More Pics for the Curious

 Hubby finished another closet last night.

He hopes to do another tonight.

Just the simple shelf and rod allow me to empty some more boxes/totes.

And I have found spots for everything in the living room.

This is the first time that I have had furniture that is not against a wall.

With the large living room window, we really wanted the couch to face the windows.

I am so glad that it is working for us!

Again, it looks bare still.  It needs some wall hangings and a rug in front of the couch.'

All in good time.

View from Kitchen

View from entry hallway

Order and Chaos

 The primary living area is getting some order.

There is no decoration, but it is easier and easier to function.

We are learning where the essentials of every day are.

There is order in most of our living space, 

but the guest rooms are still waiting for their closets so that they can be ordered.

And therein lies the chaos.

On Friday, I did the final cleanout for the apartment.

It was nice to finish and to be able to bring all of the cleaning supplies to the house.

Hubby cut wood to put up shelves and coat racks in the coat closet and two guest room closets this weekend.

We also spent some more time making some sense in the garage.

And I began staining wood for the above closets.

Today, I stained wood and did general cleaning which had not really been done since we move in.

And yesterday, I enjoyed playing the organ at church after many, many, many years.

Hubby and I also began learning a new song for a special.

We also "bothered" some new friends for part of the afternoon.

The minds still race a little with the desire to have everything finished ... just about NOW,

but things are settling into place.

The pictures aren't what I would like them to be,

but I know many of you are curious.

How Things Change

 It has been a year and 2 weeks since we helped hubby's mom get to Oregon from her last trip to Montana.

At this time last year, I was running back and forth as we met with nurses and set up hospice care.

I was learning new aspects of caregiving and wondering what the year would hold.

One year later, we have once again crossed the country.

We have once again started over.

We once again wonder what the year will hold - 

though with a little less concern.

Change is inevitable.

Health, location, economy, friends, ...

Psalms 115:3 

But our God is in the heavens: 

he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

Cue the Big Sigh

 First off ... Happy Birthday to my dear one!

It is the 20th birthday we will celebrate together

and it seems like each year is a year to remember.

This year will be special because we are HOME!

We knew that Oregon was just a temporary duty station,

so after 3 years, there is a relief in possibly putting down roots.

Yes, the huge sigh is because we are in our new home.

Last week, in the midst of our personal Covid epidemic, very warm heat, and coughing fits,

we finished a few projects at the new house and moved some simple loads of boxes or small furniture with the car.

On Friday night, we rented the small UHaul and finished the job in about 3 hours.

We woke up Saturday morning in our new home.

The rest of the weekend, we laid low,

primarily because I was not sleeping well at night

and also because I needed a little while to sit in the space.

My mind was tired of decisions ... at least for a bit.

I couldn't think long, because I know that my hubby needs order and peace.

In reality, I do too.  A place for everything and everything in its place.

I hit the ground running yesterday.

Yesterday, I "settled" the Master bed, bath, and closet.

Though things are bound to change a bit,

almost everything has found a home.

(No pics yet because there are no window treatments or wall decorations up yet).

I also spent about 6 hours on the Facebook marketplace selling 4 large items so that there could be some room in hubby's garage.

The new space just required that some furniture go - and why not help someone else in the process.

All four sold in record time and I am relieved of the incessant massaging today.

Hubby is glad that his garage is taking shape.

Today, I enjoyed having a workout space in the garage again.

I also enjoyed the brightness of the kitchen and living room as I wrote some letters and made some plans.

Both our home in Oregon and our temporary apartment were very dark in the living areas.

We have walls of windows here (which will also require some insulated window treatment soon because the sun is warm).

And the rest of the day involves "settling" the living room and kitchen.

This will involve setting up my piano keyboard after not playing for almost 4 months!

I will also tinker in the garage trying to clear even more space.

But we are in and we are grateful.

The Sick Room?

 No, it's not a picture from the new house.

It's not a new room in the house.

Our apartment has become a sick bay.

It appears that we have a summer cold, flu, or ...

5 people at Chris' store are down and out, 

so we assume we may have the same.

So thankful that hubby can work from home.

Praying for a speedy recovery of strength so we can load up Friday night ...

But if not ... We still have the apartment until August 4.

Because I Have to Paint

 I am at the new house today.

We thought it needed a little character

and I wanted a project since hubby was doing shelves.

So I decided to do the wall behind the washer and dryer.

This I my first real laundry room.

I have had lots of closets

and a garage,

but this is a first.

So we bought a big stencil.

It was pretty easy

And I only have a little touch up to do.

Hubby will hang 1 nice long shelf across

and we are ready to go ...

Won't You Be My Neighbor

 I guess our reputation preceded us.

Our neighbor put his house on the market the week we closed!

So, if you are interested ...

802 Saucer Court

Transformation Beyond the House

 I have led a privileged life.

Really!!

I do not believe that I have EVER lacked for anything.

God has been so good.

I have been surrounded by a father, brothers, a husband, and many friends who give and give and give.

I have worked for many things,

but I have received far and above what I could ever deserve.

And this weekend, I realized that in many ways, I have exhibited an entitled spirit.

I wandered around my brand new, beautiful home.

I looked for where things would be placed.

And in essence, I mourned the things that would not get to stay.

I no longer have the excuse that "I might need it in the next house."

As far as I know, this home is fairly permanent.

Some things could not stay any longer.

And as I thought about the things that I needed to say goodbye to,

my husband said, "I should have gotten you a bigger home."

While I was "mourning," he felt like his gift was inadequate.

He had given what we could afford.

He had given all that we needed (we are only 2 people) and actually more than we needed.

And yet, I made him feel like it was not enough.

I have apologized to God and to him.

And realized that on this Tuesday Transformation,

I am the one who needs to change.

Slow Moving Progress

 We had a profitable holiday weekend.

On Friday night, we emptied our storage unit.

It took about 3 hours and it was HOT - but that part is done.

On Saturday, we used the moving truck to get lumber to do some building in the closets.

Hubby also stood outside in the heat most of the afternoon cutting said lumber to length.

I set boxes in rooms and emptied some kitchen boxes that hadn't been with us in the apartment.

We ate our first meal in the house - gourmet chicken tenders and french fries.

Today, we were back at the house and worked on the master walk-in closet and the garage.

Hubby built two shelving units and I got one of them stained.

They will sit on either side of the walk in closet.

The two sides will have hanging rods 

and then clothes will be folded and stacked or put in baskets up the middle.

Our church family in Oregon sent us away with a love gift that bought all the lumber for our closet upgrades.

Thank you, Mid Valley.

We also put together a shelving unit in the garage which I promptly filled up.

But I am trying to limit my "stuff" to the new unit.

It appears that we may have a little too much to do to move in this coming weekend,

but we'll see.

The heat really takes it out of us.

Who's idea was it to move in July?

I believe that this is the second time that we have done this.