We did it.
The past week has been crazy. We packed all our stuff, dealt with movers, cleaned out our old house in Vermont, closed on the old house in Vermont, drove 700-ish miles to Virginia (part of that during a snow storm. at night), took possession of a giant rental house (well, it’s big to us–plus it has a neat playset outside), had all our stuff delivered–and now we’re living surrounded by boxes and totes, trying to figure out how to fit our things into a new place.
Along with dealing with a nasty stomach bug (Miss M.) and a nasty cold (me and the Baron).
This change is huge for us. We went from small-town Vermont to suburban North Virgina, from two-lane highways surrounded by trees and mountains and moose and deer to an area were traffic can be a total nightmare (we’ve been warned repeatedly about that). We went from having to drive half-hour for most of our activities to driving a few minutes to get to almost anything.
We moved from our house of seven-plus years, which we bought when I was pregnant with Sir I. It was a total fixer-upper when we bought it and we renovated it almost totally, including two complete bathroom models, new floors throughout, and an updated kitchen (hence my revising-as-renovation analogy). We brought all three of our children from the hospital to that house. My husband built them a playhouse in the yard. We began our homeschooling journey there, and I wrote two novels and numerous short stories in it. We knew every foible of our old house, from the slanting floors and not-square corners to the willow tree outside that has a tendency to drop large branches.
And now it’s someone else’s house.
How strange.
And here we are, starting all over again. Getting to know a new house (briefly, since this is a rental). Making new friends. Learning the best places to shop and play, and the best ways of getting there. Finding a place for ourselves here.
Have you been uprooted? Had to start all over again?
{{{Hugs}}} As a military and then a corporate ladder spouse, I can so relate. Eighteen moves before we settled on the Texas Gulf coast. You leave a part of your heart and your life every place you live. Each new place offers new memories and new adventures. Enjoy your new adventure.
Thanks, Judy.
I’ve lived in the same area my entire adult life–until now. It’ll be an adventure, that’s for sure. 🙂
I moved from Montreal to Toronto in 2005. The change may not have been as radical as yours but no matter where you go, a place has a character and life of its own. I strongly suggest learning your new city: hit all the tourist attractions, eat at the restaurants everyone in town has been to, discover what makes your new hometown tic because you will learn about the place, learn about its citizens and integrate faster.
Yep. Planning on it! Once we (meaning me) all get over our various ailments. Why is that when I get a nasty cold it saps all my energy, whereas when the kids get it, they just go on as before, bouncing off the walls?
Congratukations! I, for one, am thankful to know that y’all are no longer perched between two stools. Life is better together. 🙂 as for me, it’s been a while since I moved, but we did have that funny school year where we drove across the country with only what fit in the van to spend a year in Pasadena…it was a great year, kind of a vacation. Somehow, coming home felt a little bit like starting over again, too.
It is nice to no longer be stuck in transition, that’s for sure. I would love to do a year somewhere–preferably abroad–but know that a home is waiting for me to come back to it.
To be honest, I’ve moved so often, people think I’m a military kid until I tell them, No, my family are just wanderers. I usually love moving, but for the last 5-6 years, we’ve been settled down in one spot and that’s been surprisingly nice. It’s the first time I haven’t gotten restive and ready to uproot before there was even need to do so.
Here’s hoping and praying you all feel better and settle in beautifully, easily, and happily! :hugs:
Thank you! Your area is beautiful, though. Not surprised that you’re not feeling the urge to move. 🙂
It is so weird, isn’t it? Moving, starting fresh in some new area. How long will you be in the rental? I’m glad the whole sale/move is over and behind you! That can be so stressful.
I’ve moved many times, all over California. Biggest transition was from So. Cal to No. Cal when I was 11… culture shock to lose my sidewalks and ability to bike ride/skateboard/rollerskate and all of a sudden be in the country with 2 acres of land, and new activities to learn. I’m on my third home that I’ve owned now, but I can still remember all the rentals back before I could buy, and how attached to everyone of them I got.
We’ll be here for at least a year. Part of me wants to keep renting for a long time, since the whole selling/buying of a house is such an emotional roller coaster. But I’m sure I’ll see the drawbacks of renting soon enough! 🙂
I am in awe of you. The thought of having to pack everything up and move it – with three young kids, no less – just about boggles my mind. We’ve been in our house about 13 years, and I can’t even get my brain around moving stuff out of the way to get the floors re-done on the main floor. Congrats to you! I hope the settling-in process is relatively painless.
Thanks! We had the benefit of time. We’ve known since last August we needed to move, so I had plenty of time to declutter and pack non-essentials. Now we’re unpacking things we haven’t seen in six months. It’s sort of like Christmas. 🙂
Congratulations on your move! 🙂
Good to know you’re all together again as a family. I hope you settle in quickly and you all get better soon.
Last move we made was 16 years ago – a short hop of 150 miles or so and we lived in rented accommodation for a five months. Living out of boxes was very trying especially as most of our stuff was in storage. We’d also moved the contents of our lab so had a double dose of sorting out and settling in to do.
No small kids though. I too am in awe of all that packing and moving and keeping three kids looked-after! I’m also in awe of your organisational abilities to declutter and pack non-essentials way ahead of time 🙂
Lab? What kind of lab?
Like I said a few comments ago, I had the benefit of time. Plus I had to declutter and pack in order to stage the house for showing. Fun times. 😀
Scientific lab – I did horticultural research, working on plant diseases. Exciting times, fun people to work with.
Decluttering is good. This place could do with some! 😀