the new owners know exactly what she expects, and word may well have got around cat land about what a softie you are! All the best ion your new home my friend x

JoZart Designs said...

How lovely to read of your joys during this transition into the next phase of your life. I really hope you are all so happy there with good health and prosperity.
Thanks for finding time to pop over to my blog. I was thinking of you whilst we were in Lueneburg and again this Saturday when I gave a craft workshop for the Deutch Kirche in our city centre. It was such a good day and we enjoyed their Waldemeister Bowle. Delish!!! However I came home and had a snooze. Have you ever made and/or drunk it?
Lots of love Jo x