BIG life changes out here...

Where do I start?  Last January, my dh had the idea that it was time to move.  At first, we were thinking our retirement home in Idaho.  And sure did enjoy looking at the homes in Zillow and dreaming a bit.  Then he had a meet with his business partner who told him the company is not quite ready for dh to retire or semi-retire...so, dh changed the plan to go to Reno, Nv instead.   As one of the companies (aka 'the shop') is out there.   Soooooooo, we spent a couple of weekends in Feb touring houses out there.   He was soooooo picky, I felt I could work with most of them.  My requirements were simple...at least 1100 square foot scraproom and no steep intense stairs.  (as I figured my scraproom would be a basement).    I LOVED this old 70's house...it was disgusting, and would have had to be completely redone....I mean, I think the original toilets were still in there...BUT to me it had such 'fixer upper' potential. 

But dh had seen a house on Zillow that he could not stop wishing for.  When he first showed me the picture, I  did a little scream.  I was thinking something cottagy, traditional...for retirement!   When we started actual house hunting our realtor (Meghan) contacted them but they said it was off market, as they had accepted an offer.  So, okay...it is what it is....  But dh could not stop thinking of this, his 'dream' home.  And after a couple of weeks he asked Meghan to ask again...even if they would accept a backup offer.   And they said yes.

Because he was 'pickier' than me...I was okay that he went for a walk thru on a Weds while I was working...then put in his backup offer on a Thurs....eh, not gonna happen, right?

By Saturday and Sunday there were counter offers and then an acceptance of our offer, with one caveat (sp?).....close in 20 days.  Long story, lots of 'can this happen?' moments, but thanks to the team at Bank of the West...the impossible happened and we bought a house in Reno.  aaaaaahhh whaaaa???

I kept telling family that if this house happens, I will consider this God's will...He had to open those doors, right?

So, I went to the kids and told them that IF we get the house, our move date would be mid April and I should stop babysitting April 1 to get ready for it.

They thought long and hard, and decided that since California was never their dream, they came out after dsil left the Corps so  he could get his MBA, and she could get 'real world' experience in human resources...Texas is...that they would go ahead and move back to Texas.   Then doors started opening, they are in a position to work from home for their present companies....and now they are moving back to Texas!!!  Son in law and furniture and pets leave on Friday in a Penske,  Daughter and Boys leave on Sunday in an airplane!   Whaaaaaaa??!!!!!!!


So, in a blink of an eye, EVERYTHING is changing!   My son's family will still be in California, so they are a 4 hour drive....but TEXAS!   so sad.   I have been babysitting/ nanny ing those boys since dd went back to work after birth! 

It is with mixed emotions I face this move.

Oh!  And I finally did see the house.  We met with the owners the day before we signed.  It is a nice house, full of cool 'touches'.   She collects stained glass transoms...and the house is filled with them and a couple of empty nooks for them.  Every light fixture is unique and antique...well, except the ceiling fans.    BUT

there is no scraproom and the stairs are steep and narrow to get to the basement.

(Dh is having a wall built so I can have a scraproom, we are going to move my present cabinets there...to set it up...) 

And there is very little storage.   I now have a pantry...nope.  I now have a coat closet....nope.  I now have my own sink and closet in the master...nope.

   Very small master bathroom (you can stand in it and with your hand extended touch the shower, toilet, sink and walls and window) with one pedastal sink to share.   One closet to share.   AND the master bedroom is the first door after the entry.  Luckily the family room in front of it, can be the readingroom/parlour so the hanging out can be done in the back room instead of in front of the master.  So, I do get a readingroom/parlour and I plan to make it extra feminine.   Because shared in the basement, after my wall is built will be dh's pool room (previous owners left theirs) and man cave.     

Sooo, I guess for a while this will be a moving/ decorating blog...till I can scrapbook again.

As far as the 'depression' that can set in because of missing family...my daughter has challenged me to 'live intentionally'...a phrase I've been hearing all over the place.  So, I sat down and made goals and wrote down my 'steps' to get there.  We'll see how that works out.  But as I said, I do feel like God's hand is in this...too many things coming together to make this happen.  And ultimately, I will trust in Him.  Though I may cry some...I know all will come together for the good of those who love Him.  And there is something here I need to learn to grow.   Chazak!   (I learned that word in my Tree of Life Bible)