So, it's been quite a while since I last posted. I knew that moving would disrupt things, but boy, it's taking a while to get back into the swing! We have officially moved into our new house, and I love it, though it is definitely in need of a lot of TLC.
Let me tell you a bit about it: it, I believe, was once a beautiful home. It has sat vacant on the market for more than two years, and the neglect and months of emptiness have made an impact. So we hear tell, a woman and her husband originally lived here (it was built in 1976, and I think this was the second owner). The husband died after it was put on the market, and the woman moved away -- and her daughter moved in. Apparently, her daughter was not much of a clean freak, and had -- as the listing realtor expressed "a zoo living in her basement." The zoo consisted of several large dogs, several cats, birds and lizards, who all were allowed to run wild in the downstairs. After the daughter moved out, the house was bought by a relocation company, who wanted to do the minimal amount possible. Another family became interested in it, but backed out when mold was discovered in the garage. At that time, the market was still good, so the relo company refused to remediate the problem. So the house sat, mold growing and unsellable.
Then we came into the picture. Around the time we became interested the relo company had decided that they would have to fix the mold problem, and so we made an offer contingent on the mold being eradiated and guaranteed. They agreed, and so, we have waited -- for more than 120 days for all the problems to be fixed (including the demolition of several walls to get the mold out, and the subsequent rebuilding) and the house to be ready to move in. Now, it was still in fixer-upper shape, but we got a great deal and a fantastic interest rate. And so, our adventure in NY home ownership now begins!
I'm painting and cleaning my little heart out, and go to bed each night more tired than the last. I suppose that means I must be making progress! But I feel as if I've been neglecting my Life in Pajamas, so to that end, I'm here to make up for lost time. I may not have been posting, but I have been taking photos each day, so here is a 15-day reprisal of my experiences during this move:
May 26th~
(the wall and room before:)
A busy day -- cleaning crew in to try and make the house livable (and believe me, they had their work cut out for them); moving boxes and the tractor over in Dan's pickup; I began painting a really ugly brick wall in the family room; and continuing to pack up the house. I never want to see another cardboard box again...
Mom and Dad are in the city, as Dad is having his knee replaced today. Never a dull moment!
May 27~
Closing day!! We spent a little time waiting in Dad's office and Sarah really enjoyed the view! Went to see Dad after it was all done (it took 3 hours as the title work was a mess), and I was able to see for myself that he was recovering, though it really looks like it hurts. :(
May 28th ~
Moving Day!! The movers arrived at 8:30 a.m. just as Todd was heading off to work. The movers were great -- very nice and fast. They had the truck loaded with our furniture and the packed boxes from the basement by 1 p.m. -- arrived at #2 at 2:15 p.m. and were unloaded and done by 5 p.m. It's a bit of a shock to be here -- it's still unfamiliar and the weather is very gloomy and damp. I'm crabby to be honest -- and so very tired -- but I'm happy to be here (even if I don't want to walk around without shoes on yet!) :)
May 29 ~
Look! The carpets were installed today -- so exciting -- and it makes such a difference. I finished painting the wall a few hours before the carpet installers arrived. so the room is looking better and better! While they installed the carpet, I worked on the inside of the pantry, which like just about everything in this house needed a good paint job.
Mom and Dad sent this amazing flower arrangement -- they smell so good!
May 30~
We moved the bulk of the remaining boxes over in a rented U-Haul. This is starting to feel like the move that will never end... People say in-town moves are easier, but I'm not so sure. You get lulled into a sense of complacency (Oh, I can get to that after we close...) and suddenly, you realize you are running out of time, energy and patience!
May 31 ~
While Todd and I cleaned and unpacked, the ladies made a little artwork for the front path!
June 1~
Poor Ainsley has a stomach flu! The timing is terrible -- I have to have the old house emptied and cleaned top to bottom by the end of tomorrow. Luckily she felt good enough to tag along and watch videos in the car while I cleaned!
When we got home, we started moving the heavy furniture into the downstairs. Up until now it was residing in the garage, as we wanted to wait till the carpets were in. Then, it took us a while to have the energy to do it! :)
June 2~
Goodbye 6 West. Time to close the door to this chapter of our life.
Ainsley is still sick, but again felt well enough to go over so I could finish cleaning. As with so many things, when things seem the craziest, more happens and so it did today -- Maddie now has an eye infection that required an hour long visit to the vet and drops every four hours. I'm not sure I've ever felt as tired as I do today. Ainsley has been up most of the night, which wakes Sarah up too. The house doesn't feel comfortable yet -- and the sleep I do get is fitful. Couple that with all the work moving, lifting, cleaning, and worrying and I'm one tired girl. But I do know I'll look back in a month and this will all be one heck of a story...
June 3~
Don't we look impressively tough? We both have these odd matching bruises -- not sure from where, but it sort of typifies this past 10 days. (and yes, I'm the pathetically pale one.) :)
June 4~
I'm pacing the floor tonight. I should be sleeping -- but I'm just starting to get settled in and one of my habits when I move to a new place is to wander around after everyone else is asleep and just try to get acclimated. It may take me a while -- but a few more nights of pacing and I'll feel more at home.
June 6~
Dad's knee was feeling a bit better and so he and Mom came up to see the progress on the house. They brought these pretty roses from the garden to make the house smell and look wonderful.
June 7 ~
Mom's birthday! Picture and writing in it's own post! :)
June 9 ~
A few more before and "mid-way through" shots: one of my former students from UT who is now working in the city came up for a visit today and was so nice to help me paint! We worked on the kitchen -- and though it will likely take several more coats, I'm loving the new white paint on the yucky, dirty old laminate...
June 10~
Nancy and Dad were so kind to give us a new dining room set as a house-warming/anniversary present. I love it!!
