Coming Home!

It has been over a year since we moved to a new house and a new town.  It is exactly where we want to be. There is plenty to keep us occupied.  We are never bored.  In fact, there are many, many opportunities on which to spend our time. We have to be very careful not to over extend.  After all, we are retired.



So, my question: Exactly when will I begin to feel I am 'Home'?  I have all of my stuff here.  I know 'Home' is where the heart is and my "Heart of Hearts" is here with me.  However, when we leave and come back, we are coming back to our house. I think you will agree there is a difference between a house and a 'Home'.  

Will I feel I'm coming 'Home' when I don't spend an hour looking for my Lucite salad set or the table cloth that I know I packed.  I spend at least 30 minutes a day looking for stuff. I know  they are somewhere in the house or in some box that is still in storage.  Or maybe, when we empty the storage and close it.  Then again, we are looking for the perfect rug for our living room...maybe when we find it that will do it.  

 Ah, here's another thought...maybe when my fledgling garden matures, that will do it?  Then, there's the chance that I will reach for a light switch and it will be right under my hand and not on the opposite wall:)

We have discussed the fact that we moved from a traditional house that we lived in for 26 years into a newer more contemporary house.  We moved from a town in which we  lived  over some 50 years.  Maybe our roots were sunk so deep that it will be a while before we can pull them up and let the new roots to take hold.  




My only explanation is that maybe we just have to live in this house long enough to build some memories.  Then, when we leave, we can come back 'Home'. 

The Weather Outside Was Frightful

...and the fire was so delightful.  And since we had no place to go...it snowed, and snowed and snowed...and took out a transmission line and our electricity went with it! We were without about 17 hours.  

In the meantime...We ate crackers, cheese, and peanut butter.  Camped out on the couch layered with clothes and blankets... 

 ...I worked on a project that has been on my list forever...a Christmas Alphabet Book made from old Christmas cards that I collected over the years.  

'A' is for Angels 
With halos so bright
Whose carols were heard
On that First Christmas Night.

He was not so happy being layered
and covered with blankets!

Chuck painted, 

shoveled snow, 

and took photos.

A photo is worth ...

Everything!

Double Wedding Quilt Project - Done

In 1990 I had an idea for a quilt and wall hanging for my king-sized bed.  The problem: I did not know how to quilt.  Solution: take a quilting class.  


I started with a pin cushion, progressed to a wall hanging, and then to a sampler quilt.  I was 'Hooked on Quilting'.  Then, I took the quilt class to end all quilt classes...a Double Wedding Ring Quilt.  Of course, mine could not have been a simple double wedding ring quilt.  No...I went for a queen sized quilt with three different colors and a white center.

All documented in this book

Fabric selection documentation

Here you go! 
22 years later...Not only for the quilt, but for the quilter...

2001

20 Year Anniversary
2010

Now, 22 years later...

Of course, I have many more ideas to embellish it.  

I have decided to declare it 'finished'.  Now on to the future.  

Moving is the "Pits"!

West Gate

We're here...

in the house...

However, our stuff is... 

in storage!

the garage

.

I spend my time and energy unpacking, talking to AT&T, Direct TV, Belken, and Carpet Barn.


I bought a Blue Tooth ear piece at Walmart.  I was getting a crick in my neck while holding for all of the above. ..and listening to their music and ads.




I have neglected my Etsy Shop, my blogs, and FB.

I am ready to get back into the rhythm of my life!  Some people call it a rut...not a bad thing as opposed to moving!  

Ah....Home Sweet Home!

The Word is Out! We're Moving Along! Installment No. 1

We are going to give this another try!  Can we succeed at retirement? ....That is the question!

Little Rock home of 26 years

We are on a new adventure...moving from Little Rock to Hot Springs Village.  This has not been an adventure taken lightly.  In fact, our adventure began some six or seven years ago.




Our Realtor, Rance Ward with RE/MAX has been the very best and patient Realtor any buyer could wish to have.  Thanks, Rance, for finding us our dream house!






The moving process has begun...packing!  We have not moved in 26 years, but it is just as bad an experience as it was then!  I used to move every two or three years.  In hindsight, it wasn't as bad...I hadn't accumulated so much stuff.


A picture is worth a thousand words!

Need I say more?

.

..Then, guess who showed up to help with the packing?

  You met them when we went to the Crystal Bridge Art Museum.  You guessed it-Arthur and Dolly!  They were ready to pitch in until they saw all the boxes. 

 All Dolly could do was throw up her hands.  She was speechless. I am not sure how much help they will be, but it's nice to have the moral support.

Stay tuned for the next installment of "Moving Along"!

Spring Cleaning!....Check!

Today is a red-letter day!  I have finished my Spring cleaning.  It all began this year when the first daffodil opened.  I was off and running.  In fact, there were a few Summer days before I finished the last task.

Actually last year's picture...
waiting for someone to send us
this year's!

It started  the week before Easter with 'what am I going to wear on Easter Sunday'.  I have now taken one load of clothes I haven't worn in two (or more) years to Goodwill.  I left one load on the curb for ARC to pick up...which they did on Monday.  In fact, I have collected another pile of 'stuff' to set out for Big Brothers/Big Sisters to pick up when they come by at the end of April. Also, two boxes of books that I will never read has been donated to CALS (Central Arkansas Library System).  I also have some books that I will put on PaperBackSwap so I can get credits to get more books that I may/may not read.


I have a new system of my projects.  All projects are labeled and put in clear storage bins so I can see them.  They are now stored in our storage closets and not sitting all over the house.  I feel lighter already.  

I even made time
to polish my
toenails...

Today I now claim this year's 'Spring Cleaning' frenzy at an end.  The floors are mopped/vacuumed, and the screened porch is pollen-free.  Just in time  for me to put my feet up and read one of the books that I didn't give away...or maybe I'll just take a nap!