Moving Life
I know I am not the only one who loves moving. But I really do. I've been getting rid of stuff lately and now I am so excited to pare down even more and pack up.
We were approved for our loan (our third, ohmygod) to buy the new blue house! And we close (I think) in about two weeks.
Now on the agenda:
I know I am not the only one who loves moving. But I really do. I've been getting rid of stuff lately and now I am so excited to pare down even more and pack up.
We were approved for our loan (our third, ohmygod) to buy the new blue house! And we close (I think) in less than ten days.
Now on the agenda:
- Packing. (Yippee Yeah YEAH Yahoo!)
- Fixing up our current place. Want to come paint window trim for us? Also, patching walls, cleaning, primping, making gorgeous.
- Trying to rent our current apt. See listing HERE. And please, pass it around.
- Taking care of two kids, running a few businesses, and wait, doing this all in the next two weeks!
- Is there something I am missing? Like dreaming about stuff for the new house on etsy?
- Oh, right, taking off the trim in the laundry room to get the washer out, switching the plug back to a euro to put in a different washer/dryer, getting the mason to come and re-tile the shower....crap! Go, team, go!
And now, because you always look for this:
Mindfulness in Moving
Things to notice as you go:
- SPACE. Stop. Breathe it it, feel it around you.
- STUFF. See your attachments. Note them & move gently along.
- DECISIONS. Yes, we all make them. Trust yourself deeply.
- TIME. Things change. We are always IN FLUX. Breathe again. Accept.
- CALM. Even in the most harrowed moments, there are other moments within.
Close your eyes and smile. You CAN do this.
Read more and read it here:
Kind of #WordlessWednesday
This is my Dad's house...
That house we are buying...looks suspiciously like my Dad's place on Block Island...
One Hundred and Eighty Degree Turn - Country Mouse/City Mouse
Okay, so remember how I said I bought some land in the woods and was building a house? And I was going to have a big garden and a big freezer and my dogs and kids were going to run around and get dirty and do tick checks? Well, hmm that was ONE vision...
Okay, so remember how I said I bought some land in the woods and was building a house? And I was going to have a big garden and a big freezer and my dogs and kids were going to run around and get dirty and do tick checks? Well, hmm that was ONE vision...
Then last week we found a house in the city (Providence) for the right price – and we put in an offer. So now we are going to envision ourselves as urban. Walking my kids to the playground, driving less, not needing two cars, getting culture, socializing.
How is it possible that we (the infamous hubs and I) can want these two polar opposites? How can we be country mice and city mice? Don't we have to choose? Aren't we crazy to switch tracks in ONE WEEK? Is this irresponsible? Impulsive?
I usually won't even go to the grocery store without planning, is this my version of spontaneity? Was just having a baby not enough?
Well, I tend to reflect upon my decisions by how they make me feel. And this house makes me feel like a ROCKSTAR. Seriously, the weight of building (yes, totally and awesome project that WILL happen at some point) is OFF me. You mean, this house is FINISHED and I can MOVE RIGHT in? Oh my beautiful deity, whoever you are, thank you thank you.
<Insert IMMENSE gratitude here>
So, it's 180 and this isn't twister. Its a turn towards simplicity, ease, and the creation of space. I want time to love my kids, I want time to build my business, time to write, time to love my husband, time to grow. So don't judge my speed, commend my values instead. And keep your fingers crossed we get yet another mortgage.
When we do, come over for dinner, won't you?
So you like it? Try these:
Oh Snap, What Have I Done #wordlesswednesday
The offer is in... Let the waiting begin...
The offer is in... Let the waiting begin...
Cranes and Cervical Effacement
It went a little like this:
- Busted seal, cranes, replacement glass, doesn't fit, they try to make it fit, glass everywhere, 2nd replacement pane almost doesn't fit, I am praying I don't go into labor, it fits, it works, they leaves, no baby yet.
It went a little like this:
- Busted seal, cranes, replacement glass, doesn't fit, they try to make it fit, glass everywhere, 2nd replacement pane almost doesn't fit, I am praying I don't go into labor, it fits, it works, they leaves, no baby yet.
This is the building we own and currently live in. There are five units (of which we occupy two). I dream of the day when it is all rental income. But in the meantime, it is mostly outflow. Gotta love something built in 1878. (Think new roof, widows, lead paint, old pipes and everything is uneven.) Does this sound like work? Is this really my hobby? I think I need to re-define some things :)
Speaking of AMAZING house/building/project blogs. Have you read THIS ONE? Isn't she WONDERFUL? Her writing is hysterical and the project is fab.
Some People Nest. I Build.
This pregnancy I am building a house. Well, starting, anyway.
When I was pregnant with Camilla I decided to build an 8 foot partition wall.
This pregnancy I am building a house. Well, starting, anyway.
Am I nuts? Quite possibly. But I've become adjusted (mostly) to being that way. So send me your favorite interior shots. I am off to buy 20-something old doors.
Thing One and Thing Two
I feel like I cannot do anything today except talk about:
I feel like I cannot do anything today except talk about:
- Craigslist and the absoulutly wonderful blog that I have been devouring. Seriously, this woman is a brilliant writer and super funny, and since my building was build in 1890 I TOTALLY understand. Oh, and did I mention that I have a call with the architect this AM who is designing our NEW HOUSE? I guess I didn't, and come to think of it, did ya'll even know I am building a house? (Yeah, while having a 2nd baby and running a few businesses.)
- Self expression via clothing. Seriously. I first learned about this via Madonna, my idol from age 3 to...oh...now. And now I am learning about it from my 2 year old. Roll back everything I knew and dress from the basics of fabulousness. See these again fashionistas and their amazing style HERE.
So, that's what's on my mind today. I guess I'll go get dressed and and browse Craigslist now. Please send any good finds or great outfits to me directly. Or pin to Pinterest, I'll meet you there.
It was HARD and it was GOOD
The time I spent with the organizer was both. I wanted to cry a bit (luckily he had big shoulders to cry on). And, my husband was there helping too (and he ALSO has big shoulders).
Things I learned:
The time I spent with the organizer was both. I wanted to cry a bit (luckily he had big shoulders to cry on). And, my husband was there helping too (and he ALSO has big shoulders).
Things I learned:
1) People are different. My husband, my assistant and I all were around for this and we were all immediately diagnosed as ADHA, OCD & pregnant, respectively. Totally nailed it. We all have such different styles of what to do with stuff and HOW to deal with it.
2) When everything from one closet is out on the floor in piles you will probably want to give up. If you are really lucky and have someone there to help, they won't let you.
3) You might not finish in a day. These projects can take some tweaking over time. Be hopeful, but flexible.
4) You have more shit than you ever thought possible.
5) Trash day doesn't happen nearly as often as one might like. So, remember to plan in advance for the throwing stuff out portion of the process. I didn't plan well enough for this. So, a few days later we still have a section of crap to deal with...
6) Old paint smells really, really bad.
7) Drink a lot of water.
THIS LINK: DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS OF TIDY FAMILIES really reminded me that LESS STUFF is GOOD.
THIS LINK: MAKING SPACE CLEANSE sounds like a great way to begin and set intentions for some serious process.
I Hired a Personal Organizer
My family and friends are laughing at me. Usually, I am the one who organizes their spaces.
"The organizer hires an organizer," my mom said.
My family and friends are laughing at me. Usually, I am the one who organizes their spaces.
"The organizer hires an organizer," my mom said.
I needed help. Every time I looked in this closet I shut down. I couldn't even do simple projects because just finding my glue was too damn hard. Closet of excuses? Closet of avoidance? Closet of lost hope?
He comes this morning for our first pass at it. My first job was to define this space's function. My goal is for this to be a supply closet for all of my rental spaces in this building. I'd like to be able to do most building projects from this closet alone. However, for now, while we still live IN the building, it also must hold some wood and raw materials that will eventually be gone... Dual purpose organization, if you will.
Oh, and I'd also like to be able to actually walk into the closet.
Here we go! Stay tuned for more and think about your own spaces. Can you define your goals for specific spaces?