We have a new address! Moving out of our home of 24 years, from the house we built, and where our kids grew up, has been quite an adventure. It’s exciting, scary, emotional, and exhausting all at once. But we finally made it.

As I am writing this on Aug 13, it doesn’t quite feel like “home” yet. We moved into the new villa even though it wasn’t completely finished. We sold our house quickly back in April and had to vacate the premises by August 1. (Ok, I’m not acting like a big shot because I call it a villa. That’s what they’re called. It’s an HOA development that builds the same style of individual, smaller homes.) Contractors have been coming and going while we try to unpack. But the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter. 

In June, we had a big garage sale. I took lots of stuff to Goodwill. I packed. I didn’t sleep. I packed. I slept. I cleaned. I wore the same outfit 3 days in a row because I didn’t care. We reminded ourselves that it was a temporary situation. I don’t think my back and knees will ever forgive me. 

But, here we are, and it’s glorious! I see the potential and can easily picture the simple lifestyle we’ve anticipated since early 2024. I know, eventually, my weary back will thank me. The one thing I don’t miss already is having a two-story home. 

Here are my favorite features of our new house I’d like to share…my walk-in pantry. It’s glorious and unbelievable how I ever lived without one..lol. And the rolling pins instead of regular ole’ door handles, I must say, are the cutest! 

I’ve never had a bigger closet, and for the first time in my 57 years, I won’t have to pack up and store the clothes for the opposite season. I can’t wrap my head around it. Yahoo! 

Although our roofed patio, right outside our kitchen, is not quite complete, I’m looking forward to relaxing by the fireplace in a comfy, cozy chair to read or watch TV. At our old house, I had to practically crawl down 2 flights of steps just to get to our patio set. I call our new place “the house of convenience”.

Once the finishing touches are complete, I’m positive it won’t take long to get cozy. 

I know you’re all wondering how Theo, our 18 lb brown tabby, made the move from the only house he ever knew. He’s doing just fine! Skittish the first couple of days, but he’s been roaming around and checking things out. He was a major part of my anxiety during this move.

Thank you for being patient while I put my blog on hold! There was no way I would have enjoyed writing while worrying about whether I packed a box with the right amount of bubble wrap or how much I should sell some old planters for. 

Cheers to house No. 71! I’m happy to be here!

PS. Since writing this, our new place has indeed started feeling like home! I know where things are in the kitchen drawers and have gotten into a routine. The outside of all the villas is virtually the same, including the light fixtures. I guess it made it easy that we didn’t have to choose anything. I did end up changing the doorbell to black because the white one didn’t match. The contractors still need fo finish a couple of things up, and I have to get a couple of things completed myself. I did buy a cream, bound rug for the family room. It looks and feels much cozier. Next on the agenda is finding a coffee table. It was hard and exhausting, but I would do it again in a minute!