Monday, November 05, 2012

Here's the News

For those of you speculating that my big change might be a move, you would be correct. The old house by the lake that I've been renting had finally become too much for me to deal with, and I suspect some of my health problems of the last couple of years can be traced to its dampness. Being shut up for 3 months while I was away in Rochester intensified its "old house smell" - overpoweringly musty when I arrived. I'd been considering getting out even before leaving for Rochester. Now my nose told me it was definitely time to go.


My faithful Subaru Outback made many trips to the new (and newer) rental on the other side of town, packed to the gills with things I could handle myself.


I'd given myself a short timeline to get everything packed that I needed the movers to handle. My last three moves I'd had the movers box up everything but my studio. This time, I boxed it all myself. Did I say a few posts back that I thought it time to clear the decks for a fresh start? I bet you never dreamed I meant this! But I did, and it feels right. I got rid of bags and bags of stuff, from clothing to books to furniture to polyester and blend fabric leftovers from my clothing construction days. I probably should have jettisoned even more, but this particular round of parting with things kept for all the wrong reasons was a big step.


Moving day was not without its drama. I'd had weeks of moderate dry weather for packing and trips back and forth to the new place. But THE day my furniture and boxes and boxes of stuff would be loaded into the moving van, mother nature gave me a send-off of rain/sleet and 50 mph wind gusts! We judiciously paused inside as multiple storm waves blew through.


So within a month of returning from Rochester, I was sleeping in my new place, although not totally out of the old; still things at the old house to be packed up and a lot of cleaning to do, another week's worth of work. It was starting to feel like Rochester all over again - the daily drive between rentals, the schedule requiring long days with nary a day off.


But at last I wrapped up that part of my life and am now focused on settling into my new digs. A lot of time has been spent washing most everything textile as towels, sheets and clothing had all absorbed the awful smell in the old house. (Thankfully, the studio was the one room that didn't smell so fabric stashes ok!) Boxes await emptying, the dining room table substitutes as temporary home to things that will eventually find their way onto kitchen shelves and a few new pieces of furniture require assembling. Every space has its own rhythm and I am still learning this one's. Bit by bit, all things will find their proper place.


I don't know when I'll get to setting up the studio again, but I feel an excitement about working in the new space that is encouraging. It is the same width as my previous studio, but several feet longer, plus it has that wonderful closet spanning the width of one end of the room and has its own bathroom - ooohh the possibilities. The ping pong table I've been using for years as a work table couldn't be enticed up the stairway and I am not particularly sad about that. I'd already researched a plan b, and have since come up with a plan c. Rather than feeling my usual urge to resist change, I am welcoming it. The fact that I could orchestrate this move in so short a time proved to me how ready I was for change. Not much pondering nor foot dragging, just acceptance and action.


The only thing sad to leave is the view I had of the lake. But seriously, I had 6 years of that view, taken so many pictures of it in all kinds of weather and seasons and am still just a few minutes' drive to city beach where I'd begun spending lots of time with another favorite lake view. I can go back to the bike trail and see the old view from their as well. It's not like I left the area. And what I traded it for is not so bad. This is the view from my new studio - I had the choice of three townhouses along this street - that birch tree sealed the deal for the one I chose!


And looking the other direction, from the office/guest room and my bedroom, over the tops of other townhouses along my street, I can still see mountains and watch the wispy clouds play amongst their peaks and folds, and watch stands of trees turn color, and enjoy beautiful sunsets.

Esthetically, it may not be as pleasing an area as the one I just moved from, but it has its own possibilities, and the townhouse itself makes me feel safe and comfortable in a way I have not for too long.     

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh this is so exciting. I moved, you moved, how come we didn't move together...lol

I've gotten my house pretty much set up to my liking. I saved the studio upstairs for last and just finished breaking down the boxes this morning. Now I have no excuse not to begin sewing except I have to take the truck in for it's 100,000 mile checkup tomorrow. So maybe Wed.

I've found a wire wrapping sea glass class in Sequim about 20 miles away so for four weeks have that to go to. I've signed up for a couple of online classes and another fabric class next Sept 14-15 at the Pacific Northwest Art School so am settling in and making this home.

Miss seeing you....Susan in Port Townsend

FabricandFlowers said...

Looks like a nice, must free place. I applaud you for throwing out the stuff you don't use. I always feel good when I finally do it. Enjoy the new digs!

Cate Rose said...

Looks great, Sheila. Congrats on the move, and good luck in the new place!

Françoise said...

Congratulations. I'm sure you did the right thing.
Enjoy the new place!

Annabel said...

Sounds like a good move to me. I always wanted to live in the country, but as I've got older, I relish the nearness of other people - they add a zest to life. It's also handy being near shops and things to do. Your house looks lovely and I hope you enjoy the lack of smell and dampness - not good - and enjoy your new space.

Amanda said...

Congrats and good luck in the new location! It does look rather lovely, I hope you have many hours creating lovely things in that room.

Felicity Grace said...

Wow, big changes! Damp is not healthy, it's good to leave that behind. It looks like a very beautiful area and I'm sure it will give you a new lease of inspiration! Have fun in your new studio!

Anonymous said...

What's your new address so I can Internet stalk you?

BC

The Idaho Beauty said...

Oh, BC, be patient - I'll send stalking information soon... ;-)

June said...

Oh my goodness. I didn't see this coming. But I'm glad you got out of musty and mold, although I did grow to love the setting of your old place. But the birches will help compensate (not to mention the lack of health problems!)

You moved incredibly fast and efficiently, it seems (although it probably doesn't seem like that where you are). Fall is a good time for new beginnings; another friend here in Portland has new digs and seems much happier. I'm so glad to hear that these things work out. and when you get a yen to pack up stuff, you can come visit me. I'm still contemplating what to do with all the fabric art materials. It's such a lot of work to deal with them. If I were only 20 years younger....

Congrats on the move. And have fun now. You are over the worst of it; the nestmaking can begin in earnest.

Wil said...

Congratulations with your new home! And yes, that tree is lovely :-