Home Sweet Home

So, where to begin?

Despite being a whiner and telling everyone who'd listen that moving sucks the big one, it went remarkably well. The movers arrived promptly (even a few minutes early)on Thursday morning and didn't stop for seven hours. They fit our little house of horrors onto the 28 foot truck like a well crafted, unbelievably complicated jigsaw puzzle. Amongst other crazy things, they managed to tuck our obnoxious stainless steel grill (a big mutha) off the ground (as in, not one of it's four wheels touched the floor of the truck), snuggly with the rest of our worldly possessions.

Everything that came out of the old house was neatly and efficiently put into the new house in the same condition. They even made suggestions about furniture placement and paint colors. All for about $500.

It was just amazing to watch.

Which, by the way, speaks to the depth of Steve's and my stupidity. We were plumb tuckered out just watching them sweat and shudder under the weight of some of our furniture. For real. And...it wasn't until about 2 weeks before the closing that we decided to seek out some moving estimates. 'Cuz we actually thought we could move ourselves. Me and him. Him and I. In a 20 foot U-Haul.

Let me clue you in on a little secret. Not only would it have taken 2 weeks for us to empty the old house, it would have cost us a bundle in divorce attorney fees to settle the division of our busted up crap that didn't get completely trashed in the process.

So, anyway, where was I? The move and the closing went off without a hitch and we've made significant inroads into making the new place feel like home. Steve has painted the laundry room and the family room (the previous owners had a very liberal color palette) and we even have a few pictures on the walls.

The kids have their own rooms now, complete with new beds and new comforters (which they picked out themselves). I had worked myself up in anticipation of separation anxieties and bedtime battles, but lo and behold, they have been champs! They love their rooms, love the decor they've each chosen and have settled down beautifully. Thank God.

There you have it. It's done and we're in. And we love it. I mean really love it. We didn't realize how cramped we were at the old house (happy, but cramped)and are really enjoying being able to stretch out a bit. The yard is beautifully landscaped here, and we're looking forward to seeing what the spring brings (lots of bulbs, we're told). Other than paint, there is little for us to do, but enjoy the house. We've already had some neighbors stop by, and it looks like there will be a little slice of something for all three kids on the street with a nice mix of older and younger boys and girls.

So while I don't plan on doing this EVER again, I'm not sorry we did. At times the stress was almost too much to bear (I'm such a sissy), and the effort took a toll on my sanity and security, but it was all worth it. I am so looking forward to creating new memories in this house and gradually turning it into our home.

Well, pictures are forthcoming, especially as rooms get closer to being complete, but in the meantime, here are my funny little people enjoying a housewarming edible bouquet from Brighid and Keith. It was absolutely dee-lish...and between the five of us we annihilated it in less than 10 minutes. Muchas gracias!!

Thanks to everyone else who sent new house mojo. We felt your support and appreciate the warm thoughts!